As public figures, not only do celebrities act as inspirational icons for the rest of the world but also offer us a lifestyle barometer which we all look up to now and then. Whether it is health, fitness, fashion, style trends or even cars, we have all been influenced by celebrity choices at some point.
Every one of us is guilty of looking up celebrity rides before going down to the local dealership or the jewelers before investing in a new timepiece. The business model for product endorsements is based around this very phenomenon and so it is incredibly relieving when an incident humanizes these A-listers.
At the same time, some celebrities offer their achievements as apparitional life goals. This is why we have compiled our top 10 picks of celebrities and their rides that met with unfortunate fates and five with driving skills that have no equal.
15 Morgan Freeman
Other than being an Academy Award-winning Actor, Morgan Freeman is also a restaurant and a blues club owner. The establishment is based out of Mississippi which also happens to be where Freeman met with a major crash back in 2008. The actor was severely injured but since then has fully recovered.
14 Luke Wilson
Unlike our earlier celebrity, Owen Wilson’s younger brother Luke was also in a traffic collision but without any fault of his own. The actor and professional golfer Bill Haas were involved in a multi-car accident back in 2018. Haas was a passenger in a Ferrari which crashed into Wilson’s Toyota off-roader.
13 Caitlyn Jenner
In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner was involved in a serious accident on California’s Pacific Coast Highway. Jenner was behind the wheel of a Cadillac escalade rammed into a white Lexus which then rear-ended a Toyota Prius. The Lexus was pushed into the oncoming traffic where it crashed into an oncoming Hummer.
12 Richard Hammond
The adorable “Hamster” is no stranger to traffic accidents. Even though Richard makes his living as a motoring journalist, the TV presenter has been in several accidents over the years. These also include the notorious 288 mph, Jet engine dragster crash of ‘06 which he years later, followed with the Rimac Concept One crash in 2017.
11 George Lucas
Much before Lucas went on to create the awe-inspiring worlds of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, the legendary director survived a serious car crash. Lucas had a knack for car racing but his most serious accident did not happen on the track but on his way back from the library. The director claims this incident made him switch over to films.
10 Rowan Atkinson
The Mr. Bean star is a famous car enthusiast and makes driving a Mini from atop its roof on-screen look like a walk in the park. In real life, however, Atkinson crashed his McLaren F1 near Peterborough. The actor/comedian walked away from the car having only incurred a shoulder injury and for good measure as the hypercar soon caught fire.
9 Elon Musk
The CEO of American electric car manufacturer Tesla Inc. crashed his uninsured McLaren F1. It has been reported that Musk got out of the car and started laughing disclosing that he didn’t have the car insured. It makes one wonder if the 640 HP McLaren F1 is, in fact, a cursed nameplate.
8 Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is an avid motorcycle enthusiast. So much so in fact that he founded the ARCH Motorcycle Company that builds premium performance cruisers. However, the Speed star was involved in a serious bike crash in 1996. The accident left Reeves with a broken ankle and had to use crutches to get around for weeks after the incident.
7 Lindsay Lohan
Pacific Coast Highway is probably just as infamous for celebrity car collisions as McLaren F1. Back in 2012, Lindsay Lohan rented a black Porsche and while cruising down the PCH, the Freaky Friday star crashed into an 18 wheeler. Lohan was rushed to the hospital but was later discharged as she did not incur any injuries.
6 James Dean
James dean ordered a Lotus for himself but the rebel without a cause grew impatient as the car missed its date of delivery. In retaliation, the Hollywood heartthrob decided to get himself a silver Porsche which he affectionately nicknamed the “Lil Bastard”. Dean took the sports car for a spin and had an accident which proved fatal for the young actor.
5 Mad Skills: Frankie Muniz
Kicking off his career close to home in Long Beach California, Frankie Muniz entered the Toyota Pro championship back in 2004. The Malcolm in the Middle star placed 7th and only a couple of years later was even able to secure a position in the 2006 Formula BMW season. In 2011 Muniz returned to the racing scene after entering Toyota Pro/ Celebrity Race.
4 Mad Skills: Matt LeBlanc
Matt LeBlanc managed to get himself on top of the leader board as a celebrity guest on Top Gear and was hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, soon after it was announced that Clarkson won’t be returning to BBC and LeBlanc joined the revised Top Gear trio. The former Friends star has also raced in celebrity tournaments in the past.
3 Mad Skills: Tom Cruise
Not only is Tom Cruise a proficient aviator and a skilled bike rider but the Top Gun star is also a maverick behind the wheel. Cruise also had a short stint as a race car driver and even drove for Paul Newman’s racing team. A few years ago, the actor strapped into the Grand Prix winning red bull racing F1 car to quench his need for speed.
2 Mad Skills: Patrick Dempsey
When he’s not playing Dr. McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey can be found on his way to a race track or behind the wheel of a race-tuned Porsche. The Grey’s Anatomy star is a well-regarded race car driver and has several wins to his name. Dempsey also drove in the 24 hour LeMans race which is one of the most challenging car racing championships in the world.
1 Mad Skills: Eric Bana
Australian actor Eric Bana did not only just play a green monster on screen in the Hulk but also drove a beast that went onto become the subject of his documentary Love the Beast. Unfortunately, Bana ended up crashing the red Falcon Coupe which is understandable as the car was turning out 600 HP and still running on leaf spring suspension.