here is the ultimate rags to riches story.. this guy now a BILLIONAIRE lived on the streets for 10 years..LITERALLY http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Laliberté http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_on_High_Stakes_Poker
Guy Laliberte is an amazing dude, considered the experience and the skills that he got were quite unique and somehow he was able to excel in the business world. It would be nearly impossible for him to get a job with descent income with his fire-breathing and stiltwalking skill. I guess that's what gave him the drive to try out things, since he had nothing to lose.
Mathematicians cant win the nobel. Rumor has it that his wife cheated on him with a mathematician. The fields medal is the highest honor a mathematician can have. To the dunski that compared KISS to Gaga...wtf?