Explosive new MMA film Death Warrior is released on DVD today by E1 Entertainment. With a cast stacked with some of the biggest and best fighters from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (including former UFC Light heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, who also stars as BA Baracus in the new film version of The A Team), we thought we’d celebrate by bringing you the top 10 sports stars who have made the break into films...
10. Keala Kennelly, Carol Anne Philips, Rochelle Ballard, Megan Abubo
OK, so we’ve only got one female entry in our top 10 – but we’re using that to highlight four femmes! Kennelly, Philips, Ballard and Abubo are all female professional surfers who starred as themselves in 2002 film Blue Crush. Even if Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez got top billing.
9. Hulk Hogan
THE quintessential professional wrestlers from back in the WWE heyday, when wrestlers were like rockstars in stretchy underwear. Not only was Hogan a hero to millions, he also made it acceptable for men to wear yellow and grow moustaches again. As if body slams, full nelsons and clothes lines weren’t enough, he also had a go at transferring some of that charisma to the big screen and appeared in Rocky III, Mr Nanny and Thunder in Paradise – before finding it back to his real home in the ring.
8. Michael Jordan
The former American basketball player scooped numerous titles and two Olympic gold medals. Michael also featured in the 1996 film Space Jam, incorporating his skills as a basketball player and acting with animated Looney Tunes characters.
7. Mike Tyson
Former World Heavyweight boxing Champion Tyson, between buying cars and tigers, has managed to squeeze in a plethora of movie cameos. Most recently he starred in the 2009 hit comedy film The Hangover, where he swapped punching other boxers for punching one of the lead characters. It’s called method acting, darling.
6. Bruce Lee
This martial arts legend was an inspiration for many generations and even developed and taught his own style of combat. As if that wasn’t enough, Lee had appeared in 20 films by the time he was 18-years-old. His most unforgettable films are Enter The Dragon, Way Of The Dragon and Game Of Death. The most famous martial artist of all time kicks his way in to number 7.
5. Eric Cantona
The legendary French Footballer and pitch-side karate expert recently starred in the eponymously titled Looking For Eric. This 2009 modern classic is only one of many films Eric has appeared in since hanging up his boots – and he even directed a short film in 2002.
4. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson
The former UFC heavyweight Champion has starred in many mixed martial arts films including Death Warrior, which is out today. His other notable role is in the upcoming film The A Team where he plays BA Baracus – you can bet he pities the fool who doesn’t buy Death Warrior and watch The A Team.
3. Dwayne Johnson (AKA The Rock)
Another very popular professional wrestler who has transferred his skills and physique to the big screen. Johnson has featured in smash hits The Mummy Returns, Welcome To The Jungle, The Scorpion King and most recently The Tooth Fairy. We can still smell what he’s cooking.
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Before governing California, flying to Mars to save Earth and chasing 7ft aliens around the South American jungle, Schwarzenegger was a professional body builder and Mr Universe. While these days he’s more comfortable with policies than oozies, he’s about to cameo in Sylvester Stallone’s new film The Expendables.
1. Vinnie Jones
A little more Millwall than Macbeth, the hard man of football with an iron grip (as Gazza found out) is perhaps the biggest surprise in our list. That he found it so easy to switch to films puts him clearly at Number 1. Making his debut in Guy Ritchie’s Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, he went on to star in X Men: The Last Stand, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Snatch, Mean Machine, Strength And Honour, The Midnight Meat Train and... the list goes on. Back of the net, fella!
