Summary

• Wrestling's theatrics make it an easy transition to acting for some athletes - others, not so much.
• From John Cena to The Rock, wrestling superstars are making a mark in Hollywood with memorable performances.
• Dave Bautista stands out as a serious actor post-wrestling, showcasing versatility in various genres.

It's not uncommon to see professional wrestlers make it as big actors later in their careers, but some stand out more than others. The art of acting is difficult, but with wrestling being so scripted and theatrical, it makes sense that many of its athletes would also succeed as performers. From bone-crushing battles to silver-screen stardom, many wrestlers have left the sport behind to pursue a Hollywood lifestyle.

Of course, it's worth noting that not all wrestling superstars have been good actors. Being able to fake injuries and bodyslams doesn't necessarily translate to acting, compared to being able to cry on demand or build suspense, for example. However, for the few who are able to adapt their performance to whatever is presented to them, further fame can be achieved. Even if they're known for their acting chops nowadays, some of the best actors made their start in the wrestling ring.

10 Chris Jericho

Best Known Role: Frank Korver In MacGruber

Chris Jericho, also known as Christopher Keith Irvine, is best ed for winning multiple world championships with WWE and WCW. While successful as an athlete, Jericho has also had quite the career as both an actor and musician. Starting off as a stage actor in 2006, Jericho quickly made his way into films, starring in the likes of KillRoy Was Here and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. However, he is best ed for his role as Frank Korver in MacGruber, which, while brief, was still memorable.

9 Stone Cold Steve Austin

Best Known Role: Tommy In Grown Ups 2

Easily one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Stone Cold Steve Austin took the wrestling world by storm with his rebellious persona. Now retired, Austin took up a career in acting in between and after his departure from wrestling. Although he's mainly worked as a television and podcast host in recent years, he is ed for his portrayal of Tommy in Grown Ups 2, as well as Guard Dunham in the Adam Sandler film The Longest Yard, one of his earliest on-screen performances.

8 André The Giant

Best Known Role: Fezzik In The Princess Bride

ed for being an incredible seven foot in height and his large structure, André the Giant caused a significant impact in wrestling with his famous bodyslam of Hulk Hogan in 1987. While André didn't have the biggest acting career before his death in 1993, the few roles he did undertake were very memorable. One of his earliest performances was in several episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man as Sasquatch, but he is best ed for his portrayal of Fezzik in the fantasy comedy The Princess Bride.

7 Hulk Hogan

Best Known Role: Blake Thorn In Santa With Muscles

One of wrestling's biggest names, Hulk Hogan, also had an acting career. While Hogan is ed for his catchphrases, such as "Whatcha gonna do, brother?" he is also ed for his portrayal of self-made millionaire Blake Thorn in the ridiculous movie Santa with Muscles in 1996. However, his other breakthrough role was also his first, back in 1982, as Rocky III antagonist Thunderlips.

6 CM Punk

Best Known Role: Ricky In Heels

Before acting, CM Punk started as a wrestler in WWE but later made the move into MMA with the UFC. While he's probably best known for his part in the YouTube series Gracie Breakdown, as well as Ricky in the wrestling TV show Heels, CM Punk has also appeared in several films. In 2019, CM Punk starred in two horror films, Girl on the Third Floor and Rabid, and most recently, in 2021, in the vampire flick Jakob's Wife.

5 Jesse Ventura

Best Known Role: Blain Cooper In Predator

Despite having retired, the controversial and outspoken Jesse Ventura is still a hot topic name in wrestling. After leaving the sport behind, Ventura was the governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, arriving with several notable acting credits already under his belt. His first film appearance came in 1987's Predator as Blain Cooper alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, and in the following years, he starred in the likes of 1990's Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe, and 1997's Batman & Robin.

4 Edge

Best Known Role: Atom-Smasher In The Flash

Adam Joseph Copeland, also known as Edge, had multiple reigns as the WWE Champion, but his first time acting was in Highlander: Endgame in 2000. This was impressive, considering he was still actively wrestling at this point and didn't retire for the first time until a neck injury forced him to in 2011. In recent years, Edge has starred in the Syfy series Haven, ing in season 2 and remaining a cast member until its end in 2015, and also played the The Flash season 2.

3 John Cena

Best Known Role: Peacemaker

John Cena is well-ed in wrestling, especially for his legendary catchphrase "You can't see me," but the athlete has since made a huge name for himself as an actor. In recent years, Cena has starred in both TV and films that have seen critical acclaim, such as the movie Blockers. John Cena's lead role as Peacemaker in the show of the same name was also great, and again in The Suicide Squad. Despite his sports background, this didn't stop Cena from developing his career as a performer.

Over the years, Cena has made his way up from his first uncredited role in Ready to Rumble all the way to the release Grand Death Lotto, which he also produced. It's worth noting that he is also connected to several massive Hollywood franchises outside of D.C, having also featured in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem and the Transformers movie Bumblebee. John Cena will always be ed as a wrestler for years to come, but his career as an actor is starting to eclipse this.

2 Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Best Known Role: Maui In Disney's Moana

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson recently made a return cameo to WWE, but that doesn't mean he's waving goodbye to his highly established movie career. Although not the first, The Rock is easily the most recognizable wrestler-turned-actor, paving the route for others to follow. Even the Rock himself highlights how wrestling helped set up his future on the silver screen, and has starred in several films as himself, including the 2019 wrestling film Fighting with My Family.

Johnson has portrayed so many iconic characters that it's hard to pick a defining one, especially as he's such a versatile performer. Younger audiences are likely to recognize him as the voice of Maui in Moana, and is also due to reprise the role in the Moana 2, whereas superhero fanatics will him as Black Adam in Shazam! He is also a member of the revived Jumanji franchise alongside massive Hollywood names Karen Gillan and Jack Black. There is one common element to his roles, however: there's always drama, with a sprinkling of comedy.

1 Dave Bautista

Best Known Role: Drax In Guardians Of The Galaxy

If any wrestler has redefined the acting game, it is Dave Bautista. As a six-time world champion, Bautista could have walked away from wrestling and lived peacefully, but his career as a performer has proved that he's more than just a wrestler. Bautista kicked off his acting career guest-starring as alien Aldar in Smallville, but his first film appearance was in The Man with the Iron Fists. In recent years, Bautista's most memorable roles were as Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, villain Glossu Rabban in 2021's Dune, and Duke in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

While there have been multiple wrestlers who turned to acting, Bautista has seen the most success. With sports personalities, it's easy for their further pursuits to be comedic or parodies of their past careers, but Bautista has proved himself to be a serious actor. Whichever genre Bautista chooses to star in, whether that be horror with his appearance in Knock At The Cabin or a thriller like Spectre, he brings a professional and strong performance.