NCAA
These celebrities are big Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans
Notre Dame boast famous actors and singers among their loyal supporters. Let’s take a look at their celebrity fans.

Notre Dame certainly won’t be lacking any support in Monday’s College Football National Championship Game - in fact, several well known faces from the showbiz world will be cheering them on when they face Ohio State at Mercedes Benz stadium.
The football team’s famous followers include alumni - former students who have gone on to achieve success, and actors and singers. Let’s take a look at the Irish’s most distinguished followers.
Jon Bon Jovi
The Bon Jovi frontman was born in New Jersey and so naturally is a self-confessed New York Giants fan but when it comes to college football, Notre Dame is his team.
The 62-year-old singer has regularly been seen cheering on the Irish - his son Jesse was a cornerback with the school until a knee injury halted his sporting career.
Last year, the university joined forces with Bon Jovi to produce a special edition vinyl of their new studio album Forever.
“I have been a longtime fan of Notre Dame and have many incredible memories on campus supporting the Fighting Irish with our family,” the singer said.
Martin Sheen
The legendary actor has Irish roots which explains his allegiance to Notre Dame. His mother Mary-Ann was from Borrisokane, County Tipperary and in 2006, Sheen spent some time in his mother’s homeland. He enrolled at NUI Galway, taking classes in English literature, philosophy, and oceanography.
Sheen memorably wore a Notre Dame jacket in the final episode of NBC’s political drama series The West Wing. In 2008, he was presented with the university’s Laetare Medal - the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics.
Dean Norris
Actor Dean Norris is best known for his role as Hank Schrader in Breaking Bad. He has 183 film and TV credits on the IMDb database including parts in Terminator 2, Total Recall, Remember and Better Call Saul.
The 61-year-old was born in South Bend and is a lifelong Fighting Irish fan. In October, it was reported that his eldest daughter has opted to study at USC - a decision which irked her father. Norris joked: “When you are a life long Notre Dame fan, cause you grew up there, and your senior daughter wants to go to USC. Grrrr.”
Vince Vaughn
The 54-year-old actor and comedian, who starred in The Break-Up, Wedding Crashers, Couples Retreat and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Notre Dame has occupied a special place in his heart since he starred as Jamie O’Hara in David Anspaugh‘s 1993 sports movie Rudy. “I played for Notre Dame,” he recalled. “I threw a pass [in ‘Rudy’]. If I had half the heart of Rudy, I would have been All-American instead of picking games up here with you guys.”
Other famous Fighting Irish fans include actor Jim Caviezel and two former Notre Dame pupils. George Wendt,who played Norm Peterson in 80s sitcom Cheers attended the school but was expelled after receiving poor grades in his first semester.
The late television presenter and talk show host, Regis Philbin also attended but his education went a little more smoothly - he graduated from Notre Dame in 1953 with a degree in sociology.
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