Actors Who Were Actually Professional Athletes Before Finding Fame

It’s surprisingly common for famous actors to have started as athletes. The dedication and physical strength needed to succeed in professional sports often prove valuable in action movies and intense dramas. Many athletes are now using their fame to build lasting careers in Hollywood, successfully moving from sports arenas to movie sets. We’ve seen this with everyone from football champions to skilled martial artists.

Dwayne Johnson

Before becoming a wrestling superstar, he played professional football for the Calgary Stampeders in Canada. He then launched an acting career with a role in ‘The Mummy Returns’ after gaining fame in WWE. Since then, he’s become one of Hollywood’s top-earning actors, appearing in films like ‘Fast & Furious’ and ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’. His history as an athlete frequently influences the action-packed roles he takes on.

Terry Crews

He had a career as a defensive end and linebacker in the NFL, playing for teams including the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers. After ending his football career in 1997, he became an actor, finding success in the sitcom ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. He also appeared in the comedy ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ and the action series ‘The Expendables’. He’s successfully moved from professional football to a career with both funny and action-packed roles.

Carl Weathers

Carl Weathers was a professional football player, first with the Oakland Raiders and then the BC Lions. He later traded the field for the stage, studying drama and famously landing the role of Apollo Creed in the movie ‘Rocky.’ He went on to star in films like ‘Predator’ and ‘Action Jackson,’ and more recently gained praise for his work on the television series ‘The Mandalorian,’ both as an actor and a director.

Vinnie Jones

He was a famously tough soccer player, starring for clubs like Wimbledon, Leeds United, and Chelsea. He was a vital part of the celebrated “Crazy Gang” team that won the FA Cup in 1988. After retiring from professional soccer, he transitioned to acting, making a strong first impression in ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’. He’s gone on to appear in many other films, including ‘Snatch’ and ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger first became well-known as a champion bodybuilder, winning the Mr. Olympia competition seven times. This led to his acting debut in the film ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ which made him a worldwide star. He’s best known for his roles in ‘The Terminator’ films and the movie ‘Predator.’ Beyond acting, he also served as the Governor of California, continuing to be a presence in Hollywood.

John Cena

John Cena first became famous as a professional wrestler with WWE, winning 16 world championships. He then moved into acting, starting with the action film ‘The Marine’ and later taking on different kinds of roles. Cena proved he could do comedy in movies like ‘Trainwreck’ and starred in big hits like ‘The Suicide Squad’. Currently, he’s the star of the TV series ‘Peacemaker’.

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista first became famous as a professional wrestler in WWE and also tried his hand at mixed martial arts. He then transitioned to acting, gaining widespread recognition for playing Drax the Destroyer in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. He’s since appeared in critically acclaimed films like ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’, and is known for his versatility and dedication to more dramatic roles.

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell began his career as a professional baseball player in the California Angels’ minor league system in the early 1970s. However, a shoulder injury forced him to stop playing sports and return to acting. He became well-known in the 1980s for starring in action films like ‘Escape from New York’ and the horror movie ‘The Thing’. Russell has continued to act consistently for many years, with recent roles in films such as ‘The Hateful Eight’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2′.

Jason Lee

Rising to prominence as a skateboarder in the late 1980s, he helped shape the technical side of the sport. After co-founding Stereo Skateboards, he transitioned to film and television, notably collaborating with director Kevin Smith on films like ‘Mallrats’ and ‘Chasing Amy’. He’s also widely recognized as the star of the popular sitcom ‘My Name Is Earl’.

Jim Brown

Considered an NFL legend, he spent nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Surprisingly, he retired while still at the top of his game to become an actor, starting with the film ‘Rio Conchos’. He quickly became a major star in iconic movies such as ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and ‘100 Rifles’. His successful move to acting inspired many other professional athletes to pursue Hollywood careers.

Rick Fox

Rick Fox had a successful thirteen-year career in the NBA, highlighted by three championships in a row with the Los Angeles Lakers. Even during his playing days, he started acting, with one of his first roles on the HBO series ‘Oz’. After retiring from basketball, he became a full-time actor, appearing in shows like ‘One Tree Hill’ and ‘Greenleaf’. Beyond acting, Fox has also worked as an entrepreneur and producer in the world of esports.

Chuck Norris

Before becoming famous for his martial arts movies, Chuck Norris was a champion karate fighter. He won the Professional Middleweight Karate title six years in a row and even opened his own martial arts school. His skills brought him a memorable fight scene with Bruce Lee in the film ‘Way of the Dragon’. Later, he became a household name starring as Walker in ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ for eight seasons.

Bubba Smith

A powerful defensive end who played for the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Oilers, he was a major player in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl and was chosen for the Pro Bowl several times. After football, he became a well-known actor, famously playing Hightower in the ‘Police Academy’ movies. His tall stature and good sense of humor made him a popular figure in the 1980s.

Fred Dryer

Fred Dryer had a successful 13-year career as a defensive end in the NFL, playing mostly for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He’s famous for being the only NFL player to ever get two safeties in one game. After football, Dryer became an actor and starred as Sergeant Rick Hunter in the popular 1980s crime drama ‘Hunter’ for seven seasons.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Often hailed as one of basketball’s all-time greats, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. Beyond basketball, he’s known for a memorable appearance in Bruce Lee’s film ‘Game of Death’ and a hilarious role in the comedy ‘Airplane!’ as Roger Murdock. He continues to be active in television and is a well-respected voice on cultural issues.

Howie Long

For thirteen seasons, he played defensive end for the Raiders, both in Oakland and Los Angeles. He was a Pro Bowl player eight times and helped the team win the Super Bowl in 1984. After his football career, he became an actor, best known for his role in the action movie ‘Broken Arrow’. He also had parts in the films ‘Firestorm’ and ‘That Thing You Do!’

O. J. Simpson

Before facing legal troubles that received a lot of media attention, he was a star running back for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. He was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1973 and later honored with a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed a successful acting career, appearing in films like ‘The Towering Inferno’ and becoming known for his role as Detective Nordberg in ‘The Naked Gun’ comedies.

2026-02-21 17:46