Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has made headlines for his decision to return for at least one more NFL season, hoping to finish what the Chiefs couldn’t after their Super Bowl loss. However, some believe his hesitation to return wasn’t just about football—it may have been influenced by the exciting opportunities awaiting him in Hollywood.
Kelce has long been one of the NFL’s most charismatic personalities, but his global fame skyrocketed when he began dating Taylor Swift. Since then, he has landed major endorsement deals, television appearances, and even acting roles, positioning himself as a rising star outside of football.
Now, one Hollywood icon believes Kelce may have a real future in acting—and he’s not just another athlete trying to make it in entertainment.
Henry Winkler Praises Kelce’s Natural Acting Talent
Legendary actor Henry Winkler, best known for playing “The Fonz” in Happy Days, recently spoke with TMZ and gave glowing praise for Kelce’s acting abilities, particularly after his debut in the FX horror series Grotesquerie.
“My son directed Mr. Kelce, Trav, and said he was a wonderful actor,” Winkler revealed. “I saw the show. He was great.”
Kelce’s role in Grotesquerie marked his formal acting debut, and it just so happened to be under the direction of Winkler’s son, Max Winkler. According to the elder Winkler, Kelce’s performance stood out—not just as an athlete dabbling in acting, but as a natural talent.
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Winkler Has Been a Longtime Fan of Kelce
This wasn’t the first time Winkler had spoken highly of the Chiefs superstar. Back in September, during an appearance on Sirius XM’s The Spotlight with Jessica Shaw, Winkler raved about Kelce and even sent him a personal video message.
“I got an autographed picture and I made him a video,” Winkler recalled. “I said, ‘Max, I want to tell him how great he is.’”
The actor admitted that he initially thought of Kelce only as a football player, but his impression changed dramatically after watching him perform.
“You really think he’s just a football player, but he’s really good. He’s a natural,” Winkler said. “And he talked to me about it on his podcast with his brother.”
Co-Star Niecy Nash-Betts Also Praises Kelce’s Work Ethic
Kelce’s performance in Grotesquerie also earned the respect of his co-star, Niecy Nash-Betts, who had nothing but positive things to say about the NFL star’s professionalism and willingness to learn.
“Travis was very open. He was very open on if there was a note given or a suggestion given. So amenable,” Nash-Betts said. “‘Tell me what I don’t know. Tell me what your thought is on this.’”
She also commended his humility and eagerness to improve, noting that Kelce didn’t come in with a know-it-all attitude but rather a genuine desire to grow as an actor.
“I love that he didn’t come in trying to act like, ‘I know everything and I know it all,’” she added.
Kelce’s Acting Future: A New Career Path After Football?
Kelce has been actively expanding his off-field brand, starring in commercials and making numerous TV appearances, including hosting Saturday Night Live. His combination of natural charisma, comedic timing, and coachability suggests that Hollywood could be a serious career option once his playing days are over.
With NFL stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Terry Crews successfully transitioning into acting, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Kelce follow a similar path.
For now, however, football remains his priority. But with his growing Hollywood connections, acting experience, and public demand, it seems inevitable that Kelce will return to the screen in a major way once he decides to hang up his cleats.