Steeler Fans from Hollywood

One of the interesting facets of the Pittsburgh Steelers are the fans and the support that these folks give to their favorite team. In this episode we will list some of the top fans from Hollywood and some others that we can connect the dots to their fandom.

I think it is always interesting to hear of famous people that share the same interests that you do. It really piques the senses when celebrities are shown cheering on your favorite football team. Here are just a few of the big names from Hollywood, that have the black and gold flowing through their veins.

The Hollywood list

Verne Troyer, the man that famously played Mini-Me in the Austin Powers films loved some Steelers football prior to his passing in 2018 per a 2012 Bleacher Report post. In a few YouTube sessions, Troyer stated that his favorite Steeler of all time was old Number 58, Jack Lambert and his favorite memory was the Steelers' Super Bowl win against the Arizona Cardinals.

Paul Rudd, the star of Marvel Avenger movies, the 40 Year Old Virgin and so many more is a Pittsburgh football fan as well. In a story with John Newby of Pop Cutlure it recants Rudd telling a story on “Conan” where he visited the Steelers locker room at Three Rivers as a kid once.
"And it was the most incredible thing," Rudd said, "because I walked in, and they were all just naked. I'm about nine years old, and just Mean Joe Greene's d— and butt [go] right past my face, which is just traumatic. But I met Bradshaw, Bradshaw was so nice, and he was just having a conversation with me. And he was just in a jockstrap. I don't think I even knew what a jockstrap was."
Now Rudd is also on record supporting his hometown KC Chiefs, but it’s okay Paul, we know who you are really rooting for, wink, wink.

Billy Gardell the man who has starred in hit shows Mike and Molly as well as Bob Hearts Abishola is a Pittsburgh native and makes no apologies for supporting the Steelers through thick and thin. Gardell has often been seen over the years wearing Black and Gold gear to show which team he cheers for on the Sundays during the fall often at Heinz Field waving a Terrible Towel!

Jeff Goldblum was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of West Homestead and so he also is a big-time Steelers fan. Goldblum has appeared in many films including all of the Jurassic Park flicks, a Marvel movie, the original Independence Day and so many more.

Michael Keaton is a well-known Steeler for many years. Keaton grew up in suburban Pittsburgh and follows all the city's teams. The actor has famously been on Hollywood’s A-list for films such as Batman, Spiderman Homecoming, Multiplicity, and Beetlejuice. Keaton has even recently told Seth Meyers on Late Night that he has texted Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin expressing his nervousness before the season starts.

As a matter of fact, Seth Myers from Late Night and former head writer for Saturday Night Live and host of the show's Weekend Update segment is also a big fan of the Steelers. He even showed his fandom when he waved a Terrible Towel during the show on March 1, 2008, at the end of the Weekend Update segment in honor of the late Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope.

Sofía Vergara has been on record cheering for the Black and Gold too as her husband Joe Manganiello is a longtime fan. Manganiello grew up in Pittsburgh's Mt. Lebanon neighborhood, and has been seen posing in photos with many Steelers stars and at many games. Joe has acted in films such as Zach Snyder’s Justice League, Magic Mike XXL, Spiderman, and numerous others TV and film spots. Wife Sophia is of course the attractive lady that played the wife of Ed O’Neil on the hist sitcom Modern Family.

Speaking of Ed O’Neil, we could probably add him to this list as he once was an undrafted free agent of the Steelers in the summer of 1969 and is also rumored to be a member of the Steeler Nation.

Allegedly two famous actors that played former fictional Steelers QB Paul Crewe in the movies the Longest Yard, the late Bert Reynolds and Adam Sandler have some allegiance to Steeler Nation. Reynolds actually played ball at Florida State and was drafted by the Baltimore Colts once upon a time played the part of not only Crewe with a Pittsburgh connection but also starred on Evening Shade portraying yet another fictional former Steelers player.

As for Sandler, besides his performance as Crewe he made sure he got Bill Cowher into his film the Water Boy. Despite him claiming the fandom of the NY Jets we did not see any of the coaches of that club in the film, did we.

As you can see Hollywood has many that support the Steelers. In future episodes we will explore the music and sports celebrities that love their Steelers football!