We all seem to love Corvettes for any number of reasons. We cherish them, race them, take them to shows, detail and clean them religiously, and sometimes we’re lucky enough to either pass one down or even receive one from another family member.

This love for the Corvette can come from many influences, one of which could be exposure through popular culture. We’re going to take an in-depth look at how Corvettes have and continue to surface in pop culture. We will look into the cars and the folks who own them in everything from movies, to movie stars, musicians, and beyond.

Movie & Television Stars

Tim Allen

Tim Allen is very well known for his “Home Improvement” character of a family man and host of the television show Tool Time. He has also had numerous parts in movies, commercials, and a host of other appearances.

Here is Allen’s Corvette Z06 which was available on eBay. While there isn’t much information available on this car, we happen to think “The Tool Man” has great taste in Vettes and we really like the black paint on black factory wheels.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey’s 1971 Stingray

In 2006, Matthew McConaughey decided to auction off his 1971 Corvette Stingray yet again on eBay Motors. The proceeds from the sale were reportedly going towards Oprah’s Angel Network recovery efforts for the victims of both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. According to McConaughey, “it will help so many people with the necessities in life… [and] I can’t pull my Airstream with it.”

While a ’71 Stingray certainly does not make for a good tow vehicle, it could fetch some decent money. Especially when it was owned by an A-list actor who has driven the car all over Texas after purchasing the Stingray in 1998. The car ended up receiving 72 bids and ultimately fetched $61,600.

Steve Austin

Steve Austin fills McMahon’s C4 with concrete

While this one is sure to make any C4 lovers out there cringe, this example was more of a famous act upon a Corvette committed by the infamous wrestler Steve Austin. Back in 1998, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin drove a concrete truck into the back stage area of an arena where the wrestling federation’s owner Vince McMahon had his white C4 parked, roof removed.

Steve Austin then proceeded to pull the truck up and aim the slide towards the car. With the pull of a lever he began filling Mr. McMahon’s Corvette with wet concrete. As the car began to become completely filled, the side windows burst under pressure. We don’t know what the ultimate fate of the C4 was, but we’d have to assume this car went to the junkyard or the landfill.

The antics of Stone Cold Steve Austin continued to haunt Vince McMahon on a whole new level when Stone Cold drove a cement truck into Long Island’s arena on October 12th of 1998, with one goal in mind: drag Vince McMahon down into misery once again and continue punishing and tormenting him. The solution: by obliterating McMahon’s prized Corvette.

George Clooney

While George Clooney is commonly seen sporting a different car whether it be a sports car, sedan, or SUV, there is one car that he proudly owns and has said he will never part with. He owns a classic red, 1959 C1.

Considering how many “all American roles” Clooney plays, we couldn’t think of a better Vette for his collection. Maybe this just goes to show that many of his roles are true to his own personality.

Jay Leno

Jay Leno’s 2009 ZR1, VIN #001 of production vehicles

Anybody who knows cars, or late night comedy, knows of Jay Leno. While he has one of the more impressive car collections in the world, he still finds room for a Corvette or two. In this case, we are looking at his 2009 ZR1, VIN #001 of production ZR1s.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp’s C1 from the film “The Rum Diary”

It turns out that Mr. Clooney is not the only Hollywood star to own a red C1 Corvette, as Johnny Depp is now the proud owner of one. The picture here is actually a shot from the movie “The Rum Diary,” which Depp starred in alongside the beautiful Amber Heard.

This great car is now sitting in one of Depp’s garages thanks to the producer of the film, Graham King, who presented the car to Depp as a gift for his work during the film. Quite the kind gesture we think, and what a great opportunity to own the car from a film you starred in. We’d say that one is a keeper!

Paul Teutul

This Corvette owner, better known as Paul Senior from the hit Discovery Channel show Orange County Shoppers, owns a sinister looking C6 Z06. The interior appears to have a little custom work done in addition to the black wheels. All together, this very black Z06 is a great looking car and although it did not meet its reserve on eBay. Hopefully Teutul still cares for this Z06 or has passed it on to somebody who will care for it just as well.

Paul Senior has been spotted sporting a grey 2009 ZR1 pictured here. Having owned a Z06, the ZR1 is a great next car for those with means, and thanks to OCC (Orange County Choppers), he certainly does!

According to CorvetteBlogger.com, Teutul also owned a 1960 fuel injected Covette convertible painted in Ermine White and sported the 283 ci V8 with four-speed automatic. This car was marked for a Barrett-Jackson auction along with a custom chopper that was built and styled to resemble the Corvette.

Movie Corvettes

While the movie stars mentioned above can certainly help to bring awareness to the wonder world of Corvettes, the cars featured themselves can often be just as famous and recognized for their starring roles.

Thanks to Edmunds for compiling and ranking the 10 most famous Corvettes starring in tinsel town movies. Hopefully some of theses cars jog your memory of the film, and / or give you a few to make time to watch. Below are the most memorable Corvettes listed, saving the best for last!

10. Con Air – 1997: This 1967 Corvette eventually winds up being dragged behind an airplane with a cable. Ultimately, the Corvette lands in front of a few of the main characters creating quite the scene. Unfortunately, the car is torn up pretty good but does hold the spot for the most torn up Corvette on film.

9. The Spy Who Shagged Me – 1999: This was the second movie in the “Austin Powers” trilogy. Because Powers is working with an American CIA agent (Heather Graham), they had to aptly swap out the E-Type Jaguar (adorned in a British flag) for a 1965 Corvette convertible, painted with an American flag theme, shown here. Quite the ride in the ‘60s and today.

8. XXX – 2002: This motion picture is based around an action sports extremist, known as Xander Cage, which is played by the actor Vin Diesel. Before becoming a spy for the United States Government, “Xander” steals a red C5 convertible from a country club by posing as a valet assistant, all while filming the entire event to post online.

After a police chase in which Xander expresses his feelings towards the C5’s owner, a political figure, he steers the Vette towards a randomly placed ramp parked atop a bridge spanning California’s American River. The car flies off the bridge and begins to nosedive, but not before Xander jumps from the cockpit parachute in tow. The C5 does not make the same soft landing as Mr. Diesel.

7. Fast Five – 2011: Vin Diesel is once again present in this movie, but co-stars alongside the late Paul Walker, a fellow car enthusiast. Fast Five is the 5th film in the lineup that started with “The Fast and The Furious.” The car shown here is actually a Grand Sport replica that was built by Mongoose Motorsports.

These grand sports were built off of C4 Corvette chassis and were powered by Chevrolet 502 ci big blocks, to really put some thunder to the road.

6. Animal House – 1978: This cult classic is mainly about the struggles between members of the Delta House and Omega House fraternities. While there are many interesting aspect to the plot, this 1959 Corvette was owned by Delta House’s Rush Chairman Eric “Otter” Stratton. Quite the ride for a college student in 1962.

5. King of the Mounain – 1981: Set in Southern California is this film about one mans’s car and his obsession for the illegal racing that takes place on Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles.

The starring vehicle is a 1967 coupe that among a number of imperfections, is missing some key parts to this car’s exterior. The Vette makes for one nasty ride throughout the film, but is eventually silenced towards the end of the film.

4. Terms of Endearment – 1983: While this isn’t a movie one would expect to find America’s sports car in, there is an awesome scene where Jack Nicholson’s character takes the character played by Shirley MaxLaine for a rather spirited drive.

Nicholson ends up driving the ’78 Silver Anniversary Edition Corvette down the beach with his feet on the controls, only to end with the car in the ocean. What a shame!

3. Kiss Me Deadly – 1955: Shown throughout the film is a 1954 Vette, being driven throughout Los Angeles in its own time. Due to the year of the film, this was one of the earliest Corvettes to appear on the silver screen.

While filmed in black and white, you can still get a feel of the elegance and beauty of this car. It must have been quite a scene to see the beginning of America’s sports car appear, and for many the first time.

2. Boogie Nights – 1997: Mark Wahlberg appears pretty early on in his movie career here. The movie basically shows his character, working through the pornography industry in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

The car chosen for the character is an orange 1977 Corvette, which basically continues down a path of destruction parallel with its owner.

1. Corvette Summer – 1978: The movie is about a boy in a quest to find a stolen Corvette that has been “decorated” in one unique fashion. Apparently, there is a 1973 sitting beneath the car costume, but as Hollywood often has does, there were more then one car built for the film, so we don’t know for certain.

This film is focused on the Corvette more then any of the others listed, and even uses it in the title. Quite the movie for the Corvette fanatic!

Public Faces

Johnny Carson

Johnny Carson’s 1986 C4

One of America’s favorite late night talk show hosts also owned one of America’s sports car. Unfortunately he passed away in 2005, but Johnny Carson was the proud owner of a white 1986 C4 Corvette, of which he drove to work most days he owned it.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan’s 1993 40th Anniversary Edition ZR1

For the most part, even those who have never dribbled a ball or sat though an NBA game have at least heard the name Michael Jordan. If you’re a basketball fan, and certainly one of the Chicago Bulls, then he means a lot to you.

Luckily for us, Mr. Jordan has also been a member of the Corvette community as the owner of a 1993 40th Anniversary Edition ZR1. While C4s may not have a reputation as a high-horsepower Corvette these days, we need to remember that the C4 ZR1s put out around 450 hp, and because less then 500 were produced, they carried sticker prices of $67,778.

The Game

Rapper “The Game’s” custom C6

A well know star in the rap music community is an artist known as “The Game.” During an interview with TMZ, he disclosed the information that he leased the Corvette a number of years prior and was on an extended tour when the lease expired.

Shortly after returning home, the car was repossessed from his home, but he was apparently cooperative during the process. While his car sported his common signature styling of white, chrome, and red, he must not have been too disappointed, as he told TMZ, “I got SO many whips!”

Bartolo “Buddy” Valastro

You may have read a recent Corvette Online news item about Bartolo “Buddy” Valastro, from the television show “Cake Boss” who recently earned a DUI in the streets of New York City, driving his yellow C7. Hopefully he will get his car out of in-pound and more importantly, has learned from his mistake.

The National Corvette Museum

While the exhibit has since dissolved with the cars returning home to their rightful owners, the NCM (National Corvette Museum) hosted a display of Corvettes owned by famous country music stars. The exhibit also housed some Camaros, but the Corvettes were well represented.

• 1958 Corvette – George Strait
• 1960 Corvette – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
• 1967 Corvette – Roy Orbison
• 1978 Corvette – George Jones
• 1999 Corvette – Brad Paisley

Corvette Diner

The Corvette Diner is a well known restaurant located in San Diego, California. While the restaurant long resided in a downtown area known as “North Park,” the restaurant has more recently moved to a brand new location near the the San Diego Harbor and International Airport, known as “Liberty Station.”

The restaurant is a full 1950’s theme from the decorations and furniture, to the music and wait staff’s outfits. With a lively, fun atmosphere, this is a great place for a fun meal and is regularly frequented for birthday parties and celebrations.

For the Corvette lover, there is always a “classic Corvette” on display near the front entrance, which is rotated out with other cars from time to time. If you ever visit San Diego or are within driving distance, we suggest you give it a try, and even drive your Corvette there!

Hopefully this has helped inform you on some of the Corvettes sitting in the garages of the entertainers of yesterday and today. We certainly love to see these awesome sports cars appear in movies and see the roll they play in them. While we have named a few attractions concerning Corvettes, there are always new ones popping up, so stay on the lookout and feel free to give Covette Online a shout should you know of something we may enjoy!