Celebs Who Are Secretly Nerds

Many Hollywood stars lead fascinating lives that extend far beyond their appearances on the red carpet and film sets. These individuals often dedicate their private time to intensive hobbies like tabletop gaming or competitive video games. Their passion for these subcultures highlights a relatable side to their public personas. This list explores the famous figures who are openly proud of their geeky interests and technical pursuits.

Henry Cavill

The actor is well known for his roles in ‘The Witcher’ and ‘Man of Steel’. He is an avid fan of the Warhammer tabletop game and spends many hours painting his own miniatures. Cavill also built his own high end gaming computer and shared the video of the assembly process with fans. He famously missed the initial phone call for his role as ‘Superman’ because he was busy playing a video game.

Joe Manganiello

This actor is one of the most prominent ambassadors for the game Dungeons and Dragons. He converted his basement into a dedicated gaming room called the Gary Gygax Memorial Dungeon. Manganiello has written official materials for the game and frequently hosts sessions for other famous friends. He treats the hobby with a level of professionalism that has helped bring tabletop gaming into the mainstream.

Vin Diesel

The star of ‘The Fast and the Furious’ has been a devoted player of Dungeons and Dragons for several decades. He even wrote the foreword for a book celebrating the history of the game. Diesel has stated that his imagination was largely developed through his early experiences with role playing games. He even had a fake tattoo of his character name Melkor during the filming of ‘XXX’.

Mila Kunis

The actress has spoken openly about her past addiction to the game World of Warcraft. She spent a significant amount of time playing the game under a pseudonym to avoid being recognized by other players. Kunis was deeply involved in the community and participated in complex raids with her guild. Her knowledge of the game mechanics surprised many of her fans when she first discussed it.

Nicolas Cage

The actor chose his stage name as a tribute to the Marvel character Luke Cage. He once owned a massive collection of rare comic books including a high grade copy of ‘Action Comics’ number one. Cage has described these stories as modern mythology that influences his approach to acting. He even named one of his sons Kal El after the birth name of ‘Superman’.

Brie Larson

The star of ‘Captain Marvel’ is a major enthusiast of Nintendo franchises like Animal Crossing and Super Smash Bros. She launched a YouTube channel where she often showcases her gaming skills and her virtual island. Larson has campaigned for a role in a potential film adaptation of ‘Metroid’ because of her love for the character Samus Aran. She frequently engages with the gaming community on social media to discuss new releases.

Samuel L. Jackson

This legendary actor is a significant fan of anime and has voiced characters in several projects. He served as an executive producer and the lead voice actor for the series ‘Afro Samurai’. Jackson has mentioned his appreciation for classic titles like ‘Ninja Scroll’ and ‘Black Lagoon’. He enjoys the unique storytelling styles and visual flair found in Japanese animation.

Megan Fox

The actress has a long standing passion for comic books and graphic novels. She grew up reading ‘Sailor Moon’ and has expressed interest in appearing in a live action version of the series. Fox also spends time playing video games such as ‘Halo’ and ‘Mortal Kombat’. She often discusses her love for the fantasy genre and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Terry Crews

The former athlete and actor became a hero in the tech community after documenting his journey into PC building. He sought help from experts to select the best components for a powerful gaming rig. Crews wanted to better understand the interests of his son through shared gaming experiences. He now advocates for the creative and technical benefits of the hobby.

Stephen Colbert

The late night host is an expert on the lore found in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ books. He has demonstrated his extensive knowledge by corrected experts and fellow fans on specific details of Middle earth history. Colbert even filmed a cameo for ‘The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug’ as a nod to his fandom. He considers the works of Tolkien to be a foundational part of his personal interests.

Margot Robbie

The actress is a dedicated fan of the ‘Harry Potter’ series and has read the books multiple times. She once admitted to lying to an optometrist so she could get glasses that looked like the ones worn by the titular character. Robbie enjoys the immersive nature of fantasy worlds and the community surrounding them. She also appreciates the intricate craft of world building in literature.

Michael B. Jordan

The ‘Black Panther’ actor is a massive fan of anime and often incorporates it into his work. He designed a fashion collection inspired by the series ‘Naruto’ and its iconic characters. Jordan has stated that the emotional stakes and growth found in anime influence his acting performances. He frequently recommends titles like ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and ‘My Hero Academia’ to his followers.

Natalie Portman

The Oscar winner is highly respected for her academic background in the sciences. She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in psychology while her acting career was in full swing. Portman has also co authored several scientific papers that were published in professional journals. Her intellectual curiosity often leads her to explore complex topics in her personal time.

Post Malone

The musician is a high profile collector and player of the card game ‘Magic The Gathering’. He famously spent over two million dollars to acquire the unique One Ring card. Malone regularly appears on gaming channels to play matches against other fans and professionals. He enjoys the strategic depth and the social aspect of the trading card community.

T-Pain

The singer is a prolific streamer on Twitch where he plays various video games for a live audience. He is known for his skill in titles like ‘Forza’ and ‘Call of Duty’. T-Pain also has a strong interest in cosplay and has dressed as characters from ‘Tekken’ and ‘South Park’. He uses his platform to bridge the gap between the music industry and gaming culture.

Rosario Dawson

The actress is a vocal fan of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise and can speak some Klingon. She has also co created her own comic book series titled ‘Occult Crimes Taskforce’. Dawson frequently attends fan conventions to celebrate her love for science fiction and fantasy. She finds inspiration in the progressive themes often explored within nerd culture.

David Harbour

The ‘Stranger Things’ star was once a serious player of World of Warcraft during his early acting years. He reached a high level of play and spent many hours coordinating with his guild members. Harbour has also expressed a love for classic board games and tabletop role playing sessions. He enjoys the escape that these immersive fantasy worlds provide.

Rahul Kohli

The actor is an outspoken fan of gaming and the Warhammer 40000 universe. He frequently shares photos of his painted miniatures and discusses the deep lore of the setting. Kohli often uses his social media presence to talk about PC hardware and new video game releases. He is a regular participant in the online gaming community and advocates for inclusivity.

Maisie Williams

Known for her role in ‘Game of Thrones’ the actress is a frequent player of various video games. She has expressed a particular fondness for the Animal Crossing series and the creative freedom it allows. Williams also stays active in the tech space and has developed her own social media app for creators. She enjoys exploring the intersection of technology and art.

Jack Black

The actor and musician runs a popular YouTube channel called Jablinski Games. He uses the platform to share his experiences with arcade classics and modern titles. Black has a deep appreciation for gaming history and the culture surrounding it. He often collaborates with other gaming personalities to create entertaining content for his fans.

Drake

The rapper surprised the world when he joined a live stream to play ‘Fortnite’ with popular gamers. He has since invested in the esports organization known as 100 Thieves. Drake also collects rare trading cards and has been seen opening packs of ‘Magic The Gathering’. His involvement has helped introduce a wider audience to the world of competitive gaming.

Henry Golding

The ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ star is a significant fan of the ‘Star Wars’ universe. He possesses a large collection of memorabilia and has visited the set of the films as a fan. Golding enjoys the technical aspects of filmmaking and the creative design behind the franchise. He often speaks about the impact that science fiction has had on his life.

Chloë Grace Moretz

The actress is a skilled PC gamer who enjoys competitive first person shooters. She often talks about her favorite gaming setups and the performance of different hardware components. Moretz has mentioned that she finds gaming to be a productive way to relax between film projects. She remains very vocal about her support for the gaming community on social media.

John Boyega

The actor is a huge fan of anime and often discusses his favorite series during interviews. He has expressed a deep love for ‘Attack on Titan’ and ‘Naruto’ specifically. Boyega also collects high quality figurines and merchandise related to his favorite shows. He enjoys the complex storytelling and the unique animation styles produced in Japan.

Anya Taylor-Joy

The star of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ became a fan of chess while preparing for her role. She learned the mechanics of the game and began playing it in her free time. The actress also enjoys playing video games and has mentioned her interest in the fantasy genre. She appreciates the mental challenge and strategic thinking required by these hobbies.

Bill Hader

The comedian and actor is a massive fan of classic cinema and film history. He often shares his extensive knowledge of obscure movies and directors with his audience. Hader has served as a guest programmer for various film channels to showcase his favorite titles. He finds joy in the technical and artistic evolution of the film medium.

Rashida Jones

The actress is a talented writer who has co authored her own comic book series. Her project titled ‘Frenemy of the State’ was published to positive reviews from fans. Jones grew up with a deep appreciation for the storytelling potential of graphic novels. She continues to support the comic book industry and the writers working within it.

Seth Rogen

The actor and filmmaker is a lifelong fan of comic books and the art of animation. He has been involved in producing several adaptations of gritty graphic novels like ‘Preacher’ and ‘The Boys’. Rogen also collects vintage toys and memorabilia related to his favorite franchises. He views these stories as a major source of inspiration for his own creative work.

Gerard Way

The lead singer of My Chemical Romance is also an award winning comic book writer. He created the popular series ‘The Umbrella Academy’ which was later adapted for television. Way studied at the School of Visual Arts and has a background in professional illustration. He remains a prominent figure in the comic book community and continues to release new stories.

Christian Bale

The actor is known for his intense roles but also enjoys the technical challenge of racing simulators. He uses high end equipment to replicate the experience of driving professional race cars. Bale has also expressed an interest in the history of cinema and the mechanics of filmmaking. He prefers to keep his personal hobbies private but has shared his love for simulation games.

Zac Efron

The actor spent much of his youth playing the ‘Halo’ video game series with his friends. He even hosted a launch event for one of the games to celebrate his fandom. Efron has mentioned that he still enjoys gaming as a way to stay connected with people while traveling. He appreciates the social bonds that can form through shared digital experiences.

Snoop Dogg

The legendary rapper is an active member of the gaming community and frequently streams his gameplay. He founded his own esports league to provide opportunities for other gamers. Snoop Dogg is often seen playing sports titles and action games on his Twitch channel. He has even appeared as a playable character in several major video game franchises.

Karl Urban

The actor who played Bones in ‘Star Trek’ is a fan of both science fiction and gaming. He has participated in numerous fan conventions to discuss the lore of the franchises he has worked on. Urban also enjoys playing video games and has expressed a particular interest in the ‘Star Wars’ universe. He finds the community surrounding these projects to be incredibly welcoming and passionate.

Simon Pegg

The actor and writer is a self proclaimed nerd who has written books about his love for pop culture. He co wrote and starred in ‘Shaun of the Dead’ which is filled with references to classic horror and sci fi. Pegg is a major fan of ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Doctor Who’ and has appeared in both franchises. He considers himself a student of the genres that he grew up watching.

Nick Frost

Similar to his frequent collaborator Simon Pegg the actor Nick Frost is a major fan of gaming and technology. He often spends his free time playing new releases and discussing them with friends. Frost has a deep appreciation for the creative effort required to build digital worlds. He enjoys the immersive storytelling that modern video games provide to players.

Ben Affleck

The actor is a dedicated collector of comic books and has been a fan since childhood. He has spoken about his love for the character ‘Batman’ long before he was cast in the role. Affleck once had a room in his house dedicated to his collection and memorabilia. He appreciates the artistic detail found in the work of classic comic book illustrators.

Patton Oswalt

The comedian is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable nerds in Hollywood. He has an encyclopedic memory of film history, comic books, and science fiction literature. Oswalt has written for various comic book publishers and frequently discusses pop culture on his social media. He is a regular fixture at fan conventions where he shares his passions with the community.

Felicia Day

The actress and writer became a pioneer for nerds by creating the web series ‘The Guild’. The show focused on the lives of online gamers and was based on her own experiences. Day has written books about her life as a geek and her journey through the tech industry. She remains a powerful voice for inclusivity and creativity within the gaming world.

Wil Wheaton

The ‘Star Trek The Next Generation’ actor is a central figure in the tabletop gaming community. He hosted a popular web series called ‘TableTop’ where he played board games with various celebrities. Wheaton has written extensively about his love for games and the importance of play. He is a vocal advocate for the positive social impact of gaming.

Mayim Bialik

The actress is a real life neuroscientist who earned her PhD from UCLA. She often uses her platform to encourage young people to pursue careers in science and technology. Bialik has written books about the intersection of science and everyday life. Her academic background provides her with a unique perspective on the world around her.

Kristen Bell

The actress is a big fan of video games and has even provided voice work for the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ series. She has mentioned in interviews that she enjoys playing games like ‘Mario Kart’ to relax. Bell appreciates the fun and competitive nature of family friendly gaming. She also enjoys the creative storytelling found in animated films and shows.

Tom Holland

The actor known for ‘Spider-Man’ is an enthusiastic fan of the Warhammer hobby. He has expressed an interest in painting miniatures and learning more about the tabletop game. Holland also enjoys playing video games like ‘Uncharted’ which he eventually starred in as a film. He frequently shares his excitement for new technology and gaming gadgets.

Keanu Reeves

The actor has a deep respect for the world of comic books and recently co wrote his own series called ‘BRZRKR’. He is also a fan of science fiction themes which is evident in his choice of film roles. Reeves collaborated closely with developers for the game ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ and expressed genuine interest in the digital world. He values the creative collaboration found in these diverse mediums.

Mercedes Varnado

The professional wrestler and actress is a massive fan of anime and Japanese culture. She often wears gear inspired by ‘Sailor Moon’ during her high profile matches. Varnado frequently attends anime conventions and shares her love for the medium with her fans. She finds strength and inspiration in the heroic journeys of her favorite animated characters.

Phil Brooks

The athlete and actor is a lifelong fan of comic books and has written stories for major publishers. He has contributed to the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Iron Fist’ series. Punk is known for his extensive knowledge of comic book history and his collection of rare issues. He often uses his public platform to discuss the importance of the comic book industry.

Tell us which of these celebrities surprised you the most by sharing your thoughts in the comments.