Many of us grow up with big dreams, and athletes are no different. Their early fantasies of glory turn into years of training, focus, and determination as they work toward becoming the best in their sport.
Reaching the professional level is an impressive achievement, but many athletes eventually look for new challenges. Some finish college degrees, like Michelle Kwan and Sarah Hughes. Others stay close to the game as commentators. And some head to Hollywood, taking their performance skills from the arena to the screen.
To find athletes who’ve made the leap into film and TV, 24/7 Tempo reviewed an IMDb section devoted to the topic. The list includes stars from basketball, football, and other major sports. Some played themselves, while others appeared in quick cameos.
A few built real acting careers, including Rick Fox, Carl Weathers, Bubba Smith, Alex Karras, and Brian Bosworth. Weathers became especially well known for playing Apollo Creed in the Rocky films. Michael Jordan found blockbuster success in Space Jam, which earned over $250 million worldwide. Not every crossover works as well, though, as seen in Ingrid Andress’s much-criticized national anthem performance at the MLB Home Run Derby.
Still, moving from sports to entertainment can feel natural for athletes skilled at performing under pressure. Acting offers them a new stage and a way to stay connected with fans long after their playing days end.
Here are sports stars who took a shot at the silver screen.
1. Michael Jordan
- Noted former profession(s): Basketball
- Signature screen performance(s): Himself in “Space Jam”
2. Ronda Rousey
- Noted former profession(s): MMA judoka and mixed martial artist; WWE wrestler
- Signature screen performance(s): Kara in “Fast & Furious 7”
3. Terry Bradshaw
- Noted former profession(s): NFL – Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
- Signature screen performance(s): Al in “Failure to Launch”
4. Carl Weathers
- Noted former profession(s): NFL – Oakland Raiders linebacker
- Signature screen performance(s): Al Dillon in “Predator;” Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” franchise; Jericho “Action” Jackson in “Action Jackson”
5. Cam Neely
- Noted former profession(s): Right wing for the Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins
- Signature screen performance(s): Sea Bass in “Dumb and Dumber;” “Me, Myself & Irene;” and “Dumb and Dumber To”
6. John Matuszak
- Noted former profession(s): NFL defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, Houston Oilers, Kansas City Chiefs
- Signature screen performance(s): Lotney “Sloth” Fratelli in “The Goonies”
7. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Noted former profession(s): Basketball center for the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers
- Signature screen performance(s): Roger Murdock in “Airplane!”
8. LeBron James
- Noted former profession(s): Basketball for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and (currently) L.A. Lakers
- Signature screen performance(s): Himself in “Space Jam: A New Legacy;” himself in “Trainwreck”
9. Jim Brown
- Noted former profession(s): Fullback for the Cleveland Browns
- Signature screen performance(s): Robert T. Jefferson in “The Dirty Dozen;” “Dreems” in “Fingers;” “Fireball” in “The Running Man”
10. Bob Uecker
- Noted former profession(s): Baseball for the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves
- Signature screen performance(s): Harry Doyle in “Major League”
11. Ray Allen
- Noted former profession(s): Basketball with the Milwaukee Bucks, the Seattle SuperSonics, the Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat
- Signature screen performance(s): Jesus Shuttlesworth in “He Got Game”
12. Shaquille O’Neal
- Noted former profession(s): Basketball – Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics
- Signature screen performance(s): John Henry Irons (“Steel”) in “Steel;” Kazaam in “Kazaam”
Known as one of the greatest NBA players ever, “Shaq” played for six teams in his 19-year career on the court, and is a 15-time NBA All-Star. He’s now a TV sports analyst.
13. Lynn-Holly Johnson
- Noted former profession(s): Figure Skater
- Signature screen performance(s): Alexis “Lexie” Winston in “Ice Castles;” Bibi Dahl in “For Your Eyes Only;” Jan Curtis in “The Watcher in the Woods”
14. Gheorghe Mureșan
- Noted former profession(s): basketball with the Washington Bullets/Wizards and the New Jersey Nets
- Signature screen performance(s): My Giant
15. Brian Bosworth
- Noted former profession(s): Football player for the Seattle Seahawks
- Signature screen performance(s): Detective Joe Huff / John Stone in “Stone Cold”
16. Rick Fox
- Noted former profession(s): Basketball with the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics
- Signature screen performance(s): Chick Deagan in “He Got Game;” Clyde “Sweet Feet” Livingston in “Holes”
17. Mike Tyson
- Noted former profession(s): Heavyweight boxer
- Signature screen performance(s): Himself in “The Hangover”
18. Wilt Chamberlain
- Noted former profession(s): Basketball with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters; Philadelphia Warriors/San Francisco Warriors, 76ers, L.A. Lakers
- Signature screen performance(s): Bombaata in “Conan the Destroyer”
19. Gina Carano
- Noted former profession(s): Mixed martial artist, fitness model
- Signature screen performance(s): Angel Dust in “Deadpool”
20. Vinnie Jones
- Noted former profession(s): Soccer defensive midfielder with Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea, Queens Park Rangers
- Signature screen performance(s): Big Chris in “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels;” Bullet Tooth Tony in “Snatch”
21. Brett Favre
- Noted former profession(s): Quarterback for the Green Bay Packers
- Signature screen performance(s): Himself in “There’s Something About Mary”
22. Alex Karras
- Noted former profession(s): Defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions
- Signature screen performance(s): Mongo in “Blazing Saddles;” “Squash” Bernstein in “Victor/Victoria”
23. O.J. Simpson
- Noted former profession(s): Running back with the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers (also noted for the murder of his wife and her friend for which he was acquitted; later convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping)
- Signature screen performance(s): Detective Nordberg in all three installments of “The Naked Gun”
24. Lawrence Taylor
- Noted former profession(s): New York Giants outside linebacker
- Signature screen performance(s): Luther “Shark” Lavay in “Any Given Sunday”
25. Bubba Smith
- Noted former profession(s): Defensive end for the Baltimore Colts, the Oakland Raiders, and the Houston Oilers
- Signature screen performance(s): Cadet Moses Hightower in the “Police Academy” franchise
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of MGM/UA Entertainment Company.