Hollywood Actors With Crazy Hobbies

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Hollywood stars often lead intense lives on set, but their off-screen activities can be surprisingly eccentric. Many famous actors dedicate their downtime to unique passions that range from collecting vintage items to mastering obscure skills. These hobbies provide a creative outlet or a way to disconnect from the pressures of fame. The following list highlights male celebrities who pursue fascinating and sometimes bizarre pastimes.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks
TMDb

Tom Hanks possesses a profound passion for vintage manual typewriters. The actor owns hundreds of these machines and maintains them in working order. He often types letters to friends and fans on his prized typewriters. Hanks even released a mobile application that simulates the experience of typing on a manual device. His dedication extends to writing a collection of short stories centered around typewriters.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp
TMDb

Johnny Depp utilizes Barbie dolls to explore different character voices for his roles. He reportedly played with the dolls alongside his daughter until she grew out of them. The actor kept the collection and uses the dolls to rehearse scenes. His collection includes celebrity dolls like Beyoncé and the cast of ‘High School Musical’. Depp finds this unique method helpful for developing his on-screen personas.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio
TMDb

Leonardo DiCaprio is an avid collector of vintage action figures and rare toys. His massive collection includes figures from ‘Star Wars’ and ‘He-Man’ alongside other pop culture memorabilia. He occasionally auctions off pieces from his stash to fund his environmental foundation. The actor also collects fossils and purchased a dinosaur skull for his home. DiCaprio views these items as important pieces of cultural history.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt
TMDb

Brad Pitt discovered a therapeutic love for pottery and sculpting after his high-profile divorce. He spends long hours in his art studio creating detailed sculptures. The actor studied under renowned British artist Thomas Houseago to refine his technique. Pitt reportedly misses social events to finish his clay creations. He finds the tactile nature of sculpting to be deeply grounding.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel
TMDb

Vin Diesel has played the fantasy tabletop game Dungeons & Dragons for decades. He learned the game growing up in New York City and continues to play with friends. The actor wrote the foreword for a commemorative book about the game. His character in the film ‘The Last Witch Hunter’ was based on his old Dungeons & Dragons character. Diesel remains a vocal advocate for the creativity the game fosters.

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill
TMDb

Henry Cavill spends his free time painting miniature figures for the tabletop game Warhammer 40,000. He meticulously assembles and paints the tiny soldiers with great precision. The actor shares his completed works on social media to the delight of the gaming community. Cavill also enjoys building high-performance gaming computers from scratch. His hobbies highlight his genuine passion for geek culture.

Nick Offerman

Nick Offerman
TMDb

Nick Offerman is a skilled woodworker who operates his own professional woodshop in Los Angeles. He builds boats, tables, and other fine furniture pieces when he is not acting. The actor released books detailing his philosophy on craftsmanship and manual labor. His shop employs a collective of woodworkers who sell their creations to the public. Offerman finds a deep spiritual satisfaction in working with timber.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis
TMDb

Daniel Day-Lewis once took a break from acting to apprentice as a shoemaker in Florence. He studied under the late master Stefano Bemer to learn the craft of cobbling. The actor lived quietly in Italy and focused entirely on making boots and shoes. He is known for his extreme method acting, but this hobby became a genuine vocation for a time. Day-Lewis credits the experience with helping him stay grounded.

Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey
TMDb

Patrick Dempsey is a professional race car driver who competes in prestigious events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He maintains his own racing team and trains rigorously for endurance races. The actor claims that racing requires the same level of focus and discipline as acting. He has achieved podium finishes and is respected within the motorsport community. Dempsey balances his Hollywood career with his high-speed passion.

Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart
TMDb

Rod Stewart has spent decades building an intricate model railway city in his Beverly Hills home. His layout depicts a 1940s American city inspired by New York and Chicago. The singer and actor requests an extra room in hotels to work on his models while touring. He hand-paints the tiny details and constructs the skyscrapers himself. The scale and detail of his model city have been featured in model railroad magazines.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland
TMDb

Kiefer Sutherland is an avid collector of vintage Gibson guitars. He owns a vast number of rare instruments and keeps them in a dedicated climate-controlled space. The actor established a record label to support artists he admires. He eventually began touring as a musician himself to showcase his love for the instrument. Sutherland values the history and craftsmanship behind every guitar in his possession.

Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen
TMDb

Seth Rogen took up ceramics and pottery as a creative hobby in recent years. He has a studio equipped with wheels and kilns where he crafts vases and ashtrays. The actor experiments with unique glazes and textures to create distinct pieces. He shares his progress and finished works frequently with his online followers. Rogen finds the process of molding clay to be incredibly meditative.

Will Smith

Will Smith
TMDb

Will Smith enjoys the sport of fencing and practices it with his celebrity friends. He introduced Tom Cruise and David Beckham to the sport so they could spar together. The trio reportedly meets up to fence whenever their schedules allow. Smith appreciates the physical and mental agility required for the sport. He views fencing as a fun way to bond while getting a rigorous workout.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise
TMDb

Tom Cruise is a skilled fencer who built a room in his home dedicated to the sport. He takes the hobby seriously and trains to maintain his reflexes. The actor enjoys the strategic element of fencing matches. His competitive nature drives him to improve his technique constantly. Cruise finds that the footwork in fencing helps with his action movie stunts.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling
TMDb

Ryan Gosling learned how to knit while filming ‘Lars and the Real Girl’. He found the repetitive motion of knitting to be very relaxing during downtime on set. The actor continued the hobby after production wrapped and knits gifts for friends. He claims that a perfect day involves sitting in a chair and knitting for hours. Gosling enjoys the tangible result of creating something from yarn.

Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson
TMDb

Liam Neeson is a devoted fly fisherman who travels the world to find the best fishing spots. He spends weeks at a time standing in rivers to catch trout and salmon. The actor enjoys the silence and isolation that comes with the sport. He often takes lessons to refine his casting technique. Neeson finds peace in the rhythm of the water and the concentration the hobby requires.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan
TMDb

Pierce Brosnan is a skilled fire eater and learned the dangerous skill during a workshop in his youth. He performed the act in circuses before he became a famous actor. Brosnan showcased his fire-eating ability on television shows like ‘The Muppet Show’. He eventually stopped performing the stunt due to the health risks involved. The actor retains the knowledge of this unique and perilous performance art.

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris
TMDb

Neil Patrick Harris is a serious magician and served as the President of the Academy of Magical Arts. He incorporates magic tricks into his acting roles and live hosting gigs. The actor collects vintage magic kits and posters from the golden age of illusion. He has a secret room in his house dedicated to his magic memorabilia. Harris loves the theatricality and wonder that magic brings to an audience.

Jason Segel

Jason Segel
TMDb

Jason Segel has a deep love for puppets and collects them in his home. He wrote and starred in a Dracula musical involving puppets for the film ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’. The actor successfully pitched a new Muppets movie to Disney based on his passion. He believes puppets allow for a unique form of storytelling and comedy. Segel keeps several puppets from his projects as keepsakes.

Jeff Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum
TMDb

Jeff Goldblum is an accomplished jazz pianist who plays regularly at venues in Los Angeles. He performs weekly shows with his band whenever he is not filming. The actor engages with the audience and plays improvised sets. He released jazz albums that have charted successfully. Goldblum views music as a vital form of expression alongside his acting career.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves
TMDb

Keanu Reeves co-founded his own motorcycle company called Arch Motorcycle. He is deeply involved in the design and testing of the custom bikes. The actor rides his motorcycles daily and owns a significant collection of vintage machines. He appreciates the freedom and focus required to ride safely. Reeves channels his passion into creating high-end machines for other enthusiasts.

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins
TMDb

Anthony Hopkins is a prolific painter who spends hours each day in his studio. He creates vibrant and abstract art using ink and acrylic paints. The actor also composes classical music and has had his works performed by orchestras. He pursues these artistic endeavors purely for the joy of creation. Hopkins believes that painting keeps his mind sharp and active.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey
TMDb

Jim Carrey turned his home into an art studio where he paints large-scale canvases. His artwork often features bright colors and political or existential themes. The actor released a documentary short called ‘I Needed Color’ to explain his obsession with painting. He sometimes sculpts with clay to explore three-dimensional forms. Carrey uses visual art to process his emotions and thoughts.

Ed O’Neill

Ed O'Neill
TMDb

Ed O’Neill is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has trained for decades. He studied directly under the legendary Rorion Gracie in California. The actor considers earning his black belt to be his greatest achievement outside of his family. He still trains regularly to maintain his skills and fitness. O’Neill credits the martial art for his physical longevity.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy
TMDb

Tom Hardy actively competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments around the United Kingdom. He often enters these competitions quietly under his real name. The actor has won gold medals in various divisions. He uses the sport to stay in peak physical condition for his demanding roles. Hardy is a strong advocate for the mental health benefits of martial arts training.

Rupert Grint

Rupert Grint
TMDb

Rupert Grint purchased an ice cream van with his earnings from the ‘Harry Potter’ films. He drives the van around local villages and gives away free ice cream to children. The actor also keeps bees and produces his own honey at home. He enjoys hobbies that are simple and disconnect him from the entertainment industry. Grint finds joy in the whimsical nature of his ice cream van.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman
TMDb

Morgan Freeman converted his huge ranch in Mississippi into a sanctuary for bees. He imported dozens of hives to help combat the declining bee population. The actor does not wear a protective suit and claims the bees never sting him. He feeds them sugar water and plants bee-friendly vegetation across his property. Freeman is passionate about environmental conservation through beekeeping.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner
TMDb

Jeremy Renner runs a successful business flipping houses in the Los Angeles area. He buys run-down properties and renovates them alongside his acting career. The actor is hands-on with the construction and design aspects of each project. He has renovated many homes and sold them for a significant profit. Renner considers construction to be a grounding activity that yields tangible results.

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin
TMDb

Macaulay Culkin formed a comedy rock band called The Pizza Underground. The band performed parodies of Velvet Underground songs with pizza-themed lyrics. He toured with the group and played the kazoo and percussion. The project was a lighthearted way for him to engage with music and comedy. Culkin enjoys artistic pursuits that are irreverent and fun.

Christopher Walken

Christopher Walken
TMDb

Christopher Walken worked as a lion tamer in a circus when he was a teenager. He entered the cage with a lioness named Sheba and performed tricks. The actor described the lion as very dog-like and docile. He views the experience as a unique chapter in his early performing life. Walken retains a fearless attitude toward his career choices.

Chris Pratt

Chris Pratt
TMDb

Chris Pratt is an amateur entomologist who collects bugs and insects. He has a large collection of preserved specimens that he has gathered over the years. The actor is fascinated by the diversity and complexity of the insect world. He once showed off his dead bug collection during a talk show appearance. Pratt enjoys the scientific and observational aspects of the hobby.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage
TMDb

Nicolas Cage has a history of collecting bizarre items including dinosaur skulls and shrunken heads. He once outbid Leonardo DiCaprio for a Tyrannosaurus bataar skull. The actor also owns two castles in Europe and a private island. His collection includes rare comic books like the first appearance of Superman. Cage pursues items that spark his imagination and sense of wonder.

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller
TMDb

Ben Stiller is a massive fan of ‘Star Trek’ and collects memorabilia from the franchise. He owns a pair of original Spock ears signed by Leonard Nimoy. The actor named his production company Red Hour Films after a reference from the original series. He has appeared in television specials celebrating the legacy of the show. Stiller possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of the sci-fi universe.

Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino
TMDb

Quentin Tarantino collects vintage board games that are based on television shows. His collection focuses on games from the 1960s and 1970s like ‘I Dream of Jeannie’ and ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’. He enjoys the artwork and the nostalgia associated with these specific items. The director keeps the games organized in his home library. Tarantino values the pop culture history preserved in these cardboard games.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews
TMDb

Terry Crews is a talented artist who paints realistic portraits and designs furniture. He also builds his own high-end gaming computers with complex cooling systems. The actor worked as a courtroom sketch artist before his football and acting career. He recently launched his own line of contemporary furniture. Crews believes in expressing creativity through both digital and physical mediums.

Joe Manganiello

Joe Manganiello
TMDb

Joe Manganiello is a dedicated Dungeons & Dragons player who converted his basement into a gaming dungeon. He acts as a Dungeon Master and runs elaborate campaigns for his friends. The actor has a massive collection of painted miniatures and terrain pieces. He started a streetwear line featuring designs inspired by fantasy gaming. Manganiello works to destigmatize the hobby and bring it to the mainstream.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto
TMDb

Jared Leto is an accomplished rock climber who tackles difficult routes around the world. He has documented his climbs in national parks like Yosemite. The actor often climbs with professional mountaineers to improve his skills. He enjoys the mental focus and physical danger involved in the sport. Leto finds clarity and perspective while hanging from a cliff face.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford
TMDb

Harrison Ford is a licensed pilot who owns a fleet of private aircraft. He often flies his planes and helicopters for personal travel and rescue missions. The actor has volunteered to rescue lost hikers in Wyoming using his helicopter. He maintains his vintage planes with great care and flies regularly. Ford feels most at home when he is in the cockpit.

John Travolta

John Travolta
TMDb

John Travolta is a certified pilot with a high enough rating to fly commercial jets. His home in Florida features two runways that lead directly to his front door. The actor owns several large aircraft including a Boeing 707. He often flies himself and his family to international destinations. Travolta has been passionate about aviation since he was a teenager.

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen
TMDb

Viggo Mortensen founded a publishing house called Perceval Press to support underappreciated artists. He is a poet, photographer, and painter who releases his own books. The actor uses his income from films to fund the printing of works by other authors. He is deeply involved in the editing and design process of the books. Mortensen views art as a collaborative and essential human activity.

Steve Martin

Steve Martin
TMDb

Steve Martin is an expert banjo player who has won Grammy Awards for his bluegrass performances. He tours with a band and plays complex arrangements that surprise many fans. The actor practiced the instrument daily for decades to reach a professional level. He initially used the banjo as a prop in his comedy routine before taking it seriously. Martin is now a respected figure in the bluegrass community.

Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa
TMDb

Jason Momoa enjoys throwing tomahawks and axes as a pastime. He often brings axes to film sets to teach his co-stars how to throw them. The actor also plays bass guitar and collects vintage instruments. He combines his love for heavy metal music with outdoor activities like climbing. Momoa embraces hobbies that are physically engaging and rugged.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr.
TMDb

Robert Downey Jr. practices Wing Chun Kung Fu and credits it with helping him overcome addiction. He trains rigorously with a sifu to master the wooden dummy and sparring techniques. The actor incorporates the martial art into his daily wellness routine. He claims the discipline provides him with spiritual and mental balance. Downey Jr. has maintained this practice for many years.

Andrew Garfield

Andrew Garfield
TMDb

Andrew Garfield is a serious coin collector who hunts for rare currency. He enjoys the history and stories attached to old coins. The actor visits coin shops and conventions to find specific pieces for his collection. He finds the hobby to be a quiet escape from the noise of Hollywood. Garfield appreciates the intricate designs and metalwork of vintage money.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo
TMDb

Mark Ruffalo is skilled at riding a unicycle and can maneuver it with ease. He learned the skill early in life and maintained the ability into adulthood. The actor has demonstrated his riding talent on talk shows. He finds unicycling to be a fun and quirky way to exercise balance. Ruffalo enjoys the surprise people express when they see him riding one.

Norman Reedus

Norman Reedus
TMDb

Norman Reedus collects macabre items including breast implants and masks. Fans often send him strange gifts which he adds to his eclectic collection. The actor also has a deep passion for motorcycles and hosts a show about riding culture. He keeps his weirdest collectibles displayed in his home and trailer. Reedus embraces the strange and unusual aspects of his fandom.

Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood
TMDb

Elijah Wood acts as a professional DJ under the name Wooden Wisdom. He spins vinyl records at clubs and festivals around the world. The actor has a vast collection of obscure music and avoids playing mainstream hits. He enjoys the technical art of mixing records live for a crowd. Wood travels specifically to find rare vinyl to add to his setlists.

Ansel Elgort

Ansel Elgort
TMDb

Ansel Elgort spends his free time painting miniature figures for tabletop war games. He wins painting competitions for his detailed work on the tiny models. The actor shares close-up photos of his work on social media platforms. He finds the intense focus required for painting to be very relaxing. Elgort is proud of his ability to bring small fantasy worlds to life.

Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell
TMDb

Colin Farrell once worked as a country and western line dancing instructor. He taught classes in Ireland before his acting career took off. The actor still remembers the choreography and steps from his teaching days. He views it as a humorous and humble part of his past. Farrell retains a good sense of rhythm and movement from the experience.

Share your thoughts on which celebrity hobby surprised you the most in the comments.

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