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Acting and performing isn’t the only thing that interests the world’s most famous celebrities, even if that’s all we know them for. While we’re used to seeing them fit, some of them have a background that takes their performance beyond the stage and into serious athletic environments.
For some, their athletic backgrounds often explain the discipline, stamina, and physical presence they later brought to Hollywood and beyond. While fans usually know them for blockbuster films or hit songs, these stars once spent just as much time training, competing, and chasing victories in the world of sports.
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Jason Statham
Before becoming an action star, Jason Statham competed internationally as a diver. He represented England in the 1990 Commonwealth Games and spent more than a decade on Britain’s National Diving Squad.
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Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell looked destined for professional baseball before a shoulder injury ended his career. He played in the California Angels’ minor league system before fully committing to acting.
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Carl Weathers
Long before playing Apollo Creed, Carl Weathers was a professional football player. He suited up for the Oakland Raiders before later joining the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions.
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Terry Crews
Before finding success in comedy and television, Terry Crews played in the NFL. The former linebacker spent time with several teams after starring at Western Michigan University.
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Burt Reynolds
Burt Reynolds earned a football scholarship to Florida State University and showed significant promise before serious injuries derailed his athletic career, ultimately leading him toward acting instead.
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Geena Davis
Geena Davis became an elite archer later in life, reaching a level where she competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team ahead of the 2000 Sydney Games.
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Mark Harmon
Before television fame, Mark Harmon was the starting quarterback for UCLA. He led the Bruins during the early 1970s and earned recognition for his leadership on the field.
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Dolph Lundgren
Not only does he have several academic achievements, Dolph Lundgren is also an accomplished martial artist. He earned a fourth-degree black belt in Kyokushin karate and won the 1982 European Championship.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger is synonymous with bodybuilding, winning seven Mr. Olympia titles. His dominance helped transform competitive bodybuilding into a global spectator sport before his transition into blockbuster films.
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Dwayne Johnson
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Dwayne Johnson played defensive tackle at the University of Miami, winning a national championship before beginning his professional wrestling career.
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Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker attended college on a football scholarship as a linebacker. An injury ended his playing career, prompting him to shift his focus toward music and eventually acting.
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Hailee Steinfeld
Before her acting career took off, Hailee Steinfeld trained extensively in gymnastics as a child. Although she never competed professionally, the discipline contributed to the physical skills she later displayed on screen.
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Ed O’Neill
Years before starring in Married with Children, Ed O’Neill played college football at Ohio University and Youngstown State. He even signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being released during training camp.
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Mickey Rourke
After stepping away from acting in the 1990s, Mickey Rourke pursued professional boxing. He fought several sanctioned bouts, finishing his comeback run undefeated before returning to Hollywood.
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Gina Carano
Gina Carano first gained fame as one of the pioneers of women’s mixed martial arts. Her success in EliteXC and Strikeforce helped introduce female MMA to a much wider audience before her acting career.
The post 15 Celebs You Never Knew Were Legit Athletes appeared first on Den of Geek.
