So unless I become a high-risk day-trader, there really is no way for me to make a living just investing in the stock market?

So did people like Warren Buffet and Morgan Stanley build their wealth some other way? And what about the fictional character Gordon Gecko?

Your question doesn't make clear whether you want to "make a living" investing other people's money, or your own. Both are possible. I already gave you a reference regarding careers in the financial advisory and brokerage business. It is also possible to live on the income and capital gains from your own investments, if you save enough while young to make this possible, look for value and diversify to avoid major losses when times are tough. Don't look for hot stocks and funds to make you rich in a few years.

Gordon Gecko may be fictional, but there are over a million Americans in the business of giving financial advice, acting as stock brokers or managing assets. Sometimes it is a hot business to be in, but in hard times jobs can be insecure.

Warren Buffett, Morgan Stanley, and fictional characters like Gordon Gecko did not build their wealth solely through investing in the stock market. While investing in stocks can be a profitable endeavor, it is not the only way to accumulate wealth.

Warren Buffett, for example, built his wealth through a combination of investing in stocks, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of businesses, and making shrewd financial decisions. He is known for his long-term investment approach and for seeking undervalued companies with strong fundamentals.

Morgan Stanley is an investment bank and financial services company that provides a wide range of services, including investment banking, wealth management, and trading. They generate income through various activities such as underwriting securities, offering advisory services, and facilitating transactions for their clients.

As for Gordon Gecko, the fictional character from the movie "Wall Street," his character represents a cunning and ruthless corporate raider who engages in illegal and unethical activities to accumulate wealth. It's important to note that his actions are not representative of real-world practices.

In conclusion, while investing in the stock market can be a part of wealth-building strategies, individuals and companies like Warren Buffett, Morgan Stanley, and fictional characters like Gordon Gecko achieved their success through a combination of investing, strategic decision-making, and various other financial activities.