In order to keep their bodies well-maintained and ready to face any challenge, athletes put in lots of their time working out and maintaining. But did you realize that many athletes are actors? This is a listing of some athletes who have become actors.
Kevin Garnett
In May of 1976 Kevin Maurice Garnett was born. He was a part of 21 seasons with the National Basketball Association (NBA) as an athlete. He was dubbed “Big The Ticket” was a name he earned for his intense as well as his defensive abilities as well as his versatility. He was also known for being one of the greatest powerful power forwards. He was among the five NBA players to win an award of the NBA Defensive player of the year as well as Most Valuable Player awards in 2020.
Garnett received the award for National Player of the Year as well as a McDonald’s All-American in high school. Following his selection in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves Garnett made immediately a positive effect on the team, guiding the team to make eight consecutive postseason games, and winning the NBA MVP Award in 2004. He was one of the key players for the Boston Celtics’ 2007 blockbuster trade, which sent they to the 2008 NBA Finals. Paul Pierce and Paul Pierce were traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013. The team traded him back to Minnesota in 2015. In the year 2020, Garnett was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame In 2021, Garnett declared his decision to retire. In 2021, Garnett was picked to be part of his place on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Garnett who has an appearance only for a brief moment in “Uncut Gems,” displays his ability to perform with passion and energy throughout the film showing his real talent while giving the character an intense performance.
John Matuszak
John Daniel Matuszak is his full name and “Tooz” is the name. He was a defensive player on the National Football League, or NFL soccer team previously. Later, he became an actor in the future.
He appeared on films and television. In 1979 the year he debuted with the character O. W. Shaddock in the film North Dallas Forty, then in 1981, he appeared in the role of Tonda in the film Caveman and also as a sloth who was deformed in the film of 1985 The Goonies.
In the late 1980s He pursued a profession as an actor and appeared in TV shows as well as feature films. He was often an imposing or footballer. Apart from the listed films, he also made several appearances in TV shows that included Miami Vice, M*A*S*H, Hunter, Silver Spoons, The A-Team, Perfect Strangers and The Dukes of Hazzard.
Dave Batista
David Michael Bautista Jr. is his birth name however, those who saw his professional wrestling career were known as “Batista.” Prior to his professional career his first job was as a lifeguard and nightclub bouncer. Also, he began an exercise program and claimed it was the reason he saved his life. He was a candidate for an opportunity at the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Power Plant to begin his professional wrestling career. However, he was told he could not achieve success in the industry. Then, he attended the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) for training to prepare for his World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) promotion. Oct. 30, 1999 was the day of the first time he wrestled in the WXW promotion as Khan. In 2019, Khan declared his retirement from professional wrestling.
The year 2006 was the first time he started acting as wrestling professionally, and made appearances on television as himself as well as Batista. He appeared in episode 8 of the TV show Smallville in the role of an alien known as Aldar who escaped from his Phantom Zone. Films and other television shows where he appeared can be found below:
- Neighbors: He appeared in an Australian soap opera as himself.
- Chuck: He appeared in an episode.
- Relative Strangers: He made a cameo appearance.
- Wrong Side of Town: he worked with Rob Van Dam, Marrese Crump, and Ja Rule in 2010.
- The Man with the Iron Fists: He appeared as the villain, Brass Body.
- Guardians of the Galaxy: He appeared as Drax the Destroyer.
- Spectre: He played Mr. Hinx in 2015.
- Kickboxer: He starred as the villain named Tong Po.
- Blade Runner 2049: He had a supporting role.
- Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame: appeared as Drax the Destroyer.
- Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead appeared as the villain named Dune.
- Glass Onion appeared as the character named Duke.
He’s still acting and we look forward to more roles for him in his acting career.
Gina Carano
Gina Joy Carano, a former mixed martial artist (MMA) was born on 16 April 1982 at Dallas County, Texas. Her father, who was a professional footballer Glenn Carano, and mother, Dana Joy Cason, were raised within Las Vegas, Nevada.
As she began to study Muay Thai, her MMA career took off. She was convinced to pursue this sport Muay Thai after her former boyfriend Kevin Ross, a professional fighter. Jamie Levine made her an invitation to fight Leiticia Pestova for the very first mixed martial arts female match in Nevada via World Extreme Fighting. Carano was able to finish the match in just 38 seconds take the victory. Carano won seven times throughout her MMA career, including three knockouts, one by submission, three by decision. She also lost by knockout.
She started her acting career in the year 2000. In the film of 2015 Ring Girls, she starred. The film is based on the authentic tale of 5 American women who go into Las Vegas to fight the best Muay Thai fighters. The 2007 Oxygen reality show Fight Girls, Carano and Lisa King mentored aspiring fighters. She played Crush in the NBC show American Gladiators. Also, she was in the workout video of the show along with Don “Hollywood” Yates, Monica Carlson, Jennifer Widerstrom, Michael O’Hearn, and Tanoai Reed. On December 16, 2008 marked the official release of the DVD. In addition, she made an appearance in a number of cuts from Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 in the role of Natasha as the Soviet commando/sniper. Also, she was in the 2009 film Blood and Bone.
Apart from her many films and TV appearances her name is also a household name for her character in the role of a special agent Luke Hobbs’ Diplomatic Security Service team in Fast & Furious 6. Then, she was selected to play Cara Dune in The Mandalorian in the year 2018. The role lasted two seasons following her debut on television on “Chapter 4. Sanctuary,” the fourth episode in the initial season.
Dwayne Johnson
The actor and professional wrestler Dwayne Douglas Johnson also called The Rock, is currently working with WWE. The Rock is considered to be one of the greats pro-wrestling and was a key player in the development and growth that was WWE. World Wrestling Federation (WWF, currently referred to as WWE) during the Attitude Era.
The actor has earned over $3.5 million in North America and over $10.5 billion across the globe, his films established him among the top-paid and highest-grossing actors around the world. Alongside being a member of the board for TKO Group Holdings, the main company behind the UFC as well as WWE and WWE, he also serves as an owner of the United Football League.
In 1999 He made his television appearance as wrestler on The “That WWE Show” episode of That ’70s Show, portraying his father. In the following year, he also made an appearance as a wrestling alien in The Star Trek: Voyager episode “Tsunkatse”. He appeared in Walking Tall, The Scorpion King, The Rundown, as well as The Mummy Returns to start his career in film. Also, he was in Reno 911, Gridiron Gang, Doom, and Be Cool! Get Smart, Miami, Southland Tales, and The Game Plan. In the 80th Academy Awards, he took home the Best Visual Effects Oscar.
His career in the box office began with big blockbusters like G.I. Joe: Empire State, Pain & Gain, Fast & Furious 6 and Retaliation. He also produced and hosted The Hero, a TNT reality series The Hero. At the year 2013 Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, they awarded him the Best Male buttkicker Award. His films earned $1.3 billion in the world and he won the title of most successful actor in 2013.
He also was the main character Luke Hobbs in Furious 7 (2015) as well as Hercules (2014). The year 2014 saw him was presenter of reality show Wake Up Call, where individuals could get help challenging situations. The year 2016 saw him played Maui for Moana, the Disney animated feature film Moana and also co-starred along with Kevin Hart in the action-comedy Central Intelligence. Then, in 2017, he was back as Maui in The Fate of the Furious.
You can also check out gamblingzone.com to find more athletes who turned into actors.