Get All Access for $5/mo

Jared Leto Scales the Empire State Building in Boundary-Pushing Publicity Stunt: Photos The 30 Seconds to Mars frontman was promoting the band's upcoming world tour.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

He probably could have just made a TikTok.

Infamous boundary-pushing musician Jared Leto decided to scale 18 floors of the Empire State Building on Thursday to announce that his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars, would return to the road after a five-year hiatus for their "Seasons" world tour.

The tour will kick off in March in South America.

According to officials for the Empire State Building, Leto is the first person to climb to the top of the building legally, though French climber Alain Robert did so in an unauthorized manner in 1994.

Jared Leto climbs The Empire State Building (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)

"The building is a testament to all the things that can be done in the world if we put our minds to it, which is largely the inspiration behind our most recent album, 'It's the End of the World but It's a Beautiful Day," Leto said per the New York Post.

The 51-year-old climbed on the east side of the building for around 20 minutes about 1,300 feet up in the air.

Jared Leto climbs The Empire State Building (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)

"Ever since I was a kid, New York stood for the place that you went to make your dreams come true," Leto told Today. "And as a young kid, I wanted to be an artist, and New York was the place that you came to be an artist. And the Empire State Building was always that symbol for me."

Leto first rose to fame playing Jordan Catalano on the teen drama "My So-Called Life" and has since played a number of memorable roles in films such as "Fight Club" and "Panic Room."

The actor most recently starred as disgraced WeWork founder Adam Neumann in the Apple TV+ series "WeCrashed", which debuted in March 2022.

30 Seconds to Mars' upcoming tour will promote the band's sixth studio album, released this past September.

The band has sold over 15,000,000 albums worldwide, helping bring Leto's net worth to an estimated $90 million.

Jared Leto climbs The Empire State Building (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

These Companies Offer the Best Work-Life Balance, According to Employees

The ranking is based on Glassdoor ratings and reviews.

Science & Technology

Use This Framework to Successfully Integrate AI Into Your Business Operations

Here's how to ensure both innovation and compliance when using AI in your organization.

Leadership

Why Your AI Strategy Will Fail Without the Right Talent in Place

Using fractional AI experts through specialized platforms allows companies to access top talent cost-effectively, drive innovation and scale agile strategies for growth.

Growing a Business

5 Effective Strategies to Boost Your Business's Online Presence

Boosting your online presence in 2025 is the key to success for businesses looking to grow. Working on your branding and reputation management is important to drive more sales and improve conversion.