Famous People Who Play Sudoku: 7 Celebrity Sudoku Fans You Might Not Expect

Think Sudoku is just a quiet hobby for math geeks or your puzzle-loving grandma? Think again! In fact, some of the brightest stars and most powerful public figures love online Sudoku and take this brain-training puzzle very seriously. Even former UK Prime Minister Theresa May has been called a “Sudoku addict” in the midst of Brexit negotiations. And she’s not alone – from Hollywood actors to British royalty, many famous people play Sudoku regularly to unwind and keep their minds sharp.

Below, we highlight several celebrity Sudoku fans (across entertainment, politics, sports and more) who are passionate about those 9×9 grids.

Celebrity Sudoku Fans: Meet 7 Puzzle-Obsessed Personalities

Neil Patrick Harris – “Addicted” to Sudoku

Actor Neil Patrick Harris isn’t just a quick-witted performer; he’s also an avid Sudoku solver. The How I Met Your Mother star once admitted that he has “an addiction to Sudoku.” Known for his sharp intellect and love of magic tricks, Harris reportedly enjoys the logical challenge of puzzles during downtime on set. His knack for problem-solving and focus under pressure – qualities honed by brain games like Sudoku – may be part of what makes him such a versatile entertainer.

Joan Rivers – Keeping Sharp at 81 with Sudoku

Legendary comedian Joan Rivers kept audiences laughing for decades, and she kept her mind sharp with Sudoku. In interviews later in her life, she talked openly about how playing Sudoku helped maintain her cognitive strength. She became known as a regular Sudoku player, crediting the game with keeping her brain “on its toes” and her wit razor-sharp as ever. Rivers proved that puzzle games aren’t just trivial pastimes – they can be serious mental exercise (with a side of fun) at any age.

Johnny Depp – Unwinds with Sudoku

Even Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp enjoys kicking back with a Sudoku puzzle. The Pirates of the Caribbean star has mentioned that he plays Sudoku to relax and unwind off-screen. Amid the chaos of film sets and red carpets, Depp finds solace in the focused logic of filling in number grids. It’s a surprisingly down-to-earth hobby for such an eccentric actor – picture Captain Jack Sparrow quietly solving a puzzle between takes! Johnny Depp’s Sudoku habit goes to show that even A-list actors like a little brain-teasing R&R.

Sarah Jessica Parker – Sudoku and the City

Known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker is also reportedly a Sudoku enthusiast. She enjoys solving Sudoku puzzles in her spare time as a way to unwind. It’s easy to imagine SJP on a calm evening, trading designer heels for a comfy chair and a Sudoku book. This fashion icon and producer finds the simple pleasure of a puzzle to be a great escape from a hectic schedule. Call it “Sudoku and the City” – instead of Cosmos and gossip, her off-duty indulgence might just be a quiet hour with a pencil and a puzzle.

Simon Cowell – Puzzling Between Talent Shows

Television’s toughest talent judge has a soft spot for Sudoku. Simon Cowell, the famously blunt American Idol and X-Factor judge, enjoys playing Sudoku to pass the time and keep his mind sharp. Between critiquing singers and producing TV hits, Cowell often reaches for number puzzles as a form of relaxation. The music executive has a well-known competitive streak, so it’s no surprise he’d take on the challenge of a fiendish Sudoku. Who knew that behind that sarcastic smirk, there lies a serious puzzle fan?

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall – A Royal Sudoku Habit

It turns out Sudoku is royally approved. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (now Queen Consort of the UK) is an avid Sudoku player. The wife of King Charles III has been known to tackle the daily Sudoku puzzle, showing that this number game’s appeal crosses all social strata. Camilla reportedly enjoys the challenge as a way to keep her mind active. After all, between formal engagements and public duties, what better way to relax than with a quiet brain-teaser? It’s fun to imagine a royal tea setting with one very focused Duchess penciling in numbers.

Theresa May – Number Crunching at Downing Street

Former British Prime Minister Theresa May might be the most high-profile Sudoku fan in politics. During the stressful Brexit years, aides revealed that May would steadfastly plough through Sudoku puzzles on every foreign trip. She became somewhat famous for her intense Sudoku habit, using the puzzles to disconnect from political chaos and recharge her mental batteries. Described as “bloody good” and “very, very fast” at solving them, May treated Sudoku like a mental gym: one problem at a time, methodically solved – much like her approach to governing.

Sudoku and Brain Training: Why Smart People Love It

Why are so many intelligent, high-performing people drawn to Sudoku? Simply put, Sudoku is excellent brain training. This number puzzle demands logic, concentration, and patience – a mental workout that keeps the mind agile. Research has found that brain games like Sudoku can improve mental acuity and memory. For celebrities and public figures who thrive on sharp thinking, that cognitive boost is a huge draw.

Many of the stars above cite Sudoku as a way to stay mentally fit. It helps improve concentration by forcing you to focus intensely (Theresa May, for example, said it helps her cut off from stress and hone her methodical thinking). Sudoku also offers relaxation through engagement – it’s absorbing enough to distract from worries but low-key enough to be calming. In short, Sudoku hits the sweet spot: it’s fun and good for your brain.

Sudoku Showdown: A Lighthearted Quiz

Think you might be as Sudoku-obsessed as these famous folks? Answer the questions below to find out:

1. Could you beat puzzle guru Will Shortz in a Sudoku puzzle-off?
2. Do you travel with a Sudoku book or app in your bag, just in case?
3. Have you ever hidden a Sudoku in a meeting or between work tasks?
4. Is Sudoku your go-to stress buster?
5. Do you call yourself a “Sudoku addict” (affectionately, of course)?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, congratulations – you might just be a Sudoku superstar in the making. You’re certainly in good company with these celebrity Sudoku fans!

Ready to Test Your Sudoku Skills?

By now, you’re probably itching to fill in some blanks yourself. Why not channel that inspiration and go to test your Sudoku skills online? Jump into a fresh puzzle and see how you stack up against these Sudoku-loving stars. Whether you’re aiming to train your brain, blow off steam, or just have a little fun, Sudoku is the perfect game to challenge yourself.

So grab a pencil (or open your favorite Sudoku app), give it a go, and who knows – with enough practice, you might even beat your personal best faster than a celebrity can finish their morning coffee. Happy puzzling!