Well, it’s official. Healthcare is now cool enough to attract the attention and capital of the world's biggest celebrities. This rising trend, where the glitterati invest their resources into digital health startups, is both intriguing and indicative of the shift we are witnessing in the healthcare sector.

Combining their influence, wealth, and penchant for cool new things, these celebs are playing a pivotal role in reshaping (mostly direct-to-consumer) healthcare. Or are they?

In this article, I’ll share a list of celebrities who have made their mark not just on the red carpet, but on the cap tables of (at least three) healthcare startups.

Will Smith

*Bright Japan Premiere Screening, 2017. Source:* *Wikimedia Commons*.

Will Smith, the internationally celebrated actor and musician known for his charismatic presence and creative versatility, has quietly become one of the most prolific healthcare investors. Through his fund, Dreamers.VC, he has backed an array of companies in our industry. His investments include Tonal, a leader in intelligent fitness systems; Devoted Health, focusing on tech-driven healthcare plans; Neuralink, Elon Musk's neurotechnology company; Oura, makers of the wellness and sleep tracking ring; Beam Therapeutics, precision genetic medicines; Genome Medical, a telegenomics technology and services company; The Well, an ecosystem for wellness; Nurx, D2C prescriptions; EnterMedicare, support for patients transitioning to Medicare, and BioBeats, an AI-driven platform for mental well-being. His investment thesis? To “partner with innovative companies that imagine more efficient and inclusive futures”.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams, the tennis legend known for her relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, both on and off the court, has channelled this mindset into impactful investments in the healthcare and wellness space. Through angel investing and her fund, Serena Ventures, she has backed at least 12 healthcare companies. These include Noom, the weight loss platform; Juno Medical, a new approach to primary care; Mahmee, a digital platform for personalized maternal health; Tonal, a leader in intelligent fitness systems, Teal Health, focusing on technology-driven care solutions; Hued, which seeks to connect patients with healthcare professionals of color; Lola, women’s health products; Lifeforce, a personalized healthcare platform based on a telehealth model; Every Mother, core and pelvic floor care; Virtue Health, digital therapeutics for healthy aging; Wile, supplements for menopause; and Ours, which offers virtual couples therapy. Her investment thesis? She seems to be excited about consumer-facing software and CPG products, especially solutions for women.

Richard Branson

Richard Branson, the charismatic entrepreneur and founder of Virgin Group, has long been known for his adventurous spirit and innovative mindset. Branson has backed a number of healthcare companies, including 23andMe, the personalized genetics testing company; Big Picture Medical, a cloud platform for specialist medical services; Capsule, a digital pharmacy platform; Doctor on Demand, a leading telemedicine provider (now Included Health); Oova, a fertility tracking platform; and Sesame Care, which focuses on direct-to-patient healthcare services. Branson's investment thesis appears to center on personalization and accessibility.

Branson’s Virgin Group also has an employer wellness business, Virgin Pulse.

Mark Cuban

Mark Cuban, the outspoken entrepreneur, investor, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and Shark Tank star, has invested in Mahmee, a comprehensive platform focusing on maternal healthcare; HiccAway, a device to stop hiccups; Sonara Health, a medication adherence ecosystem for Opioid Use Disorder; Eon Health, changing the way healthcare data is gathered and shared; Ready, Seat, Food!, protecting babies from food allergies; United Genomics, advancing medicine through large-scale analysis of genomic health data; Genetesis, an AI-powered imaging device for cardiovascular imaging; MobileODT, smart medical solutions to help clinicians reach more patients; Biolinq, a pioneer in biosensor technology; Validic, providing solutions for personal health data; and Otolith Labs, engaged in developing cutting-edge treatments for vertigo. Mark’s investment thesis is hard to pin down, but it’s obvious he likes data and isn’t afraid of devices.

He is also the founder of his namesake company Mark Cuban CostPlus Drug Company, an online pharmacy for generic drugs that offers steep discounts over traditional pharmacies.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher, now known as much for being an investor as being an actor, has made at least six investments in the healthcare space. Ashton is no stranger to our healthcare system - his twin brother was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy before he entered kindergarten and also had a life-saving heart transplant as a teenager.

Ashton’s portfolio include SteadyMD, a comprehensive telehealth platform connecting patients with primary care doctors; Ginger, a leading provider of on-demand mental healthcare (acquired by Headspace); and Elemy, which focuses on quality care for chronic conditions. He also runs his own venture fund, Sound Ventures, which has backed companies such as Modern Fertility, fertility testing (sold to Ro); ClassPass, a fitness and wellness network; and Oscar, a tech-driven health insurance company.

The Weeknd

The Weeknd, the critically acclaimed artist known for his unmistakable voice and cutting-edge style, has also started dabbling in the health and wellness sector. His investments include Legacy, an at-home sperm testing company; Forward, a digital-first healthcare startup offering personalized and technology-driven medical services; and Impossible Foods (now Misfit Market), aiming to create a healthier and environmentally-conscious future.

Lance Armstrong

*Lance Amstrong Ironman 70.3 Floride. Source:* *Wikimedia Commons*.

Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor and former professional cyclist whose career has been both celebrated and controversial is investing in health and wellness through his firm Next Ventures. His investments include Juno Medical, focusing on a new approach to primary care; Trial Library, a platform connecting patients to clinical trials; Mood Health, aiming at mental well-being solutions; OK Capsule, a personalized pharmaceutical company; Terra, an API for health data; SteadyMD, providing online primary care; and Oura Ring, makers of the wellness and sleep tracking ring, among others. His fund backs founders who develop “innovative ideas that impact all bodies” with a focus on human optimization.

After his experience with cancer, Lance also founded the The Livestrong Foundation in 1997 which lobbies governmental agencies, conducts research on cancer survivors, and funds a number of smaller non-profit organizations.

*Here’s a fun pic of me with Sanjay Gupta and Lance Armstrong at a Livestrong event many moons ago.*

Jennifer Lopez

Actor and singer Jennifer Lopez, aka J-Lo or Jenny From The Block, has made a few healthcare investments. Her portfolio includes backing Hims & Hers, the publicly traded telehealth company that sells prescription and over-the-counter drugs online; Oscar Health, a tech-driven health insurance provider; and Sarva, a yoga and wellness startup, in collaboration with her ex-partner Alex Rodriguez.

Lopez has also channeled her influence into philanthropic endeavors with the launch of Limitless Labs, an initiative dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Latina entrepreneurs, nurturing innovation, and empowering a community that resonates with her heritage.

Jared Leto

Jared Leto, the acclaimed actor and musician, has dabbled in healthcare investing with strategic investments in Rupa Health, a platform for functional lab testing; Modern Health, a mental health benefits platform for employers; Vessel, an at-home wellness tracker, Headspace, a leader in mindfulness and meditation; and Zenefits, a comprehensive human resources platform (which also made our Cautionary Tales list).

His interest in healthcare doesn’t seem to be specific. At the Fast Company’s European Innovation Festival he said, “I really don’t give a flying fuck what vertical anything is in, to be honest... I’m looking at things in the biosciences and agriculture and how technology is going to inform and influence those things.”

Gwyneth Paltrow

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow, a controversial figure in healthcare, is known for her lifestyle brand, Goop, which has famously marketed products like jade egg and vaginal barbells. But her investments in the space are less heated. Her portfolio includes KindBody, a tech-enabled fertility clinic; Real, a mental wellness platform; Genexa, a producer of cleaner and more transparent over-the-counter medicines; and Evernow, focusing on personalized solutions for menopause. Whatever you think of her, there’s no denying the influence she has on consumers exploring alternative paths to well-being.

Other celebrity investors in healthcare

Joe Montana: Hone Health, Clipboard Health, TruePill
Cameron Diaz: Evernow, Modern Acupuncture, Seed Health
Jessica Alba: Headspace, Honor
Mindy Kaling: Maven, Lion Pose
Oprah Winfrey: Maven, WeightWatchers
Nasir “Nas” Jones: Wellframe, Pillpack (sold to Amazon)
Maria Sharapova: Tonal, Therabody, Cofertility
Jay-Z: Therabody, CLMBR
Justin Bieber: Legacy
Leonardo DiCaprio: Mindbloom
Amy Schumer: Midi
Drew Barrymore: Evernow
Selena Gomez: Wondermind
Halle Berry: Pendulum Therapeutics
Rory McIlroy: Kaia Health
Orlando Bloom: Legacy
Rick Ross: Jetdoc
Patrick Dempsey: Crowdmed
DJ Khaled: Legacy
Natalie Portman: Maven
Lionel Richie: Heal
Ashanti: Proov
Natalia Vodianova: OWHealth
Reese Witherspoon: Maven
Gabrielle Union: KindBody
Leonardo DiCaprio: Cue
Cindy Crawford: Prenuvo
Megan Rapinoe: Real

Fundraising? Read more:

36 Celebrities Investing in Healthcare