Celebrity Tipping Habits: Who’s Generous and Who’s Not?

For service industry workers, a celebrity encounter can be a highlight – or a disappointment. Stories abound regarding how well-known figures treat waitstaff, bartenders, and delivery drivers, particularly when it comes to tipping. While some celebrities are known for their generosity, others have earned a reputation for being less than gracious. Here’s a appear at some reported tipping habits, based on accounts from those who have served them.

Generous Tippers

Bruce Willis

Bruce Willis consistently receives praise for his generosity. One anonymous server in Las Vegas recalled Willis tipping extremely well and signing autographs for almost everyone, describing him as a “great guy.” BuzzFeed reports another account of Willis tipping $100 for every drink served.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus is noted for being both kind and low-maintenance, along with being a generous tipper. A server in Nashville shared that Cyrus tipped 200% on a large party’s bill, ordering veggie fajitas with no modifications and requesting a box for leftovers. BuzzFeed

Joe Rogan

Podcast host Joe Rogan is remembered as quiet, polite, and low-maintenance, leaving a $100 tip on a $30 tab approximately ten years ago, according to one anonymous server in Los Angeles. BuzzFeed

Cam Newton

Former NFL player Cam Newton reportedly tipped around $100 on a $300 food order at a steak restaurant in Atlanta, despite being aloof and unfriendly. Yahoo Entertainment

Elvis Presley

An anonymous source from 1956 shared that Elvis Presley once left a $5,000 tip plus a large additional tip while dining with officers, and that he frequently tipped generously. Yahoo Entertainment

Less Generous Tippers

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez has repeatedly been described as rude, entitled, and a non-tipper by servers who have waited on her. Multiple servers at one restaurant reportedly share the same experience. Yahoo Entertainment

Victor Wembanyama

NBA player Victor Wembanyama received criticism for not tipping on a $70 poke bowl delivery, which involved a lengthy wait to access his gated community. BuzzFeed

Other Notable Mentions

Steve Carell

Steve Carell is noted for providing the highest percentage tip reported by one server during the Sundance Film Festival. BuzzFeed

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields left a 30% tip in 1980 while being served in New York City, and was described as pleasant and cheerful. BuzzFeed

It’s vital to remember that these accounts are anecdotal and come from personal experiences. As noted by BuzzFeed and Yahoo Entertainment, these stories should be taken with a grain of salt, as the reporters were not present during these encounters.