Table tennis serves as a reliable hobby for famous actors and musicians. In the 1950s, James Dean played the game to stay sharp between filming his movie scenes. He often played in his casual work clothes to keep his energy up. Audrey Hepburn showcased her speed by returning volleys during breaks on her film sets. Elizabeth Taylor participated in the sport even while wearing heavy jewelry and formal dresses. Bette Davis took the game seriously and focused intensely on the path of the ball. Rita Hayworth used ping pong as a way to stay fit and played during her publicity photo shoots.
Musicians used the sport to relax during busy tours or long recording sessions. Bob Marley played the game in his backyard and at various clubs in London. He moved with the same rhythm he used in his music and treated the match like a workout. David Bowie practiced his serve during the mid-1970s while wearing his signature fashion. Ray Davies and John Dalton of The Kinks played matches to pass the time while traveling between concert shows. Michael Jackson enjoyed the fast pace of the game during his private breaks at home. Bob Dylan and Levon Helm engaged in friendly competition while they worked on their albums in the woods of New York.
The game also appeared in unexpected places like film sets and political meetings. Director Stanley Kubrick played a match against James Mason to clear his head during the filming of Lolita. They used a table set up right next to the movie cameras and lighting equipment. Paul Newman and Robert Redford carried their famous friendship to the ping pong table. They competed against each other during the production of their hit movies in the late 1960s. Fidel Castro played the game in Cuba while wearing his full military uniform. Alice Cooper celebrated the holidays by playing a game against a person in a full Santa Claus suit. These celebrities used standard wooden paddles and basic nets.
