Which celebrities walked the Kentucky Derby red carpet? Take a look.
Celeb watching is always a favorite Derby Day pastime at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
From musicians and politicians to actors and sports figures, here are a few of the famous faces spotted on the red carpet at the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
Neil Patrick Harris
The “How I Met Your Mother” and “Doogie Howser, M.D.” star Neil Patrick Harris attended Derby with his husband, actor and chef David Burtka.
Bill Belichick
North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick attended Derby and Oaks with his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. Belichick coached the New England Patriots for 24 seasons before leaving in 2024.
Melissa Joan Hart and Danica McKellar
Former teen television queens Melissa Joan Hart and Danica McKellar were photographed together on the Derby red carpet.
Hart is known for several roles, including the title character in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” while McKellar is best known for her role as Winnie Cooper on “The Wonder Years.” She went on to become a mathematician and has written a number of books on the topic.
Warren Moon
Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon spent 17 seasons in the NFL and won five consecutive Grey Cups in the Canadian Football League.
Gov. Andy Beshear
Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, First Lady Britainy Beshear and their children, Will and Lila, are Derby regulars.
Rob Gronkowski
Former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski spent nine seasons with the New England Patriots and two with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He attended the derby with model and television host Camille Kostek.
Anthony Ramos
Anthony Ramos, who was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in “Hamilton” and for a Golden Globe for “In the Heights,” attended the race for the first time.
Joey Fatone
Joey Fatone, who gained fame as part of the boy band NSYNC, is an actor and television host.
Lance Bass
Lance Bass, another former NSYNC member, attended the derby with his husband, actor Michael Turchin.
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan, who launched her solo career with “I’m Every Woman,” is an 11-time Grammy winner and still touring.
Richie Sambora
Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora is said to be a horse enthusiast, and he’s been attending festivities surrounding the Kentucky Derby for years.
Jaxson Dart
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart looked dapper in a black and white ensemble.
Star Jones
Journalist and former “The View” co-host Star Jones is a regular Derby attendee.
Cassie Donegan
Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan won the pageant as Miss New York, but she grew up in Virginia and is a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville.
Lorrie Morgan
Country music artist Lorrie Morgan has been singing since she was a young teen and charted a number of hits in the 1990s, including “Five Minutes,” “Watch Me” and “Something in Red.”
Andrew Walker and Odette Annable
Actors Andrew Walker and Odette Annable, who star in a Hallmark Channel movie filmed at Churchill Downs, attended Kentucky Derby 152. The movie, “Kentucky Roses,” premieres at 8 p.m. May 2 and will be streaming on Hallmark+ beginning Sunday.
Dannielynn Birkhead and Larry Birkhead
Larry Birkhead and his daughter Dannielynn Birkhead are perennial Derby-goers, and viewers have watched Dannielynn, Larry Birkhead’s daughter with the late model Anna Nicole Smith, grow up before their eyes.
John Schneider
Musician and actor John Schneider, of “The Dukes of Hazzard” and “Smallville,” attended with his wife, Dee Dee Sorvino. Schneider has made several appearances in Kentucky recently, including performing a flood relief concert in Hazard last year.
This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 6:17 PM.
