What was once a niche pastime relegated to basement tabletops and underground gaming boards has taken a dramatic shift in the public consciousness. Not only is it mainstream now, but it’s cool. A lot of this is due to the increasing number of celebrities proudly flying their geek flags and embracing the fantasy world of dice, character sheets, and dungeon masters.
These are not just passive enthusiasts, though. They’re live players, dungeon masters, streamers, and champions who have placed D&D in popular culture’s brightest spotlight. The rising popularity of D&D is a result of the cultural mainstreaming of fantasy, gaming, and fandom.
From the huge popularity of Stranger Things to Twitch and YouTube-streamed campaigns, fantasy role-playing has become more mainstream than ever. And just as people pay attention to entertainment news or go to websites such as casinos.us for info on casinos in California, many now watch out for D&D campaigns featuring their favorite celebrities, comedians, and musicians.
Here are some of the most popular celebrities who play Dungeons & Dragons, and in most cases, have redefined how the game is perceived.
Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel is perhaps best known for his action hero performances in the Fast & Furious franchise and Riddick, but off-screen, he’s an experienced D&D player. Diesel has publicly discussed playing the game for decades and even authored the foreword to the book 30 Years of Adventure: A Celebration of Dungeons & Dragons.
He famously played a game during the promotion of his film The Last Witch Hunter, a film partially based on one of his decades-long D&D characters.
Joe Manganiello
Few celebrities have battled more relentlessly on behalf of the game of D&D in recent years than Joe Manganiello. The True Blood and Magic Mike actor is a colossal player and D&D dungeon master himself.
He has even dedicated a special “dungeon” in his house where he spreads out intricate campaigns for a wide range of shifting actors, musicians, and entertainment industry professionals.
His involvement in the game goes beyond play for fun, Manganiello collaborated with Wizards of the Coast to help develop content for official D&D releases and is often cited as one of the key figures in the pop-culture resurgence of the game.
Stephen Colbert
The host of the late-night television talk show and political satirist has a long-standing love of fantasy and tabletop gaming. Colbert was in his teens when he played D&D and came back to it on several occasions, most notably at a charity one-shot organized by voice actor and DM Matthew Mercer of Critical Role.
The live-streamed game provided spectators with a sense of Colbert’s genuine enthusiasm and roleplaying prowess, and his guest exposed the joys of D&D storytelling to a whole new audience.
Deborah Ann Woll
Best known for her appearances on Daredevil and True Blood, Deborah Ann Woll is a passionate D&D player who has played and GM’d on multiple shows and platforms. She’s known for her dramatic storytelling style, passionate roleplaying, and commitment to engaging worldbuilding.
Woll’s passion for the game has earned her a loyal fan base from D&D enthusiasts, and she’s used her platform to contribute towards creating awareness for how the game fosters creativity, empathy, and togetherness.
Felicia Day
One of the founders of geek internet culture, Felicia Day, has long been a public advocate of the virtues of D&D and tabletop RPGs. Her web series The Guild is a virtual love letter to gaming culture, and she’s participated in numerous streamed campaigns and events.
As the creator of Geek & Sundry, Day played a central role in the debut of Critical Role, perhaps the most influential D&D series ever created. Her impact on the world of D&D comes not only from her play but from helping to build the audience for tabletop gaming.
Matthew Lillard
Best known for his iconic twists in Scream and as Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo movies, Matthew Lillard is a D&D enthusiast and gamer from the time he was a kid. With his brother John, he started Beadle & Grimm’s, which designs upscale D&D campaign boxes and accessories that give the game an interactive, cinematic feel.
Lillard’s passion and entrepreneurship changed the face of how D&D is presented and showed that it could be accessible and cinematic as well.
Terry Crews
Terry Crews’ background with D&D is not decades in the making, but his introduction to the game was warmly received by fans. He appeared on Nerdist’s show CelebriD&D and was an instant fan favorite because of his charming, energetic roleplaying style.
Crews’ dive into the world of D&D is just one example of a larger phenomenon where celebrities in all fields are discovering the game and revising it to appeal to individuals on an emotional level using storytelling and shared imagination.
And Many More.
Outside of this roll call are numerous other public figures who play or endorse D&D in some way, everything from Elon Musk to Anderson Cooper. Some do so out in the open, others more quietly. Whatever the case, one thing is certain, however, and that’s the reality that the game is now indeed a full-blown cultural force, embraced by a wide range of creative thinkers.
Conclusion: The Celebrity Effect
Celebrity endorsement has made a real impact on the popularity and perception of D&D. What was formerly a niche or even geeky activity is now part of mainstream entertainment. These celebrities aren’t just creating buzz, they’re making people aware of the depth, creativity, and emotional resonance the game can provide.
Through streamed gameplay, podcasted interviews, and public interviews, these star players have made a concerted effort to dispel former stereotypes and empower the next generation of adventurers to roll the dice and forge their narratives.
As the game continues to grow, expect even more household names to take their seat at the table. Because in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, anybody can be a hero, even if they’re already one.