While many would say a professional wrestler’s career already involves a degree of acting, this makes their entrance into the film industry even more seamless.
It’s rarely surprising anymore (yet still thoroughly enjoyed) when a much-loved profession wrestler appears as a new character in Hollywood films. While sometimes the on-screen acting can seem a little too WWE, there is no doubt that these famous names still manage to draw a crowd.
‘The Princess Bride’
Not to be forgotten amongst the newer wrestlers-gone-actors, Andre the Giant made the glorious appearance in the 1987 film ‘The Princess Bride’. Starring as the beloved character Fezzik, Andre brought a new atmosphere to the film. Delightfully funny and an absolute immovable force on screen, his appearance in ‘The Princess Bride’ brought just as many fans as his wrestling career.
‘Predator’
Debuting his acting career, Jesse Ventura appeared alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the iconic 1987 film ‘Predator’. Highly complimentary of his aggressive and bully-ish on-stage appearance, the hard action science-fiction film displays Ventura as the character Blain; a spine-of-iron, no BS, loudmouthed soldier. Ventura, also getting along well with Arnold, later appears in another one of his films, ‘The Running Man’, as a supporting character.
‘The Longest Yard’
‘The Longest Yard’, most well-known for its starring actors Adam Sandler and Chris Rock, the film also featured – not one – but four professional wrestlers. The Great Khali and Bill Goldberg were cast as inmates while “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Kevin Nash played guards in the hilarious jail house comedy. The mountain-sized men, paired with smaller Sandler and Rock added another layer of hilarity that made the film as fantastic as it was.
‘Ricky Stanicky’
Riding with his popularity, John Cena has appeared in a myriad of different styles of films. As of recent years, he has taken a liking to comedy or comedy/action films, however some of his characters can seem a little too simple and without a great deal of depth. ‘Ricky Stanicky’, the 2024 Prime Original, casts Cena as a low-level actor that takes on the impersonation of a make-belief character built by a group of friends. While the role is absurd and theatrical, it was incredibly hilarious and complimented his acting style well.
‘The Tooth Fairy’
While Dwayne “The Rock’” Johnson debuted his acting career in ‘The Mummy Returns’ (2001) and the spin-off ‘The Scorpion King’ (2002), one of the most notable films from the early years in his acting career was ‘The Tooth Fairy’. There’s something obscure and undoubtedly hilarious about seeing a renowned WWE star on screen with pretty white wings and a pink tutu and tights. As a family comedy, and vastly different from his early action films, ‘The Tooth Fairy’ can’t help but stand as one of the best comfort films.
‘Guardians of the Galaxy’
While sometimes I find Dave Bautista’s acting style to be somewhat one dimensional, this nonchalant and deadpan style of comedy works seamlessly in his role as Drax. In one of the first big-name films of his acting career, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, Bautista is somewhat unrecognisable as the blue tinted character, yet still drew a large fan-base. With the hit-first-talk-later mentality of the character, it delivers a level of action that is desired from professional wrestlers.
‘The Expendables 3’
As her acting debut, Ronda Rousey starred in one of the biggest badass film series, ‘The Expendables’. Starring countless big name action stars from the last few decades, the series is known for its packed action and strong masculinity. Making her way into the tight-knit group, Rousey’s character Luna earns her place among them and proves herself to be a force to be reckoned with. Bringing in the strength she displays as a professional wrestler, Rousey assists in the popularity that the franchise experiences.
