21 Famous People You Didn’t Know Were Left-Handed

Being left-handed might not seem like a big deal today, but for centuries, southpaws had to navigate a world that wasn't exactly designed with them in mind. Everything from scissors and school desks to musical instruments and everyday tools traditionally favored right-handed people. In some cultures, using the left hand even carried negative associations, and generations of children were discouraged from writing with it.

Today, researchers estimate that roughly 10% of people are left-handed. There are plenty of theories about why some people favor their left hand, but scientists have yet to identify a single explanation. And while you may have heard that left-handed people are naturally more creative or intelligent, the evidence doesn't support treating either claim as a universal rule.

What we do know is that some of the world's most recognizable entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, and public figures belong to this relatively small group. From Hollywood stars who switch hands for movie roles to legendary musicians who play specially designed instruments, left-handedness occasionally adds an interesting twist to their accomplishments.

Here are 21 famous people you might be surprised to learn are left-handed, including a few whose dominant hand played a fascinating role in their careers.

Few left-handed musicians are as instantly recognizable as Paul McCartney. Born in Liverpool in 1942, the former Beatle helped transform popular music through songs like "Yesterday," "Hey Jude," and "Let It Be." His songwriting partnership with John Lennon became one of the most successful in music history, and his career continued to flourish after the Beatles broke up in 1970.

McCartney's left-handedness is impossible to miss whenever he picks up his famous Höfner violin-shaped bass. Interestingly, he initially struggled to learn guitar because he was trying to play a right-handed instrument. After seeing a photograph of fellow left-handed musician Slim Whitman, he realized he could reverse the instrument's orientation. That discovery helped set him on the path to becoming one of rock music's most influential bass players.

Scarlett Johansson has spent most of her life in front of the camera, but her career has been anything but predictable. Born in New York City in 1984, she began acting as a child before earning widespread acclaim for performances in "Lost in Translation" and "Girl with a Pearl Earring." She later became an international box-office star as Natasha Romanoff, better known as Black Widow, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Although her action roles might not make it obvious, Johansson favors her left hand. She's been photographed signing autographs left-handed at public appearances, including the American Cinematheque Awards. Her ability to move between independent dramas, major blockbusters, and voice performances has made her one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.

Nearly a century after his greatest accomplishments, Babe Ruth remains one of baseball's most recognizable names. Nicknamed the "Sultan of Swat" and the "Great Bambino," Ruth began his major league career as a left-handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox before becoming the legendary home run hitter who helped turn the New York Yankees into a baseball dynasty.

Here's an interesting twist: Ruth threw and batted left-handed, but he actually wrote with his right hand. He explained that distinction in his 1928 autobiography, recalling how newspaper reporters mistakenly assumed he signed contracts left-handed because of the way he played baseball. Ruth's experience is a perfect example of why a person's dominant hand isn't necessarily the same for every activity.

Lady Gaga has made a career out of doing things differently, from her elaborate stage costumes to her constantly evolving musical style. Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta in New York City in 1986, she first captured international attention with dance-pop hits like "Just Dance" and "Poker Face." She later demonstrated her range with jazz recordings, acting performances, and the Academy Award-winning song "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born."

Gaga is also left-handed, although an interesting detail about her appearance is sometimes confused with that fact. For years, she concentrated her tattoos on the left side of her body, reportedly honoring a request from her father to leave the right side relatively untouched. That arrangement wasn't proof of her handedness, but it became another recognizable detail of her distinctive personal style.

Bill Gates helped bring personal computing into homes and offices around the world. Born in Seattle in 1955, he co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975 and helped build it into one of the most influential technology companies in history. After stepping away from Microsoft's daily management, Gates devoted much of his attention to philanthropy, including global health, education, and efforts to combat infectious diseases.

Gates has also spoken publicly about being left-handed. During a discussion of Leonardo da Vinci and other historical figures, he observed that left-handed people might show greater variation in certain abilities, while acknowledging that the reasons remain unexplained. It's an interesting observation, although science doesn't establish that left-handedness itself makes someone more intelligent or successful.

Whether he's dodging bullets in "The Matrix" or taking on an army of enemies in "John Wick," Keanu Reeves has built a remarkable career playing characters who remain cool under pressure. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1964 and raised largely in Toronto, Reeves broke through with "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" in 1989 before becoming one of Hollywood's most bankable action stars.

Despite frequently portraying right-handed characters, Reeves is naturally left-handed. He's been photographed signing autographs with his left hand, even though his characters often handle weapons with their right. There's another interesting detail for music fans: Reeves also plays bass guitar in the rock band Dogstar, and he plays that instrument right-handed. It's a useful reminder that handedness doesn't always dictate how someone performs every task.

Sandy Koufax didn't simply become a great left-handed pitcher. For several seasons during the 1960s, he was arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball. Born in Brooklyn in 1935, Koufax spent his entire major league career with the Dodgers organization, winning three Cy Young Awards, throwing four no-hitters, and helping the team capture three World Series championships.

His extraordinary career came with a painful downside. Severe arthritis in his pitching elbow forced him to retire after the 1966 season, when he was just 30 years old. Six years later, Koufax became the youngest player ever inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, entering at age 36. His left arm may have shortened his career, but it also produced some of the most remarkable pitching performances the sport has ever seen.

Prince William has spent his entire life preparing for a role few people can imagine. Born in 1982 to King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, William is the heir apparent to the British throne. Before taking on his current responsibilities as Prince of Wales, he served in the British military, including flying search-and-rescue helicopters, and later worked as an air ambulance pilot.

William is also a well-known left-hander. He's regularly photographed signing official documents and guest books with his left hand, a detail that occasionally attracts attention during public appearances. He's not the first prominent left-handed figure in British royal history, either. His great-grandfather, King George VI, was also left-handed, although that family connection doesn't establish exactly how William inherited the trait.

Eminem built his reputation around rapid-fire wordplay, provocative lyrics, and an ability to tell deeply personal stories through music. Born Marshall Bruce Mathers III in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1972, he grew up largely in the Detroit area and developed his skills through the city's competitive rap scene. His breakthrough came with "The Slim Shady LP" in 1999, followed by enormously successful albums like "The Marshall Mathers LP" and "The Eminem Show."

One lesser-known detail about the rapper is that he's left-handed. He's even acknowledged it in his music, including the 2015 song "Phenomenal," where he references writing with his left hand and holding the microphone with it. Considering how closely his career is associated with writing intricate lyrics, it's an interesting detail about one of hip-hop's most successful performers.

Mary-Kate Olsen became famous before she was old enough to understand what fame meant. Alongside her twin sister Ashley, she shared the role of Michelle Tanner on the hit sitcom "Full House" beginning in 1987. The sisters went on to build an enormous entertainment and merchandising business through movies, television projects, books, and clothing lines aimed at young audiences.

Today, the Olsen sisters are better known for their fashion careers, particularly the luxury label The Row, which they founded in 2006. But there's another easy-to-miss difference between them: Mary-Kate is left-handed, while Ashley is right-handed. Despite their remarkably similar appearances, the sisters are fraternal twins rather than identical twins. Their different dominant hands offer another small distinction between two people audiences spent years struggling to tell apart.

Standing 6 feet, 10 inches tall, Randy Johnson was an intimidating sight on a baseball mound even before he threw his first pitch. Nicknamed "The Big Unit," the left-handed pitcher spent 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, earning five Cy Young Awards and recording 4,875 strikeouts. He also helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series and entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Johnson's height and powerful left arm made him one of the most feared pitchers of his era, but one of his strangest moments came during spring training in 2001. A fastball he threw struck a bird flying across the field, creating an unforgettable and unfortunate baseball blooper. Although Johnson was among the tallest major leaguers, he wasn't the tallest ever. Pitchers Jon Rauch and Sean Hjelle have both been listed at 6 feet, 11 inches.

Jerry Seinfeld turned everyday annoyances into television history. Born in Brooklyn in 1954, the comedian built a successful stand-up career before joining forces with Larry David to create "Seinfeld," the NBC sitcom that ran from 1989 to 1998. The show's observations about dating, friendships, social etiquette, and seemingly insignificant problems helped make it one of the most influential comedies ever produced.

Seinfeld is also left-handed, and he's even incorporated the subject into his stand-up comedy. One of his routines pokes fun at the negative meanings attached to the word "left," including expressions like "left-handed compliment" and "two left feet." It's exactly the kind of ordinary language quirk that made his observational humor so successful. Interestingly, his "Seinfeld" co-star Jason Alexander is also left-handed.

Gordon Ramsay is known almost as much for his fiery television personality as he is for his cooking. Born in Scotland in 1966, Ramsay initially pursued football before turning his attention to professional kitchens. He trained under celebrated chefs, including Marco Pierre White and Albert Roux, and eventually developed a restaurant business recognized by the Michelin Guide.

His television career brought him an entirely different level of fame through shows like "Hell's Kitchen," "MasterChef," and "Kitchen Nightmares." Ramsay is also frequently included among famous left-handed people, although professional cooking often requires extensive coordination with both hands. Whether he's demonstrating a technique, inspecting a restaurant, or delivering one of his trademark criticisms, Ramsay has become one of the world's most recognizable celebrity chefs. For more culinary destinations, explore Michelin-starred restaurants across the United States.

David Bowie spent more than five decades proving that a musician never had to remain the same person for very long. Born David Robert Jones in London in 1947, he first achieved major recognition with "Space Oddity" in 1969. His transformation into the flamboyant Ziggy Stardust in the early 1970s helped establish him as one of rock music's most imaginative performers. He continued reinventing his sound and image until his death in 2016.

Bowie was naturally left-handed, although audiences watching him play guitar might never have realized it. He learned to play right-handed instruments, reportedly because left-handed guitars were difficult to find when he was starting out. The adjustment became a familiar part of his musicianship, much like the musical transformations that defined his career. His influence extended well beyond rock music into fashion, art, film, and popular culture.

Growing up as the son of comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara, Ben Stiller was introduced to show business early. But he eventually developed a comedic style all his own, building a career as an actor, writer, director, and producer. His film credits include "Meet the Parents," "Zoolander," "Dodgeball," and "Tropic Thunder," while his directing work has also extended into acclaimed television projects.

Stiller is left-handed, a detail that makes one of his best-known characters particularly amusing. In "Zoolander," his dimwitted male model Derek Zoolander famously struggles with turning left on the runway. That joke isn't evidence of a connection to Stiller's own handedness, but it's a funny coincidence for an actor whose comedy often depends on exaggerated physical awkwardness. Stiller has also demonstrated that his talents extend well beyond performing in front of the camera.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg became one of the most recognizable Supreme Court justices in American history. Born in Brooklyn in 1933, she attended Cornell University before studying law at Harvard and Columbia. At a time when women faced significant obstacles in the legal profession, Ginsburg developed a distinguished career challenging laws that discriminated on the basis of sex. Her advocacy helped reshape constitutional arguments about equal protection.

President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to the Supreme Court in 1993, making her the second woman to serve on the nation's highest court. She remained a justice until her death in 2020. Ginsburg was also left-handed, placing her among a relatively small group of prominent southpaws whose accomplishments extended far beyond entertainment and sports. Her lasting legacy, however, rests on her legal scholarship, advocacy, and influential judicial opinions.

Justin Bieber was among the first major pop stars to turn viral internet attention into international superstardom. Born in London, Ontario, in 1994 and raised in Stratford, Bieber began posting videos of himself singing online while still a child. Those performances caught the attention of talent manager Scooter Braun, leading to a recording career that produced hits including "Baby," "Sorry," and "Love Yourself."

Bieber's left-handedness is especially noticeable when he plays guitar. As a youngster, he initially encountered a right-handed instrument but found it more natural to hold it the opposite way. He eventually became comfortable playing left-handed guitars, something fans can spot during his acoustic performances. While his music career has evolved considerably since his teenage debut, that small detail has remained part of his performing style.

Jon Stewart became one of America's most influential political comedians by finding humor in the contradictions and absurdities of the daily news. Born in New York City in 1962, Stewart developed his career through stand-up comedy and television appearances before taking over Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" in 1999. During his 16-year run as host, the program earned widespread acclaim for its sharp political satire and coverage of current events.

Stewart is also left-handed, although most viewers probably never gave much thought to which hand he used while sitting behind his famous desk. After leaving "The Daily Show" in 2015, he returned in February 2024, initially taking on a once-a-week hosting schedule while a rotating team handled other episodes. His combination of comedy, commentary, and media criticism continues to influence the political entertainment landscape.

Mark Zuckerberg helped transform the way people communicate, share photographs, and connect online. Born in White Plains, New York, in 1984, Zuckerberg developed an interest in computers at an early age. While studying at Harvard, he launched Facebook in 2004 with fellow students. The platform rapidly expanded beyond college campuses and eventually became one of the most widely used social networks in the world.

Zuckerberg is also left-handed, putting him in the same relatively small group as fellow technology billionaire Bill Gates. His company changed its corporate name to Meta in 2021 to reflect ambitions extending beyond its original social network, although Facebook itself retained its familiar name. The business now includes major platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp, along with investments in artificial intelligence and immersive technologies.

Hugh Jackman has enjoyed one of Hollywood's most varied careers, moving comfortably between action blockbusters, dramatic performances, and musical theater. Born in Sydney, Australia, in 1968, Jackman studied acting and began building his reputation on stage and television, including an early role in the Australian series "Correlli." International fame arrived when he was cast as Wolverine in the original "X-Men" movie in 2000.

Despite often portraying tough, physically imposing characters, Jackman has another interesting trait that audiences may never notice: he's left-handed. His characters sometimes use their right hands for actions on screen, making his natural preference less obvious. Outside the superhero franchise, Jackman has earned acclaim for performances in "Les Misérables," "The Greatest Showman," and numerous Broadway productions, demonstrating that his talents extend well beyond those famous metal claws.

Jay Leno spent more than two decades becoming one of the most familiar faces on American late-night television. Born in New Rochelle, New York, in 1950, he built his reputation as a hardworking stand-up comedian before succeeding Johnny Carson as host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" in 1992. Apart from a brief interruption, Leno remained in the role until 2014, entertaining millions of viewers with monologues, celebrity interviews, and comedy sketches.

Leno is also left-handed, a trait that rarely became part of his television persona. After leaving late-night television, he devoted much more attention to another lifelong passion: automobiles. His extensive collection of unusual, historic, and high-performance vehicles helped inspire "Jay Leno's Garage," a series that introduced audiences to a different side of the comedian. Whether discussing a classic car or delivering a punchline, Leno has remained a recognizable figure in American entertainment.