Actors Who Are Obsessed with Cars

Many prominent actors in the entertainment industry maintain a passion for automotive engineering that rivals their commitment to their film careers. These individuals often transition from the silver screen to the racetrack, participating in professional competitions and curating multi-million dollar collections. Their interest frequently extends beyond mere ownership, involving restoration, mechanical maintenance, and the promotion of automotive history. This dedication has led several stars to host their own vehicle-focused programs and documentaries.

Steve McQueen

Known as the “King of Cool,” this actor performed many of his own stunts in the 1968 film ‘Bullitt’. His personal collection featured iconic vehicles such as the Jaguar XKSS and the Porsche 917 seen in the film ‘Le Mans’. McQueen frequently competed in professional off-road races and motorcycle events throughout his life. His passion for automotive engineering was so profound that he once considered pursuing a full-time career in professional racing.

Jerry Seinfeld

This comedian is renowned for owning one of the most significant private Porsche collections in the world. He famously hosted the series ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’, which paired legendary entertainers with unique vintage automobiles. His collection is housed in a specialized subterranean garage in Manhattan that features climate control and advanced security systems. Seinfeld often auctions rare models from his fleet to support various charitable organizations and remains a prominent figure at global automotive events.

Jay Leno

After retiring from ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’, this entertainer dedicated much of his time to his massive automotive repository known as the Big Dog Garage. His collection includes everything from steam-powered cars to modern supercars and rare concept vehicles. He hosts the popular series ‘Jay Leno’s Garage’, where he reviews unique automobiles and interviews other high-profile enthusiasts. Leno is known for performing much of the mechanical work on his vehicles alongside a dedicated team of professional restorers.

Patrick Dempsey

While widely recognized for his role in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, this actor has maintained a secondary career as a successful professional racing driver. He has competed in prestigious endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and founded his own racing team, Dempsey-Proton Racing. Dempsey has stated that racing provides a level of discipline and focus that differs significantly from his work on film sets. He continues to advocate for the growth of sports car racing while maintaining a private collection consisting largely of vintage Porsches.

Paul Walker

The late star of ‘The Fast and the Furious’ franchise was an avid car enthusiast both on and off the screen. He co-owned a high-performance vehicle shop called Always Evolving and participated in numerous Redline Time Attack racing events. His personal collection featured several rare Japanese domestic market vehicles, including multiple Nissan Skyline GT-R models. Walker was well-regarded in the automotive community for his genuine technical knowledge and his commitment to car culture.

Rowan Atkinson

Best known for his comedic roles in ‘Mr. Bean’ and ‘Johnny English’, Atkinson is a serious automotive enthusiast with a penchant for high-performance machinery. He famously owned and frequently drove a McLaren F1, which he later sold for a record-breaking price after years of regular use. The actor is a regular participant in vintage racing events at the Goodwood Revival and has written articles for various automotive magazines. He holds a category C+E heavy goods vehicle driving license, demonstrating his commitment to mastering different types of vehicles.

Eric Bana

This Australian actor’s passion for automobiles is documented in his 2009 film ‘Love the Beast’, which chronicles his relationship with his first car. He has owned his Ford Falcon XB Coupe for over 25 years and has spent decades restoring and racing it in endurance events. Bana frequently enters Targa Tasmania, a grueling tarmac rally held on the island state of Australia. He has often remarked that working on his cars provides a necessary balance to his professional life in the entertainment industry.

Tim Allen

The star of ‘Home Improvement’ has a well-documented obsession with American muscle cars and custom-built hot rods. His collection features a variety of unique vehicles, including a 1965 Shelby Cobra and several customized Ford models. Allen collaborated with car manufacturers to design a special edition “Tim Allen Moal Roadster” to suit his specific performance preferences. His interest extends to the design and engineering aspects of the industry, and he often visits design studios to discuss future automotive trends.

Matt LeBlanc

The ‘Friends’ star has a deep-seated love for machinery that eventually led him to a hosting role on the long-running series ‘Top Gear’. He holds the record for the fastest celebrity lap on the show’s test track during his initial guest appearance. LeBlanc’s personal garage houses an impressive array of motorcycles and high-end sports cars, with a particular fondness for the Porsche brand. His mechanical knowledge is extensive, and he frequently performs maintenance and modifications on his own fleet of vehicles.

Dax Shepard

This actor and podcast host grew up in Detroit, which fueled a lifelong obsession with fast cars and automotive culture. He frequently discusses his love for his customized 1967 Lincoln Continental, which features a modern racing engine, in various public interviews. Shepard has competed in several professional racing events and performed his own driving stunts in the film ‘Hit and Run’. His passion for the hobby is a recurring theme on his podcast, where he often interviews fellow gearheads about their favorite machines.

Robert Downey Jr.

The actor known for his portrayal of ‘Iron Man’ shares a similar affinity for high-tech machinery with his cinematic counterpart. In the series ‘Downey’s Dream Cars’, he documents the process of restoring classic vehicles from his personal collection to make them more eco-friendly. His garage features a diverse range of automobiles, including a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette and a custom 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302. Downey Jr. focuses on blending vintage aesthetics with modern sustainable technology to preserve automotive history.

Tom Cruise

This action star is famous for performing his own high-speed driving and motorcycle stunts in franchises like ‘Mission: Impossible’. His personal collection includes a wide range of vehicles, from the Bugatti Veyron to vintage muscle cars like the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS. Cruise also has a deep interest in aviation and maintains a fleet of private aircraft, including a World War II-era P-51 Mustang. His commitment to authenticity often involves spending months training with professional drivers to master complex maneuvers for his films.

Tell us which of these actor’s car collections you would most like to visit in the comments.