Prepare to have your jaw drop and your eyebrows raise as we unveil the secret talents of your favorite icons.
1. Vanilla Ice: Ice, Ice, Baby, On The Waves
Vanilla Ice, the rapper with the coolest moves, isn’t just about the beats. Did you know he once rode the waves to stardom, ranking 6th in the world in jet ski racing? Talk about breaking the ice in a different way!
2. Terry Crews: Sketching The Stars Beyond Brooklyn
Beyond his comedic brilliance on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Terry Crews has a past… as a talented artist specializing in courtroom sketches. Turns out, this muscle-bound man is also a man of many strokes.
3. Brian May: Strumming The Stars
Queen’s legendary guitarist, Brian May, isn’t just rocking the guitar. He’s also rocking the astrophysics world. With a Ph.D. and serious research chops in interplanetary dust, May is truly a cosmic maestro.
4. Hugh Laurie: House Of Jazz Pianos
Hugh Laurie, the diagnostic genius of House, is more than just a medical marvel. Unleashing his fingers on the piano keys, Laurie is a jazz virtuoso in his own right. Who knew Dr. House had such musical prescriptions?
5. Jeff Goldblum: The Jazz Flyer
Jeff Goldblum’s acting is not the only thing that’ll jazz you up. The charismatic actor has a side gig that’s music to our ears as a jazz musician with tunes as smooth as his dialogue delivery.
When he’s not on screen or jamming on the sax, Goldblum is also an avid art collector, turning his passion for creativity into a multi-talented spectacle.
6. Steve Martin: From Banjo To Comedy Gold
Comedic genius Steve Martin isn’t just about laughs. He’s a serious banjo player, plucking strings as skillfully as he delivers punchlines. Who knew this guy had a musical side?
7. Ken Jeong: From Medicine To Movie Madness
Ken Jeong ditched the stethoscope for the spotlight, giving up a medical career in California to pursue acting. A doctor turned funnyman, he’s got the cure for your laughter ailments! To this day, Jeong still holds a license as a physician, combining his medical knowledge with a prescription for pure comedic relief.
8. Jack Johnson: Riding the Waves of Success
Once riding high as world #2 in surfing, Jack Johnson caught a different wave to stardom after breaking his ankle: chart-topping music. Beyond the stage, Johnson is also an eco-conscious activist, using his musical success to raise awareness about environmental issues.
9. Jason Lee: Skating Into Stardom
Pro skater turned actor Jason Lee traded his skateboard for a script and showed us he’s better at acting than doing ollies. Who needs ramps when you’ve got the red carpet? In addition to his acting prowess, Lee is a talented photographer, capturing moments both in front of and behind the lens.
10. Matthew Perry: Smashing Serves And One-Liners
Before Chandler’s witty comebacks, Matthew Perry (who sadly passed away in 2023) served up aces as a nationally-ranked tennis player in Canada. Perry’s talents extend to the literary world, as he was also an accomplished writer, penning plays and contributing to various publications.
11. JRR Tolkien: Beowulf And Beyond
Beyond Middle-earth, J.R.R. Tolkien’s academic prowess shines. A Beowulf expert and longtime Oxford professor (for 34 years), Tolkien’s literary legacy extends far beyond hobbits and elves. When not immersed in academic worlds, Tolkien showcased his linguistic skills by creating entire languages for his fictional races.
12. Nick Offerman: Crafting Comedy And Wood
Ron Swanson isn’t the only one with woodworking skills. Nick Offerman, the man behind the mustache, is an accomplished woodworker, saxophonist, stage combat teacher, and kabuki enthusiast—a true Renaissance man. His woodworking talents extend to a furniture-making business, where Offerman crafts functional pieces with his signature style.
13. James Cameron: Deep Sea Director
James Cameron doesn’t just direct movies for the silver screen —he does it to fund his deep-sea exploration adventures. The man who takes filmmaking to new depths, literally. Cameron’s passion for exploration led him to design and build his deep-sea submersibles, making him a pioneer in underwater filmmaking and exploration.
14. Viggo Mortensen: Multilingual, Multitalented Maestro
Fluent in multiple languages and skilled in everything from painting to horseback riding, Viggo Mortensen is more than Aragorn. This Renaissance man has truly conquered every realm. Mortensen’s artistic pursuits extend to poetry and photography, showcasing his diverse talents beyond film.
15. Dolph Lundgren: Chemical Engineering And Kick-Assery
Dolph Lundgren, the action star, isn’t just brawns—he’s got brains, too, with a master’s degree in chemical engineering. Lundgren’s intellectual pursuits include being a published author and a skilled martial artist, proving there’s more to him than meets the eye.
16. Rowan Atkinson: Built For The Tracks
Mr. Bean might be clumsy, but Rowan Atkinson is Top Gear’s Second Best Driver. Second only to a select few, Atkinson could have given Fast & Furious a run for its money.
In addition to his racing skills, Atkinson is a seasoned pilot, taking his love for speed to the skies.
17. Geena Davis: Archery Queen Of Hollywood
Geena Davis aimed for the stars and nearly hit the bullseye at the 2000 Olympics, proving she’s not just a Hollywood icon but an archery enthusiast. Lights, camera, arrow.
Beyond her archery prowess, Davis advocates for gender equality in the entertainment industry, using her influence to champion positive change.
18. Will Ferrell: Kicking Goals and Taking Laughs
Before conquering comedy, Will Ferrell conquered football fields as a successful high school kicker.
Ferrell’s love for sports goes beyond football. He’s also a Los Angeles FC soccer team co-owner, showcasing his passion for the game on and off the screen.
19. Natalie Portman: From Neurons to Nailing Scenes
Natalie Portman had a different career trajectory in mind before Hollywood beckoned. On the path to a neuroscience research career, Portman earned her Harvard ticket on pure academics, boasting high As throughout high school.
Wait, there’s more—she’s not just a star on the screen but a co-author of scientific research papers, proving she’s got beauty and brains.