20 vegan celebrities prove plant-based eating is the future

From Joaquin Phoenix to Billie Eilish, Hollywood’s biggest names are making plant-based eating the new normal. Plus, one Harry Potter star shares a favorite recipe! 

Hollywood’s biggest names aren’t just making headlines for films and music—they’re also using their platforms to protect their health, animals, and the environment. 

Whether it’s launching vegan restaurants, exposing factory farming, or simply sharing their favorite meals, these A-listers are proving that plant-based is the future:

Joaquin Phoenix

The Oscar-winning actor (Joker, Gladiator, Walk the Line) is one of Hollywood’s most outspoken animal advocates. He often uses his platform to raise awareness about factory farming and even narrated Earthlings–a powerful documentary about animal exploitation. 

We are all animals of this planet. We are all creatures. And nonhuman animals experience pain sensations just like we do. They too are strong, intelligent, industrious, mobile, and evolutional. – Joaquin Phoenix

Billie Eilish

The Grammy-winning artist (Bad Guy, Ocean Eyes, When the Party’s Over) has been vegan since childhood, crediting her love for animals as the main reason. Passionate about food sustainability, she has invested in a plant-based L.A. restaurant called “Argento.” 

…[W]hy would you eat an animal if you could just eat some chips? – Billie Eilish

Richa Moorjani

Star of Never Have I Ever, Richa Moorjani teamed up with Animal Equality to expose the cruelty of the global dairy industry. In a viral video, she narrates undercover footage from farms and slaughterhouses in India—calling on fans to ditch dairy and try something kinder.

By eliminating dairy from your diet as much as possible and switching to plant-based alternatives, you’re helping to end the unimaginable and unsustainable practices behind the dairy and meat industries. – Richa Moorjani

Ariana Grande

The Positions singer has been fully plant-based since 2013. A devoted animal advocate, she has spoken publicly about the benefits of vegan eating and even founded an L.A. animal rescue called Orange Twins Rescue.

Lenny Kravitz

This rock legend and four-time Grammy winner swears by a plant-based routine to stay fit, focused, and stage-ready. He’s shared how his choices fuel his energy and help him feel his best–even while touring.

This journey is one of the most incredible I’ve ever taken. – Lenny Kravitz

Rooney Mara

Known for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Mara once accompanied Animal Equality during a factory farming investigation. She co-founded Hiraeth–a vegan fashion brand that promotes cruelty-free clothing–and often participates in campaigns and documentaries to expose factory farming. 

Kate Mara

House of Cards actress and sister of Rooney Mara, Kate has been vocal about her love for plant-based eating. In an interview with Animal Equality, she recommended Earth Balance cheese puffs and Miyoko’s dairy-free cheese.

Tony Kanal

Renowned bassist of No Doubt and DREAMCAR, Kanal collaborated with Animal Equality to narrate “Through the Eyes of a Pig,” the inaugural film in the iAnimal series. This virtual reality experience puts viewers inside the hidden world of factory farms and slaughterhouses—through the eyes of the animals themselves.

I wasn’t born vegan, but I definitely will die vegan. – Tony Kanal

Ricky Gervais

The Office (UK) creator and comedian is a fierce animal advocate, using his platform to condemn factory farming and other forms of cruelty. Pasta with vegan meatballs is a hearty favorite he swears by.

Animals don’t have a voice. But I do. A loud one. I’m a f*cking big mouth. My voice is for them. And I’ll never shut up while they suffer. – Ricky Gervais

Thandiwe Newton

Known for her roles in Westworld and Crash, Newton has long used her voice to speak up for animals. She joined Animal Equality’s campaign to ban foie gras imports in the UK, calling attention to the force-feeding of ducks and geese. Newton also promotes plant-based eating as a powerful way to protect the planet and improve public health.

Mayim Bialik

The Big Bang Theory actress and neuroscientist has been plant-based for over a decade, driven by both ethics and health. She’s the author of Mayim’s Vegan Table, a cookbook featuring over 100 recipes. 

RZA – This Wu-Tang Clan legend has been a plant-based eater for decades, often speaking about the link between food choices, nonviolence, and respect for all feeling beings. He’s also backed initiatives to expand access to plant-based cuisine in Black communities, promoting health, compassion, and empowerment through food.

Nothing has to suffer for me to live. – RZA

Pamela Anderson

As a plant-based eater and longtime animal advocate, Anderson has supported countless campaigns against animal cruelty–including efforts to ban foie gras. 

What people need to understand is, if they are eating animals, they are promoting cruelty to animals. – Pamela Anderson

Jessica Chastain

The Zero Dark Thirty and Interstellar actress credits plant-based eating with revitalizing her health. Initially struggling with low energy, she reported feeling stronger and more energized after making the switch. 

Tobey Maguire

The Spider-Man actor went vegetarian in 1992—well before it was mainstream—and became fully vegan in 2009. While filming Brothers, he brought a personal vegan chef to set, whose cooking helped inspire Natalie Portman’s plant-based journey.

Mýa – Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actress, Mýa is a proud vegan and longtime animal advocate. She regularly shares plant-based recipes and wellness tips with her fans, proving that compassion and creativity go hand in hand. 

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I went vegan, but so many things changed… I felt better. I was doing better mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I was healing myself from the inside out. – Mýa

Natalie Portman

The Black Swan actress embraced plant-based eating after being introduced to it by Tobey Maguire on the Brothers set. She later produced Eating Animals and remains a vocal advocate for its ethical and environmental impact.

Three times a day, I remind myself that I value life and do not want to cause pain to or kill other living beings. That is why I eat the way I do. – Natalie Portman

Prince – A proud plant-based eater and animal advocate, Prince ditched meat, dairy, eggs, wool, leather, and anything that caused harm. Though he passed away in 2016, his legacy lives on—not just through his music, but through his kindness toward animals.

We’re all members of the animal kingdom. Leave your brothers and sisters in the sea. – Prince

Ludi Lin – This Power Rangers and Mortal Kombat star is all about powering up with plants. He’s spoken out about the ethical and environmental perks of going vegan, saying it’s better for the planet—and just feels right.

I love animals and they love me right back. – Ludi Lin

Evanna Lynch

Best known as Luna Lovegood in Harry Potter, Lynch has been a passionate advocate for ethical eating for years. She even teamed up with Animal Equality to film a virtual reality exposé on factory farming.

What’s for dinner?

Plant-based eating is all about flavor and satisfaction. When it comes to comfort food, celebrities are proving that plants do it best.

In an interview with Love Veg, Evanna Lynch shared a favorite dish: Kale & Ricotta Pasta Salad. With fresh greens, creamy dairy-free ricotta, and hearty pasta, it’s the perfect mix of indulgence and nourishment.

Courtesy of Lighter.