Instagram/theofficiallouferrigno

HOLLYWOOD STARS

WHO BECAME

10 ATHLETES

‘The Rock' switched from football to pro-wrestling, becoming one of the World Wrestling Federation's biggest stars – he's now one of Hollywood's top names

Dwayne Johnson

Instagram/therock

Arnie chose bodybuilding over football and won the Mr Olympia title several times before being cast in ‘Conan The Barbarian' and ‘Terminator' films

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Instagram/schwarzenegger

John Cena

Regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever, he holds a joint record of 16 World Championship wins. His most recent film is ‘The Suicide Squad'

Instagram/johncenauniverse

Dave Bautista

Fan favourite Drax from the 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' films started out in pro-wrestling and is a six-time world champion under the ring name ‘Batista'

Instagram/pro_wrestling_101

Johnny Weissmuller

One of the earliest actors to play Tarzan on screen turned to Hollywood after a glorious swimming career capped by five Olympic golds

Image Credit: Getty

Lou Ferrigno

The first live action Hulk – without CGI – switched to acting after a career in bodybuilding. He voiced The Hulk (uncredited) in the early Marvel films

Instagram/theofficiallouferrigno

Gina Carano

Cara Dune from 'The Mandalorian' is familiar to fans of mixed martial arts. She retired after her first defeat and was cast in ‘Deadpool' and ‘Fast And Furious 6'

Instagram/ginajcarano

Caitlyn Jenner

As Bruce Jenner, she won the decathlon gold at the 1976 Olympics, later starring in several TV films and in ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians'

Image Credit: Getty

Esther Williams

This national swimming champ's Olympics career was cancelled by World War 2. Esther then became a Hollywood star – her films featured synchronised swimming and diving

Image Credit: Getty

Jason Lee

Man of many hats, Jason was a pro skateboarder before becoming a fixture in Kevin Smith films like ‘Dogma' and playing the lead in ‘My Name Is Earl'

Image Credit: AFP

To Read More 
Movies Stories 

Instagram/dave_batista_fan