Athletes are used to being in the spotlight. Whether it’s the field, court or ring, these sports stars thrive under pressure and love to show off their skills in front of millions. But for a select few, the allure of the big screen has been just as strong. Over the years, many athletes have made the move to Hollywood and taken on acting roles for which they’ve become as famed as their sporting achievements.
For sports fans and movie lovers alike, it’s always a treat to see familiar faces from the sports world on the big screen. From action blockbusters to dramas, some athletes have proved their talents go far beyond the competition. Here we look at the top three athletes (in no particular order) who shone on screen.
1. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
You can’t talk about athletes in movies without mentioning Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Before he was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Johnson was a wrestling superstar in the WWE. His charm and physicality in the ring translated perfectly to the big screen and he quickly became known for his action roles. One of his best was in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle where he brought humour, intensity and a new spin to the franchise.
As Dr Smolder Bravestone, Johnson brought his physicality and comedic timing to the role, making his character both lovable and funny. The movie was a massive hit at the box office and cemented Johnson as a bonafide Hollywood star. It wasn’t only his wrestling persona fans loved; his natural charm made him perfect for big movie roles. In Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle we saw a more playful side of Johnson, while still keeping the strength and heroism that made him a household name.
For those who watched Johnson’s journey from wrestling to movies, it was no surprise he became a box office draw. Just like in his WWE days, where he faced long odds to achieve greatness, his move to Hollywood showed he could win in any arena he entered. And just like we assess the biggest odds to win today in sports, many predicted his on-screen success before it happened.
2. Michael Jordan in Space Jam (1996)
Michael Jordan’s impact on basketball is huge but his influence didn’t stop at the court. In 1996, he starred in the family-friendly classic Space Jam, a live action/animated film. He played himself in the movie, teaming up with the Looney Tunes characters to take down an evil team of alien basketball players.
The movie was a box-office hit, combining Jordan’s global appeal with beloved cartoon characters, and it still holds a special place in pop culture today. Space Jam gave Jordan a movie credit and let fans see a more fun side of the usually serious and competitive athlete.
Space Jam was released at an interesting time in Jordan’s career, when he had retired from basketball to play baseball and then came back to the NBA. This added to the plot of the movie as the movie’s storyline mirrored his real life return to the sport. Jordan’s charm and coolness was on full display, and Space Jam was a hit with basketball fans and families around the world. Jordan wasn’t trying to prove anything, his legacy in sports was already set in stone, but Space Jam showed he could entertain on a whole new level.
3. Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Terminator (1984)
Though he’s an action star first, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a bodybuilding champion first. He won Mr. Olympia 7 times before he set his sights on Hollywood. His transition into movies led to one of the most iconic roles of all time—the Terminator.
In the 1984 sci-fi classic The Terminator, Schwarzenegger plays a cyborg assassin sent from the future. The role required few words but a lot of physicality, and Schwarzenegger delivered, becoming a leading man in Hollywood. His physique and stoic performance made the movie a cultural phenomenon and spawned a franchise.
What’s interesting about Schwarzenegger’s transition from bodybuilding to Hollywood is how he leveraged his physicality in a way no one had before. In an era where leading men were supposed to be lean, Schwarzenegger’s muscle was a difference maker, he stood out on screen. The success of The Terminator and its sequels proved his brand of action hero was what the audience was looking for.
For many sports fans, the odds of a bodybuilder making it in Hollywood would have seemed slim. But Schwarzenegger beat the odds, he took what some saw as a limitation—his thick Austrian accent and massive physique—and turned it into his greatest assets.
Athletes appearing on the silver screen isn’t new, but when they do it well, it creates a lasting impression. Whether it’s The Rock going from wrestling to blockbuster movies, Michael Jordan to Space Jam or Arnold Schwarzenegger becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars, these athletes have shown that their talents go way beyond the sports pitch.
So next time you’re getting ready for a movie night, or even checking out an odds comparison site for your favourite sports events, think about how far they’ve come—proving that whether on the pitch or in front of the camera the best athletes always know how to deliver.
