When it comes to the most well-known teams in the NHL, the New York Rangers stand out. Of course, they are a New York market team, so the spotlights will always shine brightest in their general direction. Not only that, but they are one of the "Original Six" teams, so they have decades of popularity at their disposal. Oh, and they play in one of the most famous arenas in the world, Madison Square Garden.
Taking all of that into account, it's not a surprise when Rangers fans see some celebrities sitting in the crowd taking in the game. It's not just the biggest games of the regular season or playoff games. No, you can spot celebrities in the crowd to watch the Rangers take on one of the least popular teams in the league.
Here are some of the biggest celebrities Rangers fans might have spotted in attendance for games.
Liam Neeson
When it comes to a celebrity that visits Madison Square Garden to watch a Rangers game consistently, actor Liam Neeson immediately comes to mind for fans.
The long-time actor was best known for his roles in films like Schindler's List, which earned him Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and Batman Begins. But Neeson's stardom increased in 2008 when he took on the role of Bryan Mills on the hit action movie Taken.
Neeson is so well-known for his role in Taken, that he actually recreated the iconic phone call scene when he appeared on the Rangers' JumboTron.
Neeson was a long-time Rangers fan, but credited his son for being more of a fan than he is because he explained the rules to him. Either way, Neeson is perhaps one of the Rangers' most well-known fans, and it's likely you could be in the building with him at Madison Square Garden if you attend a game.
Margot Robbie
On of the biggest stars in the world is also a huge Rangers fan. Australian actress Margot Robbie, most famous for her roles as Harley Quinn in the DC Extended Universe, Tanya Harding in I, Tonya, and Barbie in the self-titled 2023 hit blockbuster, has been spotted over the years attending Rangers games while wearing the team's official sweater. Not only that, but Robbie goes through all of the emotions when watching the highs and the lows of Rangers games.
When Robbie lived in New York, she played amateur hockey, something she always wanted to do when she lived in Australia. Robbie said she supported the Rangers since she lived in the city. During an interview with W Magazine in 2016, Robbie said that she can't help but get fully immersed in Rangers games, especially once it's during the third period.
"Every time we go to a game, at the start, my agent always reminds me, 'You know they photograph you at the game, so just remember that.' So, I’m like, 'Keep it cool, it’s all good.' That lasts for the first two periods, but by the third period, I’m just like 'ARGH!' I just get so into it. And then I saw the pictures today, and I’m like, 'I look like a psychopath. Great.'"
Tim Robbins
It is no secret that actor Tim Robbins is one of the long-time fans of the Rangers. The actor most famous for his roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Bull Durham, and Mystic River, the latter of which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Robbins notably took in the Rangers' last Stanley Cup title in 1994, which they did so in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. As the likes of Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Adam Graves celebrated with the Stanley Cup, Robbins was among those to join the team at the Auction House bar after the game, alongside tennis star John McEnroe.
Robbins is an overall hockey fan, as he has participated in a variety of charity hockey games over the years.
Gaten Matarazzo
If you've watched the Rangers in the past few years, you have probably spotted one of the stars. of the top streaming shows of all-time. Of course, we're talking about Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo. He rose to fame for playing Dustin Henderson in the popular science fiction and horror series that lasted from 2016 until 2025. Before his hit role, Matarazzo performed on Broadway in shows like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Les Miserables.
Matarazzo was spotted numerous times over the years at Rangers games. In fact, back on Nov. 30, 2017, Matarazzo sang the national anthem before the Rangers' contest against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Michael J. Fox
Over the years, if you were watching the Rangers play either inside Madison Square Garden or from home, the cameras will likely pan over to actor Michael J. Fox taking in the action. Fox is a huge hockey fan, notably competing in various charity hockey games, He also competed in the 1988 NHL Celebrity Hockey Game, where he scored a hat trick for the celebrity team as they faced former hockey stars.
Fox, the star of the popular Back to the Future franchise, has been spotted cheering on the Rangers at MSG, whether a regular season game or a Stanley Cup Playoff matchup. Fox is also a frequent attendee of Knicks games at Madison Square Garden, including the team's epic comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
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