A couple of decades ago, fans used to hunt for celebrities out of the popular clubs, event venues, or dumpster diving outside their homes. Today, it’s much easier to find them online. But what if you had already met one of them without even knowing? Many stars are passionate about online gaming, and might be fighting against you or side by side your avatar in your favourite game. Here’s who they are and how to find them.
Musicians
Music and gaming have always been connected, but today’s artists are taking their love for games into the spotlight.
Drake helped catapult Fortnite’s cultural dominance when he streamed with Ninja in 2018 on Twitch. Snoop Dogg streams his sessions of Madden, Call of Duty, and indie titles. Post Malone, known for his laid-back persona, spends hours playing Apex Legends, PUBG, and Call of Duty, while Deadmau5 regularly jumps into Counter-Strike and shares his hardware setups with fans.
Far from mere endorsements, these artists approach gaming as a personal hobby that brings them closer to massive online communities.
Actors
Some Hollywood names are far more committed to their games than many expect.
Henry Cavill is practically gaming royalty: a long-time World of Warcraft devotee and dedicated The Witcher 3 player, he famously missed Zack Snyder’s call about being cast as Superman because he was in the middle of a WoW raid. Terry Crews, meanwhile, built his gaming PC from scratch live on social media, bonding with fans and his son over Overwatch.
Jack Black immerses himself in gaming culture with his YouTube channel “Jablinski Games,” covering everything from Minecraft to retro hits. Vin Diesel, another well-known WoW player, has even worked on video game projects, such as Ark 2.
These celebrities embody the modern gamer’s evolution: curious, technically savvy, and unafraid to share their passion.
Athletes
Online gaming has become a favored pastime for professional athletes looking to unwind or connect with fans.
Neymar Jr., known for his flashy plays on the football pitch, is equally passionate about CS:GO, Fortnite, and Call of Duty. Antoine Griezmann uses Fortnite emotes as part of his goal celebrations. Sergio Agüero, now retired from football, streams regularly and has built a gaming brand around it.
From the NBA to the NFL, countless athletes enjoy online gaming as a competitive release that mirrors the adrenaline of professional sports.
Tech leaders
Even leaders shaping the tech industry sit down for long gaming sessions.
Elon Musk frequently discusses Overwatch, Halo, and Elden Ring. Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, is a dedicated League of Legends player and esports investor. Palmer Luckey, creator of the Oculus Rift, remains deeply connected to the VR gaming world he helped create.
These figures show that gaming literacy increasingly intersects with technological innovation.
Politicians
One of the most unexpected trends in gaming culture is the arrival of politicians into online spaces.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar drew millions of viewers when they streamed Among Us during the 2020 elections, using gaming as a medium for outreach, conversation, and civic engagement.
Their willingness to meet audiences where they already gather demonstrates the cultural influence gaming now holds.
Streamers
Some of today’s most recognizable public figures rose to fame specifically through online gaming.
- Ninja (Tyler Blevins) brought battle royale gaming into mainstream pop culture.
- Shroud became legendary for his unmatched FPS reflexes.
- Pokimane dominates the world of League of Legends and Valorant, defining the “comfort streamer” aesthetic.
- xQc, former Overwatch pro, is one of the most watched streamers globally.
- Asmongold, a cornerstone of MMO culture, has shaped discussions around World of Warcraft for years.
These personalities prove that gaming is no longer a niche pastime. Gaming is a global entertainment industry now rivalling many others.
The Internet as an equalizer
With online gaming, the divide between everyday players and global superstars has nearly vanished. The online world has become a great equalizer: behind the monitor, everyone is simply a gamer.