Athletes-turned-actors

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

On September 12, Jason Statham, a British actor who, however, has no acting education, celebrates his birthday. Statham is a professional diving athlete who was a member of the UK national team and also joined the Olympic team in 1988. But fate wanted Jason to be noticed by director Guy Ritchie and invited to his film "Lock, Stock, Two Barrels." After that, Statham immediately became a star.

Statham is not the only one who came to the cinema from sports. Let us also recall the actors who were athletes.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The legendary Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger is a professional bodybuilder. He began his sports career at the age of 14. He worked out every day, pumped up muscle mass, and soon his labors bore fruit - he became the winner in the "Mr. Europe" competition among juniors. Following he became the youngest "Mr. Universe". By 1968, he had won all the bodybuilding championships in Europe and continued his career in the United States. In 1980, Arnold completed his participation in the competition, having managed to make a significant contribution to the popularization of bodybuilding. He began acting in films while still an athlete. Success came to Schwarzenegger after the release of the picture "Conan the Barbarian".

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Before excelling in film, Jean-Claude Van Damme became the 1979 European Karate and Kickboxing Champion in the middleweight division. He participated in many competitions and spent 22 fights during his fighting career, of which he won 20 victories and lost only 2 times, and then by the decision of the judges. Interestingly, Chuck Norris was Van Damme's partner in training fights for a while. In 1978, Van Damme also became the undisputed European champion in bodybuilding. Jean-Claude got his first full-fledged role in cinema in 1986 in the film "Do not retreat and do not give up", and became a star after participating in the film "Bloodsport".

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke was a daredevil since childhood and had fights in the streets. Soon he found a place where he could throw out his energy - a boxing ring. The future actor has become a regular at the famous boxing club on 5th Street in Miami Beach. He took part in many competitions and often won victories. However, he spent the money he earned from the winnings on drugs - so he had to put an end to his sports career. Then Mickey came up with the idea of becoming an actor. He enrolled in Lee Strasberg's acting studio and gradually began acting in cameo roles. The real success came to him after the painting "9 1/2 weeks".

Vinnie Jones

Guy Ritchie's favorite actor Vinnie Jones was a professional footballer and played for such clubs as Chelsea, Sheffield United, Leeds and Wimbledon (in the latter he was the team captain). He started playing football as a child. Although he was not immediately taken to the team, considering him too small. But soon Jones returned to the sport and became successful. During his career, he played 384 official matches and scored 33 goals. At the age of 33, Jones retired from the sport. At the same time, he had a very scandalous reputation. It was she who interested director Guy Ritchie, who invited Vinnie Jones to his film "Lock, Stock, Two Barrels", after which offers to shoot in blockbusters fell on him.

Gina Carano

Gina Carano has also been passionate about sports since childhood. She played basketball at school and won the state championship. After school, she became involved in Muay Thai. She fought 14 fights, of which she won 12. Gina was noticed and invited to participate in the first sanctioned women's mixed fight - MMA. In MMA, Carano had 8 fights, of which she won all but the last one. She was called the face of women's MMA. In 2002, Gina's acting career began. At first, she starred in small roles in films and TV shows. Success came to her after her role in Steven Soderbergh's film "Knockout".

Estella Warren

Estella Warren was engaged in synchronized swimming, and at the age of 12 she entered the Canadian national team. The beautiful girl attracted the attention of not only coaches, but also modeling agencies. After that, Warren successfully combined sports and modeling professions. She became the national champion three times and won a bronze medal at the 1995 World Championships. However, in 1996 she was given a choice - to prepare for the Olympics or to be a model. The girl chose the latter. Her debut took place in the low-budget film Perfume, and her popularity came after the films Racer and Planet of the Apes.

Oleg Taktarov

And among the stars of our cinema there are former athletes. However, Oleg Taktarov has been successfully filming not only in Russia, but also in Hollywood. In the nineties he won the ultimate fighting tournament in Riga. Then he went to America and became famous there as a fighter. He fought 24 fights in the United States and Japan. After that, directors noticed him. He has starred in films such as Airplane of the President, Rollerball, Masters of the Night, Predators and the TV series Spy and Marine Police: Special Department.