💬 Athletes/Sports stars who went on to be actors.

[TerryP]

I'm just getting through E3 of SE of True Detective. While watching and scrolling through Twitter I noticed that the lead character, Mahershala Ali, was a point guard in college before his thespian career.



It started me thinking about people we see at the movies or on TV who first made their name in collegiate or professional sports.

From Bama we have our own Joe Namath who starred is six, or maybe seven, movies in the late 60's and 70's.

NCIS lead Mark Harmon was a quarterback at UCLA.
We all know OJ and his role in the Police Squad movies.
I can't recall the show or what his name was...Andrew something. He starred in a soap along with Heather Locklear some 20 years ago or so. He was said to be a good soccer player.

These names started me trying to think of others we've seen in film.

Shaq comes to mind (thought it's hard to call that acting.) Who, and where, are some of the ones that come to your mind?

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Dewayne Johnson was a DE at the U, and I believe was on the 92 team that we curbstomped. Then started rasslin before acting.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Also, Fred Dryer was a pro DE that recorded over 100 sacks in his career, then went on to TV roles, most notable beinv as a detective in 80s show Hunter.

 

[planomateo]

Also, Fred Dryer was a pro DE that recorded over 100 sacks in his career, then went on to TV roles, most notable beinv as a detective in 80s show Hunter.

Loved that tv show. His LA Rams teammate Merlin Olsen was also a TV guy, many roles including Little House on the Prairie.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Loved that tv show. His LA Rams teammate Merlin Olsen was also a TV guy, many roles including Little House on the Prairie.

I was just maybe 9-10 years old, but I remember being how much of a badass he was on the show.. Lol

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I'm just getting through E3 of SE of True Detective. While watching and scrolling through Twitter I noticed that the lead character, Mahershala Ali, was a point guard in college before his thespian career.



It started me thinking about people we see at the movies or on TV who first made their name in collegiate or professional sports.

From Bama we have our own Joe Namath who starred is six, or maybe seven, movies in the late 60's and 70's.

NCIS lead Mark Harmon was a quarterback at UCLA.
We all know OJ and his role in the Police Squad movies.
I can't recall the show or what his name was...Andrew something. He starred in a soap along with Heather Locklear some 20 years ago or so. He was said to be a good soccer player.

These names started me trying to think of others we've seen in film.

Shaq comes to mind (thought it's hard to call that acting.) Who, and where, are some of the ones that come to your mind?

What, no Johnny Mack Brown?

 

[saturdaysarebetter]

Burt Reynolds, Jim Brown, Mark Harmon, Ed Marinaro, Terry Bradshaw.

 

[TUSKtimes]

John Wayne was an offensive lineman for USC, let's start with the biggest and badest of them all.

 

[TerryP]

John Wayne was an offensive lineman for USC, let's start with the biggest and badest of them all.

I did not know that.

 

[BamaFan334]

Dan Marino in Ace Ventura. Ha ha.

 

[TerryP]

What, no Johnny Mack Brown?

I could have listed a lot more if I want to totally start, then kill, a thread.

No. Seriously. Forgot all about him knowing there was some I'd missed from Alabama.

It would be interesting to research the SEC programs and see which has put the most under the spotlights of Hollywood. Heck, to see how the alumni do from each program in the business world would be a long, but interesting, project as well.

 

[alabama mike]

Here are a few off the top of my head:

Bubba Smith Colts & Police Academy
Chuck Connors in The Rifleman and Branded. He played for the Celtics and White Sox.
Rosey Grier, former Ram did some acting.
Alex Karras Lions & 500 Pound Jerk
Johnny Weismuller Olympic swimmer &Tarzan

 

[TerryP]

Chuck Connors in The Rifleman and Branded. He played for the Celtics and White Sox.

Here's another I didn't know.

 

[sean]

terry crews played in the nfl (rams, redskins, chargers, an eagles)
burt reynolds played at fsu
vinnie jones played soccer (chelsea, leeds united, sheffield united, queens park rangers)
ed o'neill played at youngstown state
ronald reagan played at eureka college
tommy lee jones played at harvard
carl weathers played at san diego state and for the raiders (8 games)

 

[UAgrad93]

Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee turned their martial arts fame into some pretty healthy acting careers.

 

[rick4bama]

Here's another I didn't know.

He was also got drafted by the Bears too. Also Chuck got to be the first to bust up a backboard.
Fred Dryer got beat out for the Sam Malone, by Ted Danson.
Carl Weather was also a teammate of Johnny Musso, Some think that Carl told Sly about his nick name too!
Dan Marino lets not forget his Nutrisystem for Men!

let us don't forget the most flames of all Sport Stars! I can't believe any of you that are baseball fan would forget he either. Being a movie and TV star.
Bob Uecker let not forget his beer lite he did with Bubba and all star cast in it!

 

[TerryP]

Dan Marino lets not forget his Nutrisystem for Men!

You're going with a commercial for Dan versus Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

 

[rick4bama]

You're going with a commercial for Dan versus Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

I knew it when I wrote this!

 

[scottyhk]

Here's another I didn't know.

Chuck Connors has an Alabama connection as well. Played for the old Mobile Bears.

 

[mando]

Micheal Jordan... Is it Kyrie Irvin that just did the Uncle Drew character?

Does the Bear count with his "have you called your mama today?