Skilled In More Ways Than Acting
Who says Hollywood is just about acting classes and flashing cameras? These 25 actors wow us with their on and off-screen love for speed; some got here by taking classes, and others are naturals. Have a look.
Tom Cruise’s Need For Speed
Tom Cruise’s daring stunts on screen shine more simply because the guy is a real-life thrill-seeker. In Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, he performed a car chase scene in Rome, driving and drifting one-handed while being handcuffed to another actor. And let’s not forget, he’s a licensed pilot, too.
Paul Walker’s Real-Life Racing Legacy
Before joining the Fast & Furious franchise, Paul Walker was a dedicated car enthusiast. In fact, Walker was a certified racer. A seasoned pro on street and professional tracks, his love for cars extended to owning multiple racing vehicles. He even co-founded a racing team. Now that’s a passion project.
Furious 7 - For Paul (Paul Walker Tribute)(1080p) by Joe Simonetta
Paul Newman Reving Race Tracks
Paul Newman also revved up race tracks. He was a true racing enthusiast, starting back in 1972. He even competed in numerous events, like the SCCA National Championships, and won a few. Newman even co-founded a racing team. He was a force on the road, too.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman - Official Trailer by Adam Carolla
Michelle Rodriguez’s Fast & Furious Charm
Michelle Rodriguez made a name for herself in the Fast & Furious. But her driving skills were there even before she hit the screen. She has trained with top stunt drivers and even performed many of her own car stunts. Beyond movies, she hosted the Riding Shotgun with Michelle Rodriguez show.
Michelle Rodriguez Race F-TYPE SVR 200 mph Like FAST and FURIOUS by Car & Performance /GOMMEBLOG
Steve McQueen, The King Of Cool On Four Wheels
This guy’s love for cars is legendary. Many consider his Bullitt scenes to have set the gold standard for car chases, and all the rest of the car chases use it as a template. McQueen performed much of the high-speed driving himself, and off-screen, he’s competed in major racing events.
Patrick Dempsey’s Racing Obsession
Dr. McDreamy is a serious car racer to the point he’s competed in professional races, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. His passion for racing is so strong that he co-owns a racing team. Dempsey’s driving talent earned him multiple podium finishes. Who would have thought?
Emil Kirschner, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Charlize Theron Shining Beyond Mad Max Maven
In Mad Max: Fury Road, Charlize Theron is a fierce warrior, and that is because she is also an adrenaline junkie behind the wheel. Theron underwent intense driving training to perform her stunts in the movie’s high-speed chases. And they did pay off.
Village Roadshow, Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Matt Damon’s Ford v Ferrari Skills
When Matt Damon took on the role of Carroll Shelby in Ford v Ferrari, he trained like crazy. The guy learned how to handle high-performance cars, mastering track techniques to portray Shelby authentically. His commitment to driving skills gave his character a level of realism that’s hard to match.
Vin Diesel’s Driving “Dom-inance”
As the face of Fast & Furious, Diesel’s stunt-driving skills are clearly out of this world. And as expected, Diesel’s real-life passion for motorsports extends beyond the screen. He is an avid driver and car collector. You know it’s always “fast and furious” when he gets behind the wheel.
Furious 7 (10/10) Movie CLIP - The Last Ride (2015) HD by Movieclips
Kristen Stewart’s Adrenaline Addiction
Stewart is fantastic on-screen, but her driving abilities deserve a spotlight too. In Charlie’s Angels, she learned driving tricks and performed her stunts. Her love for speed also extends to fast car collection, too, off-screen. Looks like she’s always in the fast lane, both on and off the screen.
Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ryan Gosling, The Drive’s Silent Stuntman
He looks great, acts well, and drives even better. In Drive, he also took on some pretty intense driving stunts. He had to break a sweat through extensive training with expert stunt drivers to get here. The results were impressive, and they added to the film’s authenticity.
The Drive Movie Trailer 2011 Official Ryan Gosling by Streaming Clips
Angelina Jolie’s Daredevil Spirit
A mom of six and one of the most beautiful faces to grace Hollywood is also a master of extreme driving stunts. In movies like Salt, Jolie took on challenging car chases. She trained hard to pull off the film’s intense driving sequences—a daring spirit that goes beyond her action roles.
Salt #4 Movie CLIP - Crash Landing (2010) HD by Movieclips
Idris Elba’s Speed-Loving Passion
Idris Elba wears many hats—actor, DJ, and a fast driver. In addition to starring in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Elba set a UK speed record by driving a Bentley Continental GT and reached an average speed of 180.361 mph. This was the Flying Mile UK land speed record.
Scarlett Johansson Hollywood’s Black Widow Behind The Wheel
Did you know Johansson’s Black Widow role required more than martial arts expertise? Oh yes, she took on high-speed car chase training for all the Avengers films and had to learn precision driving techniques beforehand. Her reflexes are fast, and so is her driving.
Black Widow Tames Hulk - Avengers: Age of Ultron - Movie CLIP HD by TopMovieClips
Daniel Craig’s A Licensed Driver
James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, is also part of the fast driver’s gang, and he knows his way around some of the world’s fastest cars. Craig underwent extensive driving training to prepare for the intense car chases in the Bond franchise, and today, the guy is a pro.
No Time To Die 4K HDR | Car Chase - Bullet Proof Aston Martin DB5 by Apex Clips
Christian Bale Is Also A Passionate Racer
Known for his intense dedication to his roles, Bale took his commitment to a whole new level when he took up the role of Ken Miles in Ford v Ferrari. Bale was knee-deep in racing techniques to depict the legendary driver authentically. His genuine love for speed is apparent.
Twentieth Century, Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Emma Stone Is The Comedic Car Chase Queen
She’s funny and fast. In Zombieland: Double Tap, Stone’s training for the film entailed multiple sessions where she learned how to handle fast vehicles during intense chases. Her natural humor and car skills made for some hilarious but surprisingly believable high-speed action.
When Emma Stone acts jealous | Zombieland Double Tap | Binge Comedy by Binge Society - Comedy
Hugh Jackman Beyond The Wolverine Set
When he played the Wolverine, Jackman had to go the extra mile to have his driving skills match his acting. It all pans out in films like Logan, where Jackman underwent rigorous training for high-speed car sequences. His level of preparation was on par with his intense action scenes.
Wolverine Buys a Truck Scene | Logan (2017) Movie Clip HD 4K by Filmey Box
Jason Statham Is A Real-Life Transporter
The real-life action hero, Jason Statham, known for his role in The Transporter, is an incredible real-life driver. Many don’t know this, but Statham is a competitive diver who loves extreme sports. We’re talking dangerous, fast, furious, and adrenaline-filled. His stunt-driving skills are one word—impressive.
Jason Statham Drive Lamborghini Murcielago in Transporter 2 (2005) by CAR IN MOVIE
Margot Robbie Also Goes High-Octane
In Birds of Prey, Margot Robbie transformed into a high-speed driving maniac as Harley Quinn. Robbie had to train intensively to perform her own car stunts to fit into this role. Her love for action-packed sequences shines through, and this makes her a standout driver.
Birds of Prey (2020 film), DC Entertainment
Robert Pattinson: Batman’s New Driver
In making Pattison’s role as Batman in The Batman, the guy had to undergo intense and serious driving moments that needed immense training, particularly with the Batmobile. Gotham’s streets are safer since their protector is always faster than the bad guys.
Gal Gadot’s Fast & Furious Training
Her accent makes you want to listen more. Her driving? That will get you holding on to the seat because it’s just as impressive as it sounds. Gadot’s role in Fast & Furious required serious driving skills, and guess what? Our girl aced it. Her military background made her a natural.
Галь Гадот / Actress Gal Gadot Drives the F TYPE in Pebble Beach Jaguar USA by Fashion World
Dwayne Johnson’s Massive Moves
The Rock’s performances always wow—in the ring, on set, and now, on the roads. Dwayne Johnson’s imposing size dominates the wheel. For example, in Fast & Furious, The Rock showed off his driving prowess with jaw-dropping stunts: Smashing through obstacles and outrunning bad guys.
Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ludacris, The Musician Turned Racer
Ludacris’ character, Tej Parker, in Fast & Furious, was the tech-savvy mastermind, but in real life, he’s all about racing. A passionate car lover, Ludacris has competed in drag racing events and owns an impressive collection of vehicles. It’s no surprise that his real-life racing skills match his on-screen persona.
Ludacris - Two Miles An Hour (Remix) ft. Playaz Circle by Ludacris
Jason Priestley’s Life On The Fast Lane
Known for his impressive acting as Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, Jason Priestley has another passion beyond acting—professional race car driving. His need for speed led him to compete in events like the Indy Lights series and Grand-Am races, balancing Hollywood fame with high-speed thrills.
Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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