From NFL glory to indie films and docs, Travis Kelce’s Hollywood hustle redefines “side gig.”
Why Is Travis Kelce Trading Touchdowns for the Spotlight?
Fresh off a Super Bowl loss, Travis Kelce is scoring big in Hollywood as an executive producer for My Dead Friend Zoe.
Producer Paul Scanlan (Legion M) gushes to PEOPLE that Kelce’s “Midwestern charm” and knack for spotlighting “purposeful projects” have turbocharged this indie film’s reach.
“He’s made a huge difference—helping us bat above our weight,” Scanlan says, praising Kelce’s dual talents in front of and behind the camera.
With his TV debut in Grotesquerie and a Basquiat doc in the works, Kelce’s pivot feels less like a side hustle and more like a full-on reinvention.
How Did Kelce Earn Rave Reviews from Hollywood Insiders?
Niecy Nash-Betts, his Grotesquerie costar, spills that Kelce ditched the “football ego” on set.
“He’d say, ‘Tell me what I don’t know,’” she laughs, calling him “amenable” and “charming.”
Scanlan doubles down: Kelce’s “giving” nature and hustle helped amplify Zoe’s mission to highlight veterans’ struggles through Sonequa Martin-Green and Natalie Morales’ powerhouse roles.
“It’s about resilience and women in the military,” Kelce emphasizes—proving he’s curating stories that punch harder than a goal-line stand.
What Makes My Dead Friend Zoe More Than Just a Film?
For Kelce, this isn’t just a movie—it’s a megaphone. The PTSD-themed drama tackles veterans’ mental health with “authenticity,” aiming to “inspire and impact.”
By backing projects that blend grit with purpose, Kelce’s carving a niche far from Arrowhead Stadium’s roar.
Zoe’s director calls him a “secret weapon” for indie cred: “Travis doesn’t just open doors—he kicks them down.”
Is Kelce’s Hollywood Rise a Fluke or the Real Deal?
With a Ryan Murphy collab, a game show gig, and a buzzy Basquiat doc, Kelce’s portfolio reads like a seasoned mogul’s. Scanlan insists it’s no accident: “He’s good at this.”
From memorizing scripts to schmoozing investors, Kelce’s treating Tinseltown like a playbook—studying, adapting, and, yes, winning.
“I want stories that matter,” he told PEOPLE. Translation: Retirement plans? Not anytime soon.
Quick Facts: Travis Kelce’s Hollywood Playbook
- 🎬 Exec-produced My Dead Friend Zoe, tackling veterans’ PTSD.
- 🎬 Earned praise for “charming” acting chops in Grotesquerie.
- 🎬 Launching a Jean-Michel Basquiat documentary in 2024.
- 🎬 “Midwestern likability” boosts indie projects’ visibility.
- 🎬 Aims to back “meaningful” stories post-NFL career.