Travis Kelce is making his way into Hollywood at a rapid pace.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end, who is dating Taylor Swift and features in numerous television commercials, is stepping into the acting scene this fall with an exciting role in a new series and a hosting position on Amazon Prime Video.

Kelce is featured in Ryan Murphy’s latest horror drama “Grotesquerie” on FX (Wednesdays at 10 PM EDT/PDT; streaming on Hulu starting Thursdays) as the ethereal orderly Eddie Lachlan. He is also hosting Amazon’s new game show “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” This follows his successful hosting of “Saturday Night Live” in 2023 and a guest spot in the 2020 Showtime comedy “Moonbase 8,” alongside Fred Armisen and John C. Reilly. He has more upcoming projects, including a part in Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore 2.”

While some in Hollywood see potential in Kelce’s acting abilities, the question remains: is he truly talented, or should he stick to his well-known role on the football field?

Perhaps the numerous commercials featuring him and his brother, former Eagles player Jason, have honed his skills because Travis holds his own in the eerie and intense “Grotesquerie.” He shares scenes with Emmy-winner Niecy Nash-Betts quite well, even if his delivery sometimes comes off as a bit awkward.

This could be due to his inexperience in acting or the nature of his character, which may have ghost-like qualities. In the series’ third episode, he appears as an orderly who intrudes into Detective Lois Tryon’s (Nash-Betts) investigation of a disturbing serial killer. He initially shows up dressed in white in a bright hallway adorned with roses, offering flirtation and philosophical insights while Lois is drinking and smoking. After she gets into a drunken car crash, he reappears, seemingly unnoticed by other characters. His other brief moments include encounters with Lois’ daughter and showing up during her life flashbacks, leaving the mystery of his origins unresolved for now, with four episodes remaining to clarify who or what he truly is.

Kelce’s reputation as a non-actor and high-profile boyfriend adds an element of surrealism, with fans speculating that Eddie might be an angel, given the series’ religious undercurrents. Regardless of his true nature, his casting represents a unique choice that many viewers appreciate.

However, will he always be viewed merely as a novelty? On “SNL,” Kelce often leaned into his famous persona, appearing as the food-loving “Straight Male Friend” in a sketch with Bowen Yang. In “Moonbase 8’s” opening episode, he played an exaggerated version of himself as an astronaut in training who meets a quick (and comedic) demise.

If Kelce is genuinely pursuing an acting career, he will eventually need to diversify his roles beyond playing charming, laid-back characters and explore more range. But then again, many athletes have had successful Hollywood careers with minimal acting skills. Since Kelce’s journey in showbiz is just beginning, there may be room for many variations of himself in future series and films.

Moreover, hosting might be his forte. On “Smarter,” Kelce brings humor, energy, and enthusiasm as he interacts with fans and celebrities while contestants try to win cash prizes by answering elementary-level questions. The show struggles at times, but Kelce’s charm shines through, making it somewhat enjoyable.

In Hollywood, being a leading man doesn’t always require deep acting skills.