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One of the big advantages of working in an industry like wrestling is that you gain many of the skills required for acting. Look no further than the highest paid actor in the world, The Rock. He made the transition from wrestling to movies back in the early noughties and has since made waves in Hollywood, being a staple of the Fast and Furious series and landing roles in Moana, Baywatch and Jumanji.
With other Superstars following suit and also landing huge roles such as Batista, it’s easy to forget that many wrestlers have been in big films, but you might not even have realised or noticed them.
Filming movies can have an impact on the superstar’s storylines given that they have to be written out or a few weeks. However, it can also give the WWE more exposure and more opportunities to assimilate itself as a company into popular culture.
This article will explore 10 WWE superstars past and present who have had small roles or cameos in Hollywood movies.
#10 Gangrel in The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence)
Starting with the most gruesome entry in the list (the film not the wrestler) Gangrel made an appearance in Tom Six’s The Human Centipede 3 (Final Sequence). To give you a brief overview of the plot, a warden and his accountant hatch a plan to make a giant human centipede out of all the inmates to deter them and others from a life of crime.
Gangrel stars as one of the said prisoners and is seen several times throughout the film. It is not general knowledge that the former Brood leader was in this movie, but it’s a pleasant surprise for those with a stomach strong enough to sit through the film.
#9 Diamond Dallas Page in The Devil's Rejects (2005)
Sticking with the torture theme, another horror film featuring a wrestler was The Devil’s Rejects. Diamond Dallas Page played a bounty hunter called Billy Ray Snapper. The film follows a sadistic family being chased by an equally sadistic Sheriff.
There’s lots of blood and lots of questionable scenes in the movie. It’s worth a watch if only to see the master of DDP yoga acting alongside Danny Trejo. To put him with an actor of such a high calibre just helped with the immersion factor. It’s easily his most well-known outing as an actor.
The WWE Hall of Famer has played cameos in several movies over the last 20 years.
#8 Terry Funk in Road House (1989)
Patrick Swayze was the star of the cult classic 1989 movie Roadhouse, but for wrestling fans, the real treat was seeing Terry Funk! He plays Morgan in the film.
Funk has not been in too many films during his long and illustrious pro wrestling career. His performance in Road House is not to be sniffed at, but he never made the transition into Hollywood properly. To be fair, Terry Funk’s passion has always been wrestling so whether he would have taken that opportunity if offered to him is up for debate.
#7 Big Show in The Waterboy (1998)
Firstly, The Waterboy is a hilarious film, so if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend doing so.
The real story here, however, is The Big Show starring as Captain Insano, a wrestler shown on Adam Sandler’s TV. It’s a brief comedy moment which, surprise, surprise, actually ends up with Big Show crying. It must be where he got the practice from for all those times in his wrestling career. The WWE legend has been in several movies and TV shows, and has his own sitcom - The Big Show Show.
Check out the clip here:
#6 Kurrgan in 300 (2007)
Kurrgan has been in a lot of films as he has quite a sought after physique. He is extremely tall and extremely muscled due to his time as a wrestler. Those who were lucky enough to live through the Attitude Era will remember Kurrgan as a member of The Oddities.
However, since leaving the wrestling ring behind, he has starred in films such as Sherlock Holmes and Pacific Rim. He starred in 300 as Über Immortal, a powerful and deranged giant, who battles Leonidas (played by Gerard Butler) during the climactic fight.
This really helped to kick off Kurrgan's career as a Hollywood actor, though he often flies under the radar, despite the high-profile films he stars in.
#5 Andre The Giant in The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride is a fantasy film starring Cary Elwes as the main protagonist and Andre the Giant as Fezzik, a giant, funnily enough. Andre is part of a trio of bandits who kidnap the Princess Buttercup to be killed so her death can be used to start a war.
Andre the Giant is extremely entertaining as the bumbling Giant, and it really helps with the fantasy aspect of the film and the lack of special effects available in 1987.
As a wrestling fan, I’ll watch any rubbish that stars a wrestler because I like to see them in a different environment, but the Princess Bride is actually a brilliant watch. It’s one of the films on this list that I would recommend watching.
#4 Triple H in Blade Trinity (2004)
Yes, Triple H tried his hand at acting before the abomination that’s known as The Chaperone. He appeared in the third film of the Blade trilogy, Blade Trinity. Unfortunately, it was not well received and is considered to be a bad film. He played Jarko Grimwood.
He had an awesome fight scene with Ryan Reynolds in the film that even featured a slow motion bodyslam. As the antagonist, Triple H did not come off well in this battle, and I have included the video below, so you can see how he met his demise.
#3 Steve Austin in Grown Ups 2 (2013)
Stone Cold Steve Austin has had his fair share of flops when it comes to starring in films. He did have a role in the Expendables as one of the antagonists, but that’s a little too well known for my liking. I thought I’d introduce you to a cameo the Rattlesnake had in the 2013 sequel to Grown Ups, Grown Ups 2.
Sandler picks a fight with the bully Stone Cold is playing, and the wig flies off; but just as it’s all about to kick off, Austin sells Sandler like he’s Tyson and makes him the most popular guy at the party.
#2 Kurt Angle in Pain & Gain (2013)
As I mentioned in the introduction, The Rock is one of the biggest movie stars there is and in 2013, he starred in Pain & Gain alongside Mark Wahlberg. The film focused on a real story where bodybuilders would lead a life of crime.
The Rock is not the only wrestler to feature in this film. During a scene in a prison yard, he comes into an altercation with another prisoner played by none other than Kurt Angle! For those wanting a No Way Out 2001 nostalgia trip, this is as good as it gets other than watching the pay-per-view again.
Spoiler Alert: The Rock wins by lobbing a weight at Kurt Angle’s face. The video is below for your viewing pleasure.
#1 Macho Man Randy Savage in Spider-Man (2002)
Before superhero movies had any sort of direction, there was Spiderman. It was good at the time, but it wasn’t a patch on the Marvel and DC outings we’re treated to nowadays.
Macho Man Randy Savage played Bonesaw, the wrestler in the age that Spiderman faces when he is first discovering and using his new powers. Kayfabe is in full effect here as in this universe, Bonesaw is out to injure his opponents and not to protect them for the show.
Apparently, Macho Man got the role when he auditioned in full character and cut promos on everyone backstage. This impressed the officials in charge so much that they cast him as the intimidating wrestler. He does an excellent job too!
Here he is in full action:
