Celebs Who Wrote Bestselling Books

The transition from the screen or stage to the printed page has become a prominent career milestone for many of the world’s most recognizable figures. While some stars utilize their platform to share intimate life stories, others explore creative fiction or instructional guides that resonate with a global audience. These works often dominate charts such as the New York Times Best Seller list and achieve significant commercial success shortly after their release. The following celebrities have successfully established themselves as literary forces by authoring books that have captured the public’s attention and achieved high sales rankings.

Matthew McConaughey

In his memoir ‘Greenlights’, the actor shares a collection of personal stories, life lessons, and “prescriptions” for success based on journals he kept for decades. The book topped the New York Times Best Seller list for several months following its release in 2020. McConaughey utilizes his unique narrative voice to detail his upbringing in Texas and his unconventional rise to Hollywood stardom. The work was widely noted for its distinctive structure and candid look at the actor’s philosophical approach to life and work.

Michelle Obama

Former First Lady Michelle Obama achieved unprecedented success with her 2018 memoir ‘Becoming’. The book explores her childhood on the South Side of Chicago, her professional career, and her time spent living in the White House. It sold over 1.4 million copies in its first week and eventually became one of the best-selling memoirs of all time. The narrative focuses on her personal growth, public service, and the challenges of balancing family life with a high-profile political role.

Britney Spears

The pop icon’s memoir ‘The Woman in Me’ was released in 2023 to significant commercial success and media attention. It details her rise to global fame, her public struggles, and the legal battle surrounding her long-standing conservatorship. The book sold over one million copies in the United States during its first week of availability across various formats. Critics and readers noted the direct tone and the revealing insights into the music industry of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Trevor Noah

Former host of ‘The Daily Show’, Trevor Noah, wrote ‘Born a Crime’, an autobiographical account of growing up in South Africa during the final years of apartheid. The title refers to the fact that his birth was technically illegal under the laws of the time due to his parents’ interracial relationship. The book received critical acclaim and became a consistent New York Times bestseller for several years after its 2016 release. It has since been adapted for young readers and remains a staple in modern biographical literature.

Jennette McCurdy

The former ‘iCarly’ actress released her memoir ‘I’m Glad My Mom Died’ in 2022, and it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The book explores her experiences as a child actor and the complicated, abusive relationship she shared with her mother. It reached the top of the New York Times Best Seller list and remained in high demand for several months. The work is noted for its dark humor and raw honesty regarding the mental health struggles and pressures of the entertainment industry.

Viola Davis

Academy Award winner Viola Davis published her memoir ‘Finding Me’ in 2022 to widespread acclaim. The book traces her journey from a childhood marked by poverty in Rhode Island to becoming one of the most respected performers in Hollywood history. The audiobook version earned Davis a Grammy Award, officially making her an EGOT winner. It was a major commercial success, appearing on numerous bestseller lists for its powerful storytelling and transparency.

Carrie Fisher

The late actress was an accomplished author, most notably for her semi-autobiographical novel ‘Postcards from the Edge’. Published in 1987, the book details a fictionalized account of her own struggles with addiction and her complex relationship with her mother, Debbie Reynolds. It became a bestseller and was later adapted into a major motion picture starring Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine. Fisher wrote several other successful books, including ‘Wishful Drinking’ and ‘The Princess Diarist’, which further cemented her literary legacy.

Steve Martin

Known primarily for his work in comedy and acting, Steve Martin is also a prolific and successful author of both fiction and non-fiction. His novella ‘Shopgirl’ was published in 2000 and became a New York Times bestseller before being adapted into a feature film. Martin also found great success with his memoir ‘Born Standing Up’, which chronicles his early years in the world of stand-up comedy. His writing is often cited for its precision, wit, and surprising emotional depth.

Tom Hanks

The legendary actor transitioned into the world of fiction with his short story collection ‘Uncommon Type’, published in 2017. Each story in the collection features a different typewriter, reflecting the actor’s real-life passion for collecting the vintage machines. The book was a commercial hit and appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list shortly after its release. Hanks followed this success with his 2023 debut novel ‘The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece’, which explored the intricate world of film production.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey’s memoir ‘Bossypants’ was a massive commercial success upon its release in 2011. The book spent over five weeks at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list and has sold millions of copies worldwide. It chronicles her journey from a young performer in Chicago to becoming the first female head writer of ‘Saturday Night Live’. Fey’s blend of sharp wit and professional insight made the book a definitive work in the celebrity memoir genre.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler released her memoir ‘Yes Please’ in 2014, and it quickly climbed to the top of the bestseller charts. The book is a collection of stories, photographs, and advice based on her experiences in improv comedy and on ‘Saturday Night Live’. It offers insights into her career highlights and the personal philosophy that guided her through the competitive entertainment industry. The work was highly praised for its humor and its encouraging message to women in creative fields.

Mindy Kaling

Actress and writer Mindy Kaling found literary success with her 2011 essay collection ‘Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)’. The book provides a humorous look at her childhood, her career path, and her observations on modern Hollywood culture. It spent several weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list and established Kaling as a relatable voice in non-fiction. She later followed this success with a second bestseller titled ‘Why Not Me?’ in 2015.

Seth Rogen

In 2021, actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen released his debut book ‘Yearbook’, which is a collection of personal essays. The book features humorous and often surreal stories about his upbringing in Canada and his various adventures as a young person in Hollywood. It debuted at the top of the New York Times Best Seller list for non-fiction upon its release. Readers and critics noted that the writing style mirrored Rogen’s distinctive comedic voice and storytelling ability.

Brandi Carlile

Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile became a New York Times bestselling author with the release of her memoir ‘Broken Horses’ in 2021. The book details her difficult childhood, her path to finding her voice in music, and her experiences as a prominent figure in the Americana genre. It received widespread acclaim for its lyrical prose and raw emotional honesty regarding her personal life and career. The memoir also debuted at number one on the non-fiction bestseller list, further cementing her status as a versatile storyteller.

Tell us which celebrity memoir or novel has surprised you the most by sharing your thoughts in the comments.