Being on the court, on the field or in the ring could be akin to being on stage or screen – just ask the slew of former athletes who have since become leading actors. It’s not just their brawn that makes athletes prime for long days shooting films, but also the mental stamina required to laser in on a target and deliver. Don’t forget about the alter egos of certain athletes too, with wrestling and MMA requiring characters of sorts.
With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stepping back into the ring (literally) with his buzzy awards season role in A24’s The Smashing Machine, it’s only right to reflect on the most iconic athletes-turned-actors of our time. We’re not counting cameos (although LeBron James in Trainwreck is one of the best comedy performances ever) but rather long-standing careers in Hollywood.
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Below are some of the most famous athletes who became actors.
The 10 best athletes-turned-actors
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10. Gina Carano
The MMA star made a splashy debut with her turn alongside Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian, however, she soon became infamous for suing Lucasfilm’s parent company Disney after she was fired from the Star Wars series. The former Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce MMA athlete played character Cara Dune in the first two seasons of the Disney+ series from 2019 to 2020. She was fired in 2021 amid her political statements on social media. Carano settled her lawsuit with Disney in 2025, and the studio stated that there might be a project she could be rehired on. In the meantime, Carano is leading series Logan Reign as a Las Vegas legal assistant by day and crime fighter by night. She also previously starred in Fast & Furious 6, a franchise which is known for hiring former athletes (almost everyone on this list as been in at least one Fast & Furious installment).
Related: How to Stream ‘The Smashing Machine’
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9. Ronda Rousey
Rousey was the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo, and has since started her film and TV career. Rousey earned the bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics after years in the UFC and WWE. Her filmography includes TV series Blindspot, 9-1-1, Entourage, and her own reality shows such as Total Divas. Rousey was in The Expendables 3 and Furious 7, plus Mile 22.
Related: Is ‘The Smashing Machine’ Based on a True Story?
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8. Terry Crews
The NFL star retired from football in 1997 and started his Hollywood career soon thereafter. Do we have to rewatch White Chicks just for Crews? Yes, yes we do. The comedic actor has also appeared in Everybody Hates Chris and the beloved Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
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7. Dolph Lundgren
The bodybuilder and boxer showcased his pro athleticism in Rocky IV as Soviet boxer Ivan Drago. Lundgren continued his screen career with Masters of the Universe and The Expendables (another franchise that, along with Fast & Furious, is throughout this list). Lundgren later brought back Drago for Creed II.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About ‘The Smashing Machine’ Starring Dwayne Johnson
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6. Jason Statham
The action actor who is always ready with a deadpan quip onscreen actually was a former diver on the British National Diving Team. Statham famously finished 12th in the World Championships in 1992. Then, he became a Hollywood star. In addition to the staple franchises The Expendables and Fast & Furious, Statham has also led both The Transporter films and the recent hit The Beekeeper.
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5. Carl Weathers
The iconic actor played Apollo Creed in the Rocky films, leading to Michael B. Jordan’s sequel spinoff franchise. Weathers’ onscreen charisma made him one of the most beloved stars to stem from the sports world: He previously played in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. Yet it’s his Hollywood career with roles in Predator and Toy Story that he is best known for.
Related: Dwayne Johnson Completely ‘Transformed’ for Daring New Role: ‘I Was Really Scared’
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4. Dave Bautista
The 6x world champion began acting in the middle of his WWE career and had his most famous (and probably most bankable) role in the Guardians of the Galaxy MCU franchise. Bautista has blended action films such as The Man with the Iron Fists and Bond installment Spectre with indie features like The Last Showgirl.
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3. John Cena
Cena easily swapped wrestling for acting. After winning 16 world championships, Cena went on to show his comedic side in Trainwreck and Blockers, as well as joined the DCU with Suicide Squad. His series Peacemaker is a critically acclaimed blend of action, superheroes and Cena’s now-signature hilarity.
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2. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Johnson ended his eight-year-long career in the WWE as a professional wrestler in part to lead films such as Jumanji, Black Adam and Moana (yes, he can sing!). Yet it’s Johnson’s creative drive as a producer that has made him one of the most powerful voices in Hollywood – who else can shepherd a novel adaptation to co-write and star with Martin Scorsese directing? Well, Johnson certainly can.
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1. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Speaking of Predator, that infamous scene of Weathers and Arnold Schwarzenegger high-fiving is still viral. Schwarzenegger has become royalty not only as an actor and legendary bodybuilder, but also as a politician. Schwarzenegger is one of the most famous athletes turned actors, with iconic roles in Terminator, True Lies and Total Recall.
