Famous Poker Players Who Are Also Renowned Actors
Poker is a popular casino game that has widespread appeal to both celebrities and the common man.
It should come as no surprise then that there are Hollywood stars who like to play online poker games. In fact, in earlier days, poker was promoted using celebrities as ambassadors.
But not all famous players who play the game do so for ambassadorship. Rather, among the best movie stars are those who find their thrill in casino rooms playing the game. So with that said, here’s a discussion about popular actors who are poker players.
Brad Garret
Since the early 1990s, Brad Garret has been active in the Hollywood scene. His CV as an actor is top-quality and fans of “Everybody Loves Raymond” have so many good things to say about his comic performance.
But even besides his pedigree in the movie industry, Garett likes to view himself as a part-time pro poker player. Some time ago, he went viral for being on Poker Night in America alongside Phil Helmuth – popularly called Poker Brat.
In the poker room, Brad has competed in many tournaments and championships and won some of them. Even recently, he won some cash at the 2022 Aria Poker Classics in Vegas. But of them all, his biggest cash out came in 2005 after winning $100,000 at the Celebrity Poker Showdown Championship.
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly is no stranger to the world of poker in the same way she knows her onions in the movie industry. Even from a young age, she had developed an interest in poker which she still retains even today. When asked how this came to be, she said her father gave her a popular video poker game called ‘World Series of Poker’ and this sparked her interest in the game.
Besides the wealth she has amassed from Hollywood, Tilly has garnered over $1 million in live poker cash as well as a WSOP bracelet. She is very good at the game and with the help of her coach/boyfriend, she has participated in several tournaments and walked out with rewards. In short, both on the movie set and in the gambling hall, Jennifer Tilly is a beast.
Shannon Elizabeth
Success has been the highlight of everything Shannon has ever laid hands on – from tennis to the Hollywood scenes. Yes, she delved into tennis before going into actress roles – some may be familiar with this. But what many may not know about Shannon though is that she has a deep love for poker.
According to her, poker is her second career and she likes to visit Vegas to indulge herself in a good game of poker. She was so good at it that in 2007, she went as far as being a semi-finalist in the NBC Heads-Up Poker Championship. Also, in 2010, she almost ended up as the WSOP victor but she finished as the first runner-up.
Now, Shannon doesn’t play as often as before – her last big-shot poker victory was in 2013. But you just know that if she ever heads back to poker gambling rooms, her skillset will speak for her.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon is a world-renowned actor who has played multiple acting roles. He is famous among poker fans; as a result of his role in the movie called Rounders. It is a movie generally regarded as the best gambling movie of all time.
But one thing you may not know about Matt Damon is that his role in the movie wasn’t all acting. Matt loves engaging in a good game as can be seen in his regular appearances at The World Series of Poker. But because of his nature, he prefers to indulge in his hobby behind closed doors away from the public eye.
Aaron Paul
Aaron Paul, widely known for his role as Jesse Pinkman in the Breaking Bad series, is another popular face you may find at a gambling hall in Vegas. He is one who likes to engage other poker players at the game table. In his history at the poker table, Aaron is yet to come in contact with a ground-breaking victory.
But this does not mean he doesn’t have what it takes. He has taken part in numerous poker tournaments such as The Cube, PokerStars Duel, and even the PokerStars Championship. With his expertise and consistency, great success is sure to come his way soon enough.
Kevin Hart
Short and funny are common words you would use to describe Kevin Hart in conjunction with his acting roles. But this description is incomplete if you don’t add his love for poker. To further affirm this, he has engaged in certain huge tournaments and he has also received sponsorship from both PokerStars and PartyPoker.
At the poker table, Kevin Hart plays the game the same way he acts – making big plays and crazy wagers and bluffs. He is popular in gambling circles for making a far-fetched bluff that ended up winning him a $40k jackpot. All in all, Hart’s enthusiasm and vigor make him a great company to have at the poker table.
Wrap Up
If you have ever wondered about the personal lives of some popular actors, look no further. The above is a quick peek at the lives of Hollywood stars at the poker table away from the movie set.
