16 Famous People Who Competed, Tried Out, Or Trained For The Olympics
1. Jason Statham
Before becoming an action star, Jason Statham was a competitive diver. He was part of Britain’s National Diving Squad for over a decade and competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
2. Caitlyn Jenner
Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce Jenner, won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. This victory made her an American sports hero.
3. Geena Davis
Geena Davis, the Oscar-winning actress, took up archery in the late ’90s. She even tried out for the U.S. Olympic team in 2000, making it to the semifinals.
4. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Dwayne Johnson, before his wrestling and acting career, played college football and dreamt of making it to the NFL. Although he never went to the Olympics, he had athletic aspirations that fueled his later success.
5. Terry Crews
Actor Terry Crews was once an NFL player. While he didn’t compete in the Olympics, his athletic background is impressive and helped him transition into acting.
6. Carl Weathers
Best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” series, Carl Weathers was also a professional football player before he became an actor. Like Crews, his athletic past paved the way for his Hollywood career.
7. Elvis Presley
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, was a black belt in karate. He never competed in the Olympics, but his martial arts skills were top-notch.
8. Gina Carano
Gina Carano, known for her roles in action films, was a mixed martial artist before she turned to acting. She helped bring women’s MMA to the forefront.
9. Arnold Schwarzenegger
Before becoming a movie star and governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a champion bodybuilder. He won Mr. Olympia seven times but never competed in the Olympics.
10. Shaquille O’Neal
Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal played for Team USA in the 1996 Olympics, helping the team win the gold medal. His towering presence was a big asset on the court.
11. Venus and Serena Williams
The Williams sisters are tennis legends who have both competed in multiple Olympics. They have several gold medals between them, both in singles and doubles events.
12. Kurt Angle
Wrestler Kurt Angle won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympics. He later transitioned to professional wrestling and became a WWE superstar.
13. Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey won a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She then became a UFC champion and later moved into acting.
14. Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller, famous for playing Tarzan, was also an Olympic swimmer. He won five gold medals in the 1920s before becoming a movie star.
15. Natalie Coughlin
Natalie Coughlin is a decorated swimmer who has won 12 Olympic medals. Her success in the pool has made her a household name in sports.
16. Tony Danza
Before becoming an actor, Tony Danza was a professional boxer. Although he never made it to the Olympics, his boxing career was notable.
