Ten Successful Wrestlers Turned Actors

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From the ring to the screen, several successful wrestlers have turned into well-known actors, earning them more fame and wealth.

The world of wrestling, which involves drama, action, humor, and characters from fiction, has seen some great wrestlers that have made their way to the top. Many of these very talented wrestlers have also participated in the action, comedy, and fictional plots outside of the wrestling ring. Their splendid performance on the screen has not only added to their fanbase but also to their wealth.

The following is a list of successful wrestlers who became actors later in life.

Stacy Keibler

Stacy Keibler was a famous wrestler who worked with both WCW and WWE. Along with being a professional wrestler, Stacy Ann-Marie Keibler is also a famous American actress, model, and cheerleader.

Keibler appeared in famous movies and shows like Bubble Boy (2001), The Comebacks (2007), How I Met Your Mother (2010 - 2014), A Drop of Love (2012), and Men at Work (2012). The American wrestler has a net worth of about $25 million.

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin

Besides being a wrestling legend and a podcast host, Steve Austin is also known for his acting skills on screen. Better known as 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, his stone-cold stare is a distinctive feature that appears in the movies he has acted in.

Some of his works include The Condemned (2007), The Expendables (2010), The Longest Yard (2005), Tactical Force (2011), and Grown Ups 2 (2013). Austin's net worth is valued at about $30 million.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan might be a popular name in Hollywood, but before he made it to the movies, he was one of the early legends of wrestling. He made a smooth entry into the Hollywood industry and made appearances in many hits. The movies he has acted in include, No Holds Barred (1989), Rocky III (1982), Suburban Commando (1991), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), and China, IL (2011 - 2015). Hogan is a retired pro wrestler with a net worth of about $25 million.

Randy Savage

Randy Savage astonished thousands of fans with his charismatic presence in the ring. But later in his life, he had the same effect in his career in the Hollywood industry.

The best and most memorable performance of Randy Savage was in Spider-Man (2002). He has also acted in Bolt (2008), Ready to Rumble (2000), and Mad About You (1999). Savage had a net worth of about $8 million when he passed away in 2011.

Andre, the Giant

The famous Hulk Hogan is slamming the first thing that Andre the Giant is most famous for in WrestleMania 3. But then Andre started gaining more fame when he got into the movie business.

He has acted in a good number of movies, which include The Princess Bride (1987), The Six Million Dollar Man (1976), Micki + Maude (1984), Trading Mom (1994), and Zorro (1991). The wrestler cum actor had a net worth of about $10 million when he passed away in 1993.

Roddy Piper

Roddy Piper might be famous for his exceptional wrestling skills, but that isn’t all he’s renowned for. He is also one of the few pro wrestlers who started exhibiting excellent acting skills after entering the world of cinema.

The versatile Piper acted in movies like They Live (1988), Hell Comes to Frogtown (1988), Portal to Hell!!! (2015), Pro Wrestlers vs. Zombies (2014) is always Sunny in Philadelphia (2009 - 2013). He has a net worth of about $4 million.

Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura was a renowned pro wrestler who got famous in the movie industry after his performance in Predator, released in 1987. His brilliant bodybuilding skills have been featured in most parts that he played on screen.

The movies he has acted in include the Predator (1987), Batman & Robin (1997), The Running Man (1987), Demolition Man (1993), and Major League II (1994). Ventura is known to have famously shared the screen with his fellow wrestler, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in the movie The Running Man. Jesse Ventura currently has a net worth of about $6 million.

John Cena

John Cena is perhaps one of the most recognizable sports personalities in the world. With an array of titles and records in the WWE, Cena has created a legacy for himself in the ring. However, the ring is not the only place where Cena gets his fame; it is the cinema.

He has starred in several movies, including Trainwreck (2015), The Marine (2006), 12 Rounds (2009), Sisters (2015), Blockers (2018), Dallas & Robo (2018), and Daddy's Home 2 (2017). John Cena, known mainly for his comedy roles, has an impressive net worth of $60 million.

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista is most famous in the acting industry for his performances in movies like Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).

He has also acted in two other movies - Hotel Artemis (2018) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Dave Bautista currently has a handsome net worth of about $20 million.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

The Rock does not need much introduction, as Dwayne Johnson is reportedly the most popular and highest-paid actor in Hollywood with a remarkable history in the world of wrestling. Two of his latest performances in the acting business include the movies Rampage (2018) and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017).

He has also acted in movies like Fast & Furious 6 (2013), Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012), Ballers (2015 - 2018), Moana (2016), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), and Baywatch (2017). The Rock has the highest net worth amongst all other wrestlers turned actors, valued at about $320 million.

The names mentioned above are but only a few examples of famous wrestlers who became actors. There are also examples like Kevin Nash, who began their acting career first and then became champions in the ring.

Source: The Film Magazine, GamesRadar, Ranker