Famous Vegans & Vegetarians

Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova (b. 1956) is one of the most successful female tennis players of all time, having won 59 Grand-slam titles during a career that spanned four decades. For her inspiring and notable tennis career, Sports Illustrated declared Navratilova one of the “Top Forty Athletes of All-Time.” A vegetarian for most of her career, Navratilova credits a plant-based diet for the longevity of her tennis career.

“I believe that moving towards a more plant-based diet, was the major reason I was able to continue playing professional tennis throughout my forties.”

George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish playwright, philosopher, Nobel Prize winner, and activist for the vegetarian lifestyle.

“A mind of the caliber of mine cannot derive its nutriment from cows.”

Mena Massoud

Mena Massoud (b. 1991) is a Canadian actor who is best known for his portrayal of Aladdin in Disney’s 2019 live-action remake of the original Aladdin movie. Besides being a full-time actor, Massoud is the founder of a plant-based food movement called “Evolving Vegan.” Through this mission, Massoud aims to break the stigma around veganism and make the transition to veganism easier for those new to the lifestyle. He does so by touring North America’s best plant-based establishments, restaurants, and chefs and highlighting the same in his lifestyle book and TV series.

Massoud says that his “Evolving Vegan” platform “[is] about evolving in the right direction so that we can help save our planet, our bodies and our fellow living souls.”

Dame Jane Goodall

Dame Jane Goodall (b. 1934) is a world-renowned primatologist, anthropologist and humanitarian, best known for her pioneering research on wild chimpanzees. As a vegetarian and animal rights activist, she travels the world speaking about the threats facing chimpanzees, environmental crisis and her reasons for hope. Through The Jane Goodall Institute, she encourages people to reduce their meat consumption as she makes them aware of the negative impact food choices have on the environment, other humans and animals.

Until we have peace and harmony with the environment, we will never live in a world of peace

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Rand Kaepernick (b 1987) is an American civil rights activist and a former NFL quarterback who gained global attention for his peaceful protests, protesting racial injustice and police brutality. He played six seasons for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). He knelt during the national anthem at the start of NFL games in 2016, protesting police brutality and racial inequality in the United States. Kaepernick’s activism transcended sports, making him a symbol of the broader movement for social change.

Colin Kaepernick is a vegan, and he also has his own flavor of vegan Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to honor his fight for racial justice. It’s called “Change the Whirled” and features a caramel non-dairy sunflower butter base with graham cracker and chocolate cookie swirls and fudge chips. He said in 2016 that he had been vegan for nine months to help him recover from injuries sustained in his career. In 2018, he captioned his picture on Instagram saying #NotBadForAVegan.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin (b. 1958) is a world renowned actor, producer and comedian that has starred in countless commercially successful films. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in the movie The Cooler. In 2011, he turned vegan for health reasons but sticked to the diet after realizing its many benefits.

His advice on why people should turn vegan, “a shift to a more plant-rich diet can help save the planet.”

Lizzo

Melissa Viviane Jefferson (b 1988), known as Lizzo, is an American rapper, singer, flutist, and songwriter. She is known for her vibrant personality and body-positive message. Her music blends elements of hip-hop, pop, and soul. She is celebrated for her empowering lyrics and confident stage presence. Her ground-breaking work “Truth Hurts” rose her to stardom, and she has since become an influential figure in the music industry, promoting self-love, acceptance, and inclusivity.

She said she is vegan because it makes her feel good and that she leads a “very healthy lifestyle” both mentally and spiritually, prioritizing her health.

James Cameron

James Cameron (b. 1954) is arguably the most popular and talented contemporary filmmaker, best known for directing blockbuster movies Titanic, Avatar, ET and The Terminator. Additionally, Cameron is also the first person to solo dive to the deepest part of the ocean in the Deepsea Challenger submersible. Unknown to many, Cameron turned vegan in 2012 for moral, environmental and health reasons and has since become a passionate advocate of the diet.

“It’s not a requirement to eat animals, we just choose to do it, so it becomes a moral choice and one that is having a huge impact on the planet, using up resources and destroying the biosphere.”

Pythagoras

Pythagoras (570 BCE – 495 BCE) was a philosopher and mathematician that is most famous for his Pythagorean theorem (a2 = b2 + c2). His philosophical ideas influenced those of Plato & Aristotle. Believing that all beings had souls, Pythagoras’ vegetarianism was founded on ethical and religious practice.

“As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace.”

Pino Caruso

Pino Caruso (1934-2019) was an Italian actor and director that worked in more than 30 films. In addition to being an actor, Caruso was an author that wrote numerous columns for local newspapers and journals. He was also a lifelong vegetarian.

“People eat meat and think they will become strong as an ox, forgetting that the ox eats grass.”

DeAndre Jordan

DeAndre Jordan (b 1988) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He turned vegan in 2018 after watching the documentary What the Health. He was motivated by a desire to improve his health, and he also became more aware of the environmental and ethical implications of his food choices.

“I feel better than ever. My energy levels are higher, and I’m able to recover faster.”

David Haye

David Haye (b 1980) is a British former professional boxer who was a former heavyweight and cruiserweight world champion. Known for his powerful punches and agility in the ring, Haye made a significant impact in the boxing world. Haye adopted a vegan diet in 2014 after watching a documentary on the meat industry and has attributed his enhanced energy levels and quicker recovery times to the change.

“I felt healthier, leaner, and more focused on a plant-based diet.”

Persey Bysshe Shelley

Persey Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822) was one of the most influential English Romantic poets, still known for his classic poems such as “Ode to the West Wind”, “Adonais,” “Mont Blanc,” and “To a Skylark.” His non-violent political and economic thought is said to have influenced the likes of Karl Marx, Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In addition to writing about non-violence, Shelley wrote on the subject of vegetarianism, having turned vegetarian himself at the age of 20. In his essays, “A Vindication of Natural Diet” and “On the Vegetable System of Diet,” he explained how a meatless diet was an ideal mode of consumption for living a healthy, disease-free life.

“There is no disease, bodily, or mental, which adoption of a vegetable diet and pure water has not infallibly mitigated, wherever the experiment has been fairly tried.”

Joaquin Pheonix

Joaquin Pheonix (b. 1974) is an American producer and actor best- known for his portrayal of Commodus in Gladiator. During his career, he has been nominated for an Academy Award three times and has won an Emmy award for the film Walk the Line. Phoenix, a widely known animal rights activist, has been a vegan since the age of three and is often credited to have encouraged celebrities around him to convert to veganism. He was awarded the Humanitarian Award at the San Diego Film festival for doing narration for documentary Earthlings.

“It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.”

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist and scientist that contributed greatly to modern physics by developing theory of relativity. For discovering the law of photoelectric effect, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1991. A super genius, Einstein, is said to have become a major proponent of vegetarianism after having followed the diet himself for health reason.

“Vegetarian food leaves a deep impression on our nature. If the whole world adopts vegetarianism, it can change the destiny of humankind.”

Mahatama Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), better known as Mahatama Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, spiritual leader and social activist who is most famous for leading India’s non-violent protest (Satyagraha) to gain independence from the British rule. Subsequent leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Barack Obama were inspired by Gandhi and his message of non-violence resistance. Due to his immense influence on the world, Gandhi’s birthday (October 2nd) was declared as International Day of Nonviolence by the United Nations General Assembly.

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande (b. 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and social media influencer. A superstar, Grande, has been named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine. Besides being an international music star, Grande is a well known philanthropist and animal rights activist that has raised millions of dollars for numerous charitable causes.

“I am a firm believer in eating a full plant-based, whole food diet that can expand your life length and make you an all-round happier person.”

Frederick Carlton Lewis

Frederick Carlton Lewis (b. 1961), best known as Carl Lewis, is a former track and field athlete that won the United Sates nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal and ten world championships. At the peak of his career, Lewis topped the world rankings in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump category. For his accomplishments, he has at some point in his career been voted World Athlete of the Century, Sportsman of the Century, Olympian of the Century and Athlete of the Year by various respected organizations. Lewis has often credited veganism for his outstanding career and athletic performance.

“My best performance as an athlete was when I was 30 years old, and was a vegan.”

Travis Barker

Travis Landon Barker (b 1975) is an American drummer and musician known for his exceptional talent and influence in the world of rock and punk music. He rose to prominence as the drummer for the iconic punk rock band Blink-182, contributing to their success with hits like “All the Small Things” and “What’s My Age Again?”. Rolling Stone referred to him as “punk’s first superstar drummer” and one of the 100 greatest drummers of all time.

He says, “We’ve always loved animals, and we choose not to eat animals. We choose a vegan and vegetarian lifestyle . . . We have a pig that’s so smart, and to think that people still eat them is insane”.

will.i.am

will.i.am (b. 1975) is a singer, songwriter, producer, and founding member of The Black Eyed Peas. As the frontman of the Black Eyed Peas group, will.i.am has sold 31 million albums and 58 million singles worldwide. For his exemplary contributions to the world of music, he has been awarded the Grammy seven times. In addition to his music career, will.i.am is committed to supporting underserved children to stay and excel in school through his i.am.angel foundation. A newly turned vegan, will.i.am urges his fans to transition towards the plant-based lifestyle and to join his V.Gang.

On being asked why he identifies as vegan, will.i.m says, “I am fighting for a healthier me and a healthier planet.”

Chris Paul

Chris Paul (b 1985) is an accomplished NBA point guard known for his exceptional court vision, leadership, and defensive prowess. He is a multiple-time NBA All-Star consistently recognized for his incredible agility and performance on the court. He embraced a vegan lifestyle in 2019 as part of his commitment to health and wellness and attributes his dietary choices to enhanced energy levels and recovery.

” I can honestly say I feel better than ever. It’s not just about what you eat, it’s about how you fuel your body and mind.”

Philip Glass

Philip Glass (b. 1937) is a famous American music composer and pianist whose works includes operas, film scores, and chamber music. For his compositions, Glass has been nominated for the Academy Award three times. A vegetarian for 63 years, Glass commends his diet, exercise and sleep as the reasons behind his healthy and disciplined way of life.

Dexter Scott King

Dexter King (b. 1961) is the son of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Chairman of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change. Besides playing an active role in promoting his father’s legacy of non-violence, Dexter King has also pursued a career in media and has played numerous roles in films and television shows. His animated movie Our Friend Martin was also nominated for the Emmy award. An animal rights activist and dedicated vegan, Dexter King credits his vegan diet for giving him strength to further the goals of equality and justice. He played a major role in influencing his mother, Coretta Scott King, to take up vegetarianism later in life.

“Veganism has given me a higher level of awareness and spirituality, primarily because the energy associated with eating has shifted to other areas.”

Cory Booker

Cory Booker (b 1969), is a U.S. senator from New Jersey and has been a committed vegan since 2014, advocating for a more ethical and sustainable food system. As the first vegan on the Senate Agriculture Committee, he’s pushing to end factory farming and reform agriculture.

He says, “Being vegan for me is a cleaner way of not participating in practices that don’t align with my values,”. He has introduced legislation to hold industrial agriculture accountable and promote plant-based alternatives. Booker believes change starts with awareness, urging people to “confront the moral urgencies” of our food choices.

Elliot Page

Elliot Page (b 1987), formerly known as Ellen Page, is a Canadian actor and producer who gained widespread recognition for his roles in various film and television productions. He received many accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Elliot Page became known for his breakthrough role in the film “Juno” (2007), where he portrayed the character of a pregnant teenager. In December 2020, Elliot Page publicly came out as transgender, advocating for transgender rights and acceptance.

He has been a vegan for over a decade now and was named the “World’s Sexiest Vegan” by PETA in 2014. In 2011, he asked his 1.8 million followers why people make fun of vegans. He also questioned why the “inhumane factory farming process regards animals and the natural world merely as commodities to be exploited.”

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli (b. 1988) is an international cricketer and captain of the Indian cricket team. Time Magazine included Virat Kohli in 100 most influential people in the world list. ESPN announced him as one of the Top 10 famous athletes in the world. Besides an enormously successful cricket career, Kohli runs the Virat Kohli Foundation (VKF) that raises funds for education and health of underprivileged children in India. In 2018, Virat Kohli turned vegan and says, “I am now feeling stronger than before.”

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish (b. 2001) is an American singer and songwriter. A teen sensation and crowd favorite, Billie is the youngest person to win Grammy awards in four main categories—Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Album of the year. What many don’t know is that Billie is a life-long vegetarian and a regular advocate for animal rights and veganism.

In recent years, Billie has used her platform to raise awareness against animal cruelty. She says, “I just can’t go on in my life knowing what’s going on in the animal world and like, not doing anything about it.”

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire (b 1975), is an American actor and film producer, best known for portraying Spider-Man in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. He has been a committed vegan since 2009 after adopting a vegetarian diet in 1992. His commitment to veganism extends beyond his diet, influencing his lifestyle choices. He speaks about the ethical and environmental benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.

He says that veganism is essential for a sustainable future, stating, “I think it’s important to be aware of where our food comes from and to make choices that are kind to animals and the environment.”

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais (b 1961) is an accomplished British comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for co-creating and starring in the original UK version of The Office, which became a worldwide sensation and earned him critical acclaim. He has continued to make a significant impact in the world of comedy through various stand-up specials, television shows like Extras, and hosting prestigious award ceremonies like the Golden Globes.

Following years of speculation, comedian Ricky Gervais confirmed he’s vegan during an appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s iconic Tonight Show. In the summer of 2021, the actor even initiated a campaign calling for the end of a series of disturbing fake animal rescue videos on YouTube. Additionally, Gervais joined forces with the Humane Society in 2021 to star in the animated short Save Ralph.

Moby

Moby (b. 1965) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer who has sold an estimated 20 million records worldwide. His album Play was a big hit and had one of its songs featured on the US Billboard Hot 100. Besides being a famous musician, Moby is a vegan and animal rights activist and has even released an album called Animal Rights. Moby donates all profits from his small Los Angeles based vegetarian restaurant, Little Pine, to organizations that support animal rights causes.

“I am a vegan because I like animals and I do not want to be involved in their suffering.”—“Also, it’s better for my health and for the environment.”

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder (b. 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Blind since almost birth, Stevie Wonder is considered a child prodigy as he topped the BillBoard Hot 100 charts at the record-breaking age of 13. Since then, Wonder has sold over 100 million records worldwide making him one of America’s most successful singers and musicians . In addition to his music career, Stevie Wonder is known for his philanthropy and has been named United Nations Messenger of Peace. Wonder has recently turned vegan for environmental reasons.

“I’ve been a vegan for two years … I’m motivating people to do something about how we are living on this planet. We have to be about making our planet more greener, the urban areas more sustainable for the children. We can’t just talk about it, we have to be about it.”

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson (b. 1961) is an American actor, comedian, and playwright who has been nominated for the prestigious Academy Awards three times. He has played important roles in many blockbuster movies. Besides being a well-known actor, Harrelson is an environmental activist and follows a strict raw vegan diet. Harrelson continues to advocate for veganism and gives his diet credit for his energy levels and anti-aging. More recently, he was featured in Sir Paul McCartney’s Meat Free Monday campaign film, One Day a Week.

“In this world that is spinning madly out of control, we have to realize that we’re all related. We have to try to live harmoniously.”

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy (b 1976), is an Irish actor, and his accolades include an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He has embraced a vegan lifestyle for both health and environmental reasons. Murphy, who has avoided meat for years, believes plant-based living aligns with his values.

Best known for his intense roles, including his transformative performance in Oppenheimer, he takes a thoughtful approach to his diet, and says, “I’ve been trying the vegan thing… I think it’s better for the planet, right?”

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton (b. 1985) is a British racing driver who is often regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport. Racing for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Hamilton has won the Formula One World Championship five times. On winning the 2007 Spanish Grand Prix at the age of 22 years, Lewis Hamilton became the youngest driver to lead the world championship. Hamilton famously turned vegetarian on realizing the exploitative nature of the meat industry. He claims the diet has improved his performance and has made him feel “the best [he has] ever felt physically and mentally.”

Hamilton on being vegan: “There are no negatives to eating like this. I feel nothing but positive, mentally and physically. I love it. I feel like it also has a kind of a domino effect on the rest of my life.”

Morgan Mitchell

Morgan Mitchell (b 1994) is an Australian sprinter and middle-distance runner. She competed in the Rio 2016 Olympics and represented Australia in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. She turned vegan in 2014, motivated by her interest in animal rights and a desire to improve her athletic performance. She has been vegan for over a decade and attributes much of her success to her vegan diet.

“I knew that eating plant-based was the best way to recover and be the best athlete I could be.”

Venus Williams

Venus Williams (b. 1980) is an American professional tennis player. She has the second highest number of singles titles on the Women Tennis Tour, only behind her sister Serena Williams. For health reasons, Venus, switched to a raw vegan diet but decided to stay on as “[she] fell in love with the concept of fueling [her] body in the best way possible.”

“Not only does [the vegan diet] help me on the court, but I feel like I’m doing the right thing for me.”

Cesar Chavez

Cesar Chavez (1927-1993), a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, was a Latino American civil rights activist that is best known for his non-violent, yet persuasive, fight to unionize Californian farmworkers. He played a critical role in ensuring inclusion of Hispanic workers within the broad union of American workers. His famous slogan “Sí, se puede” inspired President Obama’s “Yes We Can” campaign slogan. In addition to being an advocate for human rights, Chavez was also an animal rights activist and encouraged individuals to convert to vegetarianism. For his exemplary work in the animal rights field, Chavez was awarded the In Defence of Animals (IDA) Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life, will we have learned to live well ourselves” – “I became a vegetarian after realizing that animals feel afraid, cold, hungry and unhappy like we do.”

Derrick Morgan

Derrick Morgan (b 1989) is an American former professional linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He is known for his strong performance on the field and his advocacy for plant-based nutrition. He turned vegan in 2017 and was inspired by his wife’s research on the benefits of a plant-based diet for athletic performance and recovery.

“I wanted to make sure I was doing everything possible to take care of my body, and that led me to a plant-based diet.”

Richard Claxton Gregory

Richard Claxton Gregory (1932-2017), more famously known as Dick Gregory, was an American comedian, civil rights activist, writer, and social critic. Gregory used his stand-up comedy platform to bring bigotry and racial injustice issues to the forefront. He went on several hunger strikes in the US and abroad to raise his voice against injustice caused by events such as the Vietnam War. A long-term vegetarian, Dick Gregory, credits his diet for keeping his cancer at bay and in remission. To ensure more people benefited from the vegetarian diet, Gregory founded a nutrition center called the Dick Gregory Health enterprises.

“Because I am a civil rights activist, I am also an animal rights activist. Animals and humans suffer and die alike.”

Ashoka the Great

Ashoka (304 BCE- 232 BCE) was an Indian emperor of one of the largest and most powerful empires in human history. On seeing the massive death and destruction caused by a war he waged, Ashoka was remorseful and converted to non-violent principles of Buddhism. He vowed to never go to war again, initiated a centralized policy of dharma (pious social conduct), and spread the teachings of Buddhism across Ancient Asia. Ashoka’s principles of peace and tolerance extended to animals. He was a vegetarian and abolished animal sacrifices in his kingdom.

“Let all listen and be willing to listen to the doctrines professed by others”

Peter Dinklage

Peter Dinklage (b. 1969) is a famous American actor and producer that has starred in many blockbuster movie series such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Avengers and X-Men. He has received immense praise for his portrayal of Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones for which he has won a Golden Globe and three Emmys. An animal rights advocate and long-time vegetarian, Dinklage has supported organizations such as Walk for Farm Animals and PETA.

“I like animals, all animals. I wouldn’t hurt a cat or a dog or a chicken or a cow. And I wouldn’t ask someone else to hurt them for me. That’s why I’m a vegan.”

Srinivasa Ramanujan

Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920) was an Indian mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of mathematical analysis despite having no formal training in pure mathematics. He discovered many novel theories that prompted future research in mathematics. Born in a Tamil Brahmin family, Ramanujan was a strict vegetarian all his life.

“An equation means nothing to me until it expresses a thought of God.”

Zendaya

Zendaya (b. 1996) is an American actress and singer, celebrated for her talent and influence. She has won two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. She adopted a vegetarian lifestyle at age 11 after witnessing a slaughterhouse during a road trip with her father. She remarked, “I thought it was awful, all those animals getting packed up in there waiting to be killed.”

Despite her commitment to vegetarianism, Zendaya humorously admits, “I’m a vegetarian who doesn’t like vegetables too much—makes it challenging!”

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik (b. 1975) is an actress, neuroscientist, author, longterm vegan and a staunch supporter of animal rights. Her book, Mayim’s Vegan Table, contains more than 100 recipes for vegan starters, dinners, and desserts. Bialik also writes blogs on parenting as she is raising two boys that have been vegan since birth.

To me, being vegan is a way of making the world better, one meal at a time.

Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari (b. 1967) is a historian, professor, philosopher, and best-selling author of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (2014), Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow (2016), and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018). His books have collectively sold more than 19 Million copies worldwide. Professor Harari is a vegan and practices meditation for two hours daily. He claims that meditation provides him with the necessary “focus, peace and insight” required to finish his books.

On turning vegan, Professor Harari writes that, “While writing ‘Sapiens, I became familiar with how we treat animals in the meat and dairy industries and was so horrified that I didn’t want to be a part of it anymore.”

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg (b. 2003) is a Swedish teenager best known for her international activism on climate. Thunberg’s activism started in 2018 when she missed school and striked on climate outside the Swedish parliament. Her strike had a worldwide impact, spread across the globe, and began being called #FridaysforFuture. Following the success of the campaign, she was invited to the United Nations and World Economic Forum to address world leaders. It is for this reason that Time Magazine named her Person of the Year in 2019. Thunberg is a vegan and lives a low-carbon life.

“I am vegan. I don’t eat animal products. I don’t use any animal products because of ethical, environmental and climate reasons”

Tia Blanco

Tia Blanco (b 1997) is an American professional surfer and vegan athlete. She has won numerous surfing competitions, including the International Surfing Association Open Women’s World Surfing Championship. She has been a vegetarian all her life and vegan since 2013. To her, veganism means love as she is motivated by her love for animals and a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle, reducing environmental impact.

“I feel like I’m a happier, healthier, more balanced person because of my plant-based lifestyle.”

Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was a painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, military engineer, and draftsman who is widely considered one of the most diversely talented individuals ever to have lived. Leonardo da Vinci, widely known as the authentic “Renaissance man,” was a leading artist and intellectual of the Italian Renaissance. The Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man, and Salvator Mundi are some of his most celebrated artworks. His life remains exemplary even 500 years since his passing. While da Vinci’s artistic accomplishments are well known, what is less known is that he was a devout vegetarian and publicly opposed killing animals for meat, making him a vegetarian even before the term “vegetarian” was coined.

My body will not be a tomb for other creatures

Alice Walker

Alice Walker (b. 1944) is a highly acclaimed novelist, essayist, and poet. She is best known for her 1982 novel, The Color Purple, which won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for fiction.

“As we talked of freedom and justice one day for all, we sat down to steaks. I am eating misery, I thought, as I took the first bite. And spit it out.”

Sir Paul McCartney

Sir Paul McCartney (b. 1942) is an English musician, singer-songwriter, composer, and vegetarian activist. He is the former member of the rock band, the Beatles. Paul co-founded the Meat Free Monday organization with his daughters, Stella and Mary.

“If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat. That’s the single most important thing you could do. It’s staggering when you think about it. Vegetarianism takes care of so many things in one shot: ecology, famine, cruelty.”

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain (b 1977) is a highly acclaimed American actress known for her versatile and powerful performances on stage and screen. Some of her notable films include The Help, Zero Dark Thirty, Interstellar, and Molly’s Game. Jessica Chastain is admired for her ability to portray complex and strong-willed characters. She has been an advocate for gender equality in the film industry.

Jessica Chastain has been vegan for over 15 years now. She initially adopted a plant-based diet to improve her health but has expressed environmental concerns associated with meat, dairy, and egg consumption. Speaking of her journey, she said that “immediately I just had more energy than I’ve ever had in my life”.

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic (b. 1987) is a Serbian professional tennis player. As of July 2021, he was ranked as world No. 1, has kept this rank for a record total of 329 weeks, and won 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles.

“I do eat plant-based. I think that’s one of the reasons why I recover well. I don’t have allergies that I used to have any more. And I like it.” – Jun 4, 2020

Dr. Colin Campbell

Dr Colin Campbell (b. 1934) is an American professor, biochemist and author who studies and writes about the effect of nutrition on long term health. His book on nutrition, China study-Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health, has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. Dr. Campbell’s advocacy of a low fat, “whole foods, plant-based (vegan) diet” has made him a celebrity in the alternative health and food industries.

“How did we forget these lessons from the past? How did we go from knowing that the best athletes in the ancient Greek Olympics must consume a plant-based diet to fearing that vegetarians don’t get enough protein?

RZA

Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (b 1969), known by his stage name RZA, is an American rapper, actor, filmmaker, and record producer. He is best known as the de facto leader and one of the founding members of the influential hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. His distinctive production skills and lyrical prowess have earned him recognition in the music industry.

A long-time vegan, RZA appeared on a podcast in 2019 with comedian Donnell Rawlings and Joe Rogan, to discuss the reasoning behind adopting a vegan lifestyle, agreeing that health and animal welfare were significant factors.

RZA said, “No animal needs to die for me to live.” His vegan transition began in the mid-1990s after he bit into a chicken wing and realized it was a dead bird.

Golda Rosheuvel

Golda Rosheuvel is a British actress and singer. She is known for her theatre work and on-screen roles, most prominently for her portrayal of Queen Charlotte in the Netflix period drama series Bridgeton. She has embraced a vegan lifestyle for over 15 years. Reflecting on her early adoption of plant-based living, she remarked, “I was a vegan before it was cool to be vegan.”

Rosheuvel believes that our dietary choices profoundly impact our well-being and the planet, stating, “What we put into our bodies is a reflection of how we feel, and if that can be a healthy way or a way that really impacts positively on our planet, I think it can be joyful.”

Fiona Oakes

Fiona Oakes (b 1996) is a British marathon runner holding several world records, including being the fastest woman to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole. She has been an advocate for veganism and has inspired many Olympic-level athletes. She turned vegan at the age of 6 due to her compassion for animals and has maintained her vegan lifestyle throughout her running career.

“I’m living proof that a vegan diet is not a barrier to achieving the best in sport.”

John Salley

John Salley (b. 1964) is a retired professional basketball player and one of the two players in NBA history to have won three championships with three different teams (Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and LA Lakers). Salley’s professional basketball career spanned three decades, a feat that only one other player has achieved. In addition to being a NBA veteran TV show host and producer, Salley is a vegan and wellness advocate that has famously supported legislation that would increase vegetarian options in meals served in public schools. Today, Salley is a chef that curates and creates exquisite vegan cuisines utilizing plant-based foods and various ethnic segments.

“As a former athlete, I know that the nutrition of the food I eat has a direct impact on my physical and mental performance on the basketball court. More fruits, vegetables, and other vegetarian foods help you stay healthy, fit, and alert.”

Nathalie Emmanuel

Nathalie Emmanuel (b, 1989) is a British actress best known for her role, as Missandei in the acclaimed television series Game of Thrones. She has garnered widespread recognition for her compelling performances in both film and television. She began her on-screen career in 2006 by starring as Sasha Valentine in the soap opera Hollyoaks. Beyond her role in Game of Thrones, Nathalie has also made notable appearances in the Fast & Furious franchise and the Netflix series Sense 8, showcasing her versatility and acting prowess.

Nathalie has adhered to a vegan diet for years and feels very energetic. She says that the changes she felt after turning vegan were visible to others. “People kept coming up to me and telling me I looked glowy and my eyes looked bright, so I kept going,” she said.

Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a Serbian-American engineer, inventor, and futurist who is best known for advancing the field of electricity and magnetism.

“That we can subsist on plant food and perform our work even to advantage is not a theory, but a well-documented fact. Many races living almost exclusively on vegetables are of superior physique and strength.”

Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) was a well-known English philosopher and social reformer.

Regarding animals: “The question is not, ‘Can they reason?’ nor ‘Can they talk?’ but ‘Can they suffer?’”

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was an American rights activist who is known as “the mother of the civil rights movement.” She is most famous for the Montgomery bus incident during which Parks was arrested for not giving up her seat to a fellow white passenger. For her contribution to the American society, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal among many other accolades. Besides being an advocate of peace and justice, she was also a staunch follower of the vegetarian lifestyle.

“I have been a vegetarian for a few years. It was not hard at all to not eat meat. [Becoming a vegetarian] was something I wanted to do.”

Heather Mills

Heather Mills (b 1968) is a British former model, businesswoman, and animal rights activist who has competed in various winter sports. She has been vegan for many years, motivated by her concerns for animal welfare and environmental sustainability. She also advocates for the health benefits of a vegan diet, particularly in enhancing athletic prowess.

“A plant-based diet is essential for optimal health and performance.”

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman (b. 1981) is an actress, film producer, director, and animal rights activist. As an actress, she received an Oscar and two Golden Globe awards, and her influence on raising awareness for the vegan diet has affected many in a profound way: In 2017 she—along with 70 rabbis worldwide—signed a declaration that encouraged Jews to go vegan as “an expression of our shared Jewish values of compassion for animals, protection of the environment, and concern for our physical and spiritual well-being.” A film about the impact of factory farming on the environment, called Eating Animals, was produced and narrated by Natalie Portman and released in June, 2018.

“Three times a day, I remind myself that I value life . . . That is why I eat the way I do.”

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara (b 1985) is an accomplished American actress who received many accolades, including nominations for two Academy Awards, a British Academy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. She began her career acting in television with the coming-of-age drama “Tanner Hall” in 2009. She is best known for her ground-breaking work as Lisbeth Salander in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. Mara is also known for her advocacy work and commitment to social and environmental causes. She is also the founder of the vegan clothing line Hiraeth Collective and remains a prominent figure in both the entertainment industry and the realm of philanthropy.

Speaking to Coveteur in 2018, she explained how she began her vegan journey: “Someone sent me this horrible undercover video of a pig, which led me to another horrible video and another horrible video. I went down the YouTube rabbit hole.”

Serena Williams

Serena Williams (b. 1981) plays professional tennis and has been ranked No. 1 in the world eight times so far (2002-2017). She has won the most grand-slam titles ever. For health reasons, both Serena and her sister, Venus, eat a raw vegan diet. Serena has also launched a vegan clothing line “to empower women.”

“My fridge is really just vegan: coconut water, Gatorade (my favorite!), cucumbers, mint, kale, vegetables, ginger, and wheat grass.”

Patrick Baboumian

Patrick Baboumian (b. 1979) was born in Iran but now lives and trains in Germany. He is considered the strongest man in the world and “a plant-based beast.” Citing compassion as the driving force behind his choice, Patrick Baboumian was happy to find that a vegan diet actually benefitted his athleticism. Since becoming vegan, he has inspired athletes all over the world to examine what they eat and to adopt a plant-based diet for health, performance, and compassion.

Almost two years after becoming vegan I am stronger than ever before and I am still improving day by day. . . Go vegan and feel the power!

Alan Cummings

Alan Cumming (b 1965) is a Scottish actor, singer, author, and activist known for his versatility and notable performances in theater, film, and television. He received many accolades, including a BAFTA Award, an Emmy Award, and two Tony awards. Since 2012, he has been a vocal advocate for veganism and LGBTQ+ rights. Donning a t-shirt with the words “Not a Dairy Queen,” he extended his support to the PETA anti-diary campaign in 2018 and urged the public to rethink their consumption of milk and cheese.

Very recently, in 2023, Alan, along with Brian Cox, signed “Compassion in World Farming’s Vision for Fair Food and Farming.”The vision outlined plans to achieve farming policies that “respect and protect the interests of people, animals, and the planet.”

He said, “Our food and farming systems are harmful to our health and that of the planet and are the cause of enormous animal cruelty.”

Angela Davis

Angela Davis (b. 1944) is an American political activist, educator, and author. Throughout her life, Davis has advocated for a variety of social issues in the United States ranging from gender equality to prison reform. For her human rights activism, Davis has been awarded the Soviet Union’s Lenin Peace Prize and voted as Time Magazine’s 1971: Woman of the Year. In addition to being a racial justice activist, Davis is also a committed vegan advocate.

“Most people don’t think about the fact that they’re eating animals. When they’re eating a steak or eating chicken, most people don’t think about the tremendous suffering that those animals endure simply to become food products to be consumed by human beings”

Sadie Sink

Sadie Sink (b 2002) is an American actress. She began acting at age seven in local theater productions and played the title role in Annie and Young Queen Elizabeth II on Broadway. She made her television debut in a 2013 episode of The Americans and gained widespread recognition for her role as Maxine “Max” Mayfield in the popular Netflix series, Stranger Things. Her portrayal of Max, a confident skateboarding enthusiast, earned her a place in the hearts of fans and critics alike.

Sink credits Woody Harrelson for showing her that going vegan was “totally doable.” She said, “He’s a very passionate vegan, and his entire family is vegan as well, so by spending time with them, I was able to learn that a vegan lifestyle is totally doable and it’s not as hard as it may seem.”

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose (b 1986) is an Australian model, actress, and television presenter known for her striking personality and androgynous style. She is best known as playing Bat Woman, in the CW television series Batwoman. Her casting as Bat Woman marked a significant milestone as she became the first openly gay lead in a live-action superhero television series. She has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has used her platform to raise awareness about various social issues.

She is a staunch vegan and started questioning at a young age why we eat animals. She said, “May I suggest turning vegan…? We can be the change”.

Mahavira

Mahavira (599 BCE-540 BCE) was a spiritual leader who left worldly possessions at the age of 30 and practiced intense meditation thereafter. Mahavira’s teachings of truth, chastity and non-attachment led to the foundations of present-day jainism. He believed in nonviolence towards humans and nonhumans alike and advocated for a strict vegetarian diet.

“Those whose minds are at peace and who are free from passions do not desire to live at the expense of others.”

Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King (1927-2006), wife of Martin Luther King Jr, was an American author, activist, and civil rights leader that advocated for African-American equality and led the Civil Rights Movement along with her husband. Even following Martin Luther King’s death, Scott King continued to support many causes such as labour issues, gender equality, and LGBT rights. Scott King believed that animal rights were a logical extension to anonviolent lifestyle which is why she went vegetarian later in life. For her extensive advocacy work, Scott King was awarded the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize by the Indian government.

“I don’t believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others.”

Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) was a musical scholar, philosopher, humanitarian and physician famous for his idea of Reverence for Life for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. He founded the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in West Central Africa and practiced as the sole physician within the 500 mile radius. A long time vegetarian, Schweitzer, was also an advocate for animal rights.

“Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man himself will not find peace.”

Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931) was an American inventor and entrepreneur who is credited to have changed modern life by inventing a host of products such as the light bulb, the phonograph, and the motion picture camera. He converted to vegetarianism later in his life, having realized the benefit the diet had on his health and well-being.

“Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.”

Neil Robertson

Neil Robertson (b. 1982) is an accomplished and record-breaking snooker player who became vegan in 2014. He holds the record for most century breaks in a snooker season, compiling 103 century breaks in 22 tournaments during the 2013–14 snooker season. Other vegan snooker players include Aditya Mehta, Liam Highfield and Peter Ebdon, who put Robertson onto the vegan diet.

In an interview with Great Vegan Athletes, Robertson said: “I felt I needed to eat healthier to give myself the chance to get the most out of my career. I was pretty interested in the vegan diet for months before I decided to give it a try through speaking to [fellow snooker player] Peter Ebdon.”

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson (b 1967) is a Canadian-American actress, model, and activist. She gained fame in the 1990s for her role as C.J. Parker on the TV series Baywatch. She has been an outspoken advocate for animal rights, environmental issues, and humanitarian causes. She is known for her association with organizations like PETA and her efforts to raise awareness about animal cruelty and climate change.

Anderson went vegetarian early in life when she saw a dead deer brought home by her hunter father and eventually went vegan. She has been a vocal advocate for having plant-based food on prison menus and has distributed vegan meals during emergencies.

She said, “The more animal products you remove from your diet, the better you feel. The difference between a vegetarian and a vegan is huge. I feel so much better as a vegan.”

Leo Tolstoy

Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian philosopher and writer who is often regarded as one of the greatest writers of the 20th C. He is most well-known for his realist novels War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Interestingly, Mahatma Gandhi was greatly influenced by Tolstoy when in his youth; while living in South Africa, Gandhi founded a community that he named “Tolstoy Farm.”

“A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite. And to act so is immoral.”

Evanna Lynch

Evanna Lynch (b. 1991), famous Irish actress, is best known for her role as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter franchise. She became an Ambassador for Veganuary in 2015 and in 2018 launched her own vegan podcast called “The Chick Peeps.”

“I think the root of this whole lifestyle is Compassion. It’s a daily reminder that we are all one. I believe veganism is what will heal this planet.”

James Cromwell

James Oliver Cromwell (b 1940) is a renowned American actor and an activist best known for his standout roles in Babe and L.A Confidential which earned him critical acclaim. He received a Primetime Emmy Award and a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Babe (1995). Besides being a celebrated actor, James Cromwell is a dedicated vegan and animal rights advocate. He is passionate about promoting a vegan lifestyle and raising awareness about the ethical treatment of animals. His commitment to these causes has led him to engage in various campaigns and protests, making him a prominent voice in the vegan and animal rights communities.

Cromwell became vegan in 1995 during the filming of Babe after being vegetarian since 1975. He used his fame to bring attention to several issues, including the pork industry, where pigs were routinely subjected to cruel practices.
“Every pig deserves to live in peace and joy at a sanctuary, choosing when to frolic, where to forage, and how to spend their time, yet few do”, Cromwell said.

Sia Furler

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler (b 1975), also known as Sia, is an Australian singer, songwriter, and music producer who started her career in the acid jazz band Crisp in the mid-1990s in Adelaide. She rose to fame for her distinct voice and unique blend of pop and electronic music. She is known for her enigmatic personality and exceptional talent in music.

She has always loved animals, and as a young artist struggling to survive, she vowed that if she ever found success, she would make it her mission to spend the rest of her life helping and protecting animals. In 2014, she announced, via Twitter, that she was fully vegan. She has participated in campaigns to protest against large-scale pet breeding and promoted cruelty-free fashion through her song “Free the Animal.”

In 2018, she joined Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara in narrating the animal rights documentary Dominion. She said, “The dwindling seal slaughter reflects the world’s growing disgust with killing animals for fashion”

Henry Beston

Henry Beston (1888-1968) was an American writer and naturalist. His most notable work is The Outermost House that has been printed worldwide multiple times. He wrote extensively about nature which is why he is considered one of the fathers of the modern environmental movement

“For the animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.”
Image Source: Henry Beston website, 2010

Erykah Badu

Erica Abi Wright (b 1971) is known professionally as Erykah Badu. She is an American singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer and actress. Influenced by R&B, soul, and hip-hop, Erykah rose to prominence in the late 1990s with her debut album Baduizm in 1997. She earned her nickname as “Queen of Neo Soul” by music critics.

Erykah Badu has adhered to a vegan diet since 1989 and believes it to be the best for the body. She says, “Vegan food is soul food in its truest form. Soul food means to feed the soul. And, to me, your soul is your intent”.

Kendrick Farris

Kendrick Farris (b 1986) is an American weightlifter and a three-time Olympian. He competed in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics and holds the American record in the “clean and jerk” (a weight-lifting move that involves lifting a barbell from the ground to the shoulders [the clean] and then bringing the barbell over the head and hold it [the jerk]). Farris switched to a vegan diet in 2014 after the birth of his son as he wanted to live a healthier lifestyle. He discovered that a plant-based diet improved his recovery and overall well-being.

“I felt great when I went vegan. I felt like I recovered faster and didn’t get tired as much.”

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving (b 1992) is an NBA star who plays for theDallas Mavericks. He adopted a vegan diet in 2017 and credits this plant-based lifestyle with boosting his energy, sharpening his focus, and enhancing his overall performance. He has been vocal about the positive impact of his vegan diet, impacting his performance on the court, and helping him maintain his athleticism and endurance.

“My energy is up, my body feels amazing, and my mind is focused.”

Famous Vegans & vegetarians

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