10 Hollywood Celebrities that also Paint

A celebrity artist isn’t just famous for their main gig. Some also love to paint! From music stars to actors and athletes, they’ve all dipped their brushes into the art world. Let’s take a look at some of these famous faces who show off their creative sides on canvas.

1. Anthony Hopkins

Renowned for his acting prowess, Sir Anthony Hopkins is also an accomplished painter whose works have been exhibited internationally. Despite his fame in Hollywood, Hopkins keeps a low profile as a painter. He’s not one to seek out attention for his artwork but instead lets it speak for itself.

Nevertheless, his paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums, earning praise from art enthusiasts. In interviews, Hopkins has talked about how painting serves as a form of therapy for him. It’s a way for him to express himself and delve into his emotions. His passion for painting adds another layer to his multifaceted persona, showing that he’s not just a talented actor but also a skilled artist.

2. Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu has been doing art since she was a teenager, and she still keeps it up even while acting and directing. It all started when she was a kid in Queens during the 1980s. She’d wander around New York City snapping photos with her camera. Her very first artworks were photos and collages. She even did a series of photos at a rally in D.C. supporting a woman’s right to choose.

Then, after taking a serious class at the New York Studio School, she switched to painting. She felt like she couldn’t express herself fully with just photos.

A lot of Liu’s art is about her childhood and her experiences as an immigrant. She’s a first-generation immigrant, so she’s always felt a bit out of place. At first, it was because of the language barrier – she didn’t speak English. But then it started being about her appearance too. Art has been her way of looking back at her younger self and figuring things out. It’s like a way to explore the thoughts and feelings she had as a kid, and understand things she never got before.

3. Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone went through a really tough time during the pandemic. So, what did she do? She turned to painting, diving into it with everything she had. It all started with a simple paint-by-numbers set, but during those long months of lockdown, she got super serious about it and even set up her own little studio at home.

For Stone, painting became more than just a hobby – it became a way for her to reconnect with herself, find her passion, and get grounded again. At first, she mostly painted abstract stuff, playing around with different colors and shapes. But as time went on, her style evolved, and she ended up creating a whole bunch of pieces that formed the basis of her first big art show called “Shedding,” which she put on at the Allouche Gallery in 2023.

4. Pierce Brosnan

Brosnan initially dreamed of becoming a painter. It seemed like a realistic goal, especially after he completed his studies at St. Martin’s School of Art and started working in a studio in South London. However, his plans took an unexpected turn when he spontaneously decided to attend a theatre workshop in his early 20s.

Despite his busy schedule as an actor, Brosnan has always made time for his art, often painting on set between takes or during breaks in filming. For him, painting is not just a hobby but a vital form of self-expression and personal exploration.

In recent years, Brosnan has begun to share his artwork with the public, exhibiting his paintings in galleries and showcasing his talent to a wider audience. His artwork has garnered praise for its depth, emotion, and technical skill, earning him recognition as a talented artist in his own right.

5. Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney, best known as one of the legendary members of The Beatles, has also made significant contributions to the world of visual art. While McCartney’s fame primarily stems from his groundbreaking achievements in music, his talent and passion for painting have been a lifelong pursuit.

His creations, which mostly consist of paintings and lithographs known for their vibrant colours, have been showcased in various galleries across the UK, US, and Europe.

6. Jim Carrey

Throughout Donald Trump’s tumultuous presidency, Jim Carrey provided a constant stream of satirical cartoons. These cartoons depicted Trump in various scenarios, such as guzzling bleach, dodging the draft, or getting involved in unusual situations with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Carrey’s cartoons were bold in both colour and content, with influences from artists like R. Crumb evident in his line work. His work garnered both praise and backlash on social media.

In 2020, the Canadian actor announced that he was moving away from his cartoon phase and returning to his roots in painting, a practice he began in his boyhood. Additionally, Carrey is known to sculpt. His painting style often features vibrant portraits that utilize color for shading and abstract elements, reminiscent of the type of artwork one might find along the Venice boardwalk.

7. Viggo Mortensen

For Mortensen, being a celebrity artist isn’t just about how he lives—it’s at the core of who he is. Ever since he stumbled into the world of cinema fame, he’s made it his mission to nurture his creative side.

Using the resources that come with his success, Mortensen took a bold step and co-founded Perceval Press in 2002, a small publishing house dedicated to supporting artists like himself.

Through his art, Mortensen invites us to explore the world through his eyes, offering glimpses of beauty, truth, and emotion that resonate on a profound level. It’s more than just painting for him—it’s a journey of self-discovery and expression that enriches his life and the lives of those who experience his work.

8. Tony Bennett

Tony Bennett, the legendary singer known for his iconic voice and timeless songs, is also a talented celebrity artist whose paintings have garnered acclaim in the art world. Bennett’s passion for painting dates back to his childhood, but it wasn’t until later in his life that he began to pursue it more seriously.

Bennett’s artistic journey took off in the late 1980s when he rekindled his love for painting while touring the world. Inspired by the diverse landscapes and cultures he encountered during his travels, Bennett started to experiment with watercolours and sketches, capturing the beauty and vibrancy of the places he visited.

Over the years, Bennett’s painting style has evolved, encompassing a wide range of subjects and techniques. His artwork often reflects his love for nature, with landscapes and seascapes featuring prominently in his oeuvre. Bennett’s paintings are characterised by their bold colours, expressive brushstrokes, and sense of movement, capturing the essence of his artistic vision.

9. Jemima Kirke

Jemima Kirke, best known for her role as Jessa Johansson on the hit TV series “Girls,” is also a talented painter whose artwork has gained recognition in the art world. Kirke’s journey as a painter began long before her acting career took off, as she studied at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she majored in art.

Kirke’s paintings are characterised by their raw, emotive quality and bold use of color. Her artwork often explores themes of identity, femininity, and the human experience, drawing inspiration from her own life and personal struggles. Kirke’s paintings are deeply autobiographical, offering viewers a glimpse into her inner world and emotional landscape.

Despite her success as an actress, Kirke has always maintained a strong commitment to her art, dedicating time to painting whenever possible. Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries and art shows around the world, earning praise for their honesty, vulnerability, and artistic merit.

10. Gene Simmons

Simmons’ paintings often reflect his larger-than-life persona, featuring bold colours, intricate designs, and provocative imagery. His artwork encompasses a wide range of styles and subjects, from abstract compositions to vibrant portraits and landscapes.

“I never considered myself a painter,” he told the outlet. “I never considered myself much of anything. You’re talking to the least qualified person you’d ever meet… I can tell you that I have a sense of wonder.”

In 2021, Simmons showed off 50 of his paintings, including this one pictured named Mother & Son, at a Las Vegas art gallery inside the Venetian.