Olympians Turned Actors
Here at Aura Casting, we know first hand how multifaceted actors can be.
In celebration of the 2024 Olympic games taking place in Paris, France, we’ve gathered a list of some Olympic athletes who have also acted in film and/or television.
Bob Anderson
Anderson, known for his on screen appearances in Star Wars, Highlander, The Princess Bride, The Mask of Zorro and more, competed in the 1952 Olympics in fencing. A team Great Britain representative, he is considered to be one of the world’s best fencers. In addition to appearing on screen, he also spent much of his career as a film fight choreographer.
Johnny Weissmuller
A two time Olympic swimmer and water polo player, Weissmuller won gold five times and bronze once for team U.S.A in the 1924 and 1928 game. He set world records for the 100m freestyle and 400m freestyle as well as 67 world records in his lifetime. In 1932 he landed the role of Tarzan in Tarzan the Ape Man, leaving his modeling contract he signed to MGM. His other films credits include the Jungle Jim films and television show, The Great Masquerade and Swamp Fire. Swamp Fire also featured fellow Olympain Buster Crabbe.
Buster Crabbe
Clarence Linden “Buster” Crabbe II competed in the 1928 and 1932 Olympic games as a swimmer for team U.S.A. winning bronze and gold respectively. He began his acting career by portraying Tarzan in Tarzan the Fearless in 1933, right off his gold medal win in the Los Angeles games. His other film credits include King of the Jungle, Daughter of Shanghai, Jungle Man and more.
Nat Pendleton
Pendleton took home a silver medal for men’s freestyle wrestling in the 1920 Olympic games. Representing team U.S.A, the Iowa born professional wrestler transitioned into a stage and film career spanning decades. Some of his credits include The Thin Man, The Great Ziegfeld, Dr. Kildare and more.
Hillary Wolf
Known for playing Megan McCallister in the Home Alone franchise,Big Girls Don’t Cry and Waiting for the Light, Wolf competed for team U.S.A in Judo in the 1996 and 2000 olympic games.
A drive for excellence, passion and charisma are things these Olympic athletes used in their athletic and acting careers.
While we can’t make you the next gold winning olympian, we can help make your project golden. Learn more how we can help you find award winning talent.
Written by Lauren Ulveling
