Tim Mcgrady
Athletes like Michael Jordan and Serena Williams are famous for their athletic abilities, but did you know they’ve expanded their résumés far beyond the sports world? Many have had cameos and even leading roles in TV shows and movies, proving their skills don’t stop once they step off the field, boxing ring, or track. Here’s a roundup of where you can find your favorite current and former pros onscreen:
1. Michael Jordan
Famous For: Basketball (NBA – Chicago Bulls)
Onscreen Moment: Space Jam (1996)
Jordan starred alongside the Looney Tunes in Space Jam, a beloved live-action/animated hybrid that remains a cultural phenomenon. His performance, though limited in range, helped the film become a box office hit.
2. Serena Williams
Famous For: Tennis
Onscreen Moment: Law & Order: SVU, The Simpsons, and Ocean’s 8
Serena has made various TV appearances, showcasing her personality and presence. Her cameo in Ocean’s 8 (2018) alongside other A-listers was a fan favorite.
3. Shaquille O’Neal
Famous For: Basketball (NBA – Lakers, Magic)
Onscreen Moment: Kazaam (1996), Blue Chips (1994)
Shaq has been in several movies, but Kazaam, where he played a rapping genie, stands out. He’s also done TV hosting and comedy skits on various platforms.
4. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Famous For: Wrestling (WWE)
Onscreen Moment: Fast & Furious franchise, Jumanji series
Possibly the most successful athlete-turned-actor, The Rock became a Hollywood megastar. He consistently leads blockbuster franchises and has shown a wide acting range.
5. Ronda Rousey
Famous For: MMA (UFC)
Onscreen Moment: Furious 7 (2015), Entourage (2015), Expendables 3
Rousey’s combat prowess translated well to action films. She’s also dabbled in wrestling and acting roles on TV like 9-1-1 on FOX.
6. LeBron James
Famous For: Basketball (NBA – Lakers, Cavaliers)
Onscreen Moment: Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), Trainwreck (2015)
LeBron impressed audiences in Trainwreck with his comedic chops and returned to the Space Jam franchise in a starring role.
7. Terry Crews
Famous For: Football (NFL – Rams, Chargers)
Onscreen Moment: Brooklyn Nine-Nine, White Chicks, The Expendables
Crews turned a modest NFL career into a successful acting journey. Known for his comedic timing and physicality, he’s a mainstay in both TV and movies.
8. Gina Carano
Famous For: MMA
Onscreen Moment: Deadpool (2016), The Mandalorian
Carano used her fighting skills to gain action roles, including her breakout in Haywire (2011) and a major supporting role in The Mandalorian.
9. Mike Tyson
Famous For: Boxing
Onscreen Moment: The Hangover series, Mike Tyson Mysteries
Known for his fierce persona, Tyson surprised audiences with his comedic turn in The Hangover. He later voiced a fictional version of himself in the animated show Mike Tyson Mysteries.
10. Carl Weathers
Famous For: Football (NFL – Oakland Raiders)
Onscreen Moment: Rocky series, The Mandalorian, Predator
Weathers’ role as Apollo Creed in Rocky made him iconic. He later transitioned into action and sci-fi roles, becoming a fan favorite in The Mandalorian.
11. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Famous For: Basketball (NBA – Lakers)
Onscreen Moment: Airplane! (1980)
In one of the most surprising comedic cameos, Kareem played a co-pilot with a secret identity in this classic parody film, earning him lasting pop culture cred.
12. John Cena
Famous For: Wrestling (WWE)
Onscreen Moment: Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad
Cena transitioned into acting with major success, combining action-star gravitas with self-deprecating humor. Peacemaker cemented his position in Hollywood.
13. Tommy Morrison
Famous For: Boxing
Onscreen Moment: Rocky V (1990)
A real-life heavyweight boxer, Morrison played a fictional version of himself as “Tommy Gunn,” a protege of Rocky Balboa, in the fifth installment of the series.
14. Ray Allen
Famous For: Basketball (NBA – Heat, Celtics)
Onscreen Moment: He Got Game (1998)
Allen starred opposite Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s He Got Game, giving a strong performance as a conflicted young basketball prodigy.
15. Jason Lee
Famous For: Professional Skateboarding
Onscreen Moment: My Name Is Earl, Almost Famous
Lee turned from skateboarding to acting, earning acclaim for his role in My Name Is Earl and appearing in many Kevin Smith films.
16. Esther Williams
Famous For: Swimming
Onscreen Moment: Bathing Beauty (1944), Million Dollar Mermaid
An Olympic swimmer turned Hollywood star, Williams was famous for water ballets in MGM musicals during the 1940s and 1950s.
17. Chuck Norris
Famous For: Martial Arts
Onscreen Moment: Walker, Texas Ranger, The Delta Force
A karate champion, Norris became a pop culture icon with roles in action-packed series and films. His tough-guy image spawned a massive internet meme legacy.
18. Jim Brown
Famous For: Football (NFL – Cleveland Browns)
Onscreen Moment: The Dirty Dozen (1967), Any Given Sunday
One of the earliest athlete-to-actor trailblazers, Brown left football at his peak to pursue acting and became a mainstay in action and drama films.
19. Bubba Smith
Famous For: Football (NFL – Colts, Raiders)
Onscreen Moment: Police Academy series
Smith’s towering frame and deadpan delivery made him a standout as Hightower in the Police Academy comedies.
20. Roddy Piper
Famous For: Wrestling (WWE)
Onscreen Moment: They Live (1988)
Piper brought his wrestling charisma to John Carpenter’s cult classic They Live, delivering the unforgettable line, “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass…”
21. Andre the Giant
Famous For: Wrestling
Onscreen Moment: The Princess Bride (1987)
Known for his size and gentle nature, Andre earned fans worldwide as Fezzik in The Princess Bride, a role that still resonates decades later.
22. Mark Harmon
Famous For: Football (UCLA quarterback)
Onscreen Moment: NCIS, Summer School
While not widely remembered for his athletic career, Harmon’s successful acting career, particularly on NCIS, makes him a rare dual-threat in sports and entertainment.
23. Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner)
Famous For: Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist
Onscreen Moment: CHiPs, Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Post-Olympics, Jenner acted in the police drama CHiPs and gained reality fame with the Kardashian franchise, later using her platform for advocacy.
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