Remember Kevin Costner, the no-nonsense ex-Secret Service agent who protected Whitney Houston in "The Bodyguard"?
Who wouldn't want that guy, right? Without the emotional baggage, of course.
Leigh says special training can get you in the door, CPR and first-aid training are a plus, and a college degree helps. They go along with the compatibility factor in the 24/7 relationship that many employers desire. But Leigh's also partial to applicants with some real-life experience.
"I like military people for this; they didn't go to college, but they served in the military for six years. I love that," she says. "That shows discipline; they have a built-in etiquette and protocol understanding. That's really, really important. I'm looking for somebody with good energy, meaning that they're not up and down. They're very consistent every time we talk and meet with them."
Salary: Leigh says a celebrity bodyguard will start at $60,000 depending on whether they live with the employer. Berube estimates the range at $75,000 to $150,000 depending on training and background. Simply Hired estimates the national average at $46,000.