From Arnold Schwarzenegger To Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson; Here are The Famous Actors Who Started Out As Athletes

Sports are about giving people a show too, and perhaps that is why so many celebrities started off their careers in the sporting world before making it in the entertainment industry. Many celebrities began their careers as sports stars before transitioning into acting or music, and those experiences may have been key in gaining success later in life. Some stars found their way after after suffering injuries while playing sports, while others had it on their minds the entire time.

 Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger made his name as one of the greatest bodybuilders and fitness athletes of all time before he turned his focus (and his famous physique) toward acting. The future “Governator” won numerous bodybuilding titles over the course of his career, including a Mr. Universe title when he was just 20. Schwarzenegger also won seven Mr. Olympia titles before starring in films like Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator, Predator, and Total Recall.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Before Johnson made his name as the hardest working man in Hollywood, he was crushing people on the gridiron for the Miami Hurricanes. Johnson played on the defensive line and was part of the 1991 squad that won the national title—a team that also included future Pro Football Hall of Fame player Warren Sapp. Of course, football wasn’t Johnson’s only sport. As “The Rock,” he became one of WWE’s greatest stars, and leveraged that charisma to launch himself into to superstardom.

Terry Crews

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Before Crews became a scene-stealing actor in projects like Friday After Next, The Expendables series, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, it looked like he would have a promising career in football. Crews also spent some time with the Rhein Fire in the World League of American Football before moving into acting.

Steve Austin

Austin made his name as one of the top wrestlers in the WWE, but before that he was just another kid from Texas looking to play football. Austin went to the University of North Texas on a football scholarship, playing for the Mean Green before moving into the wrestling world. He starred in the film like The Long Yard, and The Expendables.

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