Hollywood Stars and Their Love for Motorcycles
Brad Pitt
Hollywood’s elite, including Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Jay Leno, boast an impressive collection of Ducati’s exclusive motorcycles. Pitt, a well-known motorcycle enthusiast, owns models like the limited-to-500 Superleggera, priced at $65,000, and the Desmosedici, which costs $72,500 and had only 1,500 units produced.
George Clooney
David A. Morris, the author of Motostars: Celebrities and Motorcycles, explains that motorcycling has long been an expression of identity among celebrities. From Humphrey Bogart in the ’40s to Elvis Presley and Steve McQueen in the ’50s and ’60s, stars have embraced the biker culture. Today, figures like George Clooney continue this tradition, with Clooney often seen as “George, the guy who rides the Indian,” rather than the famous actor.
Tom Cruise
For a stunt exhibition promoting the movie Knight and Day in 2010, Tom Cruise rode a motorcycle near Seville’s cathedral. Cruise’s impressive collection includes the $92,000 Vyrus 985 C3 4V Italian sport bike and the $50,000 Confederate Motorcycles Hellcat.
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor, another avid motorcyclist, often showcases his passion. He posed with his BMW motorcycle during a photo shoot, highlighting his love for the ride.
Iconic Films and Their Bikes
The motorcycle has played a significant role in many classic films. In Easy Rider, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and Jack Nicholson embarked on a journey across the country on modified Harleys, capturing a generation’s spirit of rebellion. Marlon Brando’s portrayal in The Wild One (1954) on a Triumph motorcycle created the archetypal motorcycling antihero, while Marianne Faithfull’s role in Naked Under Leather (1968) brought a sexually independent image of women motorcyclists to the screen.
Elvis Presley
In 1964’s Roustabout, Elvis Presley played a brawling singer who rode a Honda, adding to his legendary status.
The Wild Angels and Biker B-Movies
Peter Fonda starred as the leader of a fictional Hells Angels-style club in Roger Corman’s The Wild Angels (1966), further popularizing the rebellious biker image through a slew of biker B-movies.
Tricia Helfer and Modern Riders
Canadian model and actress Tricia Helfer is among the many Hollywood figures who enjoy motorcycles. The popularity of the TV show Sons of Anarchy, featuring cast members riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles provided by the manufacturer, has also sparked a growing interest in biking among younger generations.
Josh Hutcherson
Josh Hutcherson, known for his role in The Hunger Games, is another young star passionate about motorcycles. He often rides his Harley, which features a map of his home state, Kentucky, painted on the gas tank, illustrating how motorcycles continue to captivate and inspire Hollywood’s new wave of riders.
‘Sons of Anarchy’
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