![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_62975401b2d4a.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6c54de0.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6cc6fb3.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6cef9ea.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053afa610b3a.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053afa527274.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af67e41d3.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6d3a6ea.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af9cda4ac.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af708a560.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6e8cf3c.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6db5745.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6ec5fbd.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af68bab5b.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af73cd55b.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af9990b1d.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af9906c84.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af7397092.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af70a22ec.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af749a6ec.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053afa45eb42.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053afa262311.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_607e70c924164.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af9a000da.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053afa32a8a3.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af6956ec1.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af9e0aaef.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af98cde89.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_6053af691f5ba.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Prince
- The 'Purple Rain' singer not only played a variety of instruments with impressive finesse, he even went so far as to design his own!
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Prince
- In 1994 Prince was given the patent for an instrument referred to as the Purpleaxxe, a crazy sort of guitar-keyboard hybrid.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
Steven Spielberg
- Director Steven Spielberg has been granted a number of patents over the years, including one for a dolly track switch, a device to be used in filmmaking.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Walt Disney
- It will come as little surprise that the world-renowned animator and entrepreneur registered a good number of patents during his lifetime.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Walt Disney
- In 1936, for example, he applied to register the patent for a device that would assist those producing "what are generally known as animated cartoons."
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Michael Jackson
- Back in the '90s the King of Pop, along with two of his costume designers, registered a patent for shoes that give the illusion that the wearer is leaning beyond their center of gravity.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Michael Jackson
- The shoes were invented in the '80s at the same time as the infamous "moonwalk," which MJ used in the music video for his song, 'Smooth Criminal' (1988).
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Jamie Lee Curtis
- Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who is best known for her roles in horror films such as 'Halloween' (1978), applied to register a patent in 1987 for a less than glamorous product.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Jamie Lee Curtis
- The patent was for a diaper that has a pocket for wipes. The actress did not allow anyone to market the product until they had committed to selling biodegradable diapers.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
Marlon Brando
- Between 2002 and 2014 the actor Marlon Brando, who appeared in such films as 'The Godfather' (1972) and 'Last Tango in Paris' (1972), had several patents issued in his name.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
Marlon Brando
- An amateur drummer as well as an actor, each of the patents registered by Brando was for a device that helps musicians to tune drumheads.
© Getty Images
11 / 29 Fotos
George Lucas
- Director and producer George Lucas, who is best known for being the creator of the 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' franchises, has registered a number of patents over the years.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
George Lucas
- All of the patents Lucas registered were designs for toy figures or vehicles based on those that appeared in his films.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Christie Brinkley
- In 1991, model and entrepreneur Christie Brinkley filed a patent application for a toy that helps young children to learn and practice their ABCs.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
Christie Brinkley
- Brinkley is clearly a woman of many talents: in addition to being a world-renowned supermodel and inventor, she also won an award for an album cover she designed for Billy Joel.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
James Cameron
- Director James Cameron, whose films include 'The Terminator' (1984) and 'Avatar' (2009), has been granted a number of patents over the course of his career.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
James Cameron
- His patents are for technologies that help him to develop the special effects for his films. For example, in 1991 he was granted a patent for an apparatus that can propel a person underwater.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
Harry Connick, Jr.
- It wouldn't be an understatement to call Harry Connick, Jr. a 'jack of all trades.' On top of being among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the US, he is also an actor and an inventor.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
Harry Connick, Jr.
- In 2002 Connick, Jr. was granted a patent for a "system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra."
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Steve McQueen
- The actor who was known to many as the "King of Cool" was a motorcycle and race car enthusiast who performed many of his own stunts.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Steve McQueen
- In 1971 the US Patent and Trademark Office granted McQueen a patent for a motorsports bucket seat that he had designed.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
Francis Ford Coppola
- Another owner of a bizarre patent is director Francis Ford Coppola: his invention was a t-shirt that would make it easier for people to have their backs scratched.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
Mark Twain
- The 19th-century writer Mark Twain registered a number of patents during his time, including one for an advancement on the common scrapbook.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
Eddie van Halen
- In 1987 the Van Halen front man was granted a patent for a device that would help to support his guitar while he was bashing out solos.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Andy Warhol
- Artist Andy Warhol, who is often associated with the pop art movement, once registered a patent for an interesting-looking watch that had multiple faces.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
Neil Young
- Musician Neil Young is another avid patent registrant. He has previously registered patents for a number of model train innovations, as well as for audio and visual systems.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Harry Houdini
- In 1921 the legendary Hungarian magician Harry Houdini was awarded the patent for a diving suit that was easier to put on and take off.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Gary Burghoff
- Perhaps surprisingly, in the 1990s Broadway actor Gary Burghoff applied for and was awarded the patent for a device that made fish easier to catch. Sources: (Ranker) (Google Patents)
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Prince
- The 'Purple Rain' singer not only played a variety of instruments with impressive finesse, he even went so far as to design his own!
© Getty Images
1 / 29 Fotos
Prince
- In 1994 Prince was given the patent for an instrument referred to as the Purpleaxxe, a crazy sort of guitar-keyboard hybrid.
© Getty Images
2 / 29 Fotos
Steven Spielberg
- Director Steven Spielberg has been granted a number of patents over the years, including one for a dolly track switch, a device to be used in filmmaking.
© Getty Images
3 / 29 Fotos
Walt Disney
- It will come as little surprise that the world-renowned animator and entrepreneur registered a good number of patents during his lifetime.
© Getty Images
4 / 29 Fotos
Walt Disney
- In 1936, for example, he applied to register the patent for a device that would assist those producing "what are generally known as animated cartoons."
© Getty Images
5 / 29 Fotos
Michael Jackson
- Back in the '90s the King of Pop, along with two of his costume designers, registered a patent for shoes that give the illusion that the wearer is leaning beyond their center of gravity.
© Getty Images
6 / 29 Fotos
Michael Jackson
- The shoes were invented in the '80s at the same time as the infamous "moonwalk," which MJ used in the music video for his song, 'Smooth Criminal' (1988).
© Getty Images
7 / 29 Fotos
Jamie Lee Curtis
- Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who is best known for her roles in horror films such as 'Halloween' (1978), applied to register a patent in 1987 for a less than glamorous product.
© Getty Images
8 / 29 Fotos
Jamie Lee Curtis
- The patent was for a diaper that has a pocket for wipes. The actress did not allow anyone to market the product until they had committed to selling biodegradable diapers.
© Getty Images
9 / 29 Fotos
Marlon Brando
- Between 2002 and 2014 the actor Marlon Brando, who appeared in such films as 'The Godfather' (1972) and 'Last Tango in Paris' (1972), had several patents issued in his name.
© Getty Images
10 / 29 Fotos
Marlon Brando
- An amateur drummer as well as an actor, each of the patents registered by Brando was for a device that helps musicians to tune drumheads.
© Getty Images
11 / 29 Fotos
George Lucas
- Director and producer George Lucas, who is best known for being the creator of the 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' franchises, has registered a number of patents over the years.
© Getty Images
12 / 29 Fotos
George Lucas
- All of the patents Lucas registered were designs for toy figures or vehicles based on those that appeared in his films.
© Getty Images
13 / 29 Fotos
Christie Brinkley
- In 1991, model and entrepreneur Christie Brinkley filed a patent application for a toy that helps young children to learn and practice their ABCs.
© Getty Images
14 / 29 Fotos
Christie Brinkley
- Brinkley is clearly a woman of many talents: in addition to being a world-renowned supermodel and inventor, she also won an award for an album cover she designed for Billy Joel.
© Getty Images
15 / 29 Fotos
James Cameron
- Director James Cameron, whose films include 'The Terminator' (1984) and 'Avatar' (2009), has been granted a number of patents over the course of his career.
© Getty Images
16 / 29 Fotos
James Cameron
- His patents are for technologies that help him to develop the special effects for his films. For example, in 1991 he was granted a patent for an apparatus that can propel a person underwater.
© Getty Images
17 / 29 Fotos
Harry Connick, Jr.
- It wouldn't be an understatement to call Harry Connick, Jr. a 'jack of all trades.' On top of being among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the US, he is also an actor and an inventor.
© Getty Images
18 / 29 Fotos
Harry Connick, Jr.
- In 2002 Connick, Jr. was granted a patent for a "system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra."
© Getty Images
19 / 29 Fotos
Steve McQueen
- The actor who was known to many as the "King of Cool" was a motorcycle and race car enthusiast who performed many of his own stunts.
© Getty Images
20 / 29 Fotos
Steve McQueen
- In 1971 the US Patent and Trademark Office granted McQueen a patent for a motorsports bucket seat that he had designed.
© Getty Images
21 / 29 Fotos
Francis Ford Coppola
- Another owner of a bizarre patent is director Francis Ford Coppola: his invention was a t-shirt that would make it easier for people to have their backs scratched.
© Getty Images
22 / 29 Fotos
Mark Twain
- The 19th-century writer Mark Twain registered a number of patents during his time, including one for an advancement on the common scrapbook.
© Getty Images
23 / 29 Fotos
Eddie van Halen
- In 1987 the Van Halen front man was granted a patent for a device that would help to support his guitar while he was bashing out solos.
© Getty Images
24 / 29 Fotos
Andy Warhol
- Artist Andy Warhol, who is often associated with the pop art movement, once registered a patent for an interesting-looking watch that had multiple faces.
© Getty Images
25 / 29 Fotos
Neil Young
- Musician Neil Young is another avid patent registrant. He has previously registered patents for a number of model train innovations, as well as for audio and visual systems.
© Getty Images
26 / 29 Fotos
Harry Houdini
- In 1921 the legendary Hungarian magician Harry Houdini was awarded the patent for a diving suit that was easier to put on and take off.
© Getty Images
27 / 29 Fotos
Gary Burghoff
- Perhaps surprisingly, in the 1990s Broadway actor Gary Burghoff applied for and was awarded the patent for a device that made fish easier to catch. Sources: (Ranker) (Google Patents)
© Getty Images
28 / 29 Fotos
The inventors among the rich and famous
Celebs who registered patents
© Getty Images
When it comes to celebrities, it is easy to consider them one-trick ponies. Musicians are musicians, actors are actors, writers are writers, and so forth. But lots of our stars have a wide range of talents, and some are even inventors with patented designs.
While some celebs were awarded patents that don't come as much of a surprise, such as James Cameron and his patents for devices that allow him to shoot special effects, others will likely leave you thinking, "What on earth?!"
Check out this gallery to see which celebs have registered patents over the years.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![Celebrities spotted at the 2024 US Open Tennis Championships](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66ded44151b7f.jpg)
![The greatest female wrestlers of all time](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5d7aa902d2.jpg)
![Male celebrities who are considered "ugly hot"](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d84218a10cd.jpg)
![Stars out of water: Celebs who can't swim](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d71bf98327a.jpg)
![All the records broken by Cristiano Ronaldo (so far)](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d0679e052bb.jpg)
![Conspiracy theories: Famous people allegedly killed by the Illuminati](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c6fb5461810.jpg)
![Celebrities who openly spoke about supporting Trump in 2024](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c713706a0f5.jpg)
![These celebs publicly endorse Kamala Harris for president](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c7155636e1d.jpg)
![Famous farewell addresses from US presidents](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c4c5ef9aeed.jpg)
![Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck: a relationship timeline](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c62b35a00dd.jpg)
![The famous children of rock stars](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c5b9838fd5b.jpg)
![These celebrities are often mistaken for each other](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c46c8f46c9f.jpg)
![Beatlemania—60 years on!](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66bcc04954ef9.jpg)
![Was Coco Chanel a spy?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_5c012dae46e7f.jpg)
![Child actors who died too young](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b9d4bd06931.jpg)
![Ridiculously expensive things celebs have bought](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b6491b7f183.jpg)
![The hottest athletes competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b3565373209.jpg)
![Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart's unexpected friendship](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b1cf0ba0eb1.jpg)
![The major celebs spotted at the Paris Olympics (so far)](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b0eff208206.jpg)
![The inventors among the rich and famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_62975401b2d4a.jpg)
![Celeb moms get real about breastfeeding](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_62e8e47eef2e8.jpg)
![Actors who asked to be written out of hit TV shows](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66aa0d6763478.jpg)
![Celebrities accused of being hypocrites](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_62ffa9a0cd616.jpg)
![Celebrity siblings that fame forgot](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6321f72b964e8.jpg)
![Older actors who played teenagers on-screen](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_63c93ccf46d50.jpg)
![These male celebs all dye their hair](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_604b70b533c24.jpg)
![Hollywood stars with their stunt doubles and stand-ins](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66a21ab9668d0.jpg)
![You won't believe these celebrity yearbook photos](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_649982afcf942.jpg)
![Famous Americans who married foreigners](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669e80ab9abdf.jpg)
![These celebrities have had paranormal experiences!](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_5954c6f04201b.jpg)
![Brigitte Bardot: the complicated story of a beauty icon](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_660eb2d811b35.jpg)
![Intoxication station: celebrities under the influence on live TV](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_61164d7f1370e.jpg)
![Celebs who worked for other celebs before they were famous](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_614b0ddb540ae.jpg)
![Who's the sexiest man NOT alive?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_618baea45460a.jpg)
![Surprising celebs who don't have a star on the Walk of Fame](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6078465513445.jpg)
![Latino stars who don't speak Spanish](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6141e0e18fb3f.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week