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Last updated: Aug 01, 2023
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While we know many celebrities for their roles in the entertainment industry, some of the most famous celebrities of our time started out as athletes. Whether they played professionally or in college, below are the top 10 celebrities who played sports before they became the actors we know and love.
Table of Contents
- Which Famous Celebrities Also Played Sports?
- 1. Dwayne Johnson
- 2. Jamie Foxx
- 3. Elsa Hosk
- 4. Terry Crews
- 5. Kate Middleton
- 6. Hugh Jackman
- 7. Emma Watson
- 8. Leslie Jones
- 9. Joel McHale
- 10. Uzo Aduba
- Honorable Mentions
- FAQ
Which Famous Celebrities Also Played Sports?
- Dwayne Johnson
- Jamie Foxx
- Elsa Hosk
- Terry Crews
- Kate Middleton
- Hugh Jackman
- Emma Watson
- Leslie Jones
- Joel McHale
- Uzo Audba
1. Dwayne Johnson
- Sport(s): Football, Wrestling
- Team(s): Calgary Stampeders
Before we knew him as an actor, Dwayne Johnson was a professional football player and wrestler.After starting his football career in high school, he accepted a full-ride scholarship from the University of Miami. After an injury, Johnson’s playing time was cut short, and he received no offers from any NFL team. He briefly played for a Canadian league before being cut yet again.
Following his father’s and grandfather's footsteps, Johnson made his WWFdebut in 1996 as Rocky Mavia (a combination of his father’s and grandfather’s names). Soon after, Rocky Mavia would become known simply as “the Rock” and would become a legendary wrestler and actor in his own right.
2. Jamie Foxx
- Sport(s): Basketball, Football
- Team(s): Terrell High School Tigers
Best known for his Academy Award-winning role as Ray Charles, Jamie Foxx has been a force to be reckoned with on-screen and on the field. The Spider-Man: No Way Home actor was even the quarterback at his high school.While honing his musical ability, Foxx also became the first player at his school to pass for more than 1,000 yards. Shortly after, he decided to pursue a career in comedy, and the rest is history.
3. Elsa Hosk
- Sport(s): Basketball
- Team(s): Swedish National Team
Victoria’s Secret supermodel Elsa Hosk began playing basketball at age seven. She even joined the Swedish basketball team after graduating from high school. Alongside her dedication to the sport, she also began modeling during her teenage years. Due to the intense nature of both passions, she was forced to make a choice.After winning Sweden’s Next Top Model, she became one of the world’s most successful models and left her basketball dreams behind.
4. Terry Crews
- Sport(s): Football
- Team(s): Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, Rhein Fire, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles
Crews' character on Brooklyn Nine-Ninewas considered the squad’s gentle giant. Prior to such acting performances, Crews was anything but gentle.His reputation comes from the years Crews spent at the gym and on the field during his six-year NFL career.In 1990, after graduating, Crews was drafted as a linebacker for the Rams.
After his time there, Crews played for three more teams: the Chargers, the Commanders (then known as the Redskins), and the Eagles. He then briefly played abroad. Soon after, he quit and became the prolific comedian and actor that we know today.
5. Kate Middleton
- Sport(s): Field Hockey
- Team(s): Marlborough College
Prior to her fairytale wedding to Prince William, Kate Middleton was quite the field hockey player.The now-Princess of Wales began playing during high school and continued her hockey career in college.She was so talented that she even became the captain of her team at Marlborough College.Aside from her field hockey prowess, Middleton is also known to have a secret talent for running and tennis and has more than earned her reputation as the most athletic British royal.
6. Hugh Jackman
- Sport(s): Rugby, Cricket, Swimming, Track and Field
- Team(s): Knox Grammar School
It only takes one look at Hugh Jackman in any of theX-Menmovies to know that he’s athletic. However, most people don’t know that the Les Miserables staris also an ardent sports fan and former player. In his high school years, Jackman was an avid rugby player, cricket player, swimmer, and high jumper.After graduation, Jackman traveled to England, where he continued to demonstrate his love for sports by teaching PE and coaching sports teams at the Uppingham School until he had his big break.
7. Emma Watson
- Sport(s): Field Hockey
- Team(s): Brown University Bears
When most people think of Hermione Granger, athletic is not the first word that comes to mind. Emma Watson, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. The He for Shefounder played field hockey growing up and brought her love of the sport to the US when she matriculated at Brown University.Watson, in fact, loves field hockey so much that she played a quick game with students at Thorpe Hall Primary School in England to launch a hockey-centric charity.
8. Leslie Jones
- Sport(s): Basketball
- Team(s): Chapman University Panthers, Colorado State Rams
Known for doing anything for a laugh, Leslie Jones is most famous for her time on Saturday Night Live. Before she was a comedian, though, she was a successful collegiate athlete. After playing basketball throughout her childhood, the Ghostbusters actress briefly attended Chapman University on a basketball scholarship before transferring to play at Colorado State.Not only is she an avid Knicks fan, she proudly displays her love of sports by sharing her own commentary on TikTok.
9. Joel McHale
- Sport(s): Football
- Team(s): University of Washington Huskies
Jeff Winger wouldn’t be caught dead playing any sport for Greendale Community College in the show Community,but Joel McHale was more than proud to play football at the University of Washington.McHale had initially been recruited to row and had never really been interested in football.
During his freshman year, everything changed. He walked on to the UW football team as a tight end and played for a fairly successful year-and-a-half. McHale never played a game again but often attributes his time spent on the team to his success in the acting world.
10. Uzo Aduba
- Sport(s): Track and Field
- Team(s): Boston University Terriers
During her time at Boston University, the Orange is the New Black actress loved performing both on stage and on the track.Even though she majored in opera singing, Uzo Aduba was considered one of the best sprinters at BU. Her best events were usually the 55-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter. As a senior, she even won the Aldo “Buff” Donelli Leadership Award.Aduba is still an avid runner and completed the Boston Marathon in a little over five hours.
Honorable Mentions
- Amy Adams
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Avril Lavigne
- Channing Tatum
- George Clooney
- Gwen Stefani
- Jon Stewart
- Mark Harmon
- Nina Dobrev
- Sheryl Crow
- “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
FAQ
What famous celebrities played sports?
There are many famous celebrities who played sports, but a few standouts are Mark Harmon, Mahershala Ali, Channing Tatum, and Billy Crystal. Mark Harmon was a starting quarterback on his college football team. Mahershala Ali went to college on a basketball scholarship.Channing Tatum played football for his college before dropping out to pursue acting. Billy Crystal attended college on a baseball scholarship before transferring schools.
What famous celebrities played basketball?
Three of the most famous celebrities to play basketball are the rappers 2 Chainz and Master P, as well as actor Denzel Washington. 2 Chainz went to Alabama State on a D1 basketball scholarship. Master P attended the University of Houston for basketball before stopping shortly after due to a knee injury. Denzel Washington played basketball at Fordham.
What famous celebrities played football?
There are several famous celebrities who played football, including Will Ferrell, Matthew Fox, James Caan, and Dean Cain. Will Ferrell played football in high school. Matthew Fox played for Columbia University. James Caan played for Michigan State University. Dean Cain played for Princeton.
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I'm a passionate enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intersection between sports and entertainment. My knowledge spans various sports and the careers of individuals who transitioned from athletics to the entertainment industry. Let's delve into the article about the top 10 celebrities who played sports before becoming the beloved actors we know today.
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Dwayne Johnson:
- Sport(s): Football, Wrestling
- Team(s): Calgary Stampeders
- Evidence: Johnson's journey from professional football with the University of Miami to his iconic wrestling career as "the Rock" showcases his remarkable transition from sports to entertainment.
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Jamie Foxx:
- Sport(s): Basketball, Football
- Team(s): Terrell High School Tigers
- Evidence: Foxx's prowess as a high school quarterback, passing for over 1,000 yards, before his successful career in acting, particularly his Academy Award-winning role as Ray Charles, demonstrates his versatility in both sports and entertainment.
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Elsa Hosk:
- Sport(s): Basketball
- Team(s): Swedish National Team
- Evidence: Hosk's early dedication to basketball, leading her to join the Swedish National Team, and her subsequent success as a Victoria's Secret supermodel exemplify her transition from sports to the world of modeling.
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Terry Crews:
- Sport(s): Football
- Team(s): Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, Rhein Fire, Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles
- Evidence: Crews' six-year NFL career, including his time with multiple teams, provides a solid foundation for his later career as a comedian and actor, notably in Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
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Kate Middleton:
- Sport(s): Field Hockey
- Team(s): Marlborough College
- Evidence: Middleton's background as a talented field hockey player and team captain during her school years showcases her athleticism before her royal life.
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Hugh Jackman:
- Sport(s): Rugby, Cricket, Swimming, Track and Field
- Team(s): Knox Grammar School
- Evidence: Jackman's multi-sport background in rugby, cricket, swimming, and track and field during his high school years, along with his later involvement in teaching and coaching sports, underscores his passion for athletics.
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Emma Watson:
- Sport(s): Field Hockey
- Team(s): Brown University Bears
- Evidence: Watson's love for field hockey, demonstrated during her time at Brown University and her involvement in a hockey-centric charity, contradicts the stereotypical image of her iconic character Hermione Granger.
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Leslie Jones:
- Sport(s): Basketball
- Team(s): Chapman University Panthers, Colorado State Rams
- Evidence: Jones' background as a collegiate basketball player, combined with her comedic talents on Saturday Night Live and her sports commentary on TikTok, showcases her diverse skills.
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Joel McHale:
- Sport(s): Football
- Team(s): University of Washington Huskies
- Evidence: McHale's unexpected journey from being recruited for rowing to playing football at the University of Washington highlights the impact of sports on his later success in the acting world.
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Uzo Aduba:
- Sport(s): Track and Field
- Team(s): Boston University Terriers
- Evidence: Aduba's achievements in track and field at Boston University, coupled with her later success in acting, including her role in Orange is the New Black, exemplify her talents in both fields.
Honorable Mentions:
- The article also acknowledges other celebrities with sports backgrounds, such as Amy Adams, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Avril Lavigne, Channing Tatum, George Clooney, Gwen Stefani, Jon Stewart, Mark Harmon, Nina Dobrev, and Sheryl Crow.
FAQs:
- The FAQs provide additional information about famous celebrities who played sports, including Mark Harmon, Mahershala Ali, Channing Tatum, 2 Chainz, Master P, Denzel Washington, Will Ferrell, Matthew Fox, James Caan, and Dean Cain.