Travis Kelce might have 'enormous' acting career after Ryan Murphy show 'Grotesquerie'

NEW YORK — Travis Kelce's mom was in the house for the premiere of his first major acting role, which his colleagues think could be the start of a major Hollywood career.

The new Ryan Murphy FX horror series "Grotesquerie," which includes Kelce among the cast, held its premiere Monday night in New York. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end wasn't in attendance, but a Kelce still showed up: his mother Donna Kelce, who walked the red carpet and told USA TODAY why her son is well-suited for a transition into acting.

"He's one of those types of individuals who's kind of like a chameleon," she said. "He can be with people of varying different walks of life and fit in. He's always been able to do that, and I think he has a lot to draw from with all of the individuals that he's been around."

Kelce's role has been kept mysterious in marketing materials. But it's a major step into Hollywood for the NFL star, whose only prior acting credits were as "Saturday Night Live" host and a short appearance as himself in the Showtime comedy "Moonbase 8" (he was killed off 12 minutes into the first episode). 

Niecy Nash, who stars in the show as a detective investigating a series of grisly crimes, recalled to USA TODAY the reaction when the "amazing" Kelce walked on set.

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"All the guys were fangirling. The girls were like, 'What's going on?'" she said, noting that for the guys, "it was a bromance as soon as he walked on set."

"But he's a really great guy, and I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised by him in this," Nash said.

Travis Kelceto star in 'Grotesquerie.' It's not his first time onscreen

"Grotesquerie" co-creator and executive producer Jon Robin Baitz, meanwhile, said there is "no question" we'll be seeing much more of Kelce as an actor in the future, as he has the "outline of an enormous career as a true star."

"He shows up, he's off book, he knows how to do it, he's never done it before," Baitz told USA TODAY. "He's charming. He's at ease on camera. There are no nerves. He's a star."

Courtney B. Vance, who plays the husband of Nash's character, similarly expressed confidence that there are more acting roles in the cards for Kelce, who was "nice and humble" and "absolutely ready" for the role. He also explained the Chiefs tight end worked with an acting coach, and he ended up in the project after telling Murphy he wanted to transition into acting and had a three-month window where he was available.

Travis Kelceconfirms casting in new Ryan Murphy horror show: 'Jumping into new territory'

Micaela Diamond, who has a background largely in theater plays a journalist nun in the show, noted she and Kelce bonded as the "newbies" on set, and he "really is an astounding human being and actor" who "showed up really game" and "can play under pressure." Raven Goodwin, who plays Nash's character's daughter, agreed the Chiefs star "came to work open and ready to work," while Nicholas Chavez, who plays a priest, said Kelce approached the role like he would a football game.

"You can tell that he plays professional football for a living and that he's damn good at that job, because he's such a team player even when he comes to our set," Chavez said. "He leads with confidence. Really a great guy all around, and I was really impressed with how he handled this role."

Kelce already has a few more acting gigs in the works, as he's set to appear in "Happy Gilmore 2" and is in talks to lead an action-comedy called "Loose Cannons," according to Variety and Deadline.

When does 'Grotesquerie' premiere?

"Grotesquerie" will premiere Sept. 25 at 10 p.m. ET on FX and will stream the next day on Hulu.