When the cameras stop rolling, these Hollywood stars pick up paintbrushes instead of scripts.
We all know them from the big screen. But what most people don’t realize is that some of our favorite actors have been quietly creating stunning artwork in their private studios for years. These aren’t just celebrity hobbies or casual dabbling. We’re talking about genuinely impressive paintings that could hang in galleries.
The best part? Many of these stars rarely talk about their art, so discovering their hidden talent feels like finding a secret room in a house you thought you knew inside and out.
1. Jim Carrey
The comedy legend creates deeply emotional, politically charged paintings with bold colors and raw intensity. His piece “Electric Jesus” shows a vibrant, colorful portrait exploring spirituality and acceptance. He’s held multiple exhibitions, including shows in Montreal and Los Angeles. His artwork explores darkness and beauty in ways his films never could.
2. Anthony Hopkins
For decades, the iconic actor has painted vibrant abstracts and haunting landscapes using only a palette knife. He paints from memory, working quickly and instinctively. His wife encouraged him to exhibit publicly in 2005, and his first show in San Antonio sold over 100 works. Every canvas carries the same intensity he brings to his legendary performances.
3. Lucy Liu
A serious contemporary artist who exhibited for years under her Chinese name, Yu Ling. Her “Lost and Found” series features found objects arranged in book cutouts, exploring themes of safety and belonging from her childhood. She’s shown her work at the National Museum of Singapore and galleries across the U.S., Europe, and Canada. Her mixed media pieces reveal a creative side that exists completely separate from her Hollywood career.
4. Pierce Brosnan
The former James Bond paints colorful landscapes and portraits inspired by his life in Hawaii and Malibu. His Bob Dylan portrait auctioned for $1.4 million at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, benefiting amfAR. He studied commercial illustration before acting and has returned to painting throughout his career, often creating art alongside his son Paris.
5. Sylvester Stallone
Yes, Rocky paints. His abstract expressionist work features bold brushstrokes and often includes recurring symbols like clocks and cryptic text. He created “Finding Rocky” in 1975 before writing the film script, using painting to visualize the character. His work has been exhibited in museums across Europe, and he’s been painting for over 50 years.
6. Viggo Mortensen
The Lord of the Rings star creates evocative abstract paintings and photographs. His artwork often features stark, minimal compositions with unexpected elements. He’s exhibited in galleries across multiple continents and his creative practice extends beyond acting into poetry and music as well.
7. Jane Seymour
Her romantic, detailed paintings have sold for tens of thousands of dollars. She specializes in impressionistic florals and landscapes with delicate, shimmering brushwork. She’s been painting for over four decades and has a genuine following in the art world, with work shown in galleries internationally.
8. David Bowie
Before music consumed his life, Bowie studied art and was influenced by German Expressionism. His self-portraits from the 1990s are haunting and introspective, often showing fragmented faces. He was a serious art collector and his own work reflected his avant-garde sensibilities throughout his career.
9. Marilyn Manson
His unsettling watercolors have been exhibited at galleries in Los Angeles, Paris, and Berlin. The imagery is often disturbing and surreal, featuring distorted figures and skeletal forms in murky colors. His artwork is technically skilled and genuinely unique, regardless of how you feel about his music.
10. Tony Curtis
The classic Hollywood star created colorful, energetic neo-expressionist paintings throughout his life. His work features bold outlines and vivid color blocks with subjects ranging from jazz musicians to abstract forms. His paintings have been exhibited posthumously at galleries worldwide.
11. Dennis Hopper
The late actor was a respected artist and photographer who captured counterculture America. His work often mixed bold text with imagery and his photographs of fellow artists like Andy Warhol are now considered important cultural documents. He was deeply embedded in the art world throughout his life.
12. Val Kilmer
Creates contemplative artwork exploring spiritual themes, nature, and transformation. He’s developed series inspired by Mark Twain, whom he portrayed on stage. His paintings often show fragmented faces emerging from swirls of color and abstract forms.
13. James Franco
His work has been shown in legitimate galleries, often exploring themes of identity and celebrity culture. His art includes collages that deconstruct celebrity imagery, sometimes including his own face. While controversial, he’s pursued visual art with genuine dedication alongside his acting career.
14. Rosie Perez
The actress creates vibrant urban art influenced by her Brooklyn roots. Her pieces use bright colors and geometric patterns that reference street art and graffiti culture. The work celebrates movement, energy, and cultural identity with bold compositions.
15. Joni Mitchell
After health issues affected her performing ability, the legendary musician dove deeper into painting. Her work is dreamlike and symbolic, often featuring self-portraits mixed with natural imagery in soft pastels. Her visual art is as poetic as her songs, with each painting telling its own story.
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