Wrestlers in Hollywood - An Unpredictable Mix

Hulk Hogan, The Rock, & Other Film Stars Emerging from Pro Wrestling

Aug 12, 2009

Professional wrestlers often attempt to translate their stardom into different media. Some look toward Hollywood. But Hollywood, they soon find, isn't always receptive.

Professional wrestlers are among the few sportsmen who bring acting experience with them when making a move to Hollywood. But their performance style is melodramatic and testosterone-pumped and unfortunately, it rarely seems to translate into 90 minutes of quality film.

Still, some have found success. Who could forget Hulk Hogan's turn as Thunderlips in Rocky III (United Artists 1982)? How about the comedic performances of King Kong Bundy (Moving, Warner Bros. 1988) and Kevin Nash (The Longest Yard, Paramount Pictures 2005)? Isn't Jerry Lawler's dramatic turn in Man on the Moon (Universal 1999) worthy of consideration? These wrestlers may not have won accolades for their performances, but they enriched the films in which they appeared.

Then there's another brood. Does anyone remember Captain Lou Albano in Stay Tuned (Warner Bros. 1992)? Jeff Jarrett in Life with Mikey (Touchstone Pictures 1993)? Bill Goldberg in Santa's Slay (Media 8 Entertainment 2005)? The list of bad films with worse wrestler performances is endless.

Terry Bollea (Hulk Hogan)

From 1982 to 1998, Hulk Hogan starred in several mildly successful films, including No Holds Barred (New Line Cinema 1989), Suburban Commando (New Line Cinema 1991), and Mr. Nanny (New Line Cinema 1993). He made cameos in many more. All were filled with lackluster acting, cheesy jokes, and Hogan's failure to be anything but his wrestling persona. Unfortunately, the Hulkster's first outing as Thunderlips in Rocky III is his most memorable, essentially playing himself.

Recently, Hogan has turned his attention toward television, hosting the short-lived American Gladiators (2008) and starring in a reality television series following his family, Hogan Knows Best (2005-2007).

Will Hogan make a Hollywood comeback? Who knows? Maybe a sequel to Santa with Muscles (Legacy Releasing Corp. 1996) could do the trick. Then again, maybe not.

Andre Rousimoff (Andre the Giant)

To many, Andre the Giant will be forever remembered as the lovable Fezzik in the enduring classic, The Princess Bride (20th Century Fox 1987). This is particularly impressive since at his wrestling peak, Andre was cast as a monstrous heel, feuding with then golden boy, Hulk Hogan. Other roles were neither memorable nor substantial, Andre briefly appearing in Conan the Destroyer (Universal 1984), Micki & Maude (Columbia 1984), and Trading Mom (Trimark 1994). The latter film was released after Andre's untimely death at 46.

Jesse Ventura acted opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in three mainstream action flicks, The Running Man (TriStar Pictures 1987), Predator (20th Century Fox 1987), and Batman and Robin (Warner Bros. 1997). The first two provided Ventura's most notable roles, playing the gameshow gladiator, Captain Freedom, in The Running Man and a tobacco-chewing, minigun-toting soldier in Predator. In Batman, his bit part as a prison guard went unnoticed, a circumstance to which he should be thankful given the negativity surrounding the film. Ventura appeared in a few more films, including Demolition Man (Warner Bros. 1993) and Major League II (Warner Bros. 1994).

After leaving wrestling, Ventura became Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota in 1990 and Governor of Minnesota in 1998.

Steve Anderson (Stone Cold Steve Austin)

Steve Austin first gained recognition for his acting chops as Jake Cage on CBS's Nash Bridges (1996-2001). There, he played a detective with an attitude problem. He also impressed as a racist prison guard with an attitude problem in The Longest Yard. As the lead in the underrated action flick, The Condemned (Lions Gate Entertainment 2007), Austin again impresses as an imprisoned U.S. operative with an attitude problem. Austin seems to have one mode, but he has solidly acted in roles suited to it.

Austin will star in two upcoming action films, Damage (Nasser Entertainment 2010) and The Expendables (Millennium Films 2010). Look for him to play a bad-ass with an attitude problem in both.

Roderick Toombs (Rowdy Roddy Piper)

Piper is to movies as Hydrox is to cookies. He is a B-Movie god. With 30+ movies under his belt, Piper repeatedly cheeses up the big screen. From Body Slam (Hemdale Releasing Corp. 1987) to Super Sweet 16: The Movie (MTV 2007), some of Piper's films are downright embarrassing.

Nevertheless, his acting has had high points if not commercial successes. They Live (Universal 1988), a John Carpenter science fiction romp, is considered a cult classic. Sci-Fighters (Workin' Man Films 1996), starring Piper as a "futuristic" detective (set in 2009), makes for good entertainment. Look for Piper to star in the independent film, Fancypants (Humble Pie Films 2009), due for release this year.

Dwayne Johnson (The Rock)

Dwayne Johnson is perhaps the most talented of wrestlers turned actors. He starred in the excellent action film, The Rundown (Universal 2003), found mass-appeal with The Game Plan (Disney 2007), proved his substance in Gridiron Gang (Columbia 2006), and displayed comedic prowess in Be Cool (MGM 2005) and Get Smart (Warner Bros. 2008).

Charles Kalani, Jr. (Professor Toru Tanaka)

Professor who? Only more serious wrestling fans will remember this Hawaiian big man. He tag-teamed with Mr. Fuji, often throwing salt into the eyes of his adversaries.

Like his wrestling career, Kalani's film career, albeit prolific, goes somewhat unnoticed. Yet, most have seen and enjoyed many of Kalani's performances. He slashed up the ice as Subzero in The Running Man. He served as Francis' butler in Pee-wee's Big Adventure (Warner Bros. 1985). But mostly, Kalani played warriors and thugs in films like Black Rain (Paramount 1989), Darkman (Universal 1990), and Last Action Hero (Columbia 1993).

John Cena

WWE Films is backing this star's film career. The company has produced two movies starring Cena, The Marine (20th Century Fox 2006) and Twelve Rounds (20th Century Fox 2009). The former met with harsh but deserved criticism. Twelve Rounds received mixed reviews. Neither movie excelled at the box office. It remains to be seen if the WWE thinks Cena's third time will be the charm.

Consequently, The Marine 2, direct-to-DVD, will be released this year. The film stars another current WWE staple, Ted DiBiase, Jr.

Many wrestlers have tested their fates in Hollywood. For an extensive but not all-inclusive list, visit the Wrestling Information Archive.

The copyright of the article Wrestlers in Hollywood - An Unpredictable Mix in Celebrities/Pop Culture is owned by Jason Parent. Permission to republish Wrestlers in Hollywood - An Unpredictable Mix in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.