Which actor used to race cars?

Paul Newman is the best-known actor who used to race cars, competing seriously for decades and earning major results, including second overall at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans and multiple SCCA national championships. The question can point to several Hollywood names with real racing credentials—such as Steve McQueen, James Dean, and Patrick Dempsey—but Newman is the most commonly accepted answer in quizzes and crosswords.

Why Paul Newman is the quintessential answer

Paul Newman transitioned from film sets to pit lanes with uncommon commitment. After training for the 1969 movie “Winning,” he pursued motorsport in earnest, primarily with Bob Sharp Racing and Nissan/Datsun machinery, and later with Porsche. He captured multiple Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) national championships—four in total—and remained competitive well into his later years.

Newman’s most famous result came at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he finished second overall in a Porsche 935 alongside Dick Barbour and Rolf Stommelen. He later won the GTS-1 class at the 1995 24 Hours of Daytona and finished third overall—at age 70. Off the track, he co-owned the Newman/Haas IndyCar team, which won multiple championships with stars including Mario Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Cristiano da Matta, and Sébastien Bourdais, cementing his legacy in American open-wheel racing.

Other actors who genuinely raced

While Newman is the archetype, several other actors have competed in recognized series and marquee events. Here are notable examples and why they matter to the question.

• Steve McQueen — Raced cars and motorcycles; finished second overall at the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring with Peter Revson (despite a broken foot) and helped popularize endurance racing through his film “Le Mans.”
• James Dean — An up-and-coming racer in 1955 with strong club results; his passion for motorsport is central to his legend, though his life was cut short in a road crash en route to a race.
• Patrick Dempsey — Competed in IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship; took a class podium at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans (GTE Am) and a WEC class win at Fuji that year; now focuses largely on team ownership with Dempsey-Proton Racing.
• Michael Fassbender — Raced in the European Le Mans Series and started the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Proton Competition in a Porsche 911 RSR (GTE Am).
• Rowan Atkinson — Longtime participant in historic racing and at Goodwood; has campaigned classic cars, including Aston Martins, in serious vintage competition.
• Jason Priestley — Competed in junior open-wheel and sports car events; suffered a serious crash in 2002 and later moved into team ownership and motorsport broadcasting.
• Frankie Muniz — Returned to professional racing after early roles; contested a full ARCA Menards Series season in 2023 and has since made selected starts in NASCAR’s national series.

Together, these names show that racing has attracted a broad range of actors—from vintage grids to endurance classics—though only a few, like Newman and McQueen, achieved enduring motorsport stature.

How to interpret the question in quizzes and crosswords

In general-knowledge quizzes, the default answer to “What actor used to race cars?” is Paul Newman. Depending on context or additional clues, however, Steve McQueen or James Dean may also fit, and contemporary questions might point to Patrick Dempsey or Michael Fassbender.

Tips for identifying the intended answer

When the question appears without context, look for surrounding clues—dates, film references, or event names—to zero in on the right actor. The following guide can help you match common clues to the likely answer.

1. Le Mans 1979, Porsche 935, or multiple SCCA titles — Paul Newman.
2. Bullitt, Sebring 1970, Baja motorcycles, or the film “Le Mans” — Steve McQueen.
3. Rebel Without a Cause, 1955 club races, Porsche 550 — James Dean.
4. Grey’s Anatomy, WEC GTE Am podium, Dempsey-Proton Racing — Patrick Dempsey.
5. European Le Mans Series, Porsche 911 RSR with Proton — Michael Fassbender.
6. Goodwood or historic racing in classic British cars — Rowan Atkinson.
7. ARCA/NASCAR transitions from child-actor fame — Frankie Muniz.

If no extra clues are provided, choose Paul Newman; it’s the most widely recognized and broadly correct response.

Sources and context

The details above are drawn from widely documented race records and team histories: Newman’s Le Mans and Daytona results are part of official race archives; SCCA Runoffs lists confirm his multiple national titles; McQueen’s Sebring finish is a staple of endurance racing history; Dempsey’s 2015 Le Mans class podium and WEC win at Fuji are recorded in FIA WEC results; and Fassbender’s ELMS and Le Mans entries are listed by Proton Competition and event organizers. These are well-corroborated facts in motorsport literature and public records.

Summary

Answer: Paul Newman. He is the most prominent actor-turned-racing-driver, with top-tier endurance results and multiple SCCA national championships, and he co-owned a title-winning IndyCar team. That said, Steve McQueen, James Dean, Patrick Dempsey, Michael Fassbender, Rowan Atkinson, Jason Priestley, and Frankie Muniz also have bona fide racing credentials—so context can determine which name a question is seeking.

Who was the NASCAR driver that used to be an actor?

The most prominent actor-turned-NASCAR driver is Frankie Muniz, known for his starring role in Malcolm in the Middle. Muniz transitioned from acting to racing in the ARCA Menards Series before becoming a full-time driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2025, a culmination of his lifelong passion for motorsports. 
Frankie Muniz’s Journey to NASCAR

• Early Acting Career: Opens in new tabMuniz became a child star known for the hit sitcom Malcolm in the Middle. 
• Shift to Open-Wheel Racing: Opens in new tabAfter his acting career, Muniz began focusing on motorsports, participating in the Atlantic Championship series. 
• Stock Car Racing: Opens in new tabHe moved to stock car racing, competing in the ARCA Menards Series in 2023 and picking up several top-10 finishes. 
• Full-Time NASCAR Driver: Opens in new tabIn 2025, Muniz began his first full-time season as a NASCAR driver in the Craftsman Truck Series. 
• Passion for Cars: Opens in new tabHis love for cars dates back to his childhood, with desires for remote control cars and watching races from a young age. 

What famous actor was also a race car driver?

James Dean, Paul Newman, and Patrick Dempsey are among the most famous actors who also raced cars. Aside from having successful acting careers, Gene Hackman, Steve McQueen, and James Garner also participated in several races.

Why did Frankie Muniz switch to NASCAR?

Besides another appearance in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race, Frankie spent the next 10-plus years away from racing. As for why he chose stock cars for his return, he said he had always looked at NASCAR and thought, “Man, I think that would be fun.

Was Paul Walker a good driver in real life?

Yes, Paul Walker was a skilled driver in real life, not just as an actor; he was a serious car enthusiast who competed in the Redline Time Attack racing series and was known for his natural talent, quick driving, and passion for cars, even participating in endurance races like the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. His passion for cars extended beyond acting, and he often hung out with other gearheads and worked on his own vehicles.
 
Evidence of his skill:

• Racing History: Walker was a participant in the Redline Time Attack series, driving for the AE Performance Team in a BMW E92 M3. He also raced in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, a difficult endurance event. 
• Natural Talent: His “fast friends” like Drift Champion Tanner Foust and stunt driver James Chen acknowledged his natural driving ability. 
• Car Enthusiast: Walker was a true gearhead who enjoyed the automotive world and was seen working on cars and attending car meets. 
• Authenticity: His authentic love for cars and driving made his performance as Brian O’Connor in the Fast and Furious franchise feel genuine to audiences. 

In summary: Paul Walker’s love and talent for cars were real, not just an on-screen persona, making him a respected figure in the car community.