Four Celebrities Who Love the Mahjong Game
With roots in ancient Chinese history, and a bout of extreme popularity in the US, Mahjong has a long and complex history. This four-player game, involving 144 tiles each decorated with a Chinese icon, has brought communities together for years, and it’s not hard to see why. Whether played for money or simply to pass the time, Mahjong is an incredibly engaging and rewarding game. So rewarding that it’s become quite a hit with several celebrities across the globe. Let’s look at four famous faces who love playing Mahjong in their spare time.
What is Mahjong?
Mahjong originated in Southern China in the 1800s, towards the end of the Qing dynasty. Many believe it derived from an even older card game, Madiao, which dates back to ancient China. The aim of the game is for one player to assemble a winning hand of fourteen tiles. This hand should consist of four three-tile sets and a pair.
Mahjong is played across the globe in countless different contexts. In East and South Asian countries, it enjoys multiple regional variations, and in the West, it has become quite the hit on the casino gaming scene. In fact, Mahjong can now be played from the comfort of one’s home, without any kit, simply by accessing online providers. Mahjong365.com is a prime example of a website where players can not only access Mahjong but also learn various skills and strategies to become an expert at this much-loved game.
1) Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is a famous American actress known for her roles in Pretty Woman (1990), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Wonder (2017), and many more. She is also an avid fan of Mahjong. She revealed this passion on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2019. Roberts said that Mahjong with her friends was one of the only things that helped calm her and relax. “The concept of it is to create order out of chaos based on random drawing of tiles,” she said of Mahjong, a beautifully worded tribute to this game. Many fans responded with similar sentiments, some even revealing that the game had helped them to process difficult emotions like grief.
2) Sarah Jessica Parker
Another famous American actress and film producer, Sarah Jessica Parker, is well-known for her work on the Hocus Pocus franchise, Footloose (1984), Failure to Launch (2006), and so much more. She has also revealed her passion for Mahjong in the past. The now 60-year-old shared on social media that she had been gifted a vintage Mahjong set from a friend for her 52nd birthday, stating that it was “one of the greatest birthday gifts I have ever received.” Many fans responded to her Instagram post, sharing their own passion for the game, and have enjoyed seeing her delve into the world of Mahjong, which has gathered so many supporters over the years.
3) Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher is yet another famous American actress. Her roles on The Nanny (1993-1999), Saturday Night Fever (1977), and Hotel Transylvania (2012) are just a taste of the talent she has. For Drescher, the game of Mahjong goes deeper than just a pastime. Although she didn’t start playing the game until later in her life, Mahjong has a strong history in her family. Her mother, Sylvie, was also a lover of the game. Drescher is also a proud Jewish woman, and Mahjong has ties to Jewish communities across the globe through its means of bringing people together.
4) Billy Crystal
American actor and comedian Billy Crystal is also partial to Mahjong, it seems. Famous for his work on When Harry Met Sally (1989), Monsters Inc. (2001), Here Today (2021), and much, much more, Billy Crystal has cemented himself well in the acting hall of fame. During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Crystal sent well wishes to the residents and staff of the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, and filmed a comedic sketch of himself playing Mahjong with his wife, aunt, and uncle. The comedy came from the fact that Crystal’s aunt and uncle were just Crystal himself in not very effective disguises. Not only was this a very kind thing to do for the residents of Hebrew Home, but he went a step further by encouraging other celebrities to send messages and well-wishes to the residents and staff as well.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve explored, Mahjong is so much more than just a game. It is a way to bring peace during troubled times, to connect with our communities, and to reach out to others who may be struggling. It is a game that brings people together in a way that its counterparts can’t. Games like poker rarely require opponents to talk with one another, but the nature of having to reset Mahjong tiles at the end of every round gives Mahjong players the perfect opportunity to sit with one another and to connect. It is this kind of connection, it seems, that has brought many celebrities to the world of Mahjong and has made them avid fans. Not because they are celebrities, but because they, just like us, are human, and benefit from the human connection this wonderful game provides.
