Celebrities who play Dota 2: from Hollywood stars to renowned footballers

Dota 2 is more than just a game. It’s an entire universe where millions of people and even celebrities battle it out in the tactical arena. From famous actors to professional athletes, various celebrities have proven that they are no strangers to the world of Dota 2. Find out which stars you didn’t know were part of the community.

Asa Butterfield: From "Sex Education" to Dota 2

The British actor who played Young Merlin in "Merlin," starred as Bruno in "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas," and most recently acted as Otis Milburn on Netflix’s hit series “Sex Education,” has expressed his love for Dota 2.

He has publicly shown support for Team Spirit and once gave their ex mid-laner TORONTOTOKYO a shoutout on Twitter. In 2020, Asa collaborated with Team Liquid, one of the biggest esports organizations, to create chat wheel phrases for Dota 2. He also faced off against their coach William Blitz Lee by playing the game himself, proving he’s not only good at acting but at mid-laning skills.

Alexander Golovin: Football Star

Monaco’s midfielder Alexander Golovin has made a name for himself in Russian football. But that doesn't stop him from playing Dota 2 too. With over 3k hours on record and his peak MMR reaching as high as 6k, it seems like Alexander is not your average casual gamer.

In a recent interview, when asked what he loves doing outside of football, Golovin responded:

I love to play Dota 2.

Chess Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi

Aside from being one of Russia’s top chess grandmasters and winning silver at the World Chess Championship last year, Ian Nepomniachtchi is also well-versed in Dota 2 slang. Back in his semi-pro DotA Allstars days around 2011, he won the ASUS Winter 2011 with his team. Here’s what he had to say about that time back then:

After a major chess event in 2011, I quickly transitioned to the ASUS Winter Dota 2 tournament While we won, I never envisioned a full-time esports career.

Ian has also been known to stream his Dota games on Twitch every now and then alongside his regular chess matches.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach

The world might not know it, but Pia Wurtzbach sure does have a love for Dota 2 despite being crowned Miss Universe back in 2015. While she hasn’t appeared at any esports events as of late, her social media does give away some of her Dota 2 moments. In one Instagram story post from when she used to play regularly, Pia simply shared a screenshot of her match-finding screen. The caption read:

“Time for some late-night Dota”

Eva Elfie: From Adult Films to Dota 2

Russian actress Eva Elfie is best known for her roles in adult films. However, she has made it clear that her passion for the gaming industry lies outside of pornography. She became one of Tundra Esports fans when they were battling their way through The International 2022 using their common sponsor. Eva went beyond watching them play and took initiative by interviewing various members of the team. She also posed with their Aegis trophy after they emerged victorious at the event.

Earlier this year she even suggested a character design idea to Valve for future implementation into Dota 2. Although there was no direct response from the game developer yet regarding her submission, Eva didn't shy away from celebrating Team Spirit’s TI10 win on Twitter and Instagram.

Keanu Reeves: Hollywood Star

Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves is widely recognized for playing Neo in "The Matrix" trilogy and John Wick in the self-titled action franchise.

Despite his reputation as an on-screen fighter, Keanu actually prefers to take things slow when it comes to video games. He is drawn to strategy games like Dota 2, which might be a result of his early struggles with dyslexia.

Many have speculated that the actor’s personal life tragedies — including the loss of his girlfriend Jennifer Syme and stillborn daughter — could have been what ultimately led him to escape into the immersive world of Dota 2, searching for solace within virtual battles.

And as Dendi and other esports personalities have said before:

Sometimes these games aren’t just about having fun with your friends or making money; sometimes they are the only thing keeping you sane.

JJ Lin: Pop Star

The music sensation from Singapore, JJ Lin. Not only a chart-topping singer and actor but a key figure in the Dota 2 esports scene too with his creation of Team SMG. Making some noise in 2021, Team SMG proved their worth at various tournaments and most notably took home gold at OB.Moon Asian Arena. Their journey to the ESL One Berlin Major in 2023 was a difficult one, however, as they were eliminated in 15-16th place.

JJ Lin's involvement with Dota 2 is more than just team management though. His Timekeeper music pack in 2016 and memorable live performance during the Shanghai Major that year have solidified him a spot in game’s history forever.

Big Baby Tape: Russian Musician

Russian rapper Egor "Big Baby Tape" Rakitin is the latest addition to Dota 2's growing list of personalities. Egor has always been a massive fan of MOBAs, particularly Warcraft III; so naturally this game caught his eye as well. He often streams dota on twitch and does collaborations with esports figures like "Cooman" and "Ramzes666.

Playing his first games on stream after The Bucharest Major kicked off earlier this month, Egor shared that Axe and Legion Commander are among his favorite heroes to play. Though he doesn't game daily – because it affects both his sleep schedule and productivity – he said that when he does play, it's all-in. They might even see him sign up for media tournaments soon.

Dota 2 Community: A Melting Pot of Celebrities and Gamers

The Dota community boasts an interesting mix of professional players and celebrity enthusiasts alike. This blend showcases what makes Dota great – its universal appeal draws not only pro players but also people from different walks of life who are passionate about the game. Celebrities like JJ Lin and Big Baby Tape not only help to widen the game's reach, but also contribute content such as music packs and streams to keep fans engaged. Their active participation in tournaments and charity events helps to cultivate a richer and more inclusive community, making Dota 2 more than just a video game – it’s become a global phenomenon.