As a classic card game that has been around since the late 18th century, poker has always been portrayed throughout film and television history, be it as a key narrative theme or a significant plot point.
Decades after old Hollywood movies like The Cincinnati Kid (1965) focused on how poker players strategize in high-stakes matches, the industry continues to shed light on the popular casino game and how it blends luck and skill, strategy and tension. Among the most notable recent releases is the crime thriller , directed by Luc Walpoth. Released on September 13, 2024, Dead Money stars Emile Hirsch as professional poker player Andy, who must play the biggest game of his life to save himself and his girlfriend after a home poker robbery.
Interestingly, Hollywood’s fascination with poker goes beyond the screen, as actors throughout the decades have played the game in their free time. More than just serving as ambassadors for poker brands and tournaments, stars have become fascinated with a game that involves a similar level of patience, psychology, and emotional control as acting.
Whether they play poker with fellow celebrities for leisure and entertainment or participate in high-stakes tournaments with the pros, below are some retro and current stars who have shared their love for the card game.
Frank Sinatra
In addition to singing hit songs like My Way and New York, New York and starring in award-winning films like From Here to Eternity (1953) and The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), Frank Sinatra was known to play poker and host games for fellow actors and entertainers Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Joey Bishop, and Sammy Davis Jr.
It was reported that the historic Farralone House, Sinatra’s mid-century mansion located in Chatsworth, California, served as the main venue for these games. Sinatra stayed at this William Pereira-designed home while divorcing actress Ava Gardner and celebrated his return to bachelorhood by playing alcohol-fueled, high-stakes poker games with the Rat Pack, their informal group that also appeared at Las Vegas casinos together.
Tom Selleck
While Tom Selleck was initially considered for the role of Indiana Jones, the American actor had to decline the offer to commit to the pilot episode of the television series Magnum P.I. Selleck played the titular character and private investigator Thomas Magnum, which would catapult him into fame in the ‘80s and earn him five Emmy Award nominations and one win.
The 17th episode of the second season of Magnum P.I. featured a poker scene, as Thomas Magnum was hired by Jeannie Lowry as a bodyguard as she plays high-stakes poker on a yacht. However, outside of the show, Selleck also played poker with long-time friends, including writer-produced Lionel Chetwynd, who cast him as Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 2004 film Ike: Countdown to D-Day.
Matt Damon
Matt Damon became particularly known in the poker community for his role as aspiring poker player Mike McDermott in the 1998 movie Rounders, which revolves around the underground world of high-stakes poker. In the same year, the American actor, writer, and producer entered the World Series of Poker tournament but was eliminated on Day 1 after playing against professional poker player Doyle Brunson.
Damon also regularly plays poker with actor-friends Edward Norton, Jon Favreau, and Ben Affleck, even tapping into American online poker to partner with the gaming platform Americas Cardroom, which offers the biggest poker tournaments online in the US, including the high-stakes Venom Vault and the Sunday Moneymaker, run by world-famous poker player Chris Moneymaker. Americas Cardroom famously hosted the 2020 online poker tournament organized by Damon and Affleck, which raised over $1,000,000 for the hunger relief organization Feeding America.
Aaron Paul
In addition to his renowned role as Jesse Pinkman in the critically acclaimed crime drama series Breaking Bad, Aaron Paul has made headlines for not just taking a casual interest in poker but also demonstrating his passion for the game by participating in tournaments and cash games. In 2016, Paul became the first celebrity to be drafted into the e-sports-inspired Global Poker League, playing under the professional poker team Los Angeles Sunset.
The American actor and producer has also taken part in various WSOP tournaments, playing in both low-stakes games and the $10,000 buy-in main event. Lastly, Paul famously played against football legend Cristiano Ronaldo for charity, with the intense celebrity duel hosted by PokerStars.
Kevin Hart
Rounding up the list of stars famously into poker is Kevin Hart, with his well-established track record of participating in high-profile games with cash prizes as high as $6 million. In fact, the American comedian and actor has proved himself a worthy contender in pro tournaments after eliminating one of the most decorated players in WSOP, Phil Hellmuth, in a Super High Roller Bowl game.
Hart is also known to rent casinos and gaming venues to host poker games for his A-lister friends, including hip-hop icon Jay-Z and poker star and businessman Dan Bilzerian. In 2024, Hart partnered with Resorts World Las Vegas to organize the Hartbeat Weekend. Aside from a star-studded lineup of music and comedy performances, the four-day celebration included the Hartbeat Celebrity Poker Invitational, a two-day event that brought together 50 celebrities and poker enthusiasts for a high-stakes poker tournament at the exclusive Allē Lounge.
Clearly, from the time of retro stars to Hollywood’s current A-list actors, poker remains entwined with celebrity culture not just as a pastime but as a game for charity and connection. Continue reading The Retro Network website for more insightful articles on pop culture from the past and the present.
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