There is a unique connection between race car drivers and celebrities. Maybe the eternal quest for the adrenaline rush, the desire to handle new challenges, etc. While some celebrities prefer the rarest selection of cars, others want to get behind the wheel of a speed demon.
Some celebrities don't get enough by playing fast drivers in movies or owning fast cars, and so they decide to take pursuit for speed to the real track. The celebrities featured here come from different areas of fame; film stars, music artists, radio personalities, and television presenters. Read on for eight celebrities who are also racecar drivers.
8 Rowan Atkinson
Many know the comedian Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean or Johnny English. From the screens, no one would expect him to drive anything but a Mini. He, however, owns a beautiful collection of cars, and sold a classic 1964 Ford Falcon for $77,000 in March this year.
When not in front of the camera, Atkinson spends a lot of his time on race tracks across the globe and writing for race car magazines. One of his famous race cars includes the McLaren F1 that he crashed twice before selling it. He raced a Renault 5 GT Turbo for two seasons for its one-make series, drove his Aston Martin at the Silverstone event 2010, and drove a Jaguar Mark VII M at the Godwood Revival motor racing festival in England in 2009.
7 Michael Fassbender
Acting and racing, and doing it all pretty well. This sounds like everyone's dream. To many, it remains just a dream. But Hollywood star Michael Fassbender seems to be doing all these pretty well, balancing his acting career and pursuing his racing dreams.
The X-Men star who made his Porsche Mobil 1 debut driving a 911 GT3 Cup says he is not doing it for the competition. Fassbender's dream was first to be a race car driver, then acting, but now he has to balance the two. And he's doing it very well, starring in Porsche's Road To Le Mans on YouTube.
6 Nick Mason
Nick Mason is a professional and legendary drummer who co-founded the iconic rock band Pink Floyd in 1965. Apart from drum sticks, he has a great appetite for sweet cars. Nick Mason owns one of the coolest car collections in history.
His highly successful music career has accrued him enough royalties to afford some of the best sports cars globally and to take part in racing motorsport. His racing automobiles include an Alfa Romeo 8C, his father's racing car, Bentley 4½ Liter, an extremely rare Ferrari 250 GTO, and other high-end sports cars.
5 Matt LeBlanc
Matt LeBlanc is an American actor and comedian. One of his best-known appearances includes the NBC sitcom Friends and its spin-off, Joey. Many know him as just a funny man, but just like Rowan Atkinson, LeBlanc has diverse talents and skills.
The American star has a passion for cars. His diverse set of skills in front of the camera and behind the wheel allows him to balance acting and racing perfectly. He's a dedicated formula 1 enthusiast and former host of the British popular show, Top Gear, which he left in 2018 for personal reasons. LeBlanc is a huge fan of track days, both on two and four wheels.
4 Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey is one of the most successful film stars who've managed to not only take part in racing motorsport, but he has managed to be actively involved. He has played various roles in films such as Can't Buy Me Love and Grey's Anatomy.
The American actor is arguably the most talented in this list, although not the most popular. He has raced in some of the most prestigious events in the world, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, and 24 Hours at Daytona in 2011 which he took third place. That's a true racing success.
3 David Letterman
David Letterman is an American TV host and a comedian, writer, producer, and true racing motorsport enthusiast. He retired from the late-night show in 2015 after hosting it for 33 years.
Apart from pen and screen, the retired TV host has a passion for fast cars. He is the co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing together with Bobby Rahal and Mike Lanigan. Bobby Rahal is a three-time IndyCar Champion and winner of the 1986 Indianapolis 500.
2 Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman can pretty much do it all; acting, writing books, and serving his country as a United States marine. Over a career span of more than six decades, the retired multi-talented actor has bagged several awards, including two Academy Awards.
Some of his best movies include The French Connection, where he reportedly drew on his racing passion after performing several diving stunts. His racing career began to rise in 1983 when he raced at the 24 Hours of Daytona driving for Dan Gurney's team.
1 Brian Johnson
Cars and Rock' n' Roll were made for each other, and Brian Johnson is living proof of that. By night, Johnson sings lead in one of the most successful rock bands globally, AC/DC; by day, the charismatic lead singer does everything automotive.
Celebrities buying rare and expensive cars is normal, but this English singer and songwriter goes way beyond that. He is one of the most popular car collectors and an all-around car enthusiast. And it's not just that, the 73-years old singer also drives race cars.