Some of Hollywood’s biggest names, ranging from Keanu Reeves to Rowan Atkinson, have traded red carpets for racetracks when the cameras stop rolling. Take the John Wick actor for instance. He first showcased his racing chops by winning the celebrity race at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach back in 2009. And earlier this month, the 60-year-old made his professional racing debut at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s Toyota GR Cup, finishing 25th among 35, despite a spin into the grass.
But Keanu isn’t the only star chasing the need for speed. From veteran actors to modern icons, here’s a look at celebrities who genuinely like to live life in the fast lane:
9 Celebrities Who Have Taken To Racing IRL
Rowan Atkinson
While most of us know him as Mr. Bean, Rowan Atkinson is anything but clueless on the racetrack. A bona fide racing enthusiast, he’s driven everything from a vintage Renault 5 in the 1980s Turbo Cup series to his own Aston Martin at Silverstone. Atkinson even owned a McLaren F1, which, true to his comedic luck, he crashed... twice! In 2014, he survived a head-on collision while racing a vintage Ford Falcon, walking away with only minor injuries. The car? Well, it didn’t fare so well. But don’t mistake this as his clumsiness – he holds the record for the fastest lap done by a celebrity around Top Gear’s infamous track in a not-so-powerful car.
Image: SWNS: South West News Service
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise doesn’t just love racing—he’s lived it while filming for Days of Thunder, a stock car racing film that became a passion project for him. But while he has the enthusiasm, let’s just say his execution could be... unpredictable. Known among racing circles as “See Cruise Crash,” his aggressive driving style meant studios eventually had to ask him to park his racing dreams to avoid the risk of injury. Sadly, his racing career remained a ‘Mission Impossible’. Still, Cruise remains a superfan, and even delivered an impressive 1.44.2 second lap time in Top Gear’s "Star in a reasonably priced car" challenge.
Image: Top Gear
Paul Walker
Paul Walker’s role in The Fast And The Furious franchise wasn’t just a performance. The late actor was a legit racer, competing in the Redline Time Attack series with his modified BMW M3. He also co-owned the Always Evolving race team, which still honours his legacy through dedicated races.
Image: Yahoo Sports
Frankie Muniz
Frankie Muniz traded sitcom fame for life in the fast lane, slipping into the driver’s seat across multiple racing series. Standing at 5’5”, he had the perfect build for formula racing, securing a Top 10 finish in the Formula Atlantic Championship back in 2009. Although he’s since made a return to acting (cue Sharknado 3), Muniz has never quite let go of his racing roots.
Image: NASCAR
Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen’s love for racing went far beyond the silver screen. Contrary to popular belief, McQueen never competed in 24 Hours Of Le Mans, which he’s made a movie on. However, the Bullitt star competed in endurance races and motorcycle events before they became mainstream cool. His role in Bullitt, alongside that iconic 1968 Ford Mustang, even helped boost Mustang sales. McQueen wasn’t just an actor who dabbled in racing; he was a racer who happened to act.
Image: The Drive
Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman found a new love for racing after filming the high-octane chase scenes in The French Connection. In 1983, he joined Dan Gurney’s team for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Though he eventually shifted gears away from racing, the thrill of the track left a lasting impression on the two-time Oscar winner.
Patrick Dempsey
McDreamy Meets McSpeedy. Patrick Dempsey may be a sincere doctor on screen, but in the streets, he races like a pro. Competing in endurance events like the 24 Hours Le Mans and Petit Le Mans, Dempsey’s got serious skills behind the wheel. In 2011, he even clinched third place overall at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with Porsche. Not bad for a guy who saved lives on TV and mesmerised an entire generation!
Image: Porsche
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender swapped his Magneto helmet for a racing helmet, carving a path in the European Le Mans Series. Partnering with Porsche, he’s taken on some of Europe’s most iconic tracks. His journey is documented in the YouTube series, Road to Le Mans, showing just how committed he is to climbing the ranks in endurance racing. Though he hasn’t reached the podium yet, he’s proving his mettle in the high-stakes world of motorsports.
Image: Porsche
James Dean
It’s impossible to make this list without mentioning James Dean. A Porsche enthusiast, Dean was racing before he ever donned the red jacket in Rebel Without A Cause. He was set to hit the tracks again after filming Giant, but on his way to a race in Salinas, California, he tragically crashed his Porsche 550 Spyder. His untimely death cemented his status as a legend, both on and off the screen and race track.
Brad Pitt
To prepare for his upcoming Formula One movie “F1”, the Fight Club actor did some laps in a Formula Two car at Silverstone. Additionally, the 60-year-old also shared a cockpit with Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, who’s also a producer for the movie. Hamilton seemed to be impressed by Pitt’s racing skills, as the Brit was quoted saying, “Straight away, he was on it. You could tell he has it—it's in his DNA. He’s just not been able to hone in on it as we have, but he’s got big potential”
Image: Formula One/Apple
