Which actor is now a race car driver?

Several actors have made the leap into motorsport; the one most often meant today is Frankie Muniz, who has been competing in NASCAR’s national ladder after a full ARCA Menards Series season in 2023. Other notable examples include Patrick Dempsey, long associated with Le Mans, and Michael Fassbender, who has been racing in European endurance events with Porsche.

Why the question can have more than one correct answer

“Actor now a race car driver” is a moving target. A handful of high-profile actors actively race or have raced competitively in recent seasons, and different outlets highlight different names. Context—such as whether the focus is on NASCAR, Le Mans, or historic racing—usually points to a specific person.

The standout names right now

These actors have current or very recent competitive racing résumés, making them the likeliest answers depending on the conversation or headline you saw.

• Frankie Muniz — Best known for Malcolm in the Middle, he ran the full 2023 ARCA Menards Series season, finishing fourth in points with multiple top-10s. In 2024, he moved into a part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series program with Joey Gase Motorsports, continuing his transition into stock-car racing.
• Michael Fassbender — The X-Men and Steve Jobs star has spent recent years in sports-car racing with Proton Competition and Porsche, including entries in the European Le Mans Series and starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2022 and 2023). His “Road to Le Mans” program has documented the step-by-step path from actor to endurance racer.
• Patrick Dempsey — Grey’s Anatomy actor turned endurance racer and team co-owner. He earned a runner-up finish in the GTE-Am class at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans with Dempsey-Proton and has remained deeply involved with Porsche and the team’s sports-car efforts, even as his driving has scaled back.

While their paths differ—stock cars for Muniz, endurance GTs for Fassbender and Dempsey—all three have competed at recognized professional levels in the past few years, which is why they’re frequently cited.

How to tell which name someone means

When someone says “that actor who’s now a race car driver,” clues usually reveal the intended person.

1. Talking NASCAR? That’s almost certainly Frankie Muniz, given his ARCA season and Xfinity Series starts.
2. Mention of Le Mans or Porsche? Think Michael Fassbender—or Patrick Dempsey if the conversation skews to a slightly longer-running, celebrity-turned-team-owner story.
3. Historic or celebrity track days? That often points to enthusiasts like Rowan Atkinson, who races at events such as Goodwood, though not as a full-time pro.

These quick context cues generally resolve the ambiguity without needing a full biography.

Other actors who race—or raced—significantly

Beyond today’s headlines, several screen icons have credible motorsport credentials, from grassroots club racing to international endurance events.

• Paul Newman — The gold standard of actor-racers: SCCA national champion, 1979 Le Mans runner-up, and class winner at the Rolex 24. He also co-owned Newman/Haas, an IndyCar powerhouse.
• Steve McQueen — Competed seriously in sports cars; finished second overall at the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring. His film Le Mans remains a touchstone of racing culture.
• Rowan Atkinson — A seasoned historic racer who has campaigned everything from classic saloons to supercars at high-profile vintage and club events.
• Eric Bana — An avid tarmac rally driver (Targa Tasmania) and maker of the documentary Love the Beast about his long-term racing project car.
• Adam Carolla — Vintage racer and collector who frequently campaigns historic Datsuns and ex-Paul Newman race cars.

While not all of these figures race full-time today, each has left a meaningful mark that keeps their names in the racing conversation.

Bottom line

If you’re hearing that “an actor is now a race car driver,” the most current, NASCAR-centered answer is Frankie Muniz. In endurance racing circles, Michael Fassbender is the contemporary reference, while Patrick Dempsey embodies the actor-to-Le Mans narrative that helped popularize the trend.

Summary

The actor most commonly identified as “now a race car driver” is Frankie Muniz, following his 2023 ARCA campaign and 2024 NASCAR Xfinity appearances. In sports-car racing, Michael Fassbender remains active with Porsche/Proton, and Patrick Dempsey—though driving less—continues as a prominent Le Mans alumnus and team figure. Context—NASCAR vs. Le Mans—usually determines which name is meant.

What celebrity became a NASCAR driver?

The primary example of a contemporary “celebrity” becoming a NASCAR driver is Frankie Muniz, the former child star of “Malcolm in the Middle”, who is now a full-time driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the 2025 season. He pursued his passion for racing after his acting career and has competed in various series, including the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series, before securing a full-time ride. 
Frankie Muniz’s Journey

• From Child Star to Racing Fan: Opens in new tabMuniz was a lifelong fan of motorsports but didn’t seriously pursue it until his acting career shifted. 
• Early Racing Experience: Opens in new tabHe participated in Pro Celebrity races and later competed in Formula BMW USA and the Champ Car Atlantic Series in the mid-2000s. 
• Stock Car Focus: Opens in new tabAfter a break from professional racing, Muniz began his stock car career in 2021. 
• Full-Time in NASCAR: Opens in new tabHe made his NASCAR Xfinity debut in 2024 and is now a full-time driver for Reaume Brothers Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series for the 2025 season. 

Other Notable Figures
While Muniz is a prominent current example, other celebrities have also been involved in motorsports: 

• Paul Newman: Opens in new tabThe famous actor was a highly successful race car driver, winning national championships and being inducted into the Motor Sports Hall of Fame. 
• Marty Robbins: Opens in new tabThe country music singer was a passionate racer who funded his own NASCAR team and competed part-time in the Winston Cup series from 1966 to 1982. 

Who is the actor racing in NASCAR?

The actor currently involved in NASCAR is Frankie Muniz, best known for his lead role in Malcolm in the Middle. Muniz began his racing career in 2006 and became a full-time driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025, driving for Reaume Brothers Racing.
 
Frankie Muniz’s NASCAR Journey

• Early Interest: Muniz’s passion for racing started in his youth, even before his acting career took off. 
• Transition to Racing: After Malcolm in the Middle concluded, Muniz transitioned from acting to a full-time career in motorsports, starting with open-wheel racing and later focusing on stock cars. 
• Full-Time NASCAR Driver: He signed with Reaume Brothers Racing for a full-time drive in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for the 2025 season, driving the #33 Ford F-150. 
• Career in Racing: Muniz has been actively competing in various racing series, including the ARCA Menards Series, and has now moved into NASCAR’s national divisions, aiming to make it his primary career. 

Is Frankie Muniz a race car driver now?

Yes, Frankie Muniz is a professional NASCAR driver, currently competing full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Reaume Brothers Racing in 2025. The former actor, known for Malcolm in the Middle, pivoted to a career in professional racing, which he began in 2006, and has since sought to prove himself in the NASCAR world.
 
His Path to NASCAR

• From Acting to Racing: After his successful acting career, Muniz moved to Arizona and began focusing on motorsports, a lifelong passion. 
• Professional Career: He started his professional racing career in 2006 and has been involved in various series, including ARCA and Xfinity. 
• Full-Time in 2025: In 2025, he became a full-time driver for Reaume Brothers Racing, driving an F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. 

His Goals and Motivation

• Proving Himself: Muniz aims to demonstrate he belongs in NASCAR, driven by the clear results that racing provides, unlike the subjective nature of acting. 
• Learning and Competing: Despite some bad luck and crashes, he uses his experiences to learn and improve, working towards better results and competing with other drivers. 

What actor is now a NASCAR driver?

Frankie Muniz. Francisco Muniz IV (/ˈmjuːnɪz/; born December 5, 1985) is an American actor and racing driver. Muniz came to prominence in the 2000s playing the title character of the Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle (2000–2006), for which he was nominated for an Emmy and two Golden Globe Awards.