Getty Images/BrightcastHollywood has always been attracted to flying. Maybe it’s because actors play pilots in films and television or maybe it’s the awe of the incredible stunt teams that get to actually fly and jump out of these planes and helicopters. Whatever the reason is, many A-listers have gotten their pilot’s license over the years and some have gone on to get even more certifications. These are the Hollywood A-listers who have taken their love for the sky and turned it into a pilot’s license in real life.
Steve McQueen
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Steve McQueen was already the coolest guy to ever drive a car or ride a motorcycle, so it made sense in 1979 when he decided it was time to become the coolest guy to fly a plane. He earned his private pilot license that year, having learned on a Stearman bi-plane that he then purchased. His skills behind the wheel must have translated easily into the cockpit, as his instructor reportedly gushed over how quickly he took to aviation. Flying meant a lot to McQueen. After he died in 1980, the same Stearman plane he learned to fly on is said to have been used to scatter his ashes over the Pacific.
Patrick Swayze
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The late star of films like Dirty Dancing and Road House was also an avid pilot, having his private pilot’s license with an instrument rating. Like many pilots, Swayze did experience some close calls. In 2000, he had to make an emergency landing in an Arizona suburb while flying from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Though he escaped uninjured, the twin-engine Cessna was damaged — and he even managed to knock over a few street lights. In 2006 while flying with his wife (who is also a pilot), the pair had to make an emergency landing in Van Nuys, CA after experiencing engine failure.
Brad Pitt
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Like his former wife Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt is also a licensed pilot. He’s been photographed boarding a Cirrus SR22, just like the one she has. Perhaps they were purchased as ‘his and hers’ aircraft when the couple was still together? Interestingly, Pitt is reported to have also purchased an expensive vintage Supermarine Spitfire plane. He received special training from Boultbee Flight Academy in Oxford to be able to fly it. Perhaps his roles in 2009’s Inglourious Basterds and 2014’s Fury got him interested in World War II history.
William Shatner
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Shatner has stated that he first learned to fly out of a lack of things to do, as he was performing at a theater that happened to be near an airfield (and his days were completely free). In addition to having his private pilot’s license, William Shatner is the only person on this list (and one of the few people on the planet, really) to be awarded Commercial Space Astronaut Wings by the Federal Aviation Administration after his suborbital excursion aboard Blue Origin’s NS-18. Just another one of the perks of being a famous Starfleet captain.
Sydney Pollack
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The late writer, actor, and director stated in many interviews that not only was flying his favorite hobby — it was his only hobby. Pollack earned his pilot license in 1964 after a friend took him up for the first time in a Cesna 206. The skill would go on to be valuable in his career in Hollywood. Scouting locations, taking meetings, and attending international film premiers were never a problem for the legendary filmmaker. In his life, Pollack logged more than 3,000 flight hours and has said that in another life he would have been happy as a commercial airline pilot.
Chuck Norris
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Yes, actor and martial artist Chuck Norris has a pilot’s license. His interest likely came from his time serving in the U.S. Air Force in the late ’50s and early ’60s. It is said that in between promoting gym equipment on QVC and convincing elderly people to invest in silver, Norris enjoys flying small aircraft around his ranch in Texas. Geriatric millennials expecting to see a Chuck Norris fact regarding airplanes or flying should look elsewhere (and for Zoomer readers, this is a reference to a 15-year-old meme that was never that funny in the first place).
Zach Braff
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They say fear comes from a lack of knowledge and a place of ignorance. Zach Braff apparently took that to heart and decided the best way to ease his growing fear of flying was to get his pilot’s wings. The Scrubs star reportedly earned his license in 2008 and has since become addicted to being in the cockpit. It’s not difficult to imagine Zach Braff calmly soaring over the garden state and vibing to The Shins or Iron & Wine.
Craig Ferguson
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The former host of the Late Late Show on CBS revealed that he earned his pilot’s license during one of his many show-opening monologues. Ferguson then told his audience that he had decided to earn his pilot’s license in an attempt to overcome his fear of flying. Now, he explained, he’s still afraid — but he knows the right things to be afraid of. Ferguson has also revealed on podcasts that the person who convinced him to get into the cockpit was another avid aviator and actor, Kurt Russell.
James Franco
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James Franco earned his private pilot’s license while preparing for his role in the 2006 film Flyboys. In that film, he portrays a young American who volunteers to become a fighter pilot in World War I. While he was not required to actually physically pilot an aircraft for any of the scenes in the movie, Franco stated in interviews that he hoped his real-life training would lend some authenticity to his performance. The movie itself was a commercial and critical flop, but at least Franco was able to take something away from the experience.
Jimmy Buffett
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There must not be a lot of flights direct to Margaritaville. Jimmy Buffett is known to be an avid pilot. He owns several aircraft that he uses to make the dates on his tours. He got his first taste of flying back in his university days. Ever since then, the bug never left him. The musician even has an official departure procedure named after him. Aircrafts taking off from the Palm Beach International Airport departing to the south use what is known as the BUFIT ONE Departure.
Dennis Quaid
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Dennis Quaid is yet another actor who was inspired to get his pilot’s license in preparation for a role. In 1983, Quaid was getting ready to star in The Right Stuff, a film about the brave military pilots who became the first astronauts. Quaid thought it would help the authenticity of his performance if he knew a thing or two about being a pilot. Years later, Quaid has said in interviews that he still enjoys flying and owns a few small aircraft. Coincidentally, Quaid would go on to star in the remake of the 1964 film The Flight of the Phoenix in 2004, playing the same part as another famous flying actor (Jimmy Stewart).
Gisele Bundchen
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Supermodel Gisele Bundchen is likely the only person on this list to have earned her pilot’s license while also being incredibly pregnant. She’s stated in interviews that she was inspired to learn to pilot helicopters out of an abundance of caution. Often a passenger in helicopters, she wondered what she’d do if something ever happened to the only pilot that was on board. Bundchen decided that there was an easy answer to this question. Her instructor is on the record as saying she was one of the best students he’s ever had. One more talent to add to Gisele’s resume.
Kris Kristofferson
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As crazy as it sounds, if Kristofferson hadn’t been a pilot he might have never made it in the music business. The country music star first started piloting aircraft when he joined the Army. Once out of the service, Kristofferson would continue to pilot helicopters commercially in Louisiana. As the story goes, Kris landed a helicopter in the front yard of Johnny Cash to deliver a demo tape that would ultimately launch his singing career. We’ll never know if that’s the way it really happened or if it was embellished by one or both legendary musicians – regardless, it’s completely believable considering Kristofferson’s wild reputation.
Jimmy Stewart
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Jimmy Stewart had a lifelong passion for aviation. As a child, he built model planes and dreamed of becoming a pilot. Before World War II while he was pursuing a career in acting, Stewart earned both a private and commercial pilot’s license and logged hundreds of flight hours. During the war, he trained other pilots, flew combat missions, and would ultimately return home as a Colonel in the Air Force. Stewart remained in the Air Force Reserve until 1968 when he retired as a Brigadier General. In another life, Jimmy Stewart was the world’s most charming commercial airline pilot.
Hilary Swank
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Hilary Swank’s first taste of aviation came in preparation for the 2009 film Amelia where she starred as the world’s most famous female pilot. Producers asked Swank to get familiar with flying so that she would look more natural on screen. After production had wrapped, the actress continued studying and eventually earned her pilot’s license, (clearly inspired by the incredible woman that she portrayed in the film). While the film was not well received by critics or audiences, Swank still walked away with a new skill to add to her resume.
Tim McGraw
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Country music superstar, actor, producer, husband of Faith Hill and, wouldn’t you know it, a pilot as well. Tim McGraw certainly knows how to keep busy. Reportedly the proud owner of a custom Cirrus SR22 aircraft, the singer-songwriter has said in interviews that he finds aviation relaxing. Reportedly it was also a welcomed distraction when he gave up drinking. McGraw enjoys flying so much that it isn’t uncommon for him to show up to music festivals in his private aircraft.
John Travolta
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Probably the most famous celebrity aviator since Howard Hughes, John Travolta has had his pilot’s license since he was 22 years old. Most recently, the Grease star received a license to pilot a Boeing 737 to go along with his licenses for 747 and 707 aircraft. He also has been an ambassador for Qantas Airlines since 2002. With more than 5,000 air hours logged, Travolta seems more like an instrument-rated pilot with an acting hobby than the other way around.
Dr. Phil
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Long before he was television’s Dr. Phil, Dr. Phil McGraw — the practicing psychologist and trial consultant — was also the owner of a private pilot’s license that he obtained in 1976. Additionally, it’s said that he has an instrument rating, allowing him to fly in inclement weather. This is a fun bit of trivia for any flying psychologist who professionally helps people navigate their dark clouds. Also according to interviews, the good doctor’s first date with his wife of almost five decades was an evening flight together. It was her first time in any kind of aircraft (but probably not her last).
Morgan Freeman
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Though he did not get his pilot’s license until his ’60s, Morgan Freeman had always shown an interest in flying. In interviews, The Shawshank Redemption star talks of daydreaming at his school desk that he was some kind of fighter pilot. Freeman joined the Air Force after graduating high school, though his time serving was spent working with radar instead of flying combat missions. Despite a few scares with mechanical issues, Freeman seems to continue to enjoy flying in private aircraft.
Harrison Ford
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Sure, when you think of Harrison Ford and airplanes, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a rough landing on a Santa Monica golf course. That is — unless you are the 13-year-old Boy Scout who got lost near Yellowstone Park and spent the night in a cave — only to be rescued over eighteen hours later by none other than Han Solo himself. That must have been a surreal moment back in 2001, to see Indiana Jones of all people hopping out of a plane in your hour of need. Some people can leave their work at the office, but not Harrison Ford. He’s an action hero both on and off-screen.
Kurt Russell
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Don’t be fooled by his performance in Executive Decision. Kurt Russell is completely comfortable in the cockpit of a plane. This A-list actor not only has his pilot’s license but he’s also taken the steps to get his instrument rating. Russell has also claimed to have seen something straight out of Stargate while flying with his son. He was the unidentified pilot who reported seeing the “phoenix lights” that have become semi-famous in UFO circles.
Tom Cruise
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Admittedly, you’d probably be surprised if Tom Cruise didn’t appear on this list. This actor/daredevil is licensed to operate both planes and helicopters. Cruise has done both while performing spectacular stunts throughout his career. Cruise reportedly first got his license in the early ’90s, fulfilling a childhood dream to be a pilot (a fallback career if the whole acting thing doesn’t work out). Unfortunately for Mr. Cruise, he was not allowed to operate the F-18 Hornets featured in Top Gun: Maverick. This was despite the extensive training he and the rest of the cast went through to deliver authentic performances.
Clint Eastwood
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While he may have first gained fame for riding horses in Spaghetti Westerns, one of Clint Eastwood’s favorite hobbies is reportedly flying helicopters. For the prolific/director, anonymity and a little alone time are the appeal. In a television interview, Eastwood explained that when you’re flying, “you’re just a number in the sky… everybody pretty much leaves you alone.” In addition to being an interesting hobby, flying to and from studio meetings is also an excellent way to avoid traffic in Los Angeles.
Frank Welker
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You might not know the name, but you’re familiar with his work. Frank Welker is one of the most prolific voice actors in history with well over 800 film and television credits in a career that has spanned more than five decades. Despite a resume that’s nearly as long as the phone book, Welker still managed to fit in a few hobbies — including earning his pilot’s license. On his website, Frank explains that flying is “great fun and an extension of weekends” and lets you “[look] down on people in the right way.”
Angelina Jolie
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This wildly successful actor and activist earned her private pilot’s license back in 2004 in an attempt to impress her airplane-obsessed son. Jolie’s plan must have worked, as her eldest has reportedly followed in her footsteps and got a license of his own. The skill also likely comes in handy with this A-Lister’s well-publicized philanthropy efforts, allowing her to deliver aid to the more remote parts of the world.
