The Top 5 Athletes-Turned-Actors
LeBron James is getting some good reviews for his performance (as himself) in the new Judd Apatow - Amy Schumer movie Trainwreck.
Despite losing the championship this year, he has been able to dodge the critical attacks received by the likes of Howie Long, Brian Bosworth and Ray Allen.
Here are five others who brought their 'A' game to the silver screen. (WARNING: Some of the clips below contain strong language and graphic violence -- much like the average broadcast of any sporting event.)
Terry Crews -- Highlights: Idiocracy & White Chicks
Crews spent much of the 90s bouncing around to different NFL teams, but luckily for all of us he got a new job. He pretty much steals the show in every movie, TV show and commercial he appears in -- and the clip above from White Chicks is really the only few seconds anyone needs to see of it!
John Matuszak -- Highlight: The Goonies
The two-time Super Bowl champ was both unrecognizable and unforgettable as the deformed and loveable Lotney "Sloth" Fratellii in the 80s classic The Goonies. His second career was unfortunately cut short by an accidental drug overdose in 1989.
Bob Uecker -- Highlights: Major League & Mr. Belvedere
Although Uecker has always made light of his baseball career, he really wasn't that bad. And he's not bad either in front of the camera. In fact, he was perhaps the only saving grace of the now-painful-to-watch 80s sitcom Mr. Belvedere.
Fred Williamson -- Highlight: Black Caesar
The former hard-hitting NFL defensive back was nicknamed "The Hammer" for a reason in the 1960s. But he went on to become a legend in 70s cinema with leading roles in classics such as Black Caesar, Hell Up In Harlem and Three The Hard Way.
Vinnie Jones -- Highlight: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
The midfielder was considered a "hard man" on the pitch during his days as a British footballer – and it was that image he successfully parlayed into a steady and prolific film career.