Actresses You Didn’t Know Were Professional Athletes Before Hollywood

Many famous Hollywood actresses didn’t start their careers in film. Before becoming stars, these women spent years training and competing in sports at a high level. This dedication built the discipline and physical fitness they now use in demanding movie roles. Here’s a look at actresses who were professional or elite athletes before finding fame.

Estella Warren

Before becoming known for ‘Planet of the Apes,’ she was a highly skilled synchronized swimmer, representing Canada on the national team. She achieved three national championships and a bronze medal at the 1995 Junior World Championships. This athletic foundation led to a modeling career, and eventually to her first significant movie roles in the early 2000s. She frequently points to the discipline she learned as a swimmer as a key to her success in filmmaking.

Gina Carano

This athlete excelled as one of the first women in mixed martial arts and was a highly skilled Muay Thai fighter. She became a prominent figure in the sports of EliteXC and Strikeforce, and her fighting abilities led to her acting debut in the film ‘Haywire’. She went on to appear in popular productions such as ‘Deadpool’ and ‘The Mandalorian’.

Ronda Rousey

This athlete first earned an Olympic bronze medal in judo and then became a top competitor in the UFC. She later found success in Hollywood, appearing in films like ‘Furious 7’ and ‘The Expendables 3’. Her dedication to fitness and competitive drive naturally led her to action movies. She still manages a career in entertainment alongside her ongoing legacy as a professional fighter.

Dot-Marie Jones

This actress is an incredible athlete – a fifteen-time arm wrestling champion and a former track and field star. She landed the role of Coach Beiste on ‘Glee’ thanks to her strong physique and athletic abilities. Her dedication to professional sports helped her succeed in a long television career, and she’s also been on popular shows like ‘Married with Children’ and ‘Lizzie McGuire’.

Hillary Wolf

Before becoming known for her role as the older sister in the ‘Home Alone’ movies, she was a highly skilled judo competitor. She even represented the United States in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. She started succeeding in judo at a young age, while still working as a child actress, and ultimately decided to prioritize her athletic career over pursuing acting in Hollywood.

Gabrielle Reece

This actress had a fascinating career before hitting the screen. She was a talented beach volleyball player who led her team to wins in the 1990s, and also worked as a successful fashion model. She became known as a fitness icon, and her athletic background eventually led to acting roles, including a starring part in ‘Air Bud Spikes Back’. She’s also made several appearances as herself on TV shows and in documentaries.

Stacy Keibler

She started her career as a cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens and then transitioned to professional wrestling. She became well-known competing in WCW and WWE for many years. This success led to acting roles in television shows like ‘What About Brian’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother,’ and she also became a popular contestant on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’

Mercedes Varnado

Sasha Banks, a popular professional wrestler known for her work in WWE and Japan, successfully transitioned to acting. Her charisma and athleticism led to a role as Koska Reeves in ‘The Mandalorian,’ where she demonstrated her skill with both action and dramatic scenes. She’s now pursuing exciting projects in both the world of sports and film.

Laila Ali

Muhammad Ali’s daughter followed in her father’s footsteps, becoming a champion boxer herself. She ended her career without a single loss, collecting several championship titles in different weight categories. Later, she moved into entertainment, appearing in the film ‘S.W.A.T.’ and hosting the show ‘American Gladiators.’ Today, she continues to be a well-known figure in television and the fitness world.

Holly Holm

A highly accomplished athlete in combat sports, she’s won world championships in both boxing and MMA. She became a global star by defeating Ronda Rousey and winning the UFC bantamweight title. Beyond competition, she’s appeared in the series ‘Fight Valley’ and various sports documentaries. She’s known for her impressive technique and consistently professional attitude, both inside and outside the arena.

Cathy Rigby

This gymnast made history as the first American woman to win a medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. She competed in the Olympics in 1968 and 1972, and later transitioned to a career in theater and film. She’s best known for playing the title role in ‘Peter Pan,’ a part she performed on stage and in television specials for many years. Her background in gymnastics gave her the agility needed to perform challenging stunts during her performances.

Geena Davis

I’ve always been amazed by this actress – not just because she’s won an Oscar, but because she’s a seriously talented athlete too! She picked up archery in her forties, which is incredible, and actually competed in the Olympic trials in 1999. She finished in the top thirty out of hundreds of people trying out – so close to making the national team! And honestly, her passion for sports really shines through even in her iconic role in ‘A League of Their Own’. It just proves how versatile she is!

Amy Jo Johnson

For years, she was a dedicated gymnast, even reaching Olympic-level training. Unfortunately, an injury ended her gymnastics career, leading her to pursue acting. She’s most famous for being the very first Pink Ranger in the ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ series and movies. Because of her gymnastics experience, she was able to do many of her own stunts and impressive aerial work.

Aimee Mullins

This talented actress is also a record-setting Paralympic sprinter who competed in the 1996 Atlanta games. She made history as the first person with a double amputation to compete in track and field at the college level. Beyond athletics, she’s become a successful actress, appearing in shows like ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘The Power,’ as well as a model and a dedicated advocate for disability rights.

Michelle Yeoh

Before achieving international fame as an actress, she was a top squash player in Malaysia. She also dedicated years to ballet and other dance training as a child. These early athletic pursuits proved crucial, forming the basis for her successful career in action films. Most recently, she won an Oscar for her outstanding performance in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

Lisa Leslie

A true icon of the WNBA, she’s an Olympic champion with four gold medals and numerous championships to her name. Her impressive height and talent made her a globally recognized athlete. Beyond basketball, she’s also appeared in movies like ‘Uncle Drew’ and ‘Think Like a Man,’ and she made history as the first woman to dunk in a professional WNBA game.

Torrie Wilson

Before becoming an actress and fitness model, she spent more than ten years as a professional wrestler with WCW and WWE. She had already proven herself as an athlete by winning multiple fitness competitions. Her wrestling career brought her wider recognition, including appearances on popular TV shows like ‘Baywatch’ and ‘7th Heaven’. Ultimately, her impact on the sport was recognized with an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Eve Torres

A former WWE Divas Champion (winning the title three times), she’s also a highly skilled Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and instructor. Her extensive combat training has opened doors to roles in action-packed projects like ‘Skiptrace’ and ‘Supergirl’, and she frequently incorporates her martial arts skills into her acting.

Shayna Baszler

She’s a trailblazer in women’s MMA, and was part of the renowned ‘Four Horsewomen’ group. Following a highly successful career in fighting, she moved into professional wrestling, where she earned multiple championships. Her skills and experience in combat also led to an acting role in the film ‘Fight Valley’. She’s widely recognized for her aggressive fighting style and authentic background in martial arts.

Jade Cargill

A former Division I college basketball star, she transitioned to professional wrestling, quickly becoming a top champion in AEW. Now with WWE, she’s continuing to grow her career in entertainment, including appearances in guest acting roles and reality TV shows.

Trinity Fatu

I always found it fascinating that before becoming a wrestling superstar, she was actually a dancer for the Orlando Magic! That background in dance and cheerleading really translated to her incredible agility in the ring – she was just so quick and graceful. Beyond wrestling, she’s also shown her acting chops in ‘The Marine 5 Battleground’ and gave us a peek behind the scenes of her life as a cast member on ‘Total Divas’. And the best part? She’s still competing at the top of her game – a true athlete!

Rhea Ripley

This Australian athlete excelled at soccer before becoming a successful professional wrestler. She’s won championships all over the world and is known for her distinctive appearance and athletic style, making her popular with fans. Beyond wrestling, she’s also been featured in sports documentaries and has made appearances on TV shows.

Danica Patrick

She’s a pioneering figure in American open-wheel racing, and a former race car driver. She made history in 2008 by winning the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first and only woman to win a race in the IndyCar Series. Beyond racing, she’s appeared in popular TV shows like ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘CSI NY,’ and has built a career as a TV analyst and businesswoman.

Lindsey Vonn

This athlete is a world-renowned Olympic gold medalist and a highly decorated alpine ski racer. She’s won four overall World Cup championships and continues to hold many records in the sport. Beyond skiing, she’s made appearances on television, including a guest role on ‘Law & Order,’ and has hosted reality shows and participated in documentaries about her life and career.

Missy Peregrym

Before becoming a successful TV actress, she was a dedicated athlete, playing both basketball and soccer. This athletic foundation proved crucial when she landed the role of a gymnast in the movie ‘Stick It’. Since then, she’s appeared in hit shows like ‘Rookie Blue’ and ‘FBI’, and her sports background still shapes how she tackles physically demanding roles in Hollywood.

Emma Dumont

Before becoming an actress, she was a competitive roller derby skater known as Bodice Blizzard, playing for the Los Angeles Derby Dolls. Years of training for the sport, combined with her dance background, ultimately helped her land roles in shows like ‘Bunheads’ and ‘The Gifted’. She frequently talks about how the discipline and physical strength she gained from roller derby proved valuable in her acting career.

Gwendoline Christie

Growing up, I was a pretty serious gymnast, training for years and reaching a really high level. Sadly, a bad spinal injury forced me to stop, which was devastating. But I decided to channel that same discipline into acting instead. I think my height and the physical control I gained from gymnastics have really helped me bring some iconic characters to life – you might recognize me from ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Star Wars’! Honestly, that athletic background still plays a huge role in how I approach everything on screen.

Serena Williams

Though famous for winning twenty-three Grand Slam titles in tennis, she’s also become a successful actor. She’s appeared in movies like ‘Ocean’s Eight’ and ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,’ and has been in several TV shows. Her incredible tennis career has made her a well-known figure around the world, and she continues to act and create content while remaining a celebrated athlete.

Please share which of these athletic backgrounds surprised you the most in the comments.

2026-02-28 06:19