Ryan Murphy Was 'Moved' by Travis Kelce's 'Ambition' Before Writing Part Specifically for Him inGrotesquerie

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Murphy (left); Travis Kelce.Photo:Noam Galai/Getty; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Noam Galai/Getty; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Travis Kelceknows how to market himself.

“It was very unexpected,” Murphy toldEntertainment Tonight. “I did not know Travis, and I thought we were just having a general meeting.”

During the meeting, Murphy, 58, said Kelce “was so passionate about wanting to try [acting], and I always have a theory which is, ‘A star is a star is a star.’ And he’s a big star — in every arena.”

The meeting prompted the Emmy winner to offer Kelce a part in Grotesquerie, which he said he “wrote” specifically for him. “We had a ball, and he’s just the most delightful person.”

FX Networks/Youtube

“He showed up off-book. He knew all his lines, he knew allNiecy [Nash-Betts]’s lines,” Murphy told the outlet. “And he was a little nervous at first — as, I mean, I would be too.”

Nash-Betts, 54, echoed what Murphy said, as she told PEOPLE ahead of the show’s premiere thatKelce was “lovely to have on set” and “always came prepared.”

“Travis was very open. He was very open on if there was a note given or a suggestion given. So amenable. ‘Tell me what I don’t know. Tell me what your thought is on this.’ I love that he didn’t come in trying to act like, ‘I know everything and I know it all.'”

She also teased that “fans are going to find him very charming” in the show.

AttheGrotesqueriepremiere in New York Cityon Sept. 23, Travis’ momDonna Kelcealso reflected on the traits that helped her son as he stepped into this new world.

“He’s pretty good at just about anything he does because he’s got a good work ethic,” she told PEOPLE. “He’s very coachable.”

“I think this is something he’s always had in the back of his mind,” Donna, 71, continued. “I just think that the thought, ‘If I get an opportunity [like this], I would like to try.'”

Nicholas Chavez, Courtney B. Vance, Ryan Murphy, Dana Walden, Niecy Nash Betts, Micaela Diamond and Raven Goodwin at the premiere of FX’s “Grotesquerie” held at Spring Studios on September 23, 2024 in New York City.John Nacion/Variety via Getty

John Nacion/Variety via Getty

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Grotesqueriepremieres Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on FX and will be available to stream the next day on Hulu.

source: people.com