20 Actors Who Competed at the Olympics

Before the bright lights and red carpets, some familiar faces trained for the biggest stage in sports. These performers did not just dabble in athletics. They qualified for the Olympic Games, represented their countries, and tested themselves in events that demand years of discipline.

Their paths into film and television are as varied as their sports. From swimming and figure skating to boxing and wrestling, each of these performers brought an athlete’s precision to sets and stages. Here are the actors who can say they once competed at the Olympics.

Johnny Weissmüller

Johnny Weissmuller swam for the United States at the 1924 Paris and 1928 Amsterdam Games. He won five gold medals in freestyle events and added a bronze in water polo, while setting records that stood for years.

After the pool, he became one of classic Hollywood’s most recognizable adventure stars. He headlined a string of jungle hits, beginning with ‘Tarzan the Ape Man’ and ‘Tarzan and His Mate’, and later led the ‘Jungle Jim’ series.

Buster Crabbe

Buster Crabbe represented the United States in swimming at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. He earned bronze in the 1500 meter freestyle in 1928 and captured gold in the 400 meter freestyle in 1932.

He went on to a busy screen career anchored by matinée serials. Audiences knew him as the title hero in ‘Flash Gordon’ and ‘Buck Rogers’, and he also stepped into the loincloth as Tarzan in ‘Tarzan the Fearless’.

Bruce Bennett

Competing under his birth name Herman Brix, he won silver for the United States in the shot put at the 1928 Amsterdam Games. His Olympic performance helped launch him from the field to the studio lot.

Rebranded as Bruce Bennett, he played the title role in the serial ‘The New Adventures of Tarzan’. He built a long career in features with key turns in ‘Mildred Pierce’ and ‘The Treasure of the Sierra Madre’.

Glenn Morris

Glenn Morris captured decathlon gold for the United States at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. His victory came with a world record and a reputation for exceptional speed and stamina across the ten events.

He parlayed that acclaim into film work almost immediately. Morris took over the vine in ‘Tarzan’s Revenge’ and appeared in other adventure projects before returning to life outside Hollywood.

Eleanor Holm

Eleanor Holm swam for the United States at the 1928 and 1932 Olympics. She became Olympic champion in the 100 meter backstroke in 1932, adding to a stack of national titles in the stroke.

Her post pool career included a lead opposite Glenn Morris in ‘Tarzan’s Revenge’. She also appeared in variety and revue films, bringing her athletic poise to the screen during Hollywood’s golden era.

Sonja Henie

Sonja Henie won Olympic figure skating gold for Norway in 1928, 1932, and 1936. She dominated her sport with a run of world titles from 1927 to 1936 and helped popularize modern free skating.

She then became one of the biggest film stars of the late thirties and early forties. Henie toplined musical ice spectacles such as ‘Sun Valley Serenade’ and ‘Second Fiddle’, creating a signature blend of skating and song.

Bud Spencer

Born Carlo Pedersoli, Bud Spencer swam for Italy at the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Games. A national sprint freestyle standout, he was the first Italian to break the one minute barrier in the 100 meter freestyle.

He reinvented himself on screen as a sturdy comic bruiser. Paired with Terence Hill, he starred in hits like ‘They Call Me Trinity’ and ‘Trinity Is Still My Name’, then kept the momentum with crowd pleasing action comedies.

Harold Sakata

Harold Sakata lifted for the United States at the 1948 London Olympics and won silver in the light heavyweight division. His Olympic success capped a strong weightlifting career that also included national honors.

He became a film icon with a single unforgettable role. As Oddjob in ‘Goldfinger’, Sakata gave James Bond one of his most distinctive adversaries, then continued to work in films and television for years.

Rafer Johnson

Rafer Johnson earned decathlon silver in 1956 for the United States and returned to win gold in 1960. He later served as final torchbearer for the 1984 Los Angeles Games, a nod to his place in Olympic history.

Johnson also built a steady acting resume. He appeared in ‘Wild in the Country’ and ‘None But the Brave’, and decades later popped up in the Bond adventure ‘Licence to Kill’ for a spy world reunion of Olympic talent.

Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner won decathlon gold for the United States at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, setting a world record in the process. The performance made Jenner one of the most recognizable athletes of the era.

Screen roles followed across film and television. Jenner starred in the musical comedy ‘Can’t Stop the Music’ and guested on series such as ‘CHiPs’, later adding reality and documentary projects to a varied on camera career.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey represented the United States in judo at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won bronze in the 70 kilogram division. She was the first American woman to medal in Olympic judo, marking a milestone for the program.

Her transition to acting brought action heavy roles. Rousey joined ensembles in ‘The Expendables 3’ and ‘Furious 7’, then added more screen time in projects like ‘Mile 22’ while continuing her combat sports career.

Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle won freestyle wrestling gold for the United States at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He competed in the heavyweight class and secured a place among the country’s most celebrated amateur wrestlers.

Angle later took on film parts alongside his television work. He appears as the imposing Koba in ‘Warrior’ and has turned up in genre fare including ‘Sharknado 2’, bringing mat strength to action scenes.

Mitch Gaylord

Mitch Gaylord was a key member of the United States men’s gymnastics team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He earned multiple medals that summer, including the team gold, and delivered the first perfect ten by an American man at the Games.

His athletic fame led to a lead role in a sports drama. Gaylord starred in ‘American Anthem’, then continued with guest spots and stunt work that drew on his elite acrobatic skills.

Cathy Rigby

Cathy Rigby competed in gymnastics for the United States at the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympics. She became a trailblazer for the sport in America with international medals and national championships.

Rigby built a long stage and screen career after retiring from competition. She is best known for her signature role in ‘Peter Pan’, with televised performances and tours, and also made appearances in television films and series.

Lennox Lewis

Lennox Lewis boxed at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and won super heavyweight gold while representing Canada. He later turned professional and became a world champion, a rare heavyweight to unify titles in multiple eras.

Lewis has racked up film and television credits along the way. He appears as himself in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and took roles in features such as ‘Johnny Was’, adding screen presence to his post ring pursuits.

Wladimir Klitschko

Wladimir Klitschko won super heavyweight boxing gold for Ukraine at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. His Olympic triumph preceded a long professional reign that helped define heavyweight boxing for a generation.

He has also ventured onto sets in Europe and the United States. Klitschko appears in ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ and has made guest appearances in documentaries and scripted projects, often leaning into his athletic persona.

Alexi Pappas

Alexi Pappas ran the 10,000 meters for Greece at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She set a national record at the Games and competed internationally as both a middle distance and long distance specialist.

Pappas added filmmaker and actor to her bio. She co wrote and starred in ‘Tracktown’ and led the intimate Olympic village story ‘Olympic Dreams’, drawing on her experience to give the films authentic detail.

Gus Kenworthy

Gus Kenworthy won slopestyle silver for the United States in freestyle skiing at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He returned for later Games and became a prominent figure in his sport with podiums across major events.

He has since taken on acting roles in television and film. Kenworthy joined the cast of ‘American Horror Story’ and has appeared in additional scripted projects, balancing athletic commitments with time on sets.

Sasha Cohen

Sasha Cohen earned Olympic silver in figure skating for the United States at the 2006 Turin Games. Known for precision spins and artistry, she collected world and national medals across a long competitive run.

Cohen moved into on camera work after competition. She appeared in the feature ‘Bratz’ and made guest appearances in television and skating themed productions, often playing parts that let her skate on screen.

Apolo Ohno

Apolo Ohno competed for the United States in short track speed skating across the 2002, 2006, and 2010 Olympics. He finished his Olympic career with multiple medals and became one of the most decorated American winter athletes.

He has acted in both television and film. Ohno took a lead in the Syfy adventure ‘Tasmanian Devils’ and has appeared in scripted series, expanding his media career beyond hosting and commentary.

Share the names we missed in the comments and tell us which Olympic to screen journey you found most surprising.