Revealing the Toronto Maple Leafs Most Famous Celebrity Fans

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a rich history on the ice. In the stands, they have attracted a long list of famous fans.

The Toronto Raptors gained extra attention in their title-winning playoffs run thanks to the presence of the team’s global ambassador, Drake. The Toronto Maple Leafs have many famous fans as well, without the addition of the sideline histrionics.

The difference between the sports is that fans can sit on the floor at NBA games. Boards separate the playing surface from the crowd at hockey games. This puts a physical barrier in front of the celebrities who come support the Maple Leafs, making their presence less visible. It does not make their love of the team any less meaningful.

Due in part to the size of the city of Toronto and the Maple Leafs being one of the Original Six teams in the league, the fandom is enormous. It also helps that the popularity of the game in Canada is unmatched. As a result, lots of Torontonians have grown up to be passionate Leafs supporters.

Some celebrities attend multiple games a year, whether in Toronto or in the city where they currently reside. Others have become celebrities because of their love for the Maple Leafs. Such is the case for Steve Dangle and Dart Guy.

Steve “Dangle” Glynn became popular as a YouTuber. He posted his reaction to every Leafs game in his own unique ways. His videos began generating a great deal of attention and his subscriber numbers skyrocketed. Glynn has parleyed his Leaf fandom into being a blogger and publishing a book.

Dart Guy, the nickname given to Jason Maslakow, was attending a game in April of 2017 when his image was captured and broadcast on television. His look garnered attention because he had his face painted with an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. The “dart” was there to help cope with the stress of that game. His picture instantly got the meme treatment and it led to him getting to host his own show on local terrestrial radio.

They’re Not Really Leafs Fans

The list of famous Leafs fans is a long one, but don’t be confused by some who have been omitted. There are many celebrities who have been misrepresented as fans. This is mostly because they have worn team paraphernalia to a game, an event, or for ulterior motives. Just because the Queen of England adorned a Maple Leafs brooch, it doesn’t make her a fan of the Buds.

Donald Trump

In April of 2012, Donald Trump posed with a custom Leafs Jersey with his name on the back. He didn’t have any affection for the franchise. Trump and his sons were in Toronto for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Trump International Hotel & Tower.

Trump was greeted by Mayor Rob Ford, Leafs defenceman John-Michael Liles, and Toronto Blue Jays catcher JP Arencibia as a part of the spectacle. The use of the Leafs sweater was an attempt to connect him and his business with the city in an organic way.

It didn’t work.

Russell Crowe

There are many photos of Russell Crowe online that show him wearing a different variety of Maple Leafs caps. He was even captured wearing matching hats with his son. These photos led Twitter users to demand answers from Crowe; was he really a Leafs fan? Eventually, Crowe responded.

Though he is a talented actor, it turns out that Crowe’s taste in hockey teams is much to be desired.

David Letterman

The Late Night host and funny man, David Letterman, was revealed to sport a Leafs sweater as a young man by the official Twitter account of the team. There are other pictures of him online wearing the same jersey. This led to speculation that Letterman was a fan of the team. It turns out that he is actually a Rangers fan.

Kit Harington

When photos surfaced of Kit Harington, one of the stars of Game of Thrones, wearing a Leafs jersey at a Toronto hockey game, media outlets and the internet ran wild to proclaim Jon Snow a fan. The pictures were from 2013 when Harington was in Toronto shooting the movie Pompeii.

One could debate whether a couple of months of supporting a franchise qualifies as a fan. If so, then Harington is a welcome member of the fanbase. There are however many celebrities who love the team unconditionally. Let’s meet them now.

Mike Myers

Mike Myers may be one of, if not the biggest superfan in Leafs Nation. The comedian was born in Scarborough, Ontario and grew up loving the team. His passion runs so deep that he has appeared multiple times on television wearing Leafs jerseys, including on Saturday Night Live.

Myers has been forthcoming with his allegiance to the club. On the big screen, in the Austin Powers franchise, he named characters after former Maple Leafs. First appearing in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Myers introduced the world to Commander Gilmour (portrayed by Charles Napier) and General Borschevsky (portrayed by Elya Baskin).

The characters were named to honour Doug Gilmour and Nikolai Borschevsky.

Verne Troyer also played a character in one of Myers movies with a familiar name. He was Coach Punch CherkovIn in the 2008 film, The Love Guru. It was a nod to long-time Maple Leafs coach and general manager, Punch Imlach.

Myers had an enormous role in the creation of The Love Guru. He co-wrote, co-produced and starred as the main character, Guru Maurice Pitka. This is certainly why the Maple Leafs feature so prominently in the film.

The love Guru showed Myers as himself sitting next to Kanye West, both clad in blue Leafs sweaters, professing their love for hockey. The film even references a character named Hank Bullard to represent Harold Ballard, former owner of the team.

Though Myers’ Love Guru was skewered by film critics, it did allow for him to create a fantasy that Leafs fans have been longing for since 1967. The movie portrays the Maple Leafs winning the Stanley Cup. There may be no better example of a fan living their dream than Myers having created a multi-million dollar flop in order to watch his Buds hoist Lord Stanley’s mug.

Will Arnett

Will Arnett is famous for the many comedic roles he’s taken on television and in movies. The 49-year-old actor is often seen at NHL games, usually in Los Angeles and New York. The best time to catch him at a game is when the Maple Leafs are in town. He’s a very vocal cheerleader for the Buds.

Arnett was born and raised in Toronto. He remained in the city until 1990 when he moved to New York City to study acting. His roots in the city helped form his love for the Leafs. He has remained true to his team despite living in multiple other cities and his parents hailing from Winnipeg,

Arnett’s father, a corporate lawyer with a degree from Harvard University, was at one point the president and CEO of Molson Breweries. His three years running the company ended nine years prior to the Molson Brothers and their company becoming majority shareholders of the Montreal Canadiens. If the timing was different, perhaps Arnett would have become a Habs fan.

On the small screen, Arnett portrayed Gob Bluth II in Arrested Development. It was a role that made him a recognizable face and led to bigger roles such as the co-lead in Blades of Glory. He has also done a great deal of voice acting, such as playing Batman in the Lego Batman Movie and BoJack Horseman in the series of the same title.

Arnett was the host of the 2016 NHL Awards. Ahead of the show, he said, “I’m excited to host the 2016 NHL Awards because we all know in 2017 I’ll be too busy celebrating the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup.”

While he didn’t get that chance, he did celebrate a Zach Hyman’s goal when he joined the Leafs’ broadcast booth for a game.

This summer, the body of work from this funny Leafs fan was honoured. Arnett was inducted into the Canada Walk of Fame.

Justin Bieber

Justing Bieber is one of the most recognizable people on the planet. The singer, from Stratford, Ontario, is a lover of sports and a supporter of the Maple Leafs.

Bieber was famously discovered at age 13 when a talent manager accidentally opened a YouTube video of him covering a song. The young teenager was flown to Atlanta, Georgia to get his career started. There, he sang for Usher and recorded demo tapes.

That was 12 years ago. Since then, he exploded on the music scene. His debut album My World 2.0, was certified triple platinum in the United States. It featured seven songs that charted on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Bieber played hockey as a youngster. He laced up for the Stratford Warriors Atom Travel Team. His childhood Warriors jacket is actually on display in the “Steps to Stardom” exhibit as part of the Stratford Perth Museum.

Fame has its privileges. The Toronto Maple Leafs organization knew that Bieber was a fan and in 2011, invited the 17-year-old to skate with members of the team at the Air Canada Centre. He has been at the arena many times since. The superstar has been spotted at multiple Leafs games. Bieber was even seen making out with his wife, Hailey Baldwin in the crowd. It was a move that had Don Cherry cringing.

When Shawn Mendes was given the moniker of “Prince of Pop” by Observer Magazine, Bieber reached out to challenge his fellow Canadian musician for the title. His proposed method to settle the dispute was by getting on the ice and playing for it.

It would be fitting considering that Mendes himself is a  Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Mendes was even given a custom jersey by Curtis Joseph at the 2018 season opener.

Stephen Harper

Politics is often partisan, but many federal politicians prefer not to share their affinity for a specific team so as to not alienate a fanbase or potentially lose votes. Stephen Harper, Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister, shared in that fear for some time.

Harper initially veiled his love for the Leafs. Carl Vallée, a spokesperson for the PM, was asked which team Harper prefers. The response was, “The Prime Minister cheers for all Canadian teams”. His representatives made clear that Harper’s favourite team was “Team Canada”.

The truth came out following the 2011 federal election. Harper was more forthcoming with his love for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It made sense. Harper grew up in Leaside, a Toronto neighbourhood. His passion for the game blossomed while living in the city. By the time he moved to Edmonton, Alberta to work for Imperial Oil, he was already a devoted fan of the Buds.

The Conservatives, with Harper at the helm, won the 2006 federal election. He held the office of Prime Minister for nearly a decade, from February 6, 2006, until November 4, 2015. He was preceded by Paul Martin, the politician, not the defenceman who played for the New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and San Jose Sharks. When Harper finally left office, he was succeeded by the current PM, Justin Trudeau.

Harper would often attend Leafs games in Toronto while in office. If there were still questions about who he supported, they were put to rest in 2013. That’s when he released a book that made clear who he roots for at the rink. Harper penned, “A Great Game: The Forgotten Leafs & the Rise of Professional Hockey“, establishing himself as both a fan of the Leafs and as a hockey historian.

Daniel Negreanu

Poker star, Daniel Negreanu, has sat through many tournaments wearing one of his Maple Leafs jerseys. A friend of former Leafs sniper, Phil Kessel, Negreanu has been an outspoken die-hard fan who never shies away from sharing his opinions on the team.

Negreanu is not just Canada’s most famous poker player, but he’s also one of the best of all time. Born in Toronto in 1974, he learned how to play poker at age 15. By 22 he was ready for his first foray to becoming a professional player.

Now residing in Vegas, Negreanu’s career playing cards has helped him accumulate nearly $42 in winnings. That ranks second on the all-time money list behind only Justin Bonomo. His accomplishments include winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets six times with 39 final table appearances. He is also a two-time World Poker Tour (WPT) champion, sitting at the final table nine times and though he never won the tournament, he reached the final table five times on the European Poker Tour (EPT).

Negreanu grew up a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but has since adopted the Golden Knights as well. He actually played a part in that team’s promotion and initial ticket drive. Though he’s still a Leafs supporter, he can be seen at games throughout the season at T-Mobile Arena, the Knights home rink.

In an interview with Poker News, Negreanu detailed his Knights ticket package. He said, “I bought four seats for myself down low and I also bought 12 seats for kids that I’m mainly going to donate to a school called Cambeiro Elementary, which is a very underprivileged school.” The kids are on assisted lunches and don’t have a lot of opportunity.” With a passion for trying to grow the game in the desert, he explained his philanthropic act. “I thought it would be good at a grassroots level and they would enjoy the game.”

Negreanu may pull a Knights sweater over his head from time to time, but it’s often accompanied with a Leafs cap.

Chris Hadfield

One of the world’s most iconic astronauts also happens to cheer for the Maple Leafs. Chris Hadfield, who’s now retired, is “the first Canadian to walk in space”.

Hadfield was born in Sarnia, Ontario in 1959. He was just ten years old when he witnessed the Apollo moon landing on television from the corn farm where he grew up. It was the event that shaped his desire to be an astronaut.

In 1992, Hadfield learned that he was going to live that dream. With Canada only having had six astronauts at the time, Hadfield’s extensive flying experience with the Canadian Armed Forces led him to join the team. In Canada Space Agency’s second-ever recruitment period, he was one of only four people selected out of the 5330 applicants to become Canadian astronauts.

In that position, Hadfield has been charged with participating in many important missions. He was named Mission Specialist 1 on STS-74. “Hadfield flew as the first Canadian mission specialist, the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit, and the only Canadian to ever board Mir.” He was also assigned to be the commander of the International Space Station.

Hadfield has been a staunch supporter of the Toronto Maple Leafs his entire life. He has also been very forthcoming with his allegiance to the blue and white, tweeting his support from orbit. He even wore a Leafs t-shirt during the re-entry mission for Soyuz TMA-07M.

Hadfield’s support has even earned him an invitation to sing the national anthem. He accepted and serenaded the Toronto crowd ahead of a tilt between the Buds and Habs in 2014.

Hayden Christensen

Hayden Christensen was a child actor who eventually landed a role that made him famous. At age 20, he played Sam in the 2001 film, Life as a House. The portrayal earned him a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nomination. It also helped him land a part in the Star Wars franchise.

Christen played Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. He beat out 400 actors including Colin Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio to get the role.

This Leafs fan didn’t always have the ambition to make acting his profession. He was an athlete while in high school. He played competitive hockey, but tennis was his forte. In fact, Christensen was ranked provincially at the sport.

Christensen was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1981. He moved to the Greater Toronto Area and went to school in Markham, Ontario. He attended Unionville High School, which offered specialized arts programs.

Christensen is a self-proclaimed “massive Maple Leafs fan”. He has been in attendance at many of their games and is often wearing some sort of team paraphernalia out on the street. Such was the case when he was profiled by GQ. In that write-up, it is suggested that Christensen wanted to one day captain the Leafs.

Christensen has explained that he is a fan of all Toronto sports. Though his first love is hockey and the Leafs, he cheers for the Raptors, and Toronto FC as well.

Edge and Christian

Pro wrestling’s biggest promotion is World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly World Wrestling Federation (WWF). There have been many greats to compete under this banner. One of their top-billed tag teams was Edge and Christian, each of whom is a Leafs fan.

Edge and Christian, whose real names are Adam Copeland and William Jason Reso respectively, are highly decorated performers. Together, they are seven-time WWF tag team champions. They have also competed as singles with great success. Edge has been World Heavyweight Champion, King of the Ring, and a two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion. Christian has been World Heavyweight Champion and WWF Light Heavyweight Champion.

Copeland was born in Orangeville, Ontario and Reso in Kitchener, Ontario, both in 1973. They were childhood best friends who trained together to learn the craft. They joined the WWF in the late 90s and were billed as brothers.

Copeland played hockey in his youth, even skating on the same minor hockey league team as retired NHLer, Aaron Downey. Copeland was a defenceman whose role was to lay out his opponents. He hated the Canadiens due to his allegiance to the Leafs.

In an interview with SI.com, Reso revealed, “I was a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan, and I still am”. In that sit-down, he recounted his experience sitting in the SkyDome in 1993 to watch a Leafs game on the JumboTron. Reso was there for Game Six when the puck was dropped in Los Angeles.

Like Copeland, Reso has admitted to despising the Habs. Both men have adopted other teams to root for, but have never abandoned the Leafs. Copeland now also cheers for the New Jersey Devils and Reso also likes the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Luke Harper

Edge and Christian aren’t the only wrestlers who love the Leafs. Luke Harper, born Jonathan Huber, is always rooting for Toronto. He was born in Rochester, New York, but has been billed in the ring as being from a variety of cities. With his 6’5, 275 lbs frame and unique look, Huber is an intimidating looking figure.

Huber signed with the WWE in 2012. He is best known as being a member of the Wyatt Family (with Erick Rowan and Bray Wyatt) and one-half of the Bludgeon Brothers tag-team. He has won the Tag Team Championships twice and the Intercontinental Championship while wrestling for the WWE.

Huber is active on Twitter and regularly shouts out support for the Leafs, including asking questions about the team to his followers. “Is Mitch Marner the greatest of all time???”, he once asked.

Huber answered his own question with another tweet, “Mitchell Marner is the greatest ever!” His Twitter avatar is even dedicated to Toronto hockey. Currently, it’s a picture of Doug Gilmour.

Huber, who has asked for his release from the WWE, played in the Rochester Youth Hockey League as a child. He also played lacrosse for his high school, McQuaid Jesuit. His four years on that team had him cross paths and play against a future New Jersey Devil’s draft pick, Brian Gionta.

Huber’s roots in upstate New York run deep. He was formally trained to wrestle in Rochester and first started wrestling for two promotions in the city, Roc City Wrestling (RCW) and Rochester Pro Wrestling (RPW).

Along with growing up a Leafs fan, Harper would also frequent Rochester Americans games to cheer on the AHL team. He has always loved the game.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves is one of the most recognizable people in Hollywood. Before he was cast in such blockbuster films as Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Speed, The Matrix, and John Wick, he grew up in the Toronto neighbourhood of Yorkville. That’s where Reeves first became a fan of his hometown Maple Leafs.

Reeves grew up loving hockey. He played rep hockey for North Toronto in the Metro Toronto Hockey League (MTHL), which was later renamed the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). Reeves was a goaltender with an acrobatic style that won games for his team.

Reeves’ talents were noticed by a goaltending school owner. He set up a tryout for Reeves with the Windsor Spitfires in the OHL. Though it was a dream for the soon-to-be-actor to play for Canada’s Olympic team, he declined the offer. Instead, Reeves moved to California and pursued acting.

It was an obviously risky decision, especially because it also meant that Reeves dropped out of high school. In retrospect, acting was the right path to take. Reeves has had an outstanding career and even ended up getting to play goal in his new profession. He portrayed a French-Canadian keeper named Heaver, in the movie Youngblood.

Reeves continued to use his athletic skills well into his adult years. He played a weekly pickup street hockey game in Los Angeles for ten years. He also played a quarterback in the movie The Replacements. It was rumoured that Reeves was offered a professional tryout for the Baltimore Ravens.

Gerry Dee

Reeves shares something in common with another celebrity Leafs fan. Reeves played in net, where his nickname was “The Wall” for his high school team. He attended De La Salle College “Oaklands”. It is the same alma mater as Gerry Dee. He was a student at the school and returned to teach physical education there as an adult.

His real name is Gerard Francis-John Donoghue. Born in Scarborough in 1968, he earned his undergraduate degree from York University. Donoghue then went to St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia to earn his teaching degree. While there, he played varsity hockey, making the team as a walk-on.

Donoghue also gave back to the game. While still employed by De La Salle, he coached in GTHL and worked his way up to be the bench boss in Junior A. For a short time, he coached the Wexford Raiders.

Donoghue gave up teaching to become a comedian and actor. He rose to fame when he finished third in the show Last Comic Standing. From there he has had many roles including as the star of his own show, Mr. D.

Donoghue is invested with the Leafs. He was vocal about his feelings that fans shouldn’t boo Jake Gardiner. He tweeted about it and even went on the radio to discuss being a devoted fan. He has also been on many programs to discuss his favourite team. He even worked for The Score, where he infiltrated NHL locker rooms to interview players.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey is a Canadian Comedian and actor, born in Newmarket, Ontario. He grew up as a booster for the Maple Leafs in Scarborough, Ontario.

Carrey broke into show business as a stand-up comic in Toronto. Though he did previous television work, his career really exploded when he joined the cast of “In Living Color”. At that time, he released a half-hour comedy special titled “Jim Carrey: Unnatural Act”. The commercials to advertise the special depicted Carrey dressing in full hockey gear, including a Leafs sweater and running into the Ocean.

Carrey truly arrived as a superstar in 1994. He released three films that year “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective”, “The Mask”, and “Dumb and Dumber”. In a very short period, he was transformed into a box-office attraction.

Carrey’s level of fame allowed him to host Saturday Night Live three times, a show he once auditioned for, but didn’t get the part. In his most recent appearance, he referenced growing up in Scarborough and watching the Leafs on television. In case it was too subtle in the skit, Carrey made his passion for Toronto hockey clear when introducing the musical guest. He welcomed Iggy Azalea to perform while wearing a Maple Leafs jersey.

Carrey is not just an award-winning actor, but a controversial figure as well. He was widely criticized for his dangerous stance against vaccinating children. He also currently posts his paintings and drawings on Twitter, which are usually steeped in American politics.

In an interview with Maclean’s magazine, Carrey shared that his dream is to one day sing O’Canada at an NHL game. “I’m waiting for the right moment,” he told the reporter. Carrey continued, “The time the Maple Leafs finally get into the Stanley Cup. That could be it.”

Hopefully, Carrey will be singing at a Toronto Maple Leafs playoffs game this coming season.