Liz Taylor and her Custom Purple Harley |
5 Celebrities and Their Love of Motorcycles
Hollywood and motorcycles go together like nuts and bolts. Usually it is the unsung heroes, the stunt guys, who really ride the bikes we see in films.But some actors and actresses prefer to keep it real by doing their own riding, both on and off-screen. Some of them spend more time on two wheels than they do on film stages.
1. Tom Cruise
Even requests certain scenes in his movies to be written to allow for him to ride onscreen.Brand of Choice--Ducati
2. Brad Pitt
Well-known for collecting vintage and custom bikes of all brands and styles. No favorites, he seems to love them all equally. (he does have an impressive collection of one-of-a-kind Harley Choppers though...)3. George Clooney
His films might suggest he would be more into sport's cars than bikes, but Clooney is seen frequently on two wheels when he is off-screen.Bike of Choice: Harley-Davidson Road King
4. Nicolas Cage
Well-known for playing Johnny Blaze in "Ghost Rider", he is seen in many films riding a motorcycle. In real life he once had a collection of over 30 bikes.Brand of Choice is varied, but is seen often on Moto Guzzi's
5. Harrison Ford
He can fly his own planes. And helicopters. So why shouldn't he have a motorcycle?Harrison Ford, known for doing his own stunts in most of his blockbuster action films, owns eight or nine motorcycles. And just like his planes and helicopters, the bikes aren't just collectibles.
According to an interview with Mail Online in 2010, the actor said that he enjoys riding his BMW's, Hondas, Triumphs and Harley-Davidsons around LA, as well as through the mountains of Wyoming with groups of other bike enthusiasts.
Other Celebs That Have Been On Bikes
Who hasn't sat on a bike in Hollywood? Very few people! From Elizabeth Taylor to Sylvester Stallone, motorcycles have been more than just stage props for hundreds of celebrities. Here are four more famous people who have ridden two wheels:- Ann-Margret--(The iconic actress admits to loving and racing motorcycles since her teens. After a bike crash in 2001, she had a custom painted Harley ordered in lavender. She is still riding today, despite many injuries.)
- Jay Leno--(Has been grand marshal for over 20 years for Love Ride, a motorcycle charity event. At one time, Leno owned over 90 motorcycles. He details, repairs and maintains his collection himself.)
- Malcolm Forbes--(Known by many as the man behind Forbes magazine and one of the wealthiest men in America, Forbes might be better known in biker circles as the founder of a motorcycle club known as the Capitalist Tools. He was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999...and is pretty popular for giving Elizabeth Taylor a custom painted Harley.)
- Elizabeth Taylor--(The queen of Hollywood loved more than expensive jewelry. She loved motorcycles. Friends with Malcolm Forbes, she would often ride with him and his club on motorcycle tours, and attended many rallies as well. The custom purple Harley-Davidson gifted to her by Forbes was known as The Purple Passion.)