10 Iconic Nappers from Modern and Historical Times

Napping isn’t just a luxury—it’s a science. Research has consistently highlighted the positive impact of a midday nap, particularly on both physical and mental well-being. Even top neurosurgeons agree on the rejuvenating effects of a good snooze.

Throughout history, a wide range of notable individuals—politicians, artists, musicians, actors, and athletes—recognized the value of napping and made it a regular part of their schedules. Here’s a list of 10 famous figures who understood the importance of a well-timed rest.

1. Thomas Alva Edison

Inventor extraordinaire Thomas Alva Edison earns a spot on this list for a very good reason. He reportedly had a strong aversion to sleep, believing it hindered productivity, and instead relied on frequent naps. Often, he would nap in one of the numerous cots scattered around his estate, sometimes even catching a quick snooze outdoors or while entertaining guests at his home. It’s said that Edison would wake from his naps feeling fully recharged, ready to dive back into his work. Perhaps these power naps were even the secret behind his impressive 1093 patented inventions.

2. Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill was yet another passionate napper. In his memoirs, he expressed his belief that humans were not meant to work a full day without experiencing the "blessed oblivion" of a nap, even if it was just for 20 minutes. While his doctor didn’t prescribe naps as routinely as he did alcohol during Prohibition, Churchill was known to spend every afternoon during World War II taking naps that lasted an hour or more. His leadership helped the Allies achieve victory—could there be a connection?

3. Salvador Dalí

No list of famous nappers would be complete without mentioning Salvador Dalí, a trailblazer in surrealist art and apparently, an innovator in napping techniques. In his 1948 book *50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship*, Dalí argued that napping was essential and even revealed his “secrets” for a perfect nap: the key (pun intended—hold on!) is to sit in a chair and lightly grasp a heavy key or another object between your thumb and forefinger, while letting your arm hang loosely over the side of the chair.

Dalí believed that after nodding off, you would inevitably drop the key, and the resulting noise would rouse you. Occasionally, he swapped the key for a metal mixing bowl and spoon—placing the bowl in his lap and holding the spoon—awakening when it fell into the bowl. This quirky nap technique was part of his “Paranoiac-Critical” method, a set of practices Dalí used to access his subconscious and enter a state between wakefulness and dreams. For adventurous nappers, Dalí also recommended specific foods, like sea perch head, and wines to set the stage for the ultimate nap.

4. Jimmy Buffett

What better way to follow a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” than with a nap? In a 2016 interview with *The New York Times*, Jimmy Buffett shared his love for napping. In fact, the creation of the Margaritaville brand traces back to 1996, when Buffett’s wife woke him from a nap. Years later, Buffett named his 2023 album *Equal Strain on All Parts* after a description of a nap given by his grandfather.

5. Axl Rose

In 2011, things weren’t exactly “Paradise City” for the metal band Steel Panther when they agreed to open for Guns N’ Roses at The Forum in Los Angeles. According to drummer Stix Zadinia and bassist Lexxi Foxx, they were not allowed to hold a soundcheck during the four hours before the show. The reason? Guns N’ Roses lead singer Axl Rose had the arena shut down for his nap. While this may not be one of the more controversial things Axl has done, it’s definitely a rock-and-roll move for the books!

6. Lin-Manuel Miranda

7. Natasha Lyonne

Native New Yorkers may not always fit the stereotype of the habitual napper, but actress Natasha Lyonne is open about her love for a good afternoon snooze. In 2022, she mentioned that hosting *Saturday Night Live* completely disrupted her usual nap routine, calling the show “real wake-up central.” This wasn’t the first time she’s spoken about her fondness for napping—back in 2014, she told *Interview magazine* that she “definitely would rather take a nap than get angry.” Now, that's some solid advice!

8. Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic may hold the title of No. 1 ranked men's singles tennis player according to the Association of Tennis Professionals, but he also takes his sleep very seriously. At times, he relies on quick naps to supplement his target of 8.5 hours of nightly rest. Djokovic’s naps usually last up to 30 minutes, leaving him refreshed. In addition, he practices meditation, recently sharing, “Sometimes it’s just five [minute] breathing exercises or something that will just recharge me and allow me to have a bit more energy for the rest of the day. Basically, yeah, that’s the whole routine.”

9. Jacoby Brissett

Jacoby Brissett, quarterback for the Washington Commanders, views napping as just as essential as meditation when it comes to relaxing and unwinding after a challenging game. In 2022, he explained, “Just a couple minutes just to be to myself and kind of just relax in the midst of all the commotion of meetings and walkthrough and working out and stuff like that. Just trying to relax a little bit.” Even his former coaches agree: “He’s a big nap guy,” said Drew Petzing, former quarterback coach for the Cleveland Browns, when referring to Brissett.

10. Mikaela Shiffrin

Mikaela Shiffrin, the Olympic gold medalist, is outspoken about how much she values her naps. In a 2017 interview with Outside magazine, she shared, “The first thought I’ll have [upon waking up] is: I cannot wait for my nap today. I don’t care what else happens. I can’t wait to get back in bed.” Shiffrin reportedly enjoys an hour-long nap every day and has even been known to catch some rest in the snow during breaks between her competitions.