Five Actors You Didn't Know Were Sports Stars

Being under the Hollywood limelight can certainly be stressful, whether it's a pressure to perform or a pressure to look good. For some stars, however, this is a message that's been hammered home more than most, as they've started out with careers on the football or soccer field before they made the transition to the big screen. You may recognise these names from some of your favorite movies, but here are five stars you never knew started out their careers as athletes.

Terry Bradshaw

Fans of romantic comedies and Sarah Jessica Parker will remember her collaboration with Matthew McConaughey in 2006's "Failure To Launch." Those who are more into their romantic comedies are probably less likely to be into sport, and as such might not be aware that Terry Bradshaw, who plays Al, was in his much younger days an esteemed NFL player. The star was the talk of the bookmakers and sports fans back in the '70s, but today, you'd far more likely find him playing team coaches in sitcoms.

Vinnie Jones

The name Vinnie Jones has become more synonymous nowadays with East End London hardmen showing up in American films, but in reality, the star has had a far more exciting life. The 49-year-old's acting career kicked off in the late '90s when he paired up with Guy Ritchie to star in London gangster movie "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels." Prior to that, however, he was kicking a ball around on a soccer field, having played for Wimbledon, Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers to name but a few. Perhaps the most golden moment of his career, however, was when he was pictured groping Paul Gascoigne in 1987 during a moment of sporting anger.

Dean Cain

Following the reign of Hollywood legend Christopher Reeve as Superman, Dean Cain stepped into the role of Superman alongside Teri Hatcher on TVbetween 1993 and 1997. He continued to star in films later on, perhaps most notably in the 2004 comedy "Rat Race," but there was one way he managed to achieve his superhero physique. Shortly after his graduation, Cain signed on as a free agent for the NFL's Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately for Cain, his footballing career never took off after he sustained a knee injury, but it hasn't seemed to have harmed his career since.

Jason Lee

"My Name Is Earl" star Jason Lee doesn't look like your typical athlete, and that's probably because he's the only professional skateboarder within our list. Prior to taking a starring role in his own sitcom, Golden Globe-nominated Lee has also starred in "Almost Famous" and "Vanilla Sky," but on the skateboarding circuit, he's known for popularizing the 360 flip. Today, you'd more likely see him voice acting in "American Dad," but he's never lost his boyish skateboarding charm.

George Clooney

Another star in Quentin Tarantino's "From Dusk Till Dawn," George Clooney first began melting hearts of teenage girls everywhere when he starred as heartthrob Dr. Doug Ross in the 1994 TV medical drama "ER." He's since been crowned the Sexiest Man Alive, but before he was hitting red carpets, George Clooney had something of a stint in the bullpen. He was a pitcher at Augusta High School in Kentucky, before trying out for the Cincinnati Reds, but failed to graduate from college. Thankfully for him, a stint on "ER" was just months away.