After winning the Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce didn’t spend his offseason relaxing—he was gearing up for his next challenge: acting in Hollywood. The NFL star, known for his charisma and presence on the football field, decided to dive into the world of television and film.
In a virtual press conference on Monday, Grotesquerie co-creator and director Ryan Murphy revealed that Kelce approached him about breaking into acting shortly after his Super Bowl victory. The meeting between the two occurred during a general conversation about Kelce’s post-football plans, where the star tight end expressed a keen interest in transitioning into acting.
Murphy recalled the meeting fondly: “We were talking about his future and what he wants to do after football season, and I was just giving him some fatherly advice. My motto has always been that a star is a star, no matter the field. If you have that charisma, you’ll bring it to whatever you do.”
According to Murphy, the meeting was “lovely,” but he didn’t anticipate Kelce’s eagerness to jump into acting right away. Murphy mentioned that he would “keep Kelce in mind” for future projects, but the athlete pushed back, expressing a desire to get started immediately. “No, I want to do it now. I have three months and would love to do anything,” Kelce told him, signaling his readiness to take on the challenge without delay.
At the time, Murphy had just begun pre-production on Grotesquerie, a limited series for FX starring Niecy Nash-Betts as a detective unraveling a series of gruesome crimes that hit close to home. Murphy saw an opportunity to cast Kelce in a role tailored specifically for him. He offered the NFL star a part, writing it with Kelce in mind, and Kelce jumped at the chance.
Once Kelce committed, it was full steam ahead. Murphy said, “The thing about Travis is, I directed the first episode he did with Niecy, and we both instantly loved him. We took him by the hand, made sure he knew he wouldn’t fail, and he absolutely delivered.”
Murphy revealed that Kelce didn’t take the role lightly. In preparation for his acting debut, Kelce worked with an acting coach for several months, ensuring he would be ready when it came time to film. His dedication impressed everyone on set.
“He showed up off book, knowing not only his lines but everyone’s lines,” Murphy said. “He was so professional and committed. He kept telling me, ‘I’m real coachable, coach me.’ So I did, and he was a delight to work with. I would love to continue working with him on this and other projects. He’s just as kind and sweet as you’d expect.”
Murphy praised Kelce for his leadership qualities, both on and off the field. “Everything you think about him is true,” he added. “He’s a natural leader and just a great person to have around.”
Grotesquerie is set to premiere on FX on September 25, with a star-studded cast including Courtney B. Vance, Lesley Manville, Micaela Diamond, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, and Raven Goodwin. With Kelce now added to that impressive lineup, anticipation for the series is growing, especially to see how the NFL star fares in his acting debut.
Kelce’s leap into acting is just the latest in a series of ventures outside of football, and if his performance in Grotesquerie is any indication, Hollywood may be seeing more of him in the future.
