19 Athletes Who Became Successful Hollywood Actors
Becoming a sports star is not an easy task, and no longer as a Hollywood actor. But these men and women have proven that they can do both! Here are the football players, the wrestlers and more athletes who have proven that they had skills on * and * on the big screen:
1 and 1
To start, John Cena is a WWE world champion at 17 times and played his first role as a major actor in the 2006 The sailor. He has since appeared Walnut,, BlockersAnd HBO Max’s Peacemaker.
2
Terry Crews is a former professional football player and made the way to act by winning a role in the 2000s The 6th day. It was also seen in Brooklyn Neuf-Neuf,, Are we still here?And Everyone hates Chris.
3 and 3
Dave Bautista is a former WWE wrestler and began his acting career with minor roles Smallville And Mandrel. He has now become a leading man with appearances in the Galaxy goalkeepers franchise, the Dune franchise, and Strut.
4
Dwayne Johnson made a name for himself in WWE as a rock and had his first job as an actor on This 70s show In 1999. Since then, he picked up a role after a role with credits in The rapid and the furious franchise, the Jumanji franchise, and the Moana franchise. (He will play in the next The breaking machineDirected by Benny Safdie.)
5
You may remember Marshawn Lynch as “beast mode” during his days in the NFL, or you could know him for his acting roles Stockings,, WestworldOr Bizarre.
6.
The former bodybuilder and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger launched his acting career in 1970. Some of his most famous roles include The terminator franchise, Conan the Barbarian franchise, and Batman and Robin.
7
Martial artist Jackie Chan burst into the actor scene in the 1960s. Some of his greatest roles include the Rush hour franchise, the Kung panda franchise, and the Shanghai franchise.
8
LeBron James still plays Pro Ball for the Los Angeles Lakers, but also played actor roles Walnut,, Jam Space: a new heritageAnd Party.
9.
Jim Brown left the NFL to continue his actor dreams with roles The Dirty Dozen,, Mars attack!And All Sunday given. He died in 2023.
10
Martial artist Chuck Norris is best known for his roles Walker, Texas Ranger,, Expensetables 2And The Dragon Way.
11
Former professional basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar began her acting career in the 1970s. Some of his most notable roles include Plane!,, Glass onionAnd Beverly Hills troops.
12
Before his death in 2024, Carl Weathers was a professional football player and an actor with roles in the Rocky franchise, PredatorAnd The Mandalorian.
13
Former professional skaterer Jason Lee moved his goal to act in the early 90s with emblematic roles in My name is earl,, Almost famousAnd Vanilla.
14
Ronda Rousey is best known for his stay at the UFC and WWE, but was also presented in Expensetables 3,, Furious 7And Entourage.
15
Rick Fox went from a professional basketball player to an actor with roles A tree hill,, GreenAnd The highest 2 the lowest.
16
Shaquille O’Neal had an impressive NBA career, but also made a name for himself as an actor with roles Kazaam,, Uncle drewAnd Hustle.
17
Serena Williams is a great tennis, danced with Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl 2025, and had acting roles Glass onion,, Eight of the oceanAnd Pixels.
18
The Kali Reis professional boxer has attracted the public with its main role as Evangeline Navarro in Real detective.
19.
Finally, Michael Jordan made the headlines for his athletics in basketball and baseball, but also obtained actor credits with roles Traffic jam And He had the game.
What is your favorite sport star who has become an actor? Share your choice in the comments!
