Travis Kelce’s Journey from Reality TV to Hollywood
Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end who has grown into a household name, initially hesitated to participate in the 2016 E! reality show "Catching Kelce," where 50 women competed for his affection. During a promotional clip, he exclaimed, “Sign me up,” but his manager, Aaron Eanes, revealed that it wasn’t as simple as it sounded.
Eanes recounted to CNN, “People didn’t really look at tight ends as ‘talent,’ and so it was more of a situation where it’s like, ‘If you want to be in entertainment, you kind of need to do something that’s unexpected, but it’s also going to allow you to learn."
While Kelce did not find lasting love on the show, he gained valuable experience that helped him break into the entertainment industry. Eanes and his twin brother Andre, who both manage Kelce, have supported the three-time Super Bowl champion since his college days at the University of Cincinnati. They have helped to transition his career from reality television to legitimate Hollywood endeavors. Eanes expressed the ease of rooting for Kelce, noting that he has remained grounded since the early days of their partnership.
“He still is the same kind of happy-go-lucky person that just enjoys life… He’s just very grounded in who he is,” Eanes said. Now, nearly eight years after “Catching Kelce,” Eanes believes Kelce’s Hollywood pursuits are finally aligned with his true interests. “Travis is going to do what Travis wants to do,” Eanes added with a laugh.
As Kelce continues to rise as one of the most talked-about stars in the NFL, his agents are busy preparing him for success in the entertainment sphere during the offseason and for his post-football career. “We have a lot of other opportunities that keep him excited. So I think ultimately, whenever he decides to stop playing, he’s going to still be plenty busy if he wants to be,” Eanes said.
Reflecting on Kelce’s current projects, after the reality show, he did not pursue additional work outside of football until 2020. Eanes stated that they wanted some time to regroup and search for projects that aligned with Kelce’s comedic interests, specifically scripted comedy.
They found such an opportunity in the Showtime and A24 space comedy “Moonbase 8,” featuring Tim Heidecker, Fred Armisen, and John C. Reilly. Kelce made a brief appearance as a satirical version of himself, who, unfortunately, was killed off midway through the episode. Eanes emphasized that this experience was essential for Kelce, as it provided insight into the industry.
“Being able to work with Armisen, Heidecker, and Reilly and learn from them on set gave him another idea of what it would take to be in the business,” Eanes explained.
In 2022, Kelce began co-hosting the “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” podcast with his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce. The podcast is currently in its third season, and the brothers recently finalized a multi-million-dollar deal to bring it to Amazon’s Wondery—a deal brokered by Eanes. “We want to make sure we’re great partners. We want to make sure we’re doing a good job in delivering value to Wondery and then growing that property,” Eanes said.
Authencity is key for Kelce, especially when he co-hosts the show with his brother. Eanes noted the podcast has strengthened their bond: “It has allowed him to be closer with his brother than he’s ever been.”
Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory last year, Kelce made a notable hosting debut on “Saturday Night Live.” This was a poignant experience for Kelce, who shared during his monologue that he grew up watching the show with his mother, Donna Kelce. “And to be standing on this stage, whew… Pretty surreal,” he remarked, visibly emotional.
Eanes highlighted Kelce’s love for comedy and entertainment, saying, “He’s a big fan of comedy, he’s a big fan of movies. He’s a big fan of just entertainment and bringing joy to people.” This passion shone through during his "SNL" appearances, including a cameo with his then-girlfriend, Taylor Swift.
Despite his comedy aspirations, Kelce surprised some when he was cast in Ryan Murphy’s thriller "Grotesquerie." Eanes explained that Kelce was eager to take on the dramatic challenge. “He was excited by the challenge of a drama that he’d never done,” Eanes noted, citing his confidence in Murphy’s guidance.
Kelce will soon appear as a host in “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity” on Prime Video, an opportunity that resonates deeply with him. “He loved game shows growing up,” Eanes shared. Kelce expressed his excitement, recalling his fondness for classic game shows like “The Price is Right” and “Family Feud,” saying, “I always wanted to be a part of it, whether I was a contestant, someone helping out or hosting one.”
Using his podcast platform, Kelce has made his desire to join Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore” sequel clear, leading to a meaningful collaboration. They worked together to initiate Kelce’s cameo in “Happy Gilmore 2,” with Eanes laughingly recalling Kelce’s excitement after receiving confirmation.
Describing Kelce’s connection to Sandler’s films, Eanes emphasized that this role is a “dream come true” for Kelce, who has admired Sandler’s work for years. “We’re gonna have fun because the scene you’re doing is with so many great golfers. It’s going to be amazing,” Sandler told Kelce during a recent podcast episode.
As Kelce navigates the world of entertainment, Eanes noted, “You don’t really need a show to see what he’s doing all the time,” suggesting that despite his roots in reality TV, Kelce is forging a path that is uniquely his own.
