While Shaquille O’Neal is basically synonymous with basketball, he has definitely succeeded in his pursuits outside the court. The athlete has rapped, appeared in a video game, and of course, is becoming increasingly more known in films and TV.
The former athlete has acted in several movies (though some of them bombed like “Kazaam” or “Steel.”). He also made a great appearance in “Curb Your Enthusiasm” as himself, which was, of course, memorable as ever.
LeBron James
We all know LeBron James for his accomplishments on the court, but in recent years, his career on screen has been on the serious incline. The star basketball player turned heads in the Amy Schumer comedy "Trainwreck."
Even the great comedians in the film expressed how impressive his comedy chops were. Since his debut, he has been consistently appearing in more and more films and is even starring in the "Space Jam" reboot.
Kurt Russell
It comes as no surprise that Kurt Russell, a well-known Hollywood fixture, was voted “Best Looking” at Thousand Oaks High School by the Class of 1969. And we know he’s a constant lover and companion to movie star knock-out Goldie Hawn. You also probably know that Russell has a knack for starring as the hero in cult-favorite films. But did you know this strapping gent played second base in Major League Baseball?
Russell was a switch-hitter on the Class A minor league team for the California Angels in 1971. He moved up to Class AA in 1973, but a torn rotator cuff caused by colliding with an incoming base runner rerouted his fate to acting.
Tommy Lee Jones
At Harvard, where Tommy Lee Jones roomed with Al Gore and graduated cum laude in 1969, he played varsity football as well. As an all-league offensive guard, he participated in the Harvard vs. Yale game known as “The Tie,” the most famous game in Ivy League history. That season, his Crimson team was undefeated.
He also appeared in undergrad theater productions. Students would find him in the sports locker room, suiting up in costume for rehearsal! Acting won out. Now we know him as the big screen’s baddest tough guy in films like MIB and The Fugitive.
Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey was once the world's greatest female MMA fighter for some time; she then crossed over to WWE, in which she once again made her mark. Sports aside, however, Rousey has now been working on those acting skills.
As a tough lady, she's mostly landed some action roles that show off her formidable fighting abilities. Recently, however, she appeared in an episode of "Drunk History," the hilarious web series on the Funny or Die channel.