Which athletes turned actors in 2023? In recent years, it’s become commonplace for star athletes to foray into the entertainment sphere to pursue passions for music, animation, art, podcasting, and of course movies, often looking to build their brand recognition by popping up on the silver screen.
With so many great new sports movies like Hustle, Home Team, and the Oscar-winning King Richard in recent years, film studios love giving star athletes cameos or even letting athletes try their hands at acting. So, which athletes turned actor in 2023? Which 2023 athlete actors do you’ll love?
In 2023, there are numerous athletes who became actors in movies or television, such as Tom Brady starring in 80 For Brady alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, in a story about a group of friends with the life-long mission to go to the Super Bowl and meet NFL superstar Tom Brady.
Meanwhile, in Creed III, ex-British boxer Tony Bellew reprises his role as “Pretty” Ricky Conlan. Alongside him will appear boxers Canelo Álvarez and Teófimo López in undisclosed roles. Look below for all the 2023 athletes turned actors. Then, check back throughout the year as more sports stars try their hand at acting throughout the year.
5. Tony Bellew
Anthony Lewis Bellew (born 30 November 1982) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2007 to 2018. He held the WBC cruiserweight title from 2016 to 2017, and challenged for the undisputed cruiserweight championship in his final fight.
At regional level, Bellew held the British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight titles between 2010 and 2014, the European cruiserweight title from 2015 to 2016, and is a three-time ABA heavyweight champion as an amateur. Outside of boxing, he was featured in the 2015 film Creed.
4. Danny Amendola
Daniel James Amendola (born November 2, 1985) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Texas Tech. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008, and has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and Houston Texans.
3. Julian Edelman
Julian Francis Edelman (born May 22, 1986) is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kent State and the College of San Mateo as a quarterback. He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
Edelman primarily plays on offense and as a punt returner; he has also been pressed into service as a cornerback at times when the Patriots have been shorthanded on defense. Edelman is one of the most productive receivers in post-season history, ranking second overall (behind Jerry Rice) in both post-season receiving yards and post-season receptions.
2. Rob Gronkowski
Robert James Gronkowski (born May 14, 1989), nicknamed “Gronk” is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Gronkowski played nine seasons for the New England Patriots, then played his final two seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He is a four-time Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, LIII, LV), a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a four-time First Team All-Pro selection, and was selected in the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Gronkowski played college football at the University of Arizona, winning several awards, including being named a Sporting News and Rivals.com Freshman All-American.
1. Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. (born August 3, 1977) is a former American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the University of Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, and went on to become the team’s starting quarterback in his second season after an injury to QB Drew Bledsoe.
Due to his late selection, Brady is considered the biggest “steal” in the history of the NFL Draft. Brady has played in ten Super Bowls, winning seven of them, the most of any player in NFL history.