Amy Schumer calls herself an introvert – and yet she’s a stand-up comedian and famous actress. Other famous introverts and celebrity loners on this list include Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Harrison Ford – not to mention Steve Martin and Meryl Streep.
Are you an introvert? If you need to be alone to recharge your batteries – to spend “down time” with nobody around, then you’re introverted. You find people and crowds draining, even if they’re your family and friends.
Here’s another quick way to tell: “If there is an emergency, do you tend to stand still and feel somewhat shut down or in slow motion? If you have a standstill reaction to stress more often, then you are probably an introvert,” says psychotherapist Marti Olsen Laney, author ofThe Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World. “In a crisis do you tend to move your body immediately and feel like taking action, maybe without pausing to think? Then you are probably an extrovert if you react with movement.”
This quick “introvert assessment” surprised me. I’m almost 100% introverted (but I’m not a famous introvert or celebrity loner), but I move fast and think quickly during emergencies. So perhaps this isn’t the most accurate way for everyone to determine introverted personality traits – especially if they’ve never encountered an emergency.
Tips and Insights About Introverts
Before the list of famous introverts, here are a few fascinating facts aboutintroverted personality types and traits.
Introverts, famous or not, do not have personality disorders. A reader recentlyasked me if introverted people are emotionally and psychologically unstable. The answer is no! Introverts are just as healthy emotionally as people with extroverted personalities and traits. I’m often surprised at the misperceptions people have about introverts. You’ll see what I mean when you read the comments section of this article.
Here are some of the most common questions I get about introverted personality traits. Towards the end of the article is the list of famous introverts and celebrity loners. And the test for introverted personality traits! Mustn’t forget that.
Is introversion a personality disorder?
No, being introverted is not weird or abnormal. Introverts are normal. Extroverts are normal, too. Neither type is classified as a personality disorder. Being a famous introvert or celebrity loner has nothing to do with being a healthy, well-adjusted person.
However, some activities and lifestyles can be more difficult for people with introverted personality traits.
I’m an introvert and I was a teacher. I taught Grade 8 and high school for three years, and it was the hardest season of my life. Teachers need to be more extroverted than introverted because of the demands of the job. As an almost pure introvert, I found teaching incredibly draining and difficult! Now that I’ve been blogging and freelance writing full-time for over 10 years I know that being introverted is one of the personality traits of successful writers.
There is nothing “wrong” with introverted personality traits, though introverts arecommonly seen as nerds, loners, withdrawn, shy, and unfriendly. Introverts can also be seen as lacking social skills and even abnormal. The problem is that the majority of people are extroverted, so extroverted personality traits seem more normal and socially acceptable than people who are introverted.
Introverts:
- Crave time alone
- Get their energy from being alone
- Consider deep, close relationships as true friendships
- Feel drained after participating in activities, even if they were fun
- Are often good listeners
- Appear calm and self-contained
- Think before speaking or acting
- Don’t enjoy talking on the phone
People with introverted personalities have an inward focus and aren’t usually the “life of the party.” Even the most famous introverts and celebrity loners feel self-conscious around other people. This makes walking into a crowded room a little nerve-wracking and anxiety-provoking.
Also, introverted people often have a hard time being goofy in front of the camera and telling jokes to more than a couple of people at a time. Even famous introverts aren’t naturally comfortable in front of the camera. Introverts are less likely to perform acts of slapstick comedy like “Larry, Curly, and Moe.” Introverted celebrities are often witty and understated, like Woody Allen – who also happens to be neurotic, weird, and eccentric. Woody Allen is one of those famous introverts who also happens to be eccentric.
Introverts process their emotions, thoughts, and observations internally
Introverts can be social people, but they reveal less about themselves than extroverts do. Introverts are more private, less public. They need time to think before responding to a situation, and develop their ideas by reflecting privately. Introverts’ personality traits can be passionate, and sometimes aggressive.
Many introverts prefer working at home alone – writing, painting, computer programming, even doing carpentry and studying music. One of the reasons some famous introverts are so successful is because they enjoy introspection, self-reflection, and long hours of learning lines and studying the characters they’re playing.
Is it possible for an introvert to become an extrovert?
Yes, someone with introverted personality traits can learn how to be more extroverted. Famous introverts and celebrity loners have to become more outgoing and comfortable in group situations because of their work. I wrote Tips for Networking Successfully for Introverts to help writers and other people overcome the shadow side of their personality traits so they succeed at work. Introverts don’t need to become extroverts to succeed at work, but all careers are improved with good relationships with colleagues.
What advantages does an introvert have?
According to Laney, author of The Introvert Advantage, there are several advantages to being an introvert. Introverts:
- Work well with others, especially in one-to-one relationships
- Enjoy maintaining long-term friendships
- Are flexible and independent
- Have a strong ability to concentrate
- Are self-reflective and responsible
- Are often creative types who think out-of-the-box (which is why famous introverts and celebrity loners are successful – they know how to get into their characters’ heads in ways an extrovert can’t)
- Are more likely to exhibit analytical skills that integrate complexity
- Are typically studious and smart
Are you an introvert? Take this free, fast Test for Introverted Personality Traits.
I’m an introvert, and can see these personality traits in my relationships, job, and future plans. I also find that the more I learn about introverted traits and types, the more comfortable I am in my own skin.
Famous Introverts – Actresses
- Candice Bergen, actress, writer, photographer
- Ingrid Bergman, actress
- Ellen Burstyn, actress
- Glenn Close, actress
- Audrey Hepburn, actress
- Helen Hunt, actress
- Diane Keaton, actress
- Grace Kelly, actress
- Jessica Lange, actress
- Laura Linney, actress
- Gwyneth Paltrow, actress
- Michelle Pfeiffer, actress
- Julia Roberts, actress
- Meg Ryan, actress
- Meryl Streep, actress
Famous Introverts – Actors
- Clint Eastwood, actor/director
- Harrison Ford, actor
- Tom Hanks, actor
- Sir Alfred Hitchcock, film director
- Jack Lemmon, late actor
- Bill Macy, actor
- Steve Martin, all around talented guy
- Noah Wiley, actor
What about you – are you mostly introverted or extroverted? If you aren’t sure, read How to Know If You’re an Introvert or an Extrovert.
Other FamousCelebrity Loners
- Johnny Carson, Tonight Show host
- Jane Clayson, host of CBS Morning Show
- Matt Lauer, co-host on the Today Show
- David Letterman, host of the David Letterman Show
- Diane Sawyer, co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America
- Barbara Walters, host of 20/20
Source of the “famous introverts” information: The Introvert Advantage.
The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talkingby Susan Cain is a bestselling book that highlights the strengths of people with introverted personality traits. If you’re an introvert – and you feel weird about your personality – you’ll love this book!
If you know you’re an introvert and you aren’t aiming to be a famous introvert or celebrity loner, readBest Jobs for Introverts and People Who Like to Be Alone.
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FAQs
Are any celebrities introverts? ›
There are many professional actors and performers who are introverts: Emma Watson, Glenn Close, Tom Hanks, and Harrison Ford, just to name a few. Being an introvert in no way hinders one's performance. It's knowing how to take care of yourself, how to give yourself that important alone time. That's the key.
Is Elon Musk an introvert or extrovert? ›Elon Musk is a self-proclaimed introvert entrepreneur. There is a common misconception that only extroverts can succeed in business.
Is Zendaya introvert? ›Despite her fame, Zendaya is a self-professed introvert—"When I was younger, my parents had to go to a seminar about shy kids"—but acting helped pull her out of her shell and became her passion at an early age. "My passion was always in the arts," she says.
Are introverts made or born? ›Introversion isn't totally genetic. It gets influenced by your environment at a young age, and our genes allow a certain amount of flexibility in response. This happens through “set points,” which are the upper and lower limits of how much extroversion your brain can handle.
What are the 4 types of introverts? ›- Social introverts. This is the "classic" type of introvert. ...
- Thinking introverts. People in this group are daydreamers. ...
- Anxious introverts. ...
- Restrained/inhibited introverts.
Another example of a famous introvert is Ed Sheeran.
The article also mentions that he's “unburdened by private grief, with a [talent] for public self-expression.” As an introvert, he's able to capture the attention of his audience by expressing himself through relatable songs.
13. Leonardo DiCaprio. Well, he may seem all cool and awesome, this Titanic superstar is an introvert no matter how extrovert he may look on the camera.
Is Michael Jackson an introvert? ›Michael Jackson
It would be hard to believe that the greatest entertainer of the world of music was introverted off the stage. Michael transformed into an introvert due to the abuse he faced as a child. He used his entertaining persona as a medium to connect with his audience.
The other day I was watching a video on YouTube. It was an interview with the Billionaire, Dan Peña. Not only is he a Billionaire himself, but has trained 25–28 other Billionaires.
Why are introverts so successful? ›Introverts are actually great team leaders, but they are also successful when working independently. Since introverts have often struggled to get their true talents seen and appreciated, they are generally quite respectful of the different working styles and preferences of others. Introverts don't give up easily.
What is Elon Musk's IQ? ›
Elon's IQ is estimated to be around 155, while Albert Einstein's is 160. With such a slight margin, Musk is undoubtedly an incredibly smart person. Who is the smartest person on earth in 2022?
Who in the Bible was an introvert? ›Moses starts out as totally dependent on his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron, and shows very little independent responsibility; a classic introvert.
Who is more intelligent introvert or extrovert? ›There's a lot of evidence out there that shows introverted people are more intelligent on average. For example, a study done by The Gifted Development Center showed that 60 percent of gifted children are introverts. Studies also show that introverts are more verbally intelligent than extroverts.
Can introverts get jobs? ›In the workplace, introverted individuals tend to thrive in jobs that emphasize their skills and strengths. Finding the right job fit can help you feel more fulfilled in your career. Common skills among introverts include: Empathy.
What are the weaknesses of an introvert? ›The weaknesses of people LOW in Extroversion (Introverts)
They struggle in social events and can struggle working in groups with people they do not like. Once they have an idea in their head, they can be difficult to compromise with. They are often perceived as unfriendly and elitist.
Independence. Unique and fiercely independent, introverts are more inclined to let their own inner resources guide them than follow the crowd. We do our best work — and are our happiest — when we have the freedom to explore ideas, spend time alone, and be self-directed and independent.
How rare is being an introvert? ›While introverts make up an estimated 25% to 40% of the population, there are still many misconceptions about this personality type. It is also important to note that being an introvert does not mean that you are socially anxious or shy.
What are introverts good at? ›Introverts are usually better listeners.
The “quiet ones” really do tend to listen and consider the ideas and feelings of others. In conversation, they may take mental notes and focus intently on what the other person is trying to express — as opposed to simply waiting for their chance to speak.
Introverts tend to enjoy practicing and honing abilities at various activities, such as painting, website coding, woodworking, or a million other tasks. They enjoy relying on hobbies in which it is just them and the medium they are working with, unlike extroverts, for whom the medium is other people.
Do introverts like rain? ›Introverts like the rain.
Its calming effect also helps introverts derive pleasure from it as they can turn inwards and escape within themselves for the time being. Rain helps lower expectations for the day and isn't as overstimulating as other weather days with the overbearing sun.
Are most actors introverts? ›
Most of the set-up for acting is highly introverted, in the respect that it deals with a lot of independent thinking and deep intra-personal reflection. And once all of this business is brought to the stage, extroversion alone still isn't enough to succeed.
Can an introvert become a celebrity? ›In fact, there are many famous individuals throughout history (and even some of the biggest stars today) who are shy, quiet and prefer to live their lives out of the spotlight. Keep reading for 13 famous introverts, from Nelson Mandela to Meryl Streep.
How do introverts show their love? ›They Want You To Be A Bigger Part Of Their Everyday Life
An introvert loves you when they want you to be at their house hanging out, doing nothing but talking and ordering dinner on a Friday night, not when they want to take you out to parties and on fancy dates and change their online relationship status.
Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Jim Carrey, Danny Aiello, Melissa Rauch, Jim Parsons, Chris Pine, Tom Hanks, and Al Pacino are all known to have endured painful shyness during their childhoods. In fact, Pacino insists, “My first language was shy.
Are musicians introverted? ›Believe it or not but an awful lot of singers are introverts. It is extremely common for creative people, including musicians, artists and writers to have an introverted/shy side, this is mainly because they are very good at observation and connect to their environment on an emotional level.
Are introverts mysterious? ›They are mysterious.
People want to know what they are thinking, but will never know all of it. This makes introverts incredibly fascinating and intimidating at the same time. It is no wonder that they are so extremely misunderstood by the more outgoing and vocal people in our society.
He was a shy person in his day-to-day life
Contrary to his bombastic stage presence, Mercury came off as quite the introvert for much of his career in the public eye.
From watching his electrifying performances onstage, most people would never guess that Michael Jackson was a deeply shy and sensitive person.
Are most actors introverts? ›Most of the set-up for acting is highly introverted, in the respect that it deals with a lot of independent thinking and deep intra-personal reflection. And once all of this business is brought to the stage, extroversion alone still isn't enough to succeed.
Who in the Bible was an introvert? ›Moses starts out as totally dependent on his sister Miriam and his brother Aaron, and shows very little independent responsibility; a classic introvert.
Why successful people are introvert? ›
They're Observant
Not only do introverts make great listeners, they're mindful of their environment and the things happening around them. Because they're observant, they're able to notice both the mistakes and successes of others and pick up on what to do and what to avoid in order to be successful.
Introverts are actually great team leaders, but they are also successful when working independently. Since introverts have often struggled to get their true talents seen and appreciated, they are generally quite respectful of the different working styles and preferences of others. Introverts don't give up easily.
Who is more intelligent introvert or extrovert? ›There's a lot of evidence out there that shows introverted people are more intelligent on average. For example, a study done by The Gifted Development Center showed that 60 percent of gifted children are introverts. Studies also show that introverts are more verbally intelligent than extroverts.
Is Michael Jackson an introvert? ›Michael Jackson
It would be hard to believe that the greatest entertainer of the world of music was introverted off the stage. Michael transformed into an introvert due to the abuse he faced as a child. He used his entertaining persona as a medium to connect with his audience.
In fact, more than 75 percent of people with an IQ above 160 are introverted.
What does God say about loners? ›Proverbs 18:1 – A man who isolates himself seeks his own desires; he rages against all wise judgment. Some people live alone because friends and families have abandoned them.
Can introverts be Christians? ›In fact, most of the great writing theologians of church history were introverts. Christian introverts tend to be better at the meditative and reflective parts of the Christian life. The Lord Jesus modeled the importance of finding a quiet place to pray (Mk 1:35).
Are introverts more religious? ›This means that the negative relationship between extraversion and religiosity is consistent for both sexes throughout the age range 11 17yr. introverts arc consistently more religious th;in extraverts over a wider age range.
Why introverts are so attractive? ›They are observant and great listeners.
On the contrary, introverts have attractive qualities because they're active listeners. They speak less and listen more, which gets people interested in them. What makes introverts attractive is their ability to observe beyond the words people speak.
INTP stands for Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving, and this personality type is the most introverted of the Introvert Club. An INTP lives inside their head. The space between each ear is a complex network of intuitive wiring, allowing them to be great purveyors of knowledge.
What are the weaknesses of an introvert? ›
The weaknesses of people LOW in Extroversion (Introverts)
They struggle in social events and can struggle working in groups with people they do not like. Once they have an idea in their head, they can be difficult to compromise with. They are often perceived as unfriendly and elitist.
Extroverts may live longer than introverts – but not during a pandemic. A US study showed that extroverts had a slightly higher mortality rate than introverts during the first Covid-19 wave in the US. It remains to be seen whether this pattern continued into 2021 and 2022.
How many billionaires are introverts? ›The other day I was watching a video on YouTube. It was an interview with the Billionaire, Dan Peña. Not only is he a Billionaire himself, but has trained 25–28 other Billionaires.