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Who wouldn’t want to be friends with Guy Fieri? The man’s culinary empire extends to television, print, and brick-and-mortar restaurants. He’s always ready to help people in need. And his all-around lifestyle ethos is nothing if not fun (or totally out of bounds). All this being the case, it’s no surprise that many celebrities want to pal around with the Mayor of Flavortown. But, are these actors, musicians, and athletes Guy’s celebrity friends... or should they consider him to be their celebrity friend?
On this, the fourth afternoon of the 12 Days of Guy Fieri, it’s time to look back on all the friendships with famous people the Triple D star has fostered over the years.
A breakdown of Guy’s celebrity BFFs
As a resident of Santa Rosa, California, Guy is a devotee of Bay Area sports — particularly the National Football League’s Oakland Raiders and National Basketball Association’s Golden State Warriors. And as a food and culture household name, he can get pretty good seats at Raiders and Warriors games. Guy’s Instagram account is a treasure trove of pics snapped with famous friends near the sporting action. Here is the Spiky One handing hard with a couple of musicians who only need one name: Sting and Shaggy.
When NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal — also better known as a one-namer: Shaq — was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Guy was able to offer his congratulations in the form of a photo showing off the two icons spending some time together. Guy has also taught Jon Gruden, former Monday Night Football commentator and current Raiders head coach, how to properly eat a messy sandwich with a technique known as “the hunch.”
As that photo with Sting and Shaggy suggests, Guy’s musical appreciation spans the spectrum. He loves some throwback rock and roll, so spending a birthday with former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar and copping a pic with Joan Jett of “and the Blackhearts” fame had to be two experiences of a lifetime. Guy can get down to hip-hop, both new and old. He and Action Bronson, the rapper and fellow food obsessive, claim to be “FRIENDS FOREVVVVVVEEERRRRRR.” As for Bronsoliño’s elders in the community, Guy has filmed with Run DMC co-founder Rev Run, and he’s buds with one of the best ever, the D-O-Double-G.
Of course, Guy’s biggest bestie in the music biz is probably Canadian rapper Drake. Back in 2012, Guy gave Drizzy a cooking lesson. Three years later, the latter gave a shout to the former on the song “6 Man”: “Fieri, I’m in the kitchen, I’m a magician.” Guy was so moved, he told First We Feast, “I’m still getting a big grin out of that one. Drake’s an awesome guy. I love his music and energy.” And he revealed Drake’s line was no false bravado: “Because the guy has got skills in the kitchen, he really does. He has an appreciation for great food.”
Remember the McConaissance, that period in the early teens when actor Matthew McConaughey had a career revival and was showing up in seemingly every great television show and movie? Some might point to True Detective as the launchpad for McConaughey’s success, but an appearance on camera with Guy was more likely the catalyst.
Remember, though, Guy’s brand rises above all of his celebrity friends. In 2015, Chrissy Teigen, a multi-faceted celeb herself, dressed up as the creator of Donkey Sauce for Halloween. When one has become the inspiration for a Halloween costume, they have truly reached the pinnacle of fame.
