From award-winning actors and chart-topping musicians to world-famous athletes, plenty of celebrities have decided to leave meat off their plates. Some made the switch because of their love for animals, while others cite environmental concerns or personal health. Whether they've been vegetarian since childhood or embraced veganism later in life, these stars show that a meat-free diet is hardly unusual in the entertainment industry.
1. Billie Eilish
The Grammy-winning singer has been vegan since childhood, after learning about the treatment of animals in the meat and dairy industries. She has also used her platform to promote animal welfare and more sustainable fashion choices.
2. Ariana Grande
Grande announced her decision to adopt a 100% vegan diet in 2013. More than a decade later, she was still describing herself as plant-based, making her one of the best-known pop stars to avoid meat.
3. Joaquin Phoenix
Phoenix has followed a vegan lifestyle since childhood and is one of Hollywood's most outspoken animal-rights advocates. His 2020 Academy Awards acceptance speech drew attention to the treatment of farm animals, showing that his commitment extends well beyond his own diet.
4. Lewis Hamilton
The seven-time Formula One world champion adopted a plant-based diet and has spoken publicly about its environmental and animal-welfare benefits. Hamilton has also invested in plant-based businesses, helping bring veganism into the conversation around elite sports.
5. Woody Harrelson
Harrelson has avoided animal products for decades. His interest in the connection between food, health, and the environment has also influenced other actors, including Stranger Things star Sadie Sink.
6. Natalie Portman
Portman has been vegetarian since childhood and has also followed a vegan diet at different points in her life. Her interest in animal welfare has informed her public advocacy, including her support for the 2018 documentary adaptation of Eating Animals.
7. Sadie Sink
Sink, best known for playing Max Mayfield on Stranger Things, became vegan after working with Woody Harrelson on the 2017 film The Glass Castle. The experience helped her realize that giving up animal products was easier than she had expected.
8. Tobey Maguire
The original big-screen Spider-Man has followed a vegetarian diet since 1992 and reportedly went vegan in 2009. His commitment has extended to avoiding leather, and he has even requested cruelty-free car interiors.
9. Alicia Silverstone
Silverstone went vegan in 1998 and has since become a prominent advocate for plant-based living. The Clueless star has written cookbooks and a guide to vegan living, making her dietary choices a central part of her public work.
10. Maggie Q
Known for Nikita and the Divergent films, Maggie Q adopted a plant-based diet after learning more about animal cruelty and environmental issues. She has been vegan for years and regularly uses her public profile to advocate for animal welfare.
11. Mayim Bialik
The The Big Bang Theory star has been an outspoken vegan and has discussed the ethical questions surrounding animal agriculture. She has also explored the subject in her writing, including her book Mayim's Vegan Table, which features plant-based recipes and lifestyle advice.
12. Bryan Adams
The Canadian rock musician has avoided animal products for decades. Adams has spoken about his decision to stop eating animals, including fish, and has connected his diet with his broader concern for animal welfare.
13. Moby
Electronic musician Moby has been vegan for decades and is a longtime animal-rights activist. He has written and spoken extensively about how his love of animals led him to reconsider what he ate, and he has supported numerous campaigns promoting animal welfare.
14. Stella McCartney
Raised vegetarian, McCartney eventually adopted a vegan diet and built a fashion label known for avoiding leather and fur. Her personal choices and professional work make her a particularly notable example of a celebrity whose meat-free lifestyle extends into other areas of business.
15. James Cromwell
Cromwell, who played farmer Arthur Hoggett in Babe, became vegan after the film deepened his appreciation for pigs and their intelligence. His long-standing animal-rights activism has made him one of the most recognizable advocates for a meat-free lifestyle in Hollywood.
16. Forest Whitaker
The Academy Award-winning actor has publicly discussed his decision to become vegetarian and participated in a campaign encouraging others to try a meat-free diet. His reasons included animal welfare, the environment, and personal health.
17. John Salley
Salley won NBA championships with the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers. After initially exploring vegetarianism, he adopted a vegan diet and became an advocate for plant-based eating, challenging the idea that athletes need meat to stay strong.
18. Jorja Fox
Best known for playing Sara Sidle on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Fox has publicly advocated for vegetarianism and animal welfare. She has also participated in campaigns encouraging people to reconsider the use of animals for food.
19. Casey Affleck
Affleck has publicly advocated against meat production and participated in a vegetarian campaign highlighting animal welfare concerns. The Oscar-winning actor is another example of a Hollywood star who has spoken out about the ethics of eating animals.
20. Joan Jett
The "Bad Reputation" singer and guitarist has long been known for her love of animals. Jett has publicly discussed giving up meat and has supported animal-welfare campaigns, making her a fitting addition to a list of rock stars whose values extend beyond their music.
21. Geezer Butler
Butler, the legendary bassist and lyricist for Black Sabbath, stopped eating meat as a child. His choice is a particularly interesting example because it dates back to a time when vegetarianism was far less common in mainstream rock culture.
22. Joss Stone
The British soul singer has publicly identified with vegetarianism and participated in campaigns promoting meat-free eating. Her inclusion adds another music star to a list that spans several generations and genres.
23. Peter Dinklage
The Game of Thrones star has appeared in campaigns encouraging people to make compassionate food choices. He has also narrated animal-rights material, helping bring attention to the treatment of animals raised for food.
24. Mac Danzig
Danzig, a former The Ultimate Fighter winner, is a vegan athlete who has spoken publicly about fueling his training without animal products. His example challenges the assumption that a meat-heavy diet is necessary for success in physically demanding sports.
25. Kevin Nealon
The former Saturday Night Live cast member has participated in vegetarian campaigns, using humor to encourage people to think about meat consumption and animal welfare. His public advocacy provides a lighter, comedic angle on the subject.
26. Kevin Eubanks
Eubanks, the jazz musician who served as bandleader on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, has taken part in vegetarian outreach. His campaign appearance even used a playful strawberry costume to get its message across.
27. Sadie Frost
British actor and producer Sadie Frost has been described as vegetarian since birth. She has also spoken about raising her children on a meat-free diet, making vegetarianism a longstanding part of her family life.
28. Morrissey
The former Smiths frontman has been vegetarian since childhood and later adopted a vegan diet, according to published profiles. His convictions are famously reflected in the band's 1985 song "Meat Is Murder," which became an enduring statement of his animal-rights activism.
29. Paul McCartney
McCartney and his late wife, Linda, became vegetarians after a memorable encounter with lambs on their Scottish farm. They went on to promote meat-free eating through cookbooks and Linda's vegetarian food business, helping make the lifestyle more visible long before it became mainstream.
30. Zendaya
The Euphoria and Dune star has been vegetarian since childhood, giving up meat at age 11 after learning about the treatment of animals raised for food. Her motivation is animal welfare rather than a particular interest in healthy eating. In fact, Zendaya has joked that she's a vegetarian who doesn't particularly like vegetables!
