10 Celebrities That Are Known for Their Affinity for Puzzle-Solving
It’s easy to let your mind wander when thinking about what various celebrities do to unwind. Sure, there are likely some yachts and private jets involved in the process, simply because they have the means to afford it, but behind closed doors, they’re very much ordinary people with ordinary hobbies. And, as you may have guessed, some have a knack for solving puzzles!
Do you know some of the celebrities that we’re about to talk about? Have they influenced your life in some way? Here are their stories.
1. Patrick Stewart
Star Trek’s most beloved captain is very much an intellectual, and so is the person playing him. In his spare time, he is known for being drawn to puzzles as it helps stimulate and challenge his brain. He has a penchant for solving jigsaw puzzles in particular.
As a matter of fact, he has publicly expressed his preference for sticking to 1000-piece puzzles only. However, he did not express a thematic preference. In his world, solving puzzles helps him relax. After finishing a puzzle, he likes to frame it and showcase it.
2. Bill Gates
Turns out the renowned ex-CEO of Microsoft has an affinity for solving puzzles as well. Although he is one of the richest people on Earth, he gravitates towards this type of hobby that doesn’t require a massive capital to get things off the ground. To him, solving puzzles is the kind of joy that virtually no other activity can replicate.
He is lucky to have a wife who shares the same passion. As they’re both competitive in nature, they like to get identical puzzles and race against one another to the finish line. It goes without saying that puzzles are a must-include item for the family holidays as well.
3. Hugh Jackman
Who would have thought that the majestic Wolverine is secretly a puzzle fanatic? As masculine as his appearance might be, the person behind the character has a softer side that’s not as well known. Unless, of course, you like to frequent his social media posts where he occasionally posts about his hobby.
Call it a publicity stunt or simply the heat of the moment, one time he decided to tear apart a puzzle that took him several months to assemble. In other words, the actor decided to seal its fate in a true Wolverine fashion!
4. Ellen Degeneres
Ellen may no longer be doing her iconic talk show, and since she hasn’t announced any plans on doing anything similar in the near future, she tends to have a lot of free time on her hands. Can you guess how she likes to spend her days?
These days, it’s not under the spotlight, but rather in her cosy home solving puzzles. In fact, she is quite hardcore about it, often demonstrating the willingness to challenge herself with a more difficult puzzle than what’s intended for the more casual masses.
5. Nick Offerman
The best couples are the ones that share similar interests. As it so happens, Nick and his partner Megan Mullally both have a fiery passion for puzzle-solving!
They’re quite vocal about it on social media too, often posting about how this is the way they like to spend their time together.
6. Kylie Jenner
Kylie Jenner is more than a millionaire - her net worth exceeds 1 billion USD. And yet, she’s just as prone to boredom as any other human being with much less to their name. Several sources suggest that the make-up icon took her first steps into puzzle-solving as her motherhood had begun.
She doubled down on it when the world was in a Covid-induced lockdown and it became one of her main mechanisms to cope with the prevailing situation. Given how many people took a much more maladaptive route, filling her days with puzzle-solving goodness stands out as something commendable indeed.
7. Ronnie Wood
Rock and roll in the public eye, puzzles when not on the center stage. That’s Ronnie Wood, the iconic guitarist of the Rolling Stones. His public persona might be hardened and rough around the edges, but as many other rock stars of his kind, he does have a softer side that his loved ones know full and well.
According to his own words, his love for puzzle-solving helped him overcome his drinking problem - how about that! It turns out that puzzles are not only good for the brain, but for the soul and body as well, and Ronnie’s story is a testament to that.
8. Tom Hanks
Yet another one of the world’s all-time top actors who can’t resist a good old puzzle. In Tom’s case, this would be crossword puzzles, in particular. These tend to be a go-to for the linguistically inclined, which is something we can surely say about Tom Hanks.
His case once again highlights that puzzles of various sorts help keep one’s mind sharp, as he himself has said in interviews. He also likes how solving them helps him pass the time during breaks on film sets.
9. Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton is one of the UK’s most prominent public figures. Known for her intellectual demeanor, it’s no secret that brain-teasing activities is something that occupies her private life as well.
Sudoku and crossword puzzles are what happens to be her cup of tea. In her view, these not only help keep her mind sharp, but also act as a force that balances her official duties and family life.
10. Emma Watson
The iconic Harry Potter star places education and self-development right around the top of her priority list. Of course, that includes keeping her mind sharp as well, and being good at solving puzzles is right up her alley.
For her, the experience is as relaxing as it gets and it also helps her take her mind away from the spotlight. She has also encouraged her fans to try their hand at one of these on several occasions.
Conclusion
Although each and every celebrity on the list has unique personal reasons for loving puzzles, it mostly boils down to stimulating one’s mind, sharpening one’s memory and thinking, entertainment away from the pressures of public life, as well as a sense of accomplishment.
Since celebrities tend to be the role models of many, they serve as a remarkable influential force for promoting the brain-teasing hobby we all know and love. Has a celebrity influenced your tastes and hobbies as well? Let us know.