Actresses You Didn’t Know Were Professional Athletes Before Hollywood

Many stars in Hollywood began their journeys far away from movie sets and red carpets. These talented women dedicated years to rigorous training and professional competition before finding success on the screen. Their backgrounds in sports provided the discipline and physical strength needed for demanding film roles. This list highlights actresses who were professional athletes or elite competitors before they became household names.

Estella Warren

Before she starred in ‘Planet of the Apes’ she was a champion synchronized swimmer for the Canadian national team. She won three national titles and earned a bronze medal at the 1995 Junior World Championships. Her athletic background helped her transition into a modeling career before she landed her first major film roles in the early 2000s. She often credits her discipline in the pool for her success on movie sets.

Gina Carano

This actress was a pioneer in women’s mixed martial arts and a top ranked Muay Thai fighter. She became the face of the sport during her time in EliteXC and Strikeforce. Her combat skills paved the way for her breakout role in the action film ‘Haywire’. She later appeared in major projects like ‘Deadpool’ and ‘The Mandalorian’.

Ronda Rousey

This star won an Olympic bronze medal in judo before becoming a dominant force in the UFC. She successfully transitioned to Hollywood with roles in ‘Furious 7’ and ‘The Expendables 3’. Her physical training and competitive spirit made her a natural fit for the action genre. She continues to balance her work in entertainment with her legacy as a professional fighter.

Dot-Marie Jones

This actress is a fifteen time world champion arm wrestler and a former track and field star. She used her impressive physique and athletic talent to secure the role of Coach Beiste on the hit series ‘Glee’. Her background in professional sports provided the discipline needed for her long career in television. She has also appeared in shows like ‘Married with Children’ and ‘Lizzie McGuire’.

Hillary Wolf

Before she appeared as the older sister in the ‘Home Alone’ films she was an elite judo athlete. She represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. Her success on the mat began at a young age while she was still a child actress. She eventually chose to focus on her athletic career over her Hollywood prospects.

Gabrielle Reece

This actress was a professional beach volleyball player and a successful fashion model. She led her team to victories in the 1990s and became a well known fitness icon. Her athletic fame led to acting opportunities including a lead role in ‘Air Bud Spikes Back’. She has also appeared as herself in numerous television shows and documentaries.

Stacy Keibler

She began her career as a professional cheerleader for the Baltimore Ravens before joining the world of professional wrestling. She spent years competing in both WCW and WWE where she became a household name. Her popularity in the ring led to roles in shows like ‘What About Brian’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’. She also famously competed on the reality series ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

Mercedes Varnado

Known to many fans as Sasha Banks she achieved massive success as a professional wrestler in WWE and Japan. She used her stage presence and physical talent to land the role of Koska Reeves in ‘The Mandalorian’. Her work in the ‘Star Wars’ universe showed her ability to perform complex stunts and deliver compelling dialogue. She continues to explore new opportunities in both sports and film.

Laila Ali

The daughter of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was a world champion professional boxer in her own right. She retired with an undefeated record and multiple title belts across different weight classes. Her transition to Hollywood included roles in the movie ‘S.W.A.T.’ and hosting duties on ‘American Gladiators’. She remains a prominent personality in television and fitness.

Holly Holm

She is a decorated combat sports athlete who held world titles in both boxing and mixed martial arts. She gained international fame after defeating Ronda Rousey to become the UFC bantamweight champion. Her career in front of the camera includes roles in ‘Fight Valley’ and several sports documentaries. She is celebrated for her technical skill and professional demeanor in and out of the ring.

Cathy Rigby

This gymnast was the first American woman to win a medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. She competed in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics before moving into the world of theater and film. She is most famous for her long running portrayal of the lead character in ‘Peter Pan’ on stage and in television specials. Her athletic flexibility allowed her to perform demanding aerial stunts during her performances.

Geena Davis

While she is an Academy Award winning actress she also reached an elite level in the sport of archery. She took up the sport in her forties and eventually competed in the 1999 Olympic trials. She finished in the top thirty out of hundreds of competitors and narrowly missed a spot on the national team. Her dedication to sports is also seen in her role in the classic baseball film ‘A League of Their Own’.

Amy Jo Johnson

She was a competitive gymnast for many years and reached the level needed to train for the Olympic Games. An injury eventually forced her to leave the sport and pursue a career in acting. She is best known for playing the original Pink Ranger in the ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ television series and films. Her gymnastic background allowed her to perform many of her own stunts and high flying moves.

Aimee Mullins

This actress was a record breaking Paralympic sprinter who competed at the 1996 games in Atlanta. She was the first double amputee to compete in Division I track and field at the collegiate level. Her move into acting included roles in the series ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘The Power’. She has also been a successful model and a powerful advocate for people with disabilities.

Michelle Yeoh

Before becoming an international film star she was a national squash champion in Malaysia. She also trained extensively in ballet and other forms of dance from a young age. These athletic skills became the foundation for her incredible career in martial arts cinema. She is now an Oscar winner for her performance in ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’.

Lisa Leslie

She is a legend of the WNBA who won four Olympic gold medals and multiple championships. Her height and skill on the court made her one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. She transitioned into acting with appearances in films like ‘Uncle Drew’ and ‘Think Like a Man’. She was also the first woman to ever dunk in a professional WNBA game.

Torrie Wilson

This actress and fitness model spent over a decade as a professional wrestler in WCW and WWE. She won several fitness competitions before her career in the ring began. Her fame in the wrestling world led to guest roles on ‘Baywatch’ and ‘7th Heaven’. She was eventually inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for her contributions to the industry.

Eve Torres

She is a former professional wrestler who held the WWE Divas Championship three times. She is also a high level practitioner and instructor of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Her combat training helped her land roles in action projects like ‘Skiptrace’ and ‘Supergirl’. She often combines her martial arts expertise with her acting performances.

Shayna Baszler

She was a pioneer in women’s mixed martial arts and a member of the famous Four Horsewomen of MMA. After a successful fighting career she transitioned into professional wrestling where she won numerous titles. Her combat background led to a role in the film ‘Fight Valley’. She is known for her intense style and legitimate fighting credentials.

Jade Cargill

She was a star basketball player in college who played at the Division I level. Her impressive athleticism caught the attention of professional wrestling scouts and she became a dominant champion in AEW. She has since moved to WWE and continues to build her profile in the entertainment industry. She has also appeared in guest roles and reality television programs.

Trinity Fatu

Before she became a champion professional wrestler she was a professional dancer for the Orlando Magic in the NBA. Her athletic background in dance and cheerleading made her one of the most agile performers in the ring. She starred in the film ‘The Marine 5 Battleground’ and was a main cast member on ‘Total Divas’. She continues to compete at a high level in the wrestling industry.

Rhea Ripley

This actress and wrestler played competitive soccer for many years in her home country of Australia. Her transition to professional wrestling saw her become a dominant champion on multiple continents. Her unique look and physical style have made her a fan favorite in the entertainment world. She has appeared in various sports documentaries and guest roles on television.

Danica Patrick

She is the most successful woman in the history of American open wheel racing and a former professional driver. She won the 2008 Indy Japan 300 and remains the only woman to win an IndyCar Series race. Her fame in the racing world led to acting opportunities in ‘Charlie’s Angels’ and ‘CSI NY’. She has also worked extensively as a television analyst and entrepreneur.

Lindsey Vonn

This world class athlete is an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most successful alpine ski racers in history. She won four World Cup overall championships and holds numerous records in the sport. Her transition to the screen included a guest appearance on the long running series ‘Law and Order’. She has also hosted reality programs and appeared in various documentaries about her career.

Missy Peregrym

Before she became a leading actress in television she was a competitive basketball and soccer player. Her athletic experience was essential for her role as a gymnast in the film ‘Stick It’. She has since starred in popular shows like ‘Rookie Blue’ and ‘FBI’. Her background in sports continues to influence her approach to physical roles in Hollywood.

Emma Dumont

This actress was a professional roller derby skater who competed under the name Bodice Blizzard. She was part of the Los Angeles Derby Dolls and spent years training in the physical sport. Her background in both dance and derby helped her secure roles in ‘Bunheads’ and ‘The Gifted’. She often discusses how the toughness of roller derby prepared her for the demands of acting.

Gwendoline Christie

She was a semi professional gymnast during her childhood and trained for years at a high level. A significant spinal injury forced her to give up the sport and she turned her focus to acting instead. She used her height and physical discipline to portray iconic characters in ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Star Wars’. Her athletic foundation remains a key part of her presence on screen.

Serena Williams

While she is primarily known for her twenty three Grand Slam titles she has also built a career in acting. She has appeared in films like ‘Ocean’s Eight’ and ‘Glass Onion A Knives Out Mystery’ as well as various television shows. Her legendary status in professional tennis has made her a global icon across multiple industries. She continues to produce and star in content while maintaining her legacy as an athlete.

Please share which of these athletic backgrounds surprised you the most in the comments.