ISTPs’ approach to most things in life is to take them apart and see how they work. This applies both to mechanical devices and to more intangible things — lives, minds, relationships. ISTPs are perfectionists who love to tinker and improve, and while not all their improvements work out, they can become formidably skilled in their field of endeavor.
Unfortunately, their mechanical approach to interpersonal relationships can make them seem standoffish, tactless, and manipulative. And they can easily step over the lines of acceptable behavior without knowing it, since they frequently act without thinking.
Here are some famous ISTPs you may know.
ACTORS & ENTERTAINERS
Clint Eastwood src
Christian Bale src
Demi Moore src
ISTP actors do not have the range of more empathetic types — they’re more often the kind who plays the same character in every movie. But within those bounds, they can be memorable.
- Clint Eastwood, U.S. actor. source
- Woody Allen, U.S. actor and director. source
- Christian Bale, Welsh actor. source
- James Dean, U.S. actor. source
- Tom Cruise, U.S. actor. source
- Scarlett Johansson, U.S. actress. source
- Ellen Page, Canadian actor. source
- Bruce Lee, Hong Kong martial artist and actor. source
- Bill Murray, U.S. actor. source
- Humphrey Bogart, U.S. actor. source
- Burt Reynolds, U.S. actor. source
- Daniel Craig, English actor. source
- Simon Cowell, English producer and television judge. source
- Demi Moore, U.S. actress. source
- Charles Bronson, U.S. actor. source
- Kristen Stewart, U.S. actor. source
- Jenna Jameson, U.S. adult actor. source
- David Blaine, U.S. magician. source
- Steven Wright, U.S. comedian. source
- Karl Pilkington, English comedian. source
POLITICIANS, BUSINESS & WORLD LEADERS
Zachary Taylor src
Vladimir Putin src
Erwin Rommel src
ISTP politicians are technocrats with a firm understanding of the levers of power.
- Zachary Taylor, U.S. President. source
- The Dalai Lama, Spiritual leader. source
- Vladimir Putin, Russian President. source
- Erwin Rommel, German general. source
- Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukrainian prime minister. source
- Jack Dorsey, U.S. internet entrepreneur. source
- Melania Trump, U.S. first lady. source
MUSICIANS
Miles Davis src
Noel Gallagher src
Eazy-E src
ISTP musicians work hard on technical proficiency, to the point where they can accomplish what most others wouldn’t even try.
- Miles Davis, U.S. jazz trumpeter. source
- Frank Sinatra, U.S. singer. source
- Keith Richards, English guitarist. source
- Joe Walsh, U.S. musician. source
- Willie Nelson, U.S. musician. source
- Marshall Mathers (Eminem), U.S. rapper. source
- Lemmy Kilmister, English guitarist. source
- Noel Gallagher, English musician. source
- Joe Strummer, U.S. musician. source
- Snoop Dogg, U.S. rapper. source
- Angus Young, Scottish-Australian guitarist. source
- Glenn Danzig, U.S. musician and producer. source
- Eazy-E, U.S. rapper. source
ARTISTS
ISTP artists are known for their polished technical proficiency.
- Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter. source
ATHLETES
Larry Bird src
Wayne Gretzky src
Venus Williams src
ISTP athletes are some of the most driven competitors on the field, determined to perfect their craft.
- Shaquille O’Neal, U.S. center. source
- Larry Bird, U.S. forward. source
- Ted Williams, U.S. left fielder. source
- Ayrton Senna, Brazilian F1 driver. source
- Wayne Gretzky, Canadian center and coach. source
- John McEnroe, U.S. tennis player. source
- Bill Cowher, U.S. coach. source
- Moses Malone, U.S. center. source
- Venus Williams, U.S. tennis player. source
- Phil Ivey, U.S. poker champion. source
- Barry Sanders, U.S. running back. source
- Magnus Carlsen, Norwegian chess grandmaster. source
WRITERS & PHILOSOPHERS
ISTPs don’t make natural writers because they tend to lack the patience and reflection that writing requires. However, some still manage to achieve in this field.
– Diogenes, Greek philosopher. (celebritytypes.com)
– Ernest Hemingway, U.S. author. (http://personalitycafe.com/istp-forum-mechanics/19454-famous-istps.html)
ADVENTURERS
Chuck Yeager src
Amelia Earhart src
Alan Shepard src
ISTPs are fearless and confident in their own skills, so they’re a natural for dangerous careers.
- Chuck Yeager, U.S. Air Force officer and test pilot. source
- Alan Shepard, U.S. astronaut. source
- Sally Ride, U.S. astronaut. source
- Sir Edmund Hillary, English mountain climber. source
- Miyamoto Musashi, Japanese swordsman and author. source
- Amelia Earhart, U.S. pilot. source
FICTIONAL CHARACTERS
Arya Stark src
Aragorn src
Montgomery Scott src
Finally, here are some ISTPs from the worlds of fiction.
- Montgomery “Scotty” Scott from Star Trek. source
- Mrs. Hughes from Downton Abbey. source
- Baymax from Big Hero 6. source
- Arya Stark from Game of Thrones. source
- Bronn from Game of Thrones. source
- Sandor Clegane from Game of Thrones. source
- Haymitch Abernathy from The Hunger Games. source
- Melinda May from Agents of SHIELD. source
- The Beast from Beauty and the Beast. source
- Garnet from Steven Universe. source
Many traditional action-adventure heroes fall into the ISTP classification, including:
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As an ISTP, I will say, how about a list of accomplished ISTPs of more useful professions? People that actually build or invent things?
Sorry for the jerk comment.
You’re welcome.
I added Twitter’s Jack Dorsey to the list. I’m not sure of your definition of “useful professions” (I can’t think of any famous ISTP nurses, doctors, educators, etc.)
Maybe you had someone in mind?
holy shit
I hate myself :’D
I believe you need to add MacGyver to the list of fictional characters. He is most definitely an ISTP.
Hey hey hey, it’s me, your rare writer ISTP. And you guessed it: I do write my characters by identifying the components of what makes a human. Same applies to their relationships.
Heh, I also like to write in my free time. Just little stories I developed plots and characters to over time. I feel the same way, although I do attempt to give them all different personalities (which I think I do pretty well). In real life though, I’m a music major (I wonder if this ties into anything either, I really like experimental electronic music and jazz is cool too)
Need to include Daryl from The Walking Dead – best ISTP ever!
Need to add the following for ISTP as well:
* Kobe Bryant (RIP)
* Bruce Springsteen
* Frank Zappa
* General George Patton (some sites list him as ESTP, but I beg to differ – He was a master craftsman in his spare time, making his own ceremonial saber)
* Cody Bellinger – Dodgers
From a proud ISTP. I’d rather not be anything else!
I forgot, Jan-Michael Vincent (RIP), too
You need Bill Belichik there.
Clint Eastwood and Bill Belichik are the only famous people that pop in my head when i think of ISTP
I wonder if ISTP personalities are the ones drawn to motorcycle riding? That’s me. I enjoy that way of getting around because it’s just you, the bike and the road. You’re always sensing your environment and you have to do this to survive. Not to mention I’m fascinated by the technology and mechanics of bikes in general.
It looks like I am ISTP – I love to think up ideas for stories, I have even started a few, and finished one – but the guts needed to be filled out. I discovered, when I tried to flesh it out, keeping all of those details in my head led to a “nutty professor” phenomenon where my brain would remove words part way or at the end of a sentence while talking, I had almost a short circuit in my thinking if the process went on for too long. My own brain was fighting the concentration required to finish the job. lol I am fiercely independent to the point that I turned down every proposal I ever got. Yes, I have been confused about relationships for as long as I can remember. Why do people think and react the way they do? It’s quite entertaining , but again, trying to remember why other people do what they do is a drain on my brain, so I just have to try to relax and chill in their company. I am indeed a perfectionist, yet my lack of concentration leaves me constantly frustrated, especially when outcomes rely on other people’s support or input. Still, I love life. Am very grateful to remain in that state. I suffer severe depression to boot. I have had many careers, including security, music, communications, studied acting, art, coding, and I make my own music as well as put melodies, lyrics to other people’s backing tracks as a hobby. I’m always trying to start hobbies and projects. I have moved many many times, most often due to difficult people. This gets tiresome as I get older.
Having physical limitations has greatly reduced my ability to try new things and get out into the community, which makes me sad.
Please correct Elliot Page’s name under Actors and Celebrities
Corrected. Thank you for reaching out.
elliot* page
Fixed! Thanks.
For any weebs that are ISTP u might want toknow that we also have the same personality type as Dabi (my hero) and Ash lynx (banana fish)
And Aizawa from MHA ! :D
Hi, I would just like to add that the astronaut Neil Armstrong was also an ISTP!
I’m sorry but finding out I have the same MBTI as Vladimir Putin was not something I thought would happen today 😭