Among all the 16 personality types, ESTP personalities are most likely to draw attention to themselves the moment they enter the room. Given their specific combination of preferences; Extrovertness (E), Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Perceiving (P) they are deemed adventurous, charming, assertive, and logical and tend to leave their mark wherever they may appear. Their extroverted personality trait allows them to jump into action and so, ESTPs are born leaders whose drive motivates others to follow their lead and work together to reach desired goals.
ESTPs are also the people you want to turn to when in need of some entertainment. They love being in the spotlight, engaging others in jovial conversations and hilarious jokes. As people who constantly seek action and attention, ESTPs tend to get bored easily and move on to more exciting prospects without looking back. That said, they will gladly jump into a challenging situation as they do not mind taking risks.
For all these reasons, the world of show business is swarming with famous ESTP people, be it the film industry, the music scene, or other performing arts. This article will present you with an extended list of famous ESTP people. Additionally, it will also shine a light on numerous significant leaders, athletes, artists, and entertainers by describing their personality traits through ESTP preferences.
So let’s gear up to meet the range of exceptional ESTP personalities, from the immensely talented and daring pop star Amy Winehouse, to strong-willed leaders such as Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who led their countries through ominous and challenging times. This wide range of different personalities that share the same preferences proves that you cannot “predict” someone’s actions or define their character solely by their personality type. Numerous other significant factors and circumstances affect a person’s actions, behavior, and outlook. Therefore, personality type may help you to better understand a person, but It cannot define their character entirely.
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ESTP Celebrities
Also known as the Daredevils, ESTP personalities are known for their inexhaustible energy and drive for action. They are efficient problem-solvers, taking difficult situations as exciting challenges. ESTPs are also fierce risk-takers even when these risks may lead to life-threatening situations. This tendency to live on the edge does not mean that ESTPs only excel at highly dangerous professions. The world of show business is filled with bold, larger than life personalities, ready to take major artistic risks and build successful careers.
The ESTP personality type can easily adapt to any environment and situation, quickly coming up with efficient solutions for problems. Meryl Streep, an iconic actress with her fantastic power of transformation into any wanted fictional character, is a perfect example of this ESTP trait. Their adaptability combined with their extraordinary power of perception allows them to anticipate someone’s actions by reading their body language and adjust their behavior accordingly.
Assertive and determined, with a ‘can-do’ attitude, ESTPs are often perceived as born leaders. Thus, it is not surprising that an array of world leaders belong to this personality type. Let’s circle back to our previous mentions, Churchill and Roosevelt who led their nations through the terrors of WWII. However, not all ESTP leaders are shining examples of this extraordinary personality type. Donald Trump, the former US president, and a successful businessman has displayed all the negative aspects of the ESTP personality during his four-year term. His blunt, and often rude and inconsiderate communication style (courtesy: Twitter), has become Trump’s trademark. Furthermore, he tends to be overly judgmental, even though facts rarely back his arguments.
This short comparative analysis of two strikingly different ESTP celebrities is a great reminder to not to preferences to define people. Two people may share similar personality traits, but numerous other factors shape their character and the way they use these traits to reach their potential.
ESTP Actors and Filmmakers
ESTP personalities are made for stardom. They are jovial, charming, and charismatic people, who draw attention to themselves and enjoy enormous popularity. They are also quick-witted and adjust well to new and unexpected circumstances. But one of the features that make them stand out among all the other personality types, is their ability to “read” other people and anticipate their behavior by observing their gestures or facial expressions. This enables ESTPs to adjust their own actions to fit the environment perfectly. It also gives ESTP actors the power of transformation, essential for having a successful career on the silver screen.
Now that we have discovered why the film industry is packed with the ESTP personality type, let’s see who are the most remarkable ones.
Meryl Streep
There has been a discussion whether the three- time Oscar winner and one of the greatest actresses of our time, belongs to the INTP or the ESTP personality type. The way she responds during interviews and meticulously prepares the background of her characters by using all the information to build her role, puts her into the INTP category. However, her quick sense of humor, boldness, and direct communication style makes this iconic actress a perfect ESTP. Ambitious and determined, preferring action to analysis, Meryl Streep doesn’t shy away from taking risky decisions in her career. She also has an incredible gift to take on any accent and blend herself to bring her characters to life in the most memorable way. For all these reasons, it is believed that Meryl Streep’s personality matches the ESTP preferences.
Here is an extended list of ESTP actors and actresses:
- Helen Mirren, English actress (Red, The Queen, Hitchcock)
- Milla Jovovich, American actress (The Fifth Element, Resident Evil: Afterlife, The Fourth Kind)
- Mila Kunis, American actress (Black Swan, Jupiter Ascending, Bad Moms)
- Eddie Murphy, American actor (The Nutty Professor, Dreamgirls, Coming to America)
- Samuel L. Jackson, American actor (Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight, Snakes on a Plane)
- Sylvester Stallone, American actor (Rocky, The Expendables 4, Rambo: Last Blood)
- Antonio Banderas, Spanish actor (The Mask of Zorro, The Skin I Live In, The 13th Warrior)
- John Wayne, American actor (True Grit, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Alamo)
- Ben Affleck, American actor (Argo, Gone Girl, The Town)
- Lucille Ball, American actress (I Love Lucy, Here’s Lucy, The Lucy Show)
- Judi Dench, English actress (Skyfall, Notes on a Scandal, Shakespeare in Love)
- Michael J. Fox, American actor (Back to the Future, The Frighteners, Family Ties)
- Megan Fox, American actress (Transformers, Jennifer’s Body, This Is 40)
- Glenn Close, American actress (Fatal Attraction, The Simpsons, The Wife)
- Chloe Grace Moretz, American actress (True Detective, Carrie, BoJack Horseman)
ESTP Musicians
Being inexhaustible sources of energy, you can expect an explosive performance from an ESTP musician. Their stage presence is mesmerizing due to their charismatic personalities. They are amazing attention-grabbers who will engage people within minutes and keep them entertained for hours. Constantly seeking new hazardous situations to dive into, ESTP musicians often draw attention to themselves by leading wild lives full of scandals that keep them in the public eye. One of the perfect examples of making risky career choices, always on the edge of a scandal is Madonna, while Amy Winehouse is the other ESTP pop icon. Let’s see what ESTP traits guide these exceptional personalities and their behavior on and off stage.
Madonna
This ultimate pop star and show-maker was a true pioneer and trendsetter of the music scene at the peak of her career, thanks to her outstanding perception‚ and power of anticipation. She is someone who likes to push the existing social boundaries, provoking controversial public reactions. She also tested her physical capabilities, giving her all to have the perfect choreographies that would leave her audience in awe. This proves her enormous potential to face and overcome difficult situations that only make her stronger in the end, which is characteristic of an ESTP personality type. Madonna is ambitious to the point of becoming aggressive, but she doesn’t feel the need to apologize for this. And she even addressed the same saying, “I am tough, ambitious and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” This summarizes the dominant personality traits of an ESTP person. Madonna is an extremely goal-oriented person who will overcome every obstacle in the way. In addition, she expresses her opinions and intentions in an honest and blunt way, without caring too much about the feedback.
Amy Winehouse
The first British female singer to win five Grammy awards, Amy Winehouse had many enchanted by her deep, rich voice and talent for making music. A true ESTP personality, she knew what she wanted and worked tirelessly until she made it happen. Persuasive and determined, she had no problem convincing others to follow her lead in various undertakings. Unfortunately, she started abusing substances at an early age, seeking new thrills, she walked the dangerous line before falling into addiction that largely determined her life course.As a Daredevil, she didn’t shy away from dangerous actions, and this typical ESTP trait may have led her to a tragic end.
Similar to Madonna, who thought that she was a man trapped in the woman’s body. Amy often described herself as “more of a boy than a girl.” When it comes to her approach to music she was strong-willed and insisted on doing things her way. Even though she was aware that not everyone could cope with the harsh communication style she nevertheless continued being brutally honest especially when her music was in question. As Paul du Noyer, an English rock journalist once described her: “She is a forthright young woman, and her communication manner is confrontational.” Or as Amy had bluntly stated, “People love me because I am a bigmouth.” Her assertiveness, talent, and leadership skills combined with honesty and openness turned her into an iconic musician and the voice of her generation. Unfortunately, this fame was short-lived since Amy did not have the strength to fight her demons.
Some other famous ESTP musicians are:
- Robin Thicke, American-Canadian singer (Blurred Lines, Lost Without U, The Sweetest Love)
- David Lee Roth, American vocalist, Van Halen (Jump, Hot for Teacher, Eruption)
- Iggy Pop, American musician (The Passenger, I’m Bored, Lust for Life)
- Vanilla Ice, American rapper (Ice Ice Baby, I Love You)
- MC Hammer, American rapper (Son of the King, Pumps and a Bump, Here Comes the Hammer)
- Fred Durst, American rapper, vocalist of Limp Bizkit (My Way, Behind Blue Eyes, My Generation)
- Dave Mustaine, American musician, vocalist, and guitarist of Megadeth (Seek and Destroy, Tornado of Souls, Symphony of Destruction)
- Travis Tritt, American singer-songwriter (It’s a Great Day To Be Alive, Anymore, Here’s a Quarter)
- Steve Harwell, American musician, vocalist of Smash Mouth (All-Star, I’m a Believer, Walkin’ on the Sun)
- Kid Rock, American singer-songwriter (Only God Knows Why, Bawitdaba, Cowboy)
- Phil Anselmo, American singer, vocalist, and songwriter of Pantera (Cemetery Gates, Walk, Cowboys From Hell)
- Bon Scott, Australian singer, vocalist of AC/DC (Highway to Hell, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Let There Be Rock)
ESTP Leaders and Politicians
ESTP personalities are known for their strong leadership skills, so it is no surprise that we can find an array of ESTPs among presidents and influential politicians. This action-oriented personality type will employ their practical side to come up with the most efficient solution for any given situation. Besides, their persuasiveness could easily motivate others to invest time and energy into achieving desired goals. Furthermore, as Thinking types, ESTP leaders will base all decisions on logic, preferring to take imminent action rather than wasting time discussing elusive concepts. However, this does not mean that they will avoid intellectual debates, in fact it’s quite the contrary. ESTP leaders will gladly exchange arguments if they believe this will lead to constructive results. For all these reasons, ESTP leaders are considered reliable and trustworthy, who will fiercely face difficulties and get the nation through the darkest times.
However, some ESTP leaders tend to display significant weaknesses that can not be ignored. They may become impatient when others don’t follow their lead, or things can not get done the way they wanted. When such a situation occurs, they tend to be inconsiderate and rude in expressing their opinions and expectations. Besides, they may also be judgmental and discard others based on first impressions, which are often misleading.
Following is a comparative analysis of two US presidents who, despite sharing ESTP preferences have strikingly contrasting characters.
Theodore Roosevelt
One of the most beloved US presidents, Theodore Roosevelt has remained known for his vitality, energy, and courage. A true man of action and many talents, he will always be remembered not only as a statesman, but also as an author, explorer, soldier, and reformer. However, as a true Perceiving type who cherishes freedom and flexibility to pursue different activities at the same time, Teddy, as many used to call him, often failed to follow through with his undertakings.
His extrovert nature, on the other hand, enabled him to make friends easily wherever he went. His openness and honesty inspired others and motivated them to action. One of the greatest of Rosevelt’s value was freedom besides courage. According to him, it was essential to face life “with high and resolute courage.” He also believed that it was better to “run the risk of wearing out than rusting out.”
Donald Trump
Trump stands as the complete opposite of Roosevelt’s memorable personality. Even though both are extroverted and action-oriented, Trump has displayed typical ESTP features in a negative light during his presidency. Possessing indisputable leadership and managerial skills does not necessarily make one a great national leader. And this became evident during Trump’s tenure in the White House. Donald Trump is a successful businessman, who may have thought that running a country is similar to running one of his businesses. For this very reason, his four-year mandate will be remembered as a chaotic period filled with hazardous political decisions, strong-headed rejections of opposing arguments, and rude and untrue tweets aimed at his opponents. On the other hand, he has made some significant decisions to revitalize the American economy. For this reason, Trump had major support from the lower middle class.
So it comes as no surprise that he managed to motivate his supporters with his ‘matter-of-fact’ speeches, and they were ready to follow his leads. This, unfortunately, resulted in an unprecedented surge in the Capitol building. Donald Trump will probably be remembered for this outrageous move he made during his last days in the White House.
Here is a shortlist of remarkable ESTP leaders:
- Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of the UK
- Theodore Roosevelt, former President of the U.S.
- Nicolas Sarkozy, former President of France
- Douglas MacArthur, U.S. General
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, former President of the U.S.
- George S. Patton, World War II General
- Camilla Parker Bowles, Duchess of Cornwall
- Bernard Montgomery, U.K. Field Marshal
- Silvio Berlusconi, former Prime Minister of Italy and media magnate
- Andrew Jackson, former President of the U.S.
- Lyndon B. Johnson, former President of the U.S.
- George W. Bush, former President of the U.S.
Most authors with the Sensing (S) preference tend to nourish a linear writing style, without elusive digressions that readers can follow with ease. They also employ meticulously described details and engaging dialogues to immerse readers into their fictional worlds. As personalities with a dominant Thinking (T) preference, ESTP authors tend to rely on facts and data when creating plots. There are some exceptional ESTP authors, of fiction and non-fictionl, who have left a significant mark with their work. Let’s focus on some of them.
Arthur Conan Doyle
A british writer and the creator of Sherlock Holmes, one of the most iconic fictional characters ever, is the perfect example of an ESTP personality type. Arthur Conan Doyle would describe himself as “wild, full-blooded, and a trifle reckless,” which can be a suitable description of the Daredevil. Besides enjoying action-packed activities, Doyle was also a writer and a physician, which provided him with the foundation for building Dr. Watson’s character.
Doyle was a man of honesty and truth, values that ESTPs highly appreciate. He believed that “any truth is better than indefinite doubting.” Furthermore, he believed in the power of logic, especially when creating his stories. This is what Doyle had said about his thinking process: “I never guess. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one starts twisting facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” There is no doubt that Sherlock Holmes would agree with this notion. Incidentally, Conan Doyle and his famous fictional character share the Sensing (S), Thinking (T), and Perceiving (P) preferences. The only difference between them is of the Extravertness/Introvertness preference.
Ernest Hemingway
One of the most important authors of American literature, Hemingway’s personality traits prove that he is a typical ESTP. Full of energy and always on the move, he spent most of his life jumping from one hazardous “adventure” to another. For example, he participated in both World Wars, once as a soldier and the other time as a reporter. He led an intensive life filled with adrenaline-pumping hobbies, like hunting and bull-fighting. Besides, Hemingway had to overcome numerous life-threatening situations that created an impression of living life ‘on the edge’. He was shot several times in different wars and survived airplane and car crashes. His daring and fierce nature led him to dangerous situations that took a toll on his health. But, as a true ESTP, Hemingway was able to overcome any obstacles that came in the way of his goals.
A former journalist, he adopted his writing style from this profession. His introductions and sentences were short, while his dialogues burst with energy. These features turned his novels into American classics, just as his ESTP personality traits turned him into a legend.
Other significant ESTP authors are:
- Bret Easton Ellis, American author (American Psycho, Less Than Zero, The Rules of Attraction)
- Stephen R. Covey, American author (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
- Rhonda Byrne, Australian author (The Secret)
- John Grisham, American author (The Firm)
- Epicurus, Greek philosopher
- Anna Wintour, British journalist, Editor-in-chief of Vogue
- Dale Carnegie, American author (How to Make Friends and Influence People)
ESTP Athletes
A professional athlete is one of the perfect careers for an ESTP, and for all the right reasons. These adventurous, extroverted personalities enjoy adrenaline-pumped sports that allows them to invest their energy. ESTPs are also born leaders who will motivate their teams to do their best, no matter the sport. However, when in a subordinate position, they may not cope well with authorities, since they tend to do things at their own time and pace.
Here are some of the famous ESTP athletes:
Mike Tyson
Although many think that Mike Tyson, former indisputable heavyweight boxing champion, is an INFP, he possesses numerous characteristics typical of an ESTP personality. For example, Mike is a down-to-earth, practical man with a deep-rooted concept of right and wrong. Once he commits to a specific goal he will work relentlessly to achieve it. Giving up has never been an option for this controversial boxer, no matter what obstacles may have come his way. Tyson is mentally strong and possesses the previously mentioned ability of ESTPs to “read” other people’s body language. When these traits combine with logical thinking and exceptional problem-solving, the resultant is a highly successful personality who can move swiftly to the top, tackling any challenges that may appear along the way. The only condition for Tyson to stay on top is to control his temper that may often get the best of him. That said, he may be impatient and rude to people who struggle to follow his instructions, or are not on the same page as him. If he learns how to avoid or cope with these situations better he may live up to his fullest potential.
A few other significant ESTP athletes are:
- Steve Nash, American point guard
- John Elway, American quarterback
- Dan Marino, American quarterback
- Karl Malone, American basketball player, NBA
- Nick Kyrgios, Australiantennis player
- Fabio Fognini, Italian tennis player
- Jimmy Conners, American tennis player
ESTP Fictional Characters
Now that we have listed famous ESTP people from various walks of life, we can shift our focus to fictional characters possessing these preferences. You can find numerous interesting ESTP characters in literature, films, anime, and on TV who will amaze you with their vast energy and drive. You will most likely find them in the middle of some heated action, thinking about the next big thing that awaits ahead. ESTP characters will often be depicted as indisputable leaders, who will not follow orders, but will do impossible things just because they were told they couldn’t. As survivors, they are able to get through the toughest times due to their power of perseverance. Failures only make ESTP characters stronger and more determined to succeed and reach their goals.
Let’s explore a few of these famous ESTP fictional characters:
Scarlett O’Hara
Strong-willed, flamboyant, and always seeking attention, Scarlett O’Hara is the perfect example of an ESTP personality type. The heroine of Margaret Mitchell’s timeless “Gone with the Wind” is a wealthy heiress who knows what she wants and will do anything to get it. Scarlett enjoys being in the spotlight, constantly flirting and engaging herself in superficial relationships until she meets her match in Ret Butler. Which marks the beginning of her inner fight between emotions and pride, coinciding with the Civil War that will irreversibly change her life. Although she gives off the impression of a spoiled rich girl, the difficult times she faces brings out the best ESTP features in her. Scarlett transforms into a fierce, practical, and proactive woman, ready to face any challenge that life may bring. Her perseverance and drive to achieve her goal and return home are stunning. For this reason, she stays optimistic even in moments when it seems she has lost everything she cared about, and she proves this with a memorable closing line: “Tomorrow is another day.”
Tom Sawyer
This memorable character displays all the favorable features of an ESTP personality. He is playful, witty, charismatic, and persuasive. For these very reasons, many boys wished to be like Tom at least once in their life. Tom is a true adventure-seeker who does not shy away from dangerous places, people, or situations, which gets him into a lot of trouble with his caring aunt Pola. Tom has no problem expressing his thoughts and because of his brutal honesty, he may come across as inconsiderate and rude. However, he cares deeply about his closest friends and family and tends to protect them on every occasion. Therefore, he gladly takes on leadership roles, making tough decisions in serious situations, to save lives and fight the villains.
Callie Torres
Callie is a charming, outgoing, and daring surgeon who made a significant mark in the popular TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.” She is an endless source of positivity and enthusiasm who believes there is a solution to every problem. Callie is sociable and popular, and others enjoy her company. She is fun and entertaining, and even though she likes to experiment in her romantic relationships, she turns into a committed partner when she falls in love with someone. Although she survived various life-threatening situations in her professional life, her spirit wasn’t broken. This combination of the different ESTP personality traits turned Callie Torres into one of the most beloved TV characters.
Here are some other popular ESTP fictional characters:
- Aladdin
- Peter Pan
- Han Solo, Star Wars
- Captain Jack Sparrow, The Pirates of the Caribbean movies
- Eleanor Shellstrop, The Good Place
- John Shelby, Peaky Blinders
- Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter series
- Jaime Lannister, Game of Thrones
- Mr. Garrison, South Park
- Scott Lang, Ant-Man
- Yondu
- Remy Etienne LeBeau, Gambit
- Klaus, American Dad
- Pam Poovey, Archer
- Kai, Avatar, Legend of Korra
- Beast, Beauty and the Beast
- Merida, Brave
- Paul Varjak, Breakfast at Tiffany’s
- Elektra, Daredevil
- Daryl, The Walking Dead
- Amy Pond, Doctor Who
- Glen Quagmire, Family Guy
- Brian O’Conner, Fast & Furious Franchise
- Zapp Brannigan, Futurama
- Mercedes Jones, Glee
- Santana Lopez, Glee
- Sonny Corleone, The Godfather
- Harvey Bullock, Gotham
- Stan Pines, Gravity Falls
- Alfrid, The Hobbit
- Eowyn, The Lord of the Rings
- Merry, The Lord of the Rings
- Buttercup, The Powerpuff Girls
- Steve, Shameless
- Bart Simpson, The Simpsons
- Katherine Pierce, The Vampire Diaries
- Rollo, Vikings
- Carl Grimes, The Walking Dead
- Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer