From President Donald Trump to comedian Kevin Hart, lots of big names spent time in the Queen City in 2024. And who can blame them?
We rounded up our favorite celebrity sightings in Cincinnati from last year. To make the list, the A-lister had to experience Cincinnati beyond the work or event that brought them here. Documentation was also required.
Check out our favorite celebrity visits and when they came to town below.
March
Sylvester Stallone
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse attracts a lot of big names, and actor Sylvester Stallone, known for playing Rocky Balboa in the “Rocky” franchise, was one of the first stars to visit the downtown restaurant in 2024.
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The local restaurateur posted a video to X on March 2, showing Stallone receiving a chocolate cake designed to look like a golden boxing glove.
The “Rambo” star was reportedly in the area for the upcoming movie “Alarum,” which was scheduled to film in Oxford that week.
Kevin Hart
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart also dined at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse on March 17, according to a photo Bawe C. Shinholster, corporate director of training and quality assurance at Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, posted on Instagram.
Hart, known for his roles in “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Get Hard” and “Ride Along,” was in town to perform a stand-up show at Andrew J. Brady Music Center as part of his Brand New Material tour.
April
Jason and Travis Kelce
The Kelce brothers took a trip down memory lane while visiting the Queen City in April.
The duo recorded a live episode of their “New Heights” podcast at the University of Cincinnati. While in town, Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end, recorded a TikTok video of him and his older brother, fellow Bearcats alum and recent NFL retiree Jason Kelce, walking through campus.
The video, posted April 29, showed the brothers visiting several sentimental spots, including Nippert Stadium and a building where Travis Kelce insisted he had a communications class. The video also showed notable campus landmarks, such as Arts & Sciences Hall.
Following their April 12 live show at Fifth Third Arena, the brothers were reportedly spotted alongside Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow at Uncle Woody’s, a popular bar near UC’s campus. Believe it or not, the podcast hosts also spent time with Ruby at the local hangout, according to a post from the steakhouse owner.
Tyler Cameron
Tyler Cameron, a fan favorite from “The Bachelorette,” was in Cincinnati on April 17 attending a Reds game against the Los Angeles Angels. Cameron, an supposed Reds fan, posted photos from Great American Ball Park on his Instagram story with the words, “C’mon Reds.”
He also posted a photo of a LaRosa’s pizza with the words, “Another Cincinnati classic.”
May
Donald Trump
President Donald Trump ventured to Cincinnati on May 15 to attend a fundraiser with supporters, including Vice President and Middletown native JD Vance. Trump was spotted at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, where he flew in his private jet.
During his visit, Trump and Vance had lunch with several other prominent figures, including former Cincinnati City Councilman and businessman Chris Bortz, in the Indian Hill mansion of Peggy Gardner Johns, who founded the multibillion-dollar uniform, cleaning supply and safety products company Cintas.
June
Alex Cora and Boston Red Sox coaches
Several Boston Red Sox coaches, including manager Alex Cora, hitting coach Peter Fatse, assistant hitting coach Luis Ortiz and pitching coach Andrew Bailey, dined at The Precinct by Jeff Ruby on June 20, ahead of the team’s three-game series against the Reds.
The Red Sox won the series 2-1.
August
Baker Mayfield
Like many celebrities who came before him, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield also paid a visit to Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse. Mayfield was spotted at the downtown Cincinnati restaurant Aug. 9 with offensive tackle Justin Skule, center Robert Hainsey, offensive tackle Luke Goedeke and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.
The Buccaneers played the Bengals in a preseason game the following day at Paycor Stadium.
Johnny Bananas
Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio, an MTV reality star-turned-television host, took a tour of the Queen City on Aug. 28, according to several videos he posted to his Instagram Story. Devenanzio stopped by King City Gardens, a medical and recreational marijuana dispensary in Forest Park, to do a “terpene profile testing.”
Then, the seven-time “Challenge” champ attended the Taste of the Bengals, where he received a Bengals football signed by several notable players, including the team’s star quarterback Joe Burrow.
Bananas then ended his night with a visit to The Precinct by Jeff Ruby in East End.
Septemeber
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros held a team dinner at The Precinct on Sept. 3, per a photo Ruby posted to X.
Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels and other ‘MNF’ stars
The Bengals and Washington Commanders, including quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, visited a Jeff Ruby’s steakhouse location on Sept. 22 ahead of their “Monday Night Football” game at Paycor Stadium.
The Bengals and Commanders coaching staff, owners, general managers, retired players and the ESPN broadcast team also dined at the local steakhouse, according to an X post from Ruby.
Ruby also posted a photo alongside ESPN broadcasters Joe Buck and Lisa Salters and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman. Ruby did not specify the locations the teams visited.
October
Redman
Reginald Noble, better known by his stage name Redman, was one of only a few musicians to spend extended time in Cincinnati in 2024. Redman visited the UC men’s basketball team, according to an Oct. 25 X post from the Bearcats.
Redman also posed for a photo at The Banks with local film producer Andrew Listermann, founder and CEO of content studio Riveting Entertainment, and Scott Sheridan, the company’s head of business development.
The Def Jam legend then ended his trip with a visit to Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, because it’s obviously a requirement when visiting the Queen City.
Steve-O
Stephen Glover, the “Jackass” star more commonly known as Steve-O, spent time in the Queen City in October, as GCI Digital Imaging in College Hill wrapped his RV, which he said would become a mobile podcast studio. The comedian also returned to Cincinnati to bring his Super Dummy Tour to Taft Theatre on Nov. 9.
While at GCI Digital Imaging, Steve-O talked with Trending News Editor David Wysong about his (temporary) Bengals fandom, Joe Burrow, his career and more.
November
Josh O’Connor and Alana Haim
Actor Josh O’Connor, known for his roles in “The Challengers,” “Doctor Who” and “Peaky Blinders,” and “Licorice Pizza” star Alana Haim, member of the pop rock trio Haim, visited Pixel 19 Vintage in Lower Price Hill on Nov. 2, according to an Instagram post from owner Stu Nizny.
O’Connor and Haim stopped by the local vintage shop while filming “The Mastermind” in Cincinnati. “The Mastermind,” written and directed by Kelly Reichardt, follows an art heist that occurs “amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War,” Deadline reports.
Simone Biles
Seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles, who was born in Columbus, performed at Heritage Bank Center on Nov. 2 as part of the 2024 Gold Over America Tour. The tour also included squad members Shilese Jones, Fred Richard and Mélanie Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos.
After the tour, Biles stopped by E+O Kitchen at The Banks, according to an Instagram video from the restaurant.
Shaboozey
Just a day later, singer-songwriter Shaboozey was seen on the field at Paycor Stadium for the Bengals’ Nov. 3 home game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer came to town to open for singer and rapper Jelly Roll at Heritage Bank Center on Nov. 4. Shaboozey also came to Cincinnati in September to open for record producer Metro Boomin at the Forbes Under 30 Summit at Andrew J. Brady Music Center.
Luke Grimes
“Yellowstone” star and Dayton native Luke Grimes stopped at Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse in November. Ruby posted a photo of Grimes and his band with Shinholster and pastry chef Eric Clark.
Grimes, also known for his roles in “True Blood,” the “Fifty Shades” movie franchise, “American Sniper” and more, visited Nov. 22 when he performed at Bogart’s in Corryville as part of his Playin’ On The Tracks Tour.
December
Terry Francona
Terry Francona, the two-time World Series-winning manager the Reds hired in October 2024, visited The Precinct by Jeff Ruby on Dec. 5. The local restaurateur posted a social media photo of Francona and the manager’s staff alongside Shinholster.
