Many professional wrestlers have made their mark in the acting world. Their films span various genres, from action and comedy to drama. Hollywood Reporter has ranked the 10 most impressive WWE stars who have successfully transitioned into acting.
1. Dave Bautista
56-year-old Dave Bautista, formerly known as Batista in the wrestling ring, is known for his imposing physique and fighting style. Initially, many viewers thought he was only suited for muscle-bound roles like Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy. However, Bautista has proven his acting range in films like Blade Runner 2049 and Dune. He actively transformed his body, dropping from 132 kg to around 109 kg to broaden his range of roles. Bautista's upcoming projects include Afterburn, Trap House, and The Wrecking Crew. He will also lend his voice to The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender.
2. Dwayne Johnson
53-year-old Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of the most successful wrestlers to transition to Hollywood, with a string of blockbusters under his belt. However, critics note his roles haven't been particularly diverse, often centering on powerful, larger-than-life characters, as seen in the Fast & Furious franchise, San Andreas (2015), and Skyscraper (2018). His upcoming role as mixed martial arts legend Mark Kerr in A24's The Smashing Machine is anticipated to be a potential breakthrough.
3. John Cena
47-year-old John Cena ventured into acting after a successful WWE career. Starting with The Marine in 2006, he's starred in blockbusters like Fast and Furious 9, The Suicide Squad, and Peacemaker. He's showcased his comedic timing and embraced self-deprecating roles.
4. Roddy Piper
Roddy "Rowdy" Piper gained attention for his leading role in John Carpenter's 1988 horror film They Live. He played a construction worker who discovers sunglasses that reveal aliens disguised as humans. On television, he appeared in Highlander: The Series (1992), RoboCop: The Series (1994), and made a guest appearance on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Piper passed away at home in 2015 at 61 due to cardiac arrest and high blood pressure, having previously battled Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2006.
5. Adam Copeland
52-year-old Adam "Edge" Copeland, standing over 1.9 m tall, has showcased his acting abilities in Vikings and Haven. In 2024, he made a mark as the god of war Ares in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. His character's dialogue, particularly during a scene in an amusement park, adds depth to the series.
6. Kevin Nash
66-year-old Kevin Nash, a 21-time champion in WWE, WCW, and TNA Championship wrestling, used his imposing figure to portray tough characters in The Punisher (2004) and The Longest Yard (2005). He also played a wrestler in DOA: Dead or Alive, made a cameo in John Wick (2014), and is known for his role as Tarzan in the Magic Mike films.
7. Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is not just a famous wrestler but also an entrepreneur, musician, reality TV star, and actor. His film career began with the role of Thunderlips in Rocky III (1982) alongside Sylvester Stallone. He continued in Hollywood with No Holds Barred (1989), Suburban Commando (1991), and Mr. Nanny (1993). In July, Hogan passed away at 71 from sudden cardiac arrest, after undergoing at least 10 major back and neck surgeries over the past decade due to years of intense wrestling.
8. Paul Wight
53-year-old Paul "Big Show" Wight, standing over 2 m tall and at one point weighing 230 kg, has brought laughter to audiences in The Waterboy (1998) as Captain Insano and played Santa Claus in Jingle All the Way (1996). In 2020, Netflix launched the sitcom The Big Show Show, where Wight plays a retired wrestler navigating family life.
9. Jesse Ventura
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Jesse Ventura in "The Running Man" (1987). Photo: Tri-Star Pictures |
Former WWE wrestler Jesse Ventura acted in the 1980s and 1990s, notably in Predator (1987). As Blain Cooper, he made an impact with his imposing physique and natural acting style. He also appeared in The Running Man (1987) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Demolition Man (1993), and voiced animated characters.
10. Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant (Andre Rene Roussimoff) is one of the greatest wrestling legends. Standing over 2 m tall and weighing around 230 kg, he was known as the "gentle giant" of WWE. His most notable role was Fezzik in The Princess Bride (1987). He also appeared in television projects like The Six Million Dollar Man and BJ and the Bear. However, his health limited his career due to gigantism, a growth hormone disorder. He passed away in 1993 at 47 while in Paris for his father's funeral.
Que Chi (according to Hollywood Reporter)
