Famous Celebs Who Were Also Great Athletes

In Hollywood it is not uncommon to find well renowned celebs that used to be professional athletes. Some of them have even made the jump from professional athletes to professional actors, which is quite impressive. Others have participated in their University’s sports teams, but as they graduated they quit the sport to focus on acting or singing. There are actresses such as Amy Adams and Hailey Bieber that have been classically trained in Ballet since they were children. It takes a lot of effort and discipline to play a sport. Some of them have made sports history, as is the case of Tommy Lee Jones who was a member of Harvard’s undefeated 1968 football team when Harvard beat Yale. There are even documentaries about it.

Gina Carano and MMA

You may know actress Gina Carano from the super popular Disney+ hit series The Mandalorian. But before she made it big in the entertainment business, she was a fitness model, and former mixed martial artist (MMA).

She started a career in Muay Thai after a boyfriend introduced her to the discipline. That led to her to compete professionally. She appeared in the reality show American Gladiators and also starred in the cult film Ring Girls

Tommy Lee Jones and Football

American actor Tommy Lee Jones attended Harvard University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1969. He played offensive guard at Harvard from 1965 to 1968 and was a member of Harvard’s undefeated 1968 football team.

Ivy League history was made when Harvard beat Yale in the 1968 game. There is even a 2008 documentary about the game called “Harvard beats Yale 29-29”. Jones went from football star to Hollywood star.

Jennifer Lawrence and Basketball

American actress Jennifer Lawrence has been practicing sports her entire life. In high school she played softball, field hockey, cheerleading and basketball, which she played on a boys’ team that was coached by her father.

But in a candid interview, the Oscar winner confessed that she actually really hated high school sports. She had to continue attending classes due to her parents’ demands. She also enjoyed horseback riding. Her main focus now is acting.

Terry Crews and Football

There are many actors that started out as professional football players. This is the case of American actor Terry Crews. He had a very successful pro-football career before he decided to use his talent for acting.

During the 90s, Crews played defensive end for the Redskins, the Rams and the Chargers. He has starred in White Chicks and The Expendable series, Today, you can now watch Terry in the hilarious police procedural sitcom Brooklyn 99.