This list was compiled by Home Leisure Direct – suppliers of home sporting accessories, from pool tables to football tables and much more.
When out of the limelight, celebrities like to unwind just like the rest of us by playing their favorite sports. The stress built up from busy schedules and the constant flash of paparazzi cameras often calls for some rigorous exercise or relaxing play to relieve the tensions of stardom. Here is a list of A-list, cult and downright wacky celebrities and their often surprising choice of sport.
Tom Hanks and Soccer
He just felt like running in Forrest Gump, played a baseball coach in A League of Their Own and talked incessantly to a volleyball named Wilson in Castaway, however during his years at Skyline High School Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks excelled at soccer and continues to be passionate about the game, supporting his beloved English soccer team Aston Villa!
Amy Winehouse and Capoeira
After finally saying yes, yes, yes to rehab the British tabloid headlining pop singer has apparently cleaned up her act and has become a huge fan of Capoeira, the beautifully flowing Brazilian martial art that fuses martial art elements with dance and music, which is helping her stay strong and focused.
Elvis Presley and Pool
Before he left the building, Elvis Presley loved nothing more than to shoot some frames of pool in his specially designed pool room in Graceland Mansion. By all accounts The King of Rock n Roll was no slouch with the cue and regularly enjoyed playing against his staff, friends and visitors.
Laetitia Casta and Judo
The simply stunning Gallic model and actress Laetitia Casta surprisingly has a brown belt in Judo and credits the martial art with helping her to remain emotionally composed through trying times, maintain control over her career and set achievable goals. Needless to say, it has also kept her looking beautifully trim for the catwalk and screen.
Samuel L. Jackson and Golf
Reformed alcoholic and drug addict Samuel L. Jackson is widely recognised as the coolest screen actor alive. In between his screen roles discussing cheeseburgers with fellow hit men or wielding a lightsaber, Jackson has been an avid golfer and loves nothing more than to get his hands on his clubs and play a few holes with his celebrity pals.
Madonna and Yoga
The legendary pop icon keeps defying the years by constantly reinventing herself and maintaining a workout regime that would exhaust someone half her age. Madonna is crazy for Ashtanga Yoga, a particularly aerobic and highly energetic type of power yoga which she practices an incredible six days a week, for two hours a day, to gain a slender body perfect for Vogue.
Mike Tyson and Pigeon Racing
Former Heavyweight Champion of the World and self-styled ‘baddest man on the planet’, Mike Tyson is famous for his brutal exploits in the ring, but his great passion since his teenage years growing up on the tough streets of Brooklyn has been keeping pigeons. Recently, Tyson starred in a reality TV show named Taking on Tyson, in which he put his racing pigeons into competition against some of the most successful pigeon breeders and racers in the US.
► Read more articles written by Bruce K.
