# Who is the best athlete turned actor?

> From wrestling rings and football fields to Hollywood blockbusters, these athletes swapped trophies for scripts — and some became bigger stars on screen than in the arena. Who made the biggest impact?

*By YPB Team · Published April 10, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-athlete-turned-actor*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Arnold Schwarzenegger**
   Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champion who became an action icon with The Terminator, Predator, and Total Recall.
2. **Dwayne Johnson**
   WWE champion The Rock who became Hollywood's highest-paid actor with Jumanji and Fast & Furious.
3. **Jim Brown**
   NFL legend widely considered the greatest running back ever, who starred in The Dirty Dozen and Mars Attacks.
4. **Dave Bautista**
   WWE world champion who earned critical praise as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy and in Blade Runner 2049.
5. **Carl Weathers**
   Former CFL linebacker who became iconic as Apollo Creed in the Rocky series and starred in Predator.
6. **Terry Crews**
   Former NFL linebacker turned comedic actor in White Chicks, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the Expendables series.
7. **Jason Statham**
   Former Olympic diving team member turned action star in The Transporter, Crank, and The Meg.
8. **Vinnie Jones**
   Welsh footballer and FA Cup winner who became a tough-guy actor in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.
9. **Kareem Abdul-Jabbar**
   NBA all-time scoring leader who hilariously played co-pilot Roger Murdock in Airplane!
10. **John Cena**
   WWE superstar who successfully transitioned to acting with Peacemaker, Blockers, and Bumblebee.
11. **Chuck Norris**
   Six-time world karate champion who became an action star in Missing in Action and Walker, Texas Ranger.
12. **Andre the Giant**
   Legendary professional wrestler who won hearts as Fezzik in The Princess Bride.
13. **Ronda Rousey**
   UFC bantamweight champion who appeared in The Expendables 3 and Furious 7.
14. **Alex Karras**
   NFL All-Pro defensive tackle who stole scenes in Blazing Saddles and starred in the sitcom Webster.
15. **Bubba Smith**
   NFL All-Pro turned lovable Moses Hightower in the Police Academy franchise.
16. **Gina Carano**
   MMA pioneer who starred in Steven Soderbergh's Haywire and appeared in The Mandalorian.
17. **Jim Kelly**
   Martial arts champion who co-starred alongside Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon.
18. **Jesse Ventura**
   Governor of Minnesota who acted in Predator and The Running Man alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Tags: movies, sports, celebrities, actors