19 Actors who started out as athletes early in their career

Many Hollywood actors were athletes in their earlier careers. Their transition from sporting careers into acting shows versatility and determination. From the football field and wrestling ring to the Olympic arena and basketball court, their journey to fame is an inspiring tale of reinvention and versatility. Their lives show the intriguing intersection of physical skill and artistic talent. Here are 19 actors who were athletes before embarking on acting careers.

19) Fred Dryer

Fred Dryer is a prime example of an athlete who switched from sports to acting. Dryer was a football player who served as a defensive end for the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. After hanging up his cleats, Dryer turned to acting. He became famous for playing a tough and determined detective in the TV series Hunter. He has also appeared in popular shows like Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D and NCIS, and movies like Death Before Dishonour and Snake And Mongoose.

18) Bubba Smith

Bubba Smith began his professional career in football as a member of the Baltimore Colts, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Oilers. After retiring, he went on to become an actor. Bubba is mainly known for his role as Moses Hightower in the Police Academy movies. He also appeared in films like Black Moon Rising, The Wild Pair, and Fist Of Honor. His crossing over from the world of football to that of the movies makes him the perfect example of an athlete who turned out to be a successful actor.

17) Ed O’Neill

Ed O'Neill started as a football player. He played on defence as a lineman at Youngstown State University, and he was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers for a short time, but he never made the final roster. He later turned to acting and became famous for playing the role of Al Bundy in the sitcom Married...with Children which earned him Golden Globe Nominations. Furthermore, he earned Emmy Nominations and won SAG awards for his role as Jay Pritchett in Modern Family.

16) Vinnie Jones

Vinnie Jones started his career as a tough football player, known for his rough style. He played for teams like Wimbledon and Leeds United. After his retirement, he took up acting and became known for various roles in movies such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and Snatch. The tough-guy image he had developed as a footballer helped him to get similar roles in several movies. Vinnie's transition from football to acting shows that one career can actually complement the next.

15) Jean-Claude Van Damme

Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme began as a martial artist and then became an actor. He was a champion in karate and kickboxing, winning several titles. The Belgian martial artist came to the United States to pursue an acting career and got his big break with the movie Bloodsport. He became famous for action films such as Kickboxer, Double Impact, and Universal Soldier. He capitalized on his martial arts skills and the tough-guy image he had carved out for himself.

14) Jason Lee

Jason Lee fits well in the list as he was a professional skateboarder before becoming an actor. A professional skateboarder in the 80s, he retired in 1996. Lee co-founded the company Stereo Skateboards, a popular skate brand, during his skateboarding career. He transitioned to acting in the mid-'90s and became famous for his role as Earl Hickey on the TV show My Name Is Earl. He has also appeared in many popular movies directed by his friend Kevin Smith like Chasing Amy, Mallrats, and Dogma.

13) Dean Cain

Actor Dean Cain was a college football player at Princeton, where he was a free safety. He signed with the Buffalo Bills, but a knee injury ended his football career before it began. He later ventured into acting and gained prominence for playing Superman in the TV show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. His other notable roles were in movies like Out Of Time and Vendetta. He also appeared in CW's popular show Supergirl.

12) Tommy Lee Jones

Known for his role in Men In Black as Agent K, actor Tommy Lee Jones played football as an offensive guard during his college days at Harvard. He played in the famous 1968 football game versus Yale that ended in a tie at 29-29. After graduation, he relocated to New York and started doing Broadway shows. He went on to become a famous actor in films like Men in Black, NO Country For Old Men, and Lincoln. For his role as U.S. Marshall Samuel Gerard in the movie The Fugitive, he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

11) Shaquille O'Neil

Shaquille O'Neil fits the list because he was a legendary basketball player before transitioning to acting. Shaq played for teams like the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat, winning several NBA championships and MVP awards. After retiring from basketball, he ventured into acting and appeared in movies like Kazaam and The Lego Movie series. He also works as a sports analyst on television. His athletic background and charismatic personality helped him succeed in these new ventures.

10) Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris is another athlete who had a thriving career as a martial artist before becoming an actor. He won many championships in karate and kickboxing and also created his own martial arts style called Chun Kuk Do. After martial arts, he went for acting and starred in several action films, including The Delta Force and Missing in Action. He also starred as the main character in the TV show Walker, Texas Ranger. Chuck's dazzling martial arts abilities and rough image helped him carve a niche for himself in Hollywood.

9) Mark Harmon

The NCIS actor, Mark Harmon played football in college before becoming an actor. Harmon played college football as a quarterback for UCLA. After finishing college, he then pursued acting and gained widespread fame for his character Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the television series NCIS. He has also appeared in popular movies like Freaky Friday and Wyatt Earp. Harmon has earned many accolades for his acting including an Emmy Award nomination for his role in The West Wing.

8) Burt Reynolds

Before becoming a famous actor, Burt Reynolds was a talented athlete. He played college football at Florida State University as a tailback but, sadly, due to knee injuries, his football career ended. He then turned to acting, initially doing small roles in plays and television. Eventually, he became a major film star with films like The Longest Yard and Smokey and the Bandit. He won a Golden Globe Award and an Emmy Award for his role in Evening Shade.

7) Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker started as an athlete in high school, where he played football and was recognized as an all-league defender. He then earned a football scholarship to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He eventually suffered an injury to his back which ended his football career and led him to change his major to music and an eventual acting career. Whitaker is known for films like Platoon, The Great Debaters, Arrival, and Good Morning, Vietnam. He has earned many accolades in his extensive acting career including an Oscar award.

6) Terry Crews

Terry Crews began his career as an athlete, with college football at Western Michigan University as a defensive end. He has played football for teams like the San Diego Chargers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rams, and the Washington Redskins. When an injury cut short his football career, he eventually took up acting. He has become well known now for his roles on TV shows such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Everybody Hates Chris. He has also appeared in successful films like The Expandables and The Longest Yard.

5) Esther Williams

Esther Williams was first a top-class swimmer, then a movie star. She held national records and was on her way to the 1940 Olympics, which was cancelled because of the Second World War. Instead, she performed in water shows and was soon discovered by Hollywood scouts. Esther starred in musicals in the 1940s and 1950s, such as Bathing Beauty and Million Dollar Mermaid. The transition from sport to acting made her one of the most popular actresses of her time.

4) Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger is an excellent example of someone who has transitioned from sports into acting. Before becoming a Hollywood icon, he was a world-renowned bodybuilder. Arnold was the titleholder of several Mr. Olympia titles and was celebrated for his outstanding physique. His prominence in bodybuilding made it possible to go into acting, in which he became a star of action blockbusters like The Terminator, Predator, and Total Recall.

3) Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie, an eminent figure skater, became a popular actress after she transitioned from sports to acting. She won three Olympic gold medals and ten World Championships in figure skating, making her one of the most successful skaters in history. After she retired from skating, Henie moved to Hollywood and acted in popular films, One In A Milion, Thin Ice, and Sun Valley Serenade. With her grace and charm on screen, she became a leading star in the late 1930s and '40s.

2) Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson started his career as a highly successful wrestler in the WWE, renowned for his strength, charisma, and multiple championship titles. Upon stepping out of wrestling, Dwayne smoothly made his transition into acting and soon appeared in Hollywood. His films, like Fast & Furious, Jumanji, and Moana, fast became box-office hits. His journey from wrestling to film epitomizes a transformation by athletes who have reached stardom in another profession. Dwayne's athletic nature and larger-than-life persona define his mass appeal in cinema.

1) Jason Statham

Before turning into a well-known actor, Jason Statham had a career as an athlete. The English actor was a talented diver and was a member of Britain's National Diving Team. After competing in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games in the early 90s, Statham became a model and then eventually started acting. He is known for his roles in blockbuster films like The Transporter movie series, The Expendables, and Fast And Furious Presents: Hobbs And Shaw.