Rod Stewart’s Epic Model Railway
While he was known as a flamboyant rock star, Rod Stewart’s true passion was a massive, 1,500-square-foot model railroad depicting a 1940s American city. He would even book extra hotel rooms on tour just to have space to build his models, showing a meticulous and quiet side to his wild public persona. This hobby wasn't just a passing phase; it reportedly took him over two decades to complete the intricate scenery.
He is known to have spent hours painting tiny bricks and weathering miniature buildings to achieve a gritty, realistic aesthetic that contrasted sharply with his glamorous stage life.
Audrey Hepburn’s Expert Gardening and Fishing
Audrey Hepburn may have been the epitome of high-fashion elegance, but she was happiest when she was covered in dirt. In her later years at her Swiss home, "La Paisible," she became an avid gardener, specializing in the cultivation of rare lilies and roses. She reportedly found a profound sense of peace in the rhythmic nature of weeding and planting, far removed from the pressures of fame.
Friends noted that she approached her garden with the same discipline she gave her acting, meticulously planning the colors and seasons of her flower beds to create a living masterpiece.
Steve McQueen’s Vintage Motorcycle Restoration
Known as the "King of Cool," Steve McQueen didn't just ride motorcycles for the camera; he was a master mechanic who spent his weekends covered in grease. His obsession with vintage bikes, particularly Triumphs and Husqvarnas, led him to amass a massive collection that he maintained himself. He reportedly preferred the company of fellow gearheads at local workshops over the Hollywood elite. For McQueen, the hobby was about the tactile satisfaction of bringing a dead engine back to life.
It provided him with a sense of control and mechanical purity that he felt the film industry lacked.
Jimmy Stewart Wrote Poetry
The man known for his drawl and "everyman" charm on screen was actually a deeply sensitive poet in his private hours. Jimmy Stewart began writing verses as a way to process his experiences, particularly the heavy emotions he carried back from his service during World War II. He famously wrote a touching poem about his dog, Beau, which he eventually read on The Tonight Show, leaving the audience in tears.
His hobby revealed a contemplative, artistic soul that preferred the quiet scratch of a pen to the bright lights of a Hollywood premiere or a bustling movie set.
Lucille Ball’s Competitive Backgammon
The queen of comedy took her leisure time very seriously, specifically when it came to the backgammon board. Lucille Ball was known to be a formidable and highly competitive player, often hosting long tournaments at her home. She reportedly studied the strategy of the game with the same intensity she used to perfect her physical comedy routines. For Lucy, backgammon was a mental escape that allowed her to exercise her sharp wit and tactical mind.
It proved that behind the ditzy "Lucy Ricardo" persona was a woman who enjoyed the thrill of a calculated, high-stakes game.
Joan Crawford’s Obsessive Knitting
Despite her reputation for being a tough-as-nails screen siren, Joan Crawford was a prolific and dedicated knitter. She was rarely seen on set without her yarn and needles, often knitting intricate sweaters and blankets for her co-stars and crew members. This hobby reportedly served as a way for her to manage her restless energy and maintain focus during long hours of filming. Her stitches were said to be incredibly tight and precise.
They reflected her legendary need for perfection and order in every aspect of her life, from her wardrobe to her various handmade gifts.
Henry Fonda’s Masterful Bee-Keeping
Henry Fonda found solace away from the cameras by tending to his many beehives. The stoic actor was a dedicated apiarist, finding the structured social order of the hive to be fascinating and deeply relaxing. He reportedly spent many mornings in his protective suit, carefully inspecting the frames and ensuring his bees were healthy and productive. Fonda was known to give jars of his "Fonda Honey" to friends and colleagues.
She preferred the quiet labor of the countryside to the vanity of the city, showing a grounded connection to nature that defined his private character.
Ginger Rogers’ Professional-Grade Sculpting
Ginger Rogers was famous for doing everything Fred Astaire did "backwards and in high heels," but in her spare time, she was an accomplished sculptor. She worked primarily in clay and bronze, creating portraits and figures that were praised for their anatomical accuracy and emotional depth. She maintained a private studio where she could escape the demands of her dance rehearsals.
Rogers reportedly viewed sculpting as a way to express herself without the need for music or a partner, allowing her to explore a solitary, tactile form of creativity that was entirely her own.
Hedy Lamarr Was a Genius Inventor
Often called the most beautiful woman in the world, Hedy Lamarr’s true hobby was applied science and invention. She didn't have a formal education in engineering, but she spent her nights in a home laboratory working on various gadgets. Her most significant achievement was co-inventing a "frequency-hopping" spread spectrum technology intended to prevent torpedoes from being jammed. While Hollywood saw a starlet, the world eventually recognized a genius.
Her hobby reportedly laid the groundwork for modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, making her perhaps the most influential hobbyist in the history of the Golden Age of cinema.
Gary Cooper’s Expert Taxidermy
The tall, silent hero of the American West, Gary Cooper, had a hobby that was as rugged as his film roles: taxidermy. Cooper was an avid outdoorsman and hunter who took great pride in the preservation of his trophies. He reportedly studied the anatomy of animals meticulously to ensure his mounts looked as lifelike as possible. While this might seem macabre to some today, for Cooper, it was a way to respect the wilderness and the animals he encountered.
He spent many quiet hours in his workshop, focusing on the delicate details of his craft far from Hollywood.
James Dean’s Love for Bullfighting
James Dean lived life on the edge, and his hobby of amateur bullfighting was no exception. He became fascinated with the sport while preparing for a role and eventually began training in the "muleta" technique. He reportedly admired the bravery and the "grace under pressure" required of the matador. While he never fought professionally, he spent significant time in Mexico practicing with smaller calves.
For Dean, this hobby was a way to explore themes of life, death, and masculinity, providing a visceral outlet for the restless energy that made him a generational icon.
Paul Newman’s Professional Auto Racing
Most celebrities have a casual interest in cars, but Paul Newman’s hobby was a second career. He started racing in his late 40s and became a legitimate professional, even winning his class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He reportedly preferred being called "PLN" by his racing team rather than being treated like a movie star. Newman found a sense of meritocracy in racing; the stopwatch didn't care about his blue eyes or his acting awards.
He spent his later years more focused on the paddock and the grease of the garage than the red carpet.
Marlene Dietrich’s Expert Musical Saw Playing
The glamorous Marlene Dietrich had a hidden talent that was as haunting as her voice: she was a virtuoso on the musical saw. She reportedly learned the skill during the 1920s in Berlin and would often perform for troops during her USO tours. The eerie, ethereal sound produced by bowing a common handsaw fit her mysterious persona perfectly. She took the hobby seriously, often carrying a specially tuned saw with her.
It was a bizarre and beautiful skill that allowed her to entertain in a way that was completely distinct from her traditional cabaret performances.
Fred Astaire’s Love for Skateboarding
In one of the most unexpected hobby shifts in history, the most graceful man in cinema became an avid skateboarder in his 70s. Fred Astaire reportedly took up the hobby to bond with his grandchildren and found that he actually enjoyed the balance and movement required. He even joined the National Skateboard Society and was often seen practicing in his driveway.
While he didn't do "ollies," his interest in the board showed a lifelong dedication to physical movement and a playful spirit that refused to let age dictate what he could or couldn't learn.
Vivien Leigh’s Obsession With Siamese Cats
Vivien Leigh had a deep, almost spiritual connection to her hobby of breeding and showing Siamese cats. She reportedly found their elegant and somewhat mercurial nature to be a perfect match for her own personality. She was rarely without a feline companion, even bringing them onto film sets when allowed. Her dedication to the breed involved a deep understanding of their lineage and care.
For Leigh, the cats provided a constant, non-judgmental source of affection and a focus for her nurturing instincts during the more turbulent periods of her life and career.
Humphrey Bogart’s Expert Chess Play
Humphrey Bogart wasn't just playing a cynical tough guy; he was a brilliant chess strategist who once played a match against a grandmaster to a draw. Bogart was a fixture at New York chess clubs before he found fame, and he kept a board set up in his trailer on every movie set. He reportedly used the game to keep his mind sharp between takes, often challenging directors and crew members to matches.
His love for the game was so deep that he insisted his character in Casablanca be shown playing chess, bringing his real-life hobby to the screen.
Cary Grant’s Passion for Seamanship and Knots
The most sophisticated man in Hollywood had a surprising obsession with the rugged world of nautical knots. Cary Grant reportedly spent hours practicing complex maritime rope work, a hobby he picked up due to his love for the sea. He found the mathematical precision of a perfectly tied knot to be a calming meditative practice. While others expected him to be sipping martinis, Grant was often found on his boat or at home.
He spent his free time perfecting a sheepshank or a bowline, valuing the practical utility and traditional craftsmanship inherent in the ancient art of the sailor.
Katharine Hepburn’s Passion for Painting
Katharine Hepburn was a woman of many talents, but she found her greatest private joy in oil painting. She took her paints and canvases with her on location around the world, capturing landscapes from Africa to the English countryside. Her style was reportedly bold and expressive, mirroring her own fiery personality. Hepburn didn't paint for accolades or exhibitions; she did it for the pure love of capturing a moment in time.
She often gave her paintings to close friends as deeply personal gifts, revealing a softer, more colorful side of her legendary, sharp-witted public persona.
Walt Disney’s Miniature Steam Trains
The man who built a Magic Kingdom was personally obsessed with the world of miniature steam engines. Walt Disney constructed a 1/8th scale live-steam railroad in his own backyard, which he named the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. He spent his weekends acting as the engineer, wearing a striped cap and overalls while hauling his friends and family around the track. This hobby wasn't just for play.
It reportedly served as the blueprint for the Disneyland Railroad, proving that his private fascination with mechanical miniatures was the true catalyst for the theme park empire he would eventually build.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewelry Design
While the world focused on the massive gems she wore, Elizabeth Taylor’s real hobby was the intricate art of jewelry design and curation. She didn't just buy pieces; she often worked with world-class jewelers to redesign settings or create entirely new concepts. She reportedly had an encyclopedic knowledge of gemstones and their histories. For Taylor, jewelry wasn't just an accessory; it was a narrative of her life.
Her hobby involved studying the "fire" of diamonds and the depth of emeralds, treating her collection like a curated museum of her most cherished memories and personal milestones.
Bela Lugosi’s Passion for Stamp Collecting
The man who defined Count Dracula had a hobby that was surprisingly domestic and orderly: philately, or stamp collecting. Bela Lugosi reportedly found great comfort in the quiet, meticulous organization of his stamp albums. In a life often marred by typecasting and personal struggles, the hobby offered him a sense of control and a window into the geography and history of the world.
He was known to spend hours with a magnifying glass, examining the tiny details of foreign issues, finding a peaceful sanctuary in the colorful bits of paper that stood in stark contrast to his dark roles.
Frank Sinatra’s Obsessive Model Trains
Similar to Rod Stewart and Walt Disney, "Old Blue Eyes" had a massive soft spot for model railroading. Frank Sinatra’s collection was legendary, featuring a complex layout that occupied a dedicated building on his compound in Palm Springs. He reportedly found the rhythmic clicking of the miniature trains and the electrical work required to maintain the tracks to be incredibly therapeutic. It was one of the few places where the Chairman of the Board could truly relax and be a "regular guy."
He tinkered with his Lionel trains away from the pressures of his recording and film careers.
Greta Garbo’s Dedicated Walking and Hiking
The woman who famously wanted to be "let alone" found her greatest joy in long, solitary walks. Greta Garbo was known to walk for miles through New York City or the Swiss Alps, often unrecognized in heavy coats and hats. This wasn't just exercise; it was a dedicated hobby that allowed her to observe the world without being the center of attention. She reportedly found the physical exertion and the changing scenery to be vital for her mental health.
She used these long treks to maintain the privacy and inner peace she valued above all else in Hollywood.
Sophia Loren’s Passion for Gourmet Cooking
Sophia Loren is often quoted as saying she owes everything to spaghetti, and her hobby truly was the culinary arts. She is a dedicated chef who reportedly spent her downtime in the kitchen, perfecting traditional Neapolitan recipes passed down through her family. Unlike many stars who had private chefs, Loren found the act of cooking for her family and friends to be a grounding and creative outlet.
She even published several cookbooks, sharing her love for fresh ingredients and the slow, deliberate process of making a perfect ragu, proving her heart was always in the home.
David Niven’s Passion for Indoor Cricket
The quintessentially British David Niven brought a piece of home to Hollywood through his love for cricket, even playing modified versions indoors when necessary. He was a founding member of the Hollywood Cricket Club, which became a sanctuary for the "British Colony" in Los Angeles. Niven reportedly used the game as a way to maintain his cultural identity and bond with fellow expats like Boris Karloff and C. Aubrey Smith.
For him, the hobby was about sportsmanship, stiff upper lips, and the comfort of a familiar tradition in the middle of the California desert.
Boris Karloff’s Gardening and Cricket
The man who played Frankenstein’s monster was actually a gentle soul whose primary hobbies were tending to his rose garden and playing cricket. Boris Karloff was a founding member of the Hollywood Cricket Club and took the sport very seriously. When he wasn't on the pitch, he was often found in his garden, where he reportedly possessed a "green thumb" and a vast knowledge of botany.
These peaceful, traditional English hobbies provided a stark and likely necessary contrast to the horrific and macabre roles that made him a household name around the world.
George Sanders’ Passion for Inventing and Mechanics
The suave villain George Sanders was a brilliant amateur inventor who held several patents for various mechanical devices. He reportedly spent his time off-camera in a well-equipped workshop, tinkering with everything from television components to specialized cameras. He was a man of immense intellect who found the repetitive nature of acting to be somewhat tedious, preferring the problem-solving challenges of engineering.
His hobby revealed a restless, analytical mind that was constantly looking for ways to improve the world through technology, even if the public only saw his cynical, sophisticated on-screen characters.
Debbie Reynolds’ Obsessive Film Memorabilia Collecting
Debbie Reynolds turned her love for Hollywood into a monumental hobby of preservation. She spent decades and millions of dollars rescuing iconic costumes and props that studios were simply throwing away. Her collection famously included Marilyn Monroe’s "subway dress" and Judy Garland’s ruby slippers. She reportedly viewed this not just as a hobby, but as a mission to save the history of the industry she loved.
While she faced many financial hurdles, her dedication to the craft of filmmaking and its physical artifacts showed a selfless devotion to the legacy of her peers.
Tony Curtis’ Passion for Surrealist Painting
Tony Curtis was a dedicated painter whose work leaned heavily into the surreal and the abstract. He reportedly spent several hours every day in his studio, using bold colors and dreamlike imagery to express his inner thoughts. His hobby became so significant that his work was eventually exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide. Curtis found that painting allowed him to shed the "pretty boy" image that Hollywood had forced upon him.
It gave him a medium where he could be raw, honest, and entirely in control of his own creative narrative and visual identity.
Lauren Bacall’s Love for Needlepoint
The sultry Lauren Bacall was a master of the needlepoint hoop. She reportedly spent her time on sets and at home creating intricate pillows, tapestries, and chair covers. This hobby was a way for her to stay grounded and productive during the long waiting periods common in film production. Friends noted that her designs were often sophisticated and modern, reflecting her own keen eye for style.
For Bacall, needlepoint wasn't just a craft; it was a rhythmic, calming practice that allowed her to maintain her legendary "cool" while creating something tangible and beautiful.
Peter Sellers’ Obsession With Photography and Gadgets
The comedic genius Peter Sellers was a tech-obsessed photographer who always had the latest Leica or Hasselblad camera around his neck. He didn't just take snapshots; he was a serious student of lighting and composition, often taking candid portraits of his famous friends. His hobby reportedly extended to an obsession with any new electronic gadget, which he would buy and take apart to see how they worked.
This fascination with the "new" and the "technical" offered a window into a man who was constantly seeking stimulation and a way to capture the fleeting moments of life.
Marlon Brando’s Passion for Amateur Radio
The reclusive Marlon Brando found a unique way to connect with people without the burden of his fame: amateur (ham) radio. Under the call sign FO5GJ, he would reportedly broadcast from his private island in French Polynesia, talking to strangers all over the globe who had no idea they were chatting with a Hollywood legend. He found the anonymity of the airwaves to be incredibly liberating.
For Brando, this hobby was about genuine human connection based on conversation rather than celebrity, allowing him to be just another voice in the vast, electronic wilderness.
Doris Day’s Devotion to Animal Welfare
While many saw her as the "girl next door," Doris Day’s true life’s work was her hobby-turned-mission: animal rescue and advocacy. She reportedly turned her home into a sanctuary for stray dogs and cats, often spending more time caring for her animals than pursuing film roles. She was a pioneer in the animal rights movement, using her fame to lobby for better treatment of pets.
Her hobby was a 24/7 commitment that revealed a heart of immense compassion, showing that her off-screen life was dedicated to those who had no voice of their own.
Clark Gable’s Expert Fly-Fishing and Hunting
The "King of Hollywood" was at his most comfortable in a pair of waders in the middle of a cold stream. Clark Gable was an expert fly-fisherman who reportedly tied his own flies and studied the movements of trout with scientific precision. He often escaped the studio to go on long hunting and fishing trips, finding the rugged outdoors to be the only place where he could truly relax. For Gable, these hobbies weren't just leisure.
They were a way to reclaim his masculinity and sense of self in an industry he often found superficial.
Gene Kelly’s Passion for Language and Etymology
The man who danced in the rain was also a scholar of words. Gene Kelly was reportedly fluent in multiple languages and had a deep hobby of studying the origins and meanings of words (etymology). He was known to be a voracious reader who loved crossword puzzles and intellectual debates. This hobby revealed a sharp, academic mind that balanced his physical athleticism.
Kelly found that understanding the nuances of language helped him in his directing and choreography, proving that his brilliance on the dance floor was matched by a quiet, scholarly life of the mind.