Search results
- With the likes of Dwayne “The “Rock” Johnson, Dave Bautista, and John Cena currently dominating our screens in movies like F9, Jungle Cruise, The Suicide Squad, and Bautista’s forthcoming Dune, there’s never been a better time to be a wrestlers-turned-actor.
www.gq.com › story › 20-best-wrestlers-turned-actors
- 452 VOTES. Dave Bautista. Few wrestlers have managed to make the jump from the squared circle to the silver screen quite like Dave Bautista, who first established himself as a dominant force in WWE through his four World Heavyweight Championship reigns, intense rivalries against the likes of Triple H, and unforgettable WrestleMania moments.
- 519 VOTES. Dwayne Johnson. Arguably the most prominent and successful wrestler-turned-actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson began his storied career in WWE, cementing his place as a fan favorite with his electrifying charisma, record-breaking eight-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion reigns, and legendary feuds with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin.
- 421 VOTES. John Cena. Earning a reputation as the face of WWE for over a decade, John Cena's accolades in professional wrestling are incredibly impressive, boasting 16 World Championship reigns, memorable feuds with the likes of Randy Orton and CM Punk, and a strong connection with the WWE Universe through his "Never Give Up" mantra.
- 285 VOTES. André the Giant. A veritable legend in the wrestling world, Andre the Giant's larger-than-life persona, incredible feats of strength, and seemingly unbeatable record cemented his status as one of the most iconic figures in the business.
People also ask
Which wrestler-actors have aced this transition?
Can wrestlers become actors?
Who are the most successful wrestlers turned actors?
Are wrestlers a cinematic icon?
Aug 24, 2021 · The 20 Best Wrestlers Turned Actors. With Suicide Squad, F9 and Dune dominating 2021, there’s never been a better time to be a wrestler-turned-actor. But who holds the belt?
- Dave Bautista. Dave Bautista has a great agent. Seamlessly picking and choosing the best role based on his ability as an actor has propelled Bautista to become a prestigious actor, thanks to his effective one-two combo.
- Dwayne Johnson. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s journey from wrestling to Hollywood soared with his acting debut on That ’70s Show and a breakthrough role in The Mummy Returns.
- John Cena. John Cena was the second coming of The Rock in terms of marketability and crossover potential. He finally proved his merit have several terrible attempts from the WWE to prop him up (The Marine, 12 Rounds) until he debuted in 2015’s Trainwreck.
- Roddy Piper. Roddy Piper‘s charismatic persona extended beyond the ring as one of the greatest villains in wrestling or his iconic Pipers Pit segments, as he would go on to become a cult actor thanks to his role in They Live opposite Keith David.
Mar 9, 2024 · 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.
- Rebecca Sargeant
- Hulk Hogan
- "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
- Jesse "The Body" Ventura
- Terry Funk
- Kevin Nash
- Captain Lou Albano
- Cm Punk
- John Cena
- Dave Bautista
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Hulk Hoganis undeniably one of wrestling's biggest stars of all time. WWF's pop culture boom in the 1980s was built around Hogan, who became a mainstream icon known by practically everyone around the world. It makes sense then, that The Hulkster got his shot to be a movie star. RELATED: 9 Best Wrestling Movies To Watch Before WrestleMania His big-s...
"Rowdy" Roddy Piperwas one of the first pro wrestlers to make the transition to movie star. His career as a wrestler was built upon his incredible character work, especially as a heel. He was, by far, the most entertaining performer of the 1980s, a decade where a wrestler was nothing if not entertaining. He possessed natural charisma both inside an...
Jesse Venturahas lived a truly incredible life. He has been a member of the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team during the Vietnam War, a Hall Of Fame wrestler in the WWF, an actor in some of the most iconic action films of the 1980s and 1990s, and Governor of Minnesota, just to name a few of his many accomplishments. It would be impressive enough...
Terry Funkis one of those wrestlers who truly lives to be a pro wrestler. Throughout his 50+ year-long career, Funk wrestled consistently into his 70s, give or take a few very brief retirements. He was incredibly successful, wrestling all around the world, and building a large fan base, especially in the United States and Japan. This success gave F...
After being one of the biggest names in pro wrestling of the 1990s, both as Diesel in the WWF and himself in WCW, it seemed like Kevin Nash settled into the role of a semi-retired pro wrestler, working behind the scenes of several promotions and making the occasional in-ring return, all while taking small acting roles in movies like The Longest Yar...
Captain Lou Albanois a wrestler whose transition to acting seemed like it would be relatively smooth. Primarily working as a manager to other wrestlers in his heyday, Captain Lou's strength was his personality, drawing an audience in with his promos and over-the-top character work. Unfortunately, he didn't find a lot of work as an actor, but within...
After becoming the voice of an entire generation of wrestling fans, and then having a rough falling out with the industry, CM Punk, aka Phil Brooks, retired from professional wrestling to try his hand at a variety of different jobs. He wrote some comic books for DC and Marvel, fought a few MMA matches in UFC, and even starred in a few horror movies...
John Cena is arguably the most well-known professional wrestler of the 21st century, dominating the industry for over a decade. During that time, Cena flirted with an acting career starring in several WWE-produced movies, including The Marine and12 Rounds. While WWE Studios films aren't necessarily known for their high quality, they allowed Cena to...
Dave Bautistahad an incredibly successful career in WWE, becoming a multiple-time world champion, but no one could have guessed how his transition to acting would play out. As a wrestler, Batista was best known for his physicality, so it would make sense that he would follow in the footsteps of other wrestlers and find success as an action star. He...
The Rock may not have been the first wrestler to become an actor, but he was the first to become so successful that it's arguable his acting career has overshadowed his outstanding wrestling one. From The Mummy Returns to The Game Plan, to Fast Five, to Black Adam, Dwayne Johnsonhas proven time and time again that his biggest strength is adapting t...
Apr 15, 2024 · Several wrestlers have managed to transcend the world of the wrestling ring to become successful actors in the mecca of cinema. This transition has been well achieved by many, who are now...
Feb 17, 2024 · Many professional wrestlers have successfully leveraged their fame and charisma from the ring to transition into careers in acting.
