Many have tried, but only a select few of the world’s top 12 pro athletes have managed to pull off a successful crossover into acting. While you might not catch them snagging an Emmy or an Oscar, several have turned their second‑career spotlight into respectable, sometimes iconic, performances on screen.
12. Bob Uecker
Pro Sports Career: Played Baseball with the Milwaukee Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies & Atlanta Braves from 1962‑1967.
It just feels right that Bob Uecker lands at number 12 – after a modest baseball run, he turned his witty self‑deprecation into a thriving media persona, cracking jokes about his own experiences on talk‑show circuits and popping up in a slew of TV shows and movies. His line “Just a bit outside” from the film Major League remains a classic, and he later became a mainstay on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere (1985‑1990).
11. Fox
Pro Sports Career: Played Basketball with the Boston Celtics & Los Angeles Lakers from 1991‑2004.
It may be a tad early to declare Fox a full‑blown acting powerhouse, but he’s already shown promise with appearances on HBO’s Oz and a couple of episodes of Ugly Betty, hinting at a bright future beyond the hardwood.
10. Jason Lee
Pro Sports Career: Professional skateboarder from the late 1980s through the early 1990s.
Skateboarding isn’t the first sport that springs to mind when you think of pro athletes turning actor, yet the discipline, flair, and fierce competition it demands earn a spot on this list. Jason Lee, the youngest on the roster, shines as Earl Hickey on the hit series My Name Is Earl (debut 2005). He’s also popped up in Alvin and the Chipmunks and lent his voice to the 2007 film Underdog, proving his versatility.
9. Alex Karras
Pro Sports Career: Played football for the Detroit Lions from 1958‑1962 & 1964‑1970.
Who could forget Karras’s unforgettable turn as Mongo in Blazing Saddles? He later cemented his acting credentials with a string of movies and TV shows, most notably co‑starring with his wife Susan Clark on the sitcom Webster.
8. Ed Marinaro
Pro Sports Career: Played football with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets & Seattle Seahawks from 1972‑1977; also runner‑up for the 1971 Heisman Trophy.
Ed Marinaro has appeared in numerous films and TV series, but his most iconic role remains Officer Joe Coffey on the acclaimed drama Hill Street Blues (1981‑1987).
7. Chuck Connors
Pro Sports Career: Played baseball for the Chicago Cubs & Brooklyn Dodgers (1949‑1951) and also suited up for the Boston Celtics (1946‑1948).
Many who binge‑watch The Rifleman don’t realize Connors once lived a dual‑sport life. Though his athletic résumé wasn’t Hall‑of‑Fame material, he’s one of only twelve athletes to have competed professionally in both baseball and basketball, and he later headlined dozens of movies and a six‑year television hit.
6. Merlin Olsen
Pro Sports Career: Played football for the Los Angeles Rams from 1962‑1976, famously part of the “Fearsome Foursome.”
Merlin Olsen is best remembered for starring in the TV series Father Murphy (1981‑1983) and for memorable guest spots on Little House on the Prairie as Jonathan Garvey (1974‑1983).
5. Vinnie Jones
Pro Sports Career: Professional footballer (soccer) from 1984‑1999, representing Wimbledon, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Chelsea, and Queens Park.
Initially unaware of Jones’s football pedigree, I first noticed his on‑screen swagger in Swordfish. Once his soccer résumé surfaced, it became clear his gritty presence translates well to the big screen, where he remains a busy actor headlining numerous films.
4. Carl Weathers
Pro Sports Career: Played football for the Oakland Raiders & the British Columbia Lions from 1970‑1974.
Carl Weathers delivered a knockout performance as Apollo Creed in the iconic Rocky series, and he later proved his acting chops in TV hits like Street Justice (1991‑1993).
3. Fred Dryer
Pro Sports Career: Played football for the New York Giants & Los Angeles Rams from 1969‑1981.
Fred Dryer is best known as Detective Rick Hunter on the long‑running series Hunter (1984‑1991), a role he also directed episodes for. He later produced and starred in another series, Land’s End.
2. Fred Williamson
Pro Sports Career: Played football for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders & Kansas City Chiefs from 1960‑1967.
Williamson kept the spotlight burning for over three decades, starring in numerous films—including some controversial blaxploitation titles—while also producing, writing, and directing. His comedic timing shone recently as Captain Dobey in Starsky & Hutch.
1. Jim Brown
Pro Sports Career: Played football for the Cleveland Browns from 1957‑1965.
While it would be great to see Brown stretch into more varied roles, his status as one of football’s all‑time greats pairs perfectly with a stellar filmography. His breakout performance in The Dirty Dozen launched a movie career that now boasts over 30 titles, plus producing and directing credits.