Making the leap from professional sports to acting is a path many athletes have taken. Accustomed to the spotlight and fan admiration, some find Hollywood a natural next step. Whether they’re charismatic wrestlers or dedicated sports legends, their journeys to silver-screen success—or struggle—are as diverse as their athletic careers.
#1: Terry Crews – NFL Player
Terry Crews’ journey to stardom is anything but conventional. Before becoming a household name, his first passion was art, earning him an art scholarship before receiving a football scholarship at Western Michigan University.
Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1991, he spent six seasons in the NFL before leaving the sport in 1997 to pursue acting. While best known for his comedic brilliance in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Crews never abandoned his artistic roots—continuing to paint and sketch, proving that his talents extend far beyond the screen.