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November 25, 2008

Ten celebrities who play World of Warcraft

30_11_2006_160300_stifea_nightelves

First of all, I should come clean about something.

I’m not really a Warcraft player or fan. Over the past few weeks I’ve had to report on a number of World of Warcraft events (see here and here). This has allowed me to meet and befriend many hardcore players and given me a better understanding of the game. These days, I’d describe myself as more of a WoW sympathiser.

But this new-found interest led me to think, out of more than 11 million players worldwide, some of these people have got to be famous. So here, in no particular order, is a top ten list of Warcraft-playing celebrities:

10. Dave Chappelle

British audiences may not be too familiar with Dave Chappelle (maybe you caught him in The Nutty Professor telling your mama jokes with Eddie Murphy? No? You missed out). He’s actually one of the most popular comedians on the planet, with a hit show Stateside.

"You know what I've been playing a lot of?" the comedian reportedly asked a crowd a few years back. "World of Warcraft!" When a few cheers broke out, he responded, "I knew I had some geek brothers and sisters up in here!"

9. William Shatner

Celebrities that appeared in World of Warcraft adverts also play the game apparently. That advances this list quite a bit, so I won’t use them all. For example, I’ve deliberately missed out Steve Van Sant from The Sopranos (for not having a long enough spot) and John Claude van Damme (for talking in French).

First up is Denny Crane from Boston Legal Captain Kirk from Star Trek:

8. Mr T

A night-elf Mohawk (and don’t try to tell him otherwise…)

7. Verne Troyer

Mini-me is a Mage.

6. Kevin Werbach

Who? OK, so Mr Werbach isn’t strictly a celebrity. But he gets into this list because he is influential. He has the ear of President-elect Obama and is on the changemonger's transition team. More importantly, he’s part of not one, but two guilds.

5. Matt Stone and 4. Trey Parker

27_10_2004_231318_film_team_america

The South Park creators wrote an episode based on the game. It was so good it won an Emmy. There’s no way they could have done that episode which is filled with so many Warcraft in-jokes without having played the game first.

Watch the episode here.

3. Jay Mohr

You may have spotted this actor as the evil agent in Jerry McGuire, or on his guest appearances in shows like the West Wing and Scrubs. But he’s something of a World of Warcraft comedian, and hosted the proceedings at Blizzcon - the Warcraft convention in Anaheim, California - this year.

I was there. Jay was hilarious throughout. This is my favourite moment from the weekend – when he starts to ride the mount of the winner of the costume contest.

2. Mila Kunis

She plays Meg in Family Guy and was great in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. What are her gamer credentials? When she was quizzed about her WoW knowledge, she could name 8 of the 10 playable races. For goodness sake.

Culkin 1. Macaulay Culkin

When Mila started to struggle with the questions, her boyfriend Macaulay “Home Alone” Culkin got involved.

He’s a level 70 Paladin apparently.

So there.

Posted by Murad Ahmed on November 25, 2008 at 05:34 PM | Permalink Bookmark and Share

Comments

I wonder if any of these have created their Death Knights yet, be interesting to find out!! And only 1 level 70, I have three 70's and my DK is 64 now, be 65 by the end of today :)

Posted by: fiona | Nov 25, 2008 10:31:31 PM

Jay Mohr doesn't play Warcraft. While he did indeed perform at the last two Blizzcon's, he repeatedly made remarks about how he never played the game and didn't really understand what was going on around him while he was hosting.

Posted by: Jeff | Nov 25, 2008 11:01:02 PM

What about Felicia Day. While not the most "mainstream" celeb, she's a HUGE internet celeb and is a DIEHARD WoW player, her web-series The Guild is loosely based off of her time spend with WoW. Season 2 just launched today and is one of the most talked about web series.

Posted by: Andrew Seely | Nov 25, 2008 11:08:39 PM

you missed George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse

Posted by: Raist | Nov 25, 2008 11:08:54 PM

I love seeing stuff like this, my mom can barely surf the internet but she plays wow like she was born there. Its common knowledge, but its always good to see some people you'd figure had no real reason to play it, playing it. :D

Posted by: NeoA | Nov 25, 2008 11:09:09 PM

you missed George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse

Posted by: Raist | Nov 25, 2008 11:09:47 PM

you totally left out Vin Diesel?!

according to wikipedia:

According to an interview with Curt Schilling, Vin Diesel has a huge interest in World of Warcraft, as evidenced by the installation of a computer game system on one of his cars.[15]

Posted by: vinDiesel | Nov 25, 2008 11:24:17 PM

They all suck!

(except for Trey & Matt) <3 <3 <3

Posted by: innerlogic | Nov 25, 2008 11:24:42 PM

You forgot Brandon Routh, the most recent Superman.

Posted by: Kat | Nov 25, 2008 11:40:08 PM

umm...dave chapelle should definetely be #1 instead of 10

Posted by: jim | Nov 25, 2008 11:46:02 PM

Mila Kunis is very hot. i didn't know she played WoW. i wonder how often she plays or what class she plays

Posted by: Wow_Addict | Nov 25, 2008 11:48:06 PM

Don't forget Vin Diesel. I have played with him in game and I have seen him talk about WOW on David Letterman. Getting on Teamspeak with him was... surreal to say the least.

Posted by: Moondance | Nov 26, 2008 1:36:09 AM

Wow, I thought Mckully was dead, havent heard from him since home alone 2!!!!

Posted by: Joe | Nov 26, 2008 1:51:20 AM

You forgot George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse.

Posted by: Lord Powerbang | Nov 26, 2008 5:29:41 AM

Macaulay Culkins level 70 PLD link is broken, its linked to mila kunis'

Posted by: | Nov 26, 2008 6:23:49 AM

I knew the South Park creators must have dabbled in it. That episode was hilarious!

Posted by: czechyoself | Nov 26, 2008 10:06:10 AM

WOW really sucks. Get a life and stop playing videogames. Most of you aren-t children anymore.

Posted by: DJAx3L | Nov 26, 2008 12:06:47 PM

I used to enjoy all kinds of computer games and tried a lot of them. Of course due to my talent to get bored very quickly I never finished them. So, after a while instead of playing them I started to keep myself informed on news, latest games publishings and all the stuff related to games. Now I can find all the games news and reviews on PC District.com.

Posted by: Angel Rainn | Nov 26, 2008 1:53:39 PM

Quote:

"You forgot George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse."

I think they said celebrities.

Posted by: Darth Vader | Nov 26, 2008 2:03:41 PM

@DJAX3L
I guess I should do adult things, like go to the bar and get drunk. My wife would love that! Games aren't just for kids man. Come on out of the 80's.

Posted by: Vargar | Nov 26, 2008 2:11:32 PM

So even some stars have no life?

Posted by: Zero | Nov 26, 2008 3:01:18 PM

I dunno if it's been mentioned yet, but you forgot George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse.

FYI

Posted by: Trevor T | Nov 26, 2008 3:09:06 PM

Curt Schilling and Vin Diesel also said they played.

Curt had a 70 Hunter on Whisperwind, he linked his character's armory on his blog.

Vin is a big D&D nerd, there is an interview with him where the interviewer challenges him with a D&D scenario, and he promptly responds, in a totally straight face, "What are my skill and abilities."

Posted by: Dan | Nov 26, 2008 3:26:39 PM

You also forgot Masi Oka from HEROES. Hugh Laurie from HOUSE. Robin Williams, if you don't know who he is....well just shoot yourself now. Cameron Diaz, do I have to say what she has done? Kate Beckinsale from UNDERWORLD. Hell, even Tonya Harding plays WoW. Doesn't seem you put way too much effort to find out who plays if you forgot to add these people, but put Macaulay Culkin on the list. You just got an EPIC FAIL for shoddy research.

Posted by: SithLordMohawk | Nov 26, 2008 3:57:09 PM

No mention of George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse??!? Buried...

Posted by: Randomguy | Nov 26, 2008 4:01:57 PM

I was at blizzcon when Jay Mohr confessed to knowing nothing about it, as for the actors in the commercials, I doubt they play as well. Dave Chappelle is a stoner, so that one might be true. Hopefully he doesn't play alliance. bleh

FOR THE HORDE!

Posted by: thatoneguy | Nov 26, 2008 4:03:40 PM

you missed Jason Costa from All That Remains. I hung out with him and Ollie after a show and went to a bar to drink. (awesome dudes btw). And jason ais a huge WoW geek. lol

Posted by: adam | Nov 26, 2008 5:08:05 PM

I've seen Vin Diesel play online before and he's talked about it number of different times as well, he seems to be a big fan.

Posted by: Cover | Nov 26, 2008 5:50:36 PM

I'm in Jonathan Davis's (lead singer of KORN) guild on the realm Stonemaul. He plays an undead warrior all decked out in PvP gear, his character's name is Hiver.

Posted by: AngelusLocke | Nov 26, 2008 7:00:01 PM

TO DJAX3L,

Since when did you have to be a child to play video games. Perhaps the one that needs to grow up is you sir/son.

Secondly sorry that not all of us like to rack up expenditures such as drinking, movies, going out to eat all the time. See some of us see it as $15 a month vs a $50-$60 tab a night from going to bar.

Third perhaps you have failed to use that brain of yours to look at why people may play the game, maybe they do like it and think what you like is pure shit, but with that attitude of yours that wouldnt cross your pea sized brain.

Posted by: jonathan | Nov 26, 2008 7:33:33 PM

@ DJAX3L - Clearly you do not understand the depth involved in Wow, it is becoming apparent it involves skills as in team building and strategies etc, do some research before you are so dismissive. I would rather be using my brain raiding in wow than watching mindless television any evening of the week!

Posted by: fiona | Nov 26, 2008 10:19:45 PM

I out rolled Masi Oka from Heroes for my Dragonspine Trophy Trinket on my Hunter a year or so ago against his ret pally. He's been playing on Boulderfist since the early into the release of the game, way before heroes got big. very funny on vent.

Posted by: matt h | Nov 27, 2008 1:35:52 AM

Robin Williams is a WOW player, refer to the end of this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5TXEUiR1Xk

Posted by: Tim | Nov 27, 2008 4:11:11 AM

"WOW really sucks. Get a life and stop playing videogames. Most of you aren-t children anymore"

Unlike yourself, who's clearly not old enough to know the difference between an apostrophe and a hyphen.

Alec. Non-videogame player, with a life.

Posted by: alec | Nov 27, 2008 9:46:34 AM

Don't think any of them are in Curt Schilling's league (as it were). Have any of the others founded a MMO company (38 Studios?)?

Posted by: W. David Stephenson | Nov 27, 2008 7:46:51 PM

I would love to be able to say "I'm in a clan with Macaulay Culkin". Level 70 huh, I wish I made millions of dollars as a child actor and could devote enough time to accomplish that. This is an awesome top ten list. You should post this list on my buddy's site http://www.toptentopten.com/.

Posted by: Travis Stark | Nov 28, 2008 5:58:36 PM

Another thing is that WOW was mentioned in season 10 and 11 as i recall by one of the actors, cant recall a specific episode, but it could lead to the thought that some1 in the Stargate universe is playing it

Posted by: Mark Larsen | Nov 28, 2008 6:30:19 PM

You forgot George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse.

Posted by: Brian Peppers | Nov 28, 2008 7:21:20 PM

Smart kids play WoW, and smart parents play with them:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,432383,00.html

I, and three of my four intelligent, well-adjusted children, play. We enjoyed our family vacation at Blizzcon this year. It's a perfectly wholesome family hobby, educational and inexpensive.

Posted by: Chena Hotspring | Dec 3, 2008 4:07:27 AM

WOW.... Is All i have to say

Posted by: blah | Dec 3, 2008 11:20:39 AM

umm, lads, not a bad list but it's quite apparent that you forgot George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse. He's pretty big news you know.

Posted by: BMB | Dec 4, 2008 2:36:08 PM

MUDs are better.

Posted by: RunComrades | Dec 9, 2008 5:30:46 PM

We have a pretty well known pr0n star on my server as well. Rumors of other somewhat famous people on it as well, but they prefer to stay anonymous.

Mal'ganis

Posted by: bob owens | Jan 1, 2009 5:06:28 PM

Jonathon Javis lead singer of korn

he is a hardcore player

Posted by: | Jan 15, 2009 7:13:22 AM

You see? Celebrities, common people, royalties... We all play WoW! Addiction something not to be afraid of. It is just a matter of control and living a balanced life. There is no such thing as WOW addiction. It's a matter of CHOICE. Choosing to play WoW.

Posted by: WoW Gold Fan | Jan 20, 2009 7:35:32 AM

moondance.. you played with Vin Diesel?? WHERE IS HE?!??

I didn't know he was a D&D nerd.. interesting.

Posted by: cheap wow gold | Feb 4, 2009 8:26:22 AM

Clint Howard, Ron's little brother, plays WoW.

Posted by: DJDP23 | Feb 6, 2009 5:29:03 PM

Affleck plays WoW....and he was da bomb in Phantoms!

Posted by: Shmoo | Feb 24, 2009 11:40:12 PM

Johnathon Davis plays a bit. He was asked about him dabbling in creating video games and when asked what hes currently playing he said WoW and he also said his son plays runescape....when asked who the better gamer was he said himself lol.

Posted by: JimmyPop | Apr 14, 2009 8:55:29 PM

Wheres ozzy?

Posted by: soboring | Apr 27, 2009 3:02:36 AM

Im 99% sure Mila plays a night elf priest

Posted by: Brandon Harden | May 12, 2009 6:58:18 PM

How did Vin Diesel not make the list? He's probably the most hardcore W.O.W. player out of them all!

Posted by: Twin Tiger | May 16, 2009 3:30:45 AM

WoW is very interesting!

Want to have more WoW gold? Why don't you try to send an entry for the Name the Twitter Pig Contest?! Just simply give name to the twitter pig and you can get a chance win 500,000 WoW gold. Visit: wowgoldpig.blogspot.com/ for more information.

Posted by: Charice | May 27, 2009 5:14:31 AM

DJAx3L why don't you get a life. If you where mature enough you would understand that WoW is just a game and that just because you play it doesn't make you have no life.

Posted by: Oli | May 27, 2009 7:50:39 PM

It's true about Vin Diesel. He's in my guild. Very cool guy, and we never really bring it up, as we are so focused in the game. We sometimes ask him to say "you owe me a 10 seccond car" just for kicks. =P

Posted by: annon | Jun 15, 2009 7:05:06 PM

u forgot George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse

Posted by: GRRR | Jun 22, 2009 7:41:15 PM

This is a really great top ten list, Mila Kunis is tat much sexier now, and Dave Chappelle is even cooler. Anyone can post their own list to our site http://www.toptentopten.com/. The coolest feature is you can let other people vote on the rankings of your list.

Posted by: Vince | Jun 29, 2009 2:22:08 AM

I'm pretty sure that George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse was left out of that list...

Posted by: Someone | Jul 23, 2009 7:57:38 AM

I can't believe all of these comments, yet no one has mentioned that George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher from Cannibal Corpse plays WoW!!

Posted by: WoW | Oct 17, 2009 9:10:02 PM

Omg, is it the same person over and over that is mentioning the George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher that I have never even heard of?? Reading basically the same post over and over periodically was getting annoying... and what server does Vin Diesel play on?

Posted by: Vespera | Nov 16, 2009 9:41:57 PM

You tool, you left out Ozzy Ozbourne, he even had a commercial with him in it.

Posted by: Andrew | Nov 30, 2009 1:38:26 AM

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