Andre the Giant – The Princess Bride
The towering French wrestler played the role of Fezzik (fittingly, a giant) in 1987’s The Princess Bride. In the film, he and Inigo Montoya initially work on a scheme to kidnap Buttercup and start a war but are reluctant to follow through with their evil plan. Eventually, they embark on a mission to save Buttercup instead. Throughout the film, scheduling became a conflict as the filming interfered with his wrestling schedule.
Jim Brown – He Got Game
Brown had been involved in the entertainment world for years after completing a stellar NFL career with the Cleveland Browns. In this specific role, he played the hard-nosed parole officer Spivey. Along with his partner, Spivey would be tracking Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington) as he was out in the real world trying to convince his estranged blue chip prospect son Jesus (Ray Allen) to sign with the Governor’s alma mater. Brown’s character didn’t have a ton of lines, but there was a real intimidation factor to him.
Penny Hardaway – Blue Chips
Starring as Chicago basketball prodigy Butch McRae, Hardaway acted alongside then-Orlando Magic teammate Shaquille O’Neal and veteran actor Nick Nolte in this rather transcendent look into the unsavory underbelly of collegiate sports — where cheating under the table could net you elite high school talent…at a price. McRae and his on-screen mother Alfre Woodard were able to broker a deal that took care of his family’s financial situation in exchange for Hardaway’s character suiting up for Nolte’s basketball program. Hardaway’s performance might be subtle, but it’s also effective.
Carl Weathers – Rocky series
Apollo Creed will live on forever in the annals of sports movies as one of the most gifted and charismatic athletes to hit the silver screen. Weathers was a phenomenal performer. You would’ve thought he was a professional fighter at one point in his life based on the prowess he brings to this role. He danced around the ring with ease, showcasing a ripped physique and million-dollar smile. Little did most people know that Weathers actually played football at San Diego State before a brief professional career with the Oakland Raiders and the BC Lions.
Cam Neely – Dumb and Dumber
Neely played 13 years in the NHL — racking up 395 goals and 299 assists. This led to an induction to the NHL Hall of Fame. As of 2024, he’s functioning as the President of the Boston Bruins. While most hockey fans will associate him with his playing career, the casual film fan will know him best as ‘Sea Bass’ in the cult classic Dumb and Dumber. The scenes he had with Jim Carrey are both unforgettable and downright hilarious. You’ll never look at a bathroom stall with a phone number written on it ever again.
Mike Tyson – The Hangover
This is arguably the greatest cameo of any athlete in a comedy film. The Hangover was obviously a massive hit when it came out. At the time, Tyson’s career was somewhat ambiguous. He had been out of fighting, and at that time most recently known for the bizarre facial tattoo he decided to get. In the movie, we see the protagonists realize they had stolen a live tiger from Tyson’s Las Vegas mansion. Upon returning the jungle cat, Tyson joins the group in a sing-along to “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins before absolutely unloading a right-handed shot on Alan (Zach Galifianakis). It was sheer comedic gold — and in turn it helped relaunch Tyson’s career back into relevancy.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Airplane!
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s appearance in Airplane! came with a unique condition. In the film, Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty play a couple on a flight that goes awry due to food poisoning among the crew, forcing a troubled former war pilot to take the controls. The film features memorable performances by Leslie Nielsen and Peter Graves, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s role as the co-pilot, playing himself, adds a funny twist. Abdul-Jabbar’s participation was secured with a peculiar contract demand: he requested $35,000, the price of a decorative rug he wished to purchase. This quirky fact mirrors the film’s humor, especially in a scene where Abdul-Jabbar, initially disguised as a pilot, breaks character to address a young passenger’s criticism — and is humorously revealed to be wearing his basketball shorts under his pilot uniform.
Jason Lee – Almost Famous
Lee was a professional skater in his native Southern California. He did this for multiple years before getting the acting bug. In Almost Famous, Lee played the moody lead singer of the band Stillwater. From the jump, you could see Lee’s tenacity as a skateboarder translating to the stage. He brought an undeniable energy to the role, and it’s not surprising that he ended up getting his own show down the line in My Name is Earl. Lee is also known for his roles in a plethora of Kevin Smith-led projects.
Shaquille O’Neal – Kazaam
The larger-than-life personality has been involved in several film and television projects throughout the years. When a member of the Orlando Magic, Shaq was given the opportunity to feature as the lead in the kid’s fantasy movie Kazaam. O’Neal played a genie who ended up befriending a troubled kid (Francis Capra) in search of some guidance. We credit the Hall of Famer for carrying an otherwise dreadful movie. He was the one aspect of the film which gave the audience joy and humor.
Ed O’Neill – Married With Children
O’Neill is one of the most prolific television actors of the last 40+ years. With roles in Married With Children and Modern Family, the classically trained actor is a chameleon. He can play any role asked of him — whether dramatic or comedic in nature. Growing up in the working-class city of Youngstown, Ohio, he was introduced to football at a young age. O’Neill played college football at Youngstown State, and even made it to training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being released. No wonder he was such a natural as the head coach in Little Giants.
Anthony Edwards – Hustle
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for Edwards. The former No. 1 Overall pick has broken out this past year as a true star within the NBA. Still in his early 20’s, Edwards is arguably the best American basketball player on the planet. He jumps out of the gym with ease and has the charisma to one day become a household name. Being able to showcase his acting ability in Adam Sandler’s Hustle as the ‘villain’ was a perfect entry into the world of pop culture. Keep an eye out for Edwards and future acting projects. We can see him thriving in this capacity.
Lawrence Taylor – Any Given Sunday
The veteran middle linebacker played the role of Luther “Shark” Lavay, struggling with a cortisone addiction and nearing the end of his impressive career. Lavay is praised by Coach D’Amato for transforming the linebacker position with his exceptional skills. However, a hidden injury — a poorly healed broken neck — puts him at grave risk of severe consequences if he’s hit hard again. Despite warnings from the team’s doctor and Coach D’Amato, Lavay is determined to play to secure a one-million-dollar bonus. Ultimately, after being knocked out during a game, Lavay is stretchered off the field, content with earning his bonus, despite the dangers.
Merlin Olsen – Little House On The Prairie
Through his performances on screen as a gentle giant, you would’ve never guessed that Olsen was a nightmare on the football field. A pillar for the Los Angeles Rams franchise, Olsen — along with Deacon Jones — destroyed opposing offensive lines. Olsen was a 14-time Pro Bowler and is widely considered among the best to ever play his position in NFL history. Among his many roles in television/film, he was most known for his role as Jonathan Garvey in the hit Michael Landon show Little House on the Prairie. He spent 51 episodes portraying this character before moving on to other projects.
Vinnie Jones – Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels
The former soccer star turned actor flawlessly channeled his “hardman” persona onto the big screen. Playing the role of Big Chris, a debt collector and mob enforcer, it was his acting debut alongside British acting icon Jason Statham. Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels was both a box office hit and a British film classic. Vinnie Jones went on to secure more acting roles, further solidifying his post-soccer career as an actor.
Michael Jordan – Space Jam
This movie helped shape a younger generation who loved the combination of professional basketball and cartoons. When you add the best basketball player on the planet to the mix, you’re left with an iconic movie that has continued to be within the zeitgeist of current pop culture. No one will mistake Michael Jordan for Al Pacino or Sidney Poitier from an acting standpoint. With that said, he did a relatively decent job in this role! The persona he brought everywhere he went was quite evident in this film. A larger-than-life character, it was Jordan who helped the Looney Tunes take down a cast of aliens from a foreign planet.
Wilt Chamberlain – Conan, The Destroyer
Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain stepped into the acting world starring as Bombaata in Conan. He is tasked with protecting and (eventually betraying) Conan, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Chamberlain seamlessly brought the same larger-than-life quality to his role in this 1984 sequel. Chamberlain, not used to being the smaller man, was reportedly amused and motivated by the challenge of appearing alongside the bodybuilding champion. An interesting piece of trivia from the production is that Chamberlain, who had no prior acting experience, was so nervous about his performance that he would practice his lines relentlessly, even trying to out-lift Schwarzenegger in the gym to compensate for his inexperience on screen.
Ray Allen – He Got Game
Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson were rumored to be in consideration for this Spike Lee triumph. However, it was Allen nabbing the lead as Jesus Shuttlesworth. Allen is a bit more reserved and less charismatic compared to Bryant and Iverson. However, that seemed to work here. He was very natural in his role as a basketball prodigy struggling with balancing the pressure of his future along with raising his younger sister. When his dad, Jake (Denzel Washington), gets out of jail, the pain beneath the surface bubbles up — causing Allen’s character to confront the man who killed his mother. It was a treat seeing Allen’s performance from start to finish, and his one-on-one game against Washington further showcased his obvious talents on the basketball court.
Gheorghe Mursan – My Guy
While the movie itself got mixed reviews, the former NBA player gave a very strong performance — especially considering that English is not Muresan’s native language. Muresan played a guy living somewhat of a recluse life in a rural Romanian monastery. Billy Crystal’s character happened to come across him by chance, and the entertainment agent aimed to bring Muresan’s character to the States where he’d try and make him a gigantic movie star (literally and figuratively). There are some morose moments in this film (Spoiler: Muresan’s character dies in the end). However, not being a natural actor, Muresan demonstrates some real acting chops in the realm of drama — especially opposite veteran actress Kathleen Quinlan.
Duane Martin – Above The Rim
This basketball tale focuses on a young NYC hooper (Martin) trying to garner a scholarship offer. Along the way, he encounters several unique characters — including local gangster Birdie (Tupac Shakur) and a mysterious security guard who was once a spectacular player (Leon). The movie’s climax occurs during a playground basketball tournament, where the protagonist is caught in the crossfire between two different factions. Martin himself grew up in New York and even played college basketball at NYU. Martin’s brilliance as an actor was also showcased in White Men Can’t Jump.
Malik Sealy – Eddie
New York City is the backdrop for this basketball comedy. The late Malik Sealy portrayed Stacy Patton — the mercurial superstar Stacy Patton. Patton played for the New York Knicks under the coaching of Whoopi Goldberg (who went from fan to head coach). In real life, Sealy played in college locally at St. John’s before embarking on an NBA career with the Clippers, Pacers, Pistons, and Timberwolves. Sadly, the Bronx native was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 30.