Once you become a movie star, it's usually safe to say you've "made it." All that money, fame, and opportunity is generally given only to the most talented actors in the industry, and it's pretty incredible when you think of just how skilled a person has to be in order to achieve all that success. But for some actors, playing challenging roles isn't their only skill. Many of them were also big-time athletes before they started memorizing scripts.
It can be pretty crazy to think about just how much our favorite celebs had accomplished before they played our most beloved characters. Believe it or not, many of the stars we know and love once served in our nation's military! It's wonderful that they've become so successful after serving our country.
Being as acting is such a dramatic art, it's pretty cool to learn that so many of today's biggest celebrities were also so athletically gifted. You also might be surprised to see which of your favorite stars were high-flying cheerleaders back in the day!
Take a look at these Hollywood actors who once made a living as athletes. Some of them may not be too shocking, but I never would have guessed what number 7 did before he turned into a cool action hero! These people seem to be super talented in everything they do.
Make sure you SHARE these athletic stars with everyone you know!
1. Bruce Lee
Lee became a martial artist at a young age, eventually growing up to develop his own martial art (Jun Fan Gung Fu) that he taught to others. He later went on to star in The Green Hornet and help make martial arts movies more popular in the United States.
2. Kurt Russell
The Hateful Eight star has been acting for most of his life, but he was also a minor league baseball player for teams like the El Paso Sun Kings.
3. Michael Jordan
The former superstar of the Chicago Bulls starred in the 1996 film Space Jam alongside animated heroes like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
4. Ronda Rousey
Rousey's career as the most successful female MMA fighter in the world isn't over yet, but it hasn't stopped her from acting in movies that include Furious 7 and Entourage.
5. Terry Crews
Crews was added to the Los Angeles Rams' roster in 1991. He began acting and became known for starring in shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine once he retired from professional football in 1997.
6. Jason Lee
The star of the show My Name Is Earl was once a successful professional skateboarder, and he's even worked with Tony Hawk.
7. Jason Statham
These days, Jason Statham is known as one of Hollywood's coolest action heroes. But before he was performing his own stunts and beating up bad guys, he was a member of England's national diving squad for 12 years!
8. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Schwarzenegger's career as a professional bodybuilder is hardly a secret, but it's still impressive that the man who starred in the Terminator franchise has such a loaded resume… especially when you consider that he was once the governor of California.
9. Lawrence Taylor
Taylor starred in Any Given Sunday alongside Jaime Foxx, but before he was on the big screen as an actor, millions were watching him play in the NFL for the New York Giants.
10. Caitlin Jenner
In the 1970s, Jenner was a successful decathlete, winning a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics. In addition to being a reality star now, she's also acted in numerous films since her days as an Olympic athlete, including Grambling's White Tiger.
11. Gina Carano
Once a professional MMA fighter, Carano has also appeared in a number of movies. She recently played a super-strong mutant named Angel Dust in 2016's Deadpool.
12. Lou Ferrigno
Like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ferrigno made a name for himself in professional bodybuilding before he became an actor. He later went on to star in the TV series The Incredible Hulk as well as a few movies.
Don't forget to SHARE these talented stars (and former athletes) with everyone you know!
