Action! Top Actors Who Played Athletes In Films
In honor of Dwayne Johnson's birthday, here are actors who joined the cast of films about America's favorite pastime -- sports.
1 / 11
Dwayne Johnson is celebrating his 51st birthday today and in honor of his special day, we are shining a light on actors who have slayed the big screen as athletes. Having had a lucrative wrestling career as The Rock, Johnson traded in his leotard using his athletic ability in 2007's The Game Plan. As Joe Kingman, Johnson learns that he has to exchange his football star lifestyle to become a father. This wasn't his only sports film, in 2006 he starred in Gridiron Gang, playing a former NFL player who couches juveniles. (Photo: Walt Disney Pictures)
2 / 11
One reason why the Ladies Love Cool James? His physique. So the hip-hop legend put his body and hit acting skills to good use in the 1999 classic Any Given Sunday as Julian Washington. (Photo: Getty Images)
Photo By Getty Images
3 / 11
Already proving he was a diverse actor in films like: A Soldier's Story, Mo' Better Blues, Glory and Malcolm X, Denzel Washington tried on the role of father and ex-b-baller to the budding athlete and real-life pro-baller Ray Allen in Spike Lee's He Got Game. (Photo: Buena Vista Pictures)
4 / 11
In 1994, Duane Martin was all over the screen, but Above the Rim (playing the character Kyle Lee Watson) helped solidify the actor as a household name and recognizable face. Did we mention Martin acted alongside Tupac in this flick? (Photo: New Line Cinema)
Photo By Photo: New Line Cinema
5 / 11
Will Smith put on the vaseline and boxing gloves, giving a knockout performance with his portrayal of one of the greatest heavyweight boxers to ever hit the ring, Muhammad Ali. The 2001 film earned him an Oscar nomination for best actor. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 11
Getting his major start in the John Singleton flick Boyz in the Hood, Cuba Gooding Jr. moved on to even bigger roles, asking everyone to "show [him] the money" as volatile footballer, Rod Tidwell. This role in 1996's Jerry McGurie earned him an Oscar for best supporting actor. (Photo: Tristar Pictures)
7 / 11
In his debut, Morris Chestnut played the college-bound Rickey in John Singleton's Boyz in the Hood, alongside the man in the previous photo (Cuba Gooding, Jr.). Probably one of the most heart-wrenching scenes in the film is when Rickey dies while going to the store for milk. (Photo: Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection)
8 / 11
Omar Epps as Quincy in 2000's Love & Basketball is considered a classic. The film also included Sanaa Lathan. They were childhood friends who fall in love via their passion for basketball. (Photo: 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks )
9 / 11
Scoring on both the field and in the department of love, Common starred with Queen Latifah in the rom-com Just Wright in 2010. This wouldn't be his last time acting in a sports flick when he went from playing to coaching in The Odd Life of Timothy Green in 2012. (Photo: David Lee/ Fox Searchlight Pictures)
10 / 11
Wesley Snipes hustles in this flick, joining forces with an unlikely frenemy played by Woody Harrelson. The two men con b-ballers out of their money by as a lean, mean, hooping machine team in 1992's White Men Can't Jump. (Photo: Twentieth Century FOX)