30+ Famous Celebs Who Were Also Great Athletes
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.
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.
Josh Duhamel and Football
American actor Josh Duhamel also has a past playing football. While studying at Minot State University in North Dakota, he played quarterback for the university’s football team. Since this was not a feeder school for the NHL, Duhamel decided to drop out and focus his energy on a career in acting and modelling.
It led him to star in the box office Transformers franchise. Nevertheless, he went back to school and completed his degree in 2005.
Ellen DeGeneres and Tennis
American comedian, television host and actress Ellen DeGeneres has recently announced that The Ellen DeGeneres Show will come to an end in 2022 after 19 years on the air. To cope with the stress of her life, Ellen turns to tennis to burn that extra energy.
Due to her being a big celebrity, she was able to be introduced to major tennis stars such as Serena Williams. Ellen lives in a mansion in Montecito, California.