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Some celebrities have talent outside of acting. In fact, a lot of them were talented athletes. Whether they lost their passion for the sport or an injury ended their career, acting might not have been their first choice!
Elsa Hosk: Basketball
Elsa Hosk has rocked the world with her incredible modeling portfolio. She even impressed Victoria's Secret, where she became one of their main models for their campaigns. In Sweden, she's a totally different story!
In Sweden, Hosk is better known for her basketball skills. "I took a 2-year break from modeling because I was a professional basketball player in Sweden," she said in an interview. "It's not anything like the WNBA... But, it was still very tough. We worked out probably like eight times a week, and then it was games on the weekend." She left the league because she felt too tied down to the basketball schedule.
Geena Davis: Archery
Geena Davis balanced an acting career and an archery career at the same time. She's best known for her roles in Beetlejuice, Thelma & Louise, and A League of Their Own. After all of this success, she decided to nail down her passion for archery.
Geena scored 24th place out of 300 women who tried out for the U.S. Olympic archery team. Although placing 24th out of 300 is an impressive feat, she did not make the team and wasn't able to achieve her dream of competing in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. She did end up participating in the Sydney International Golden Arrow competition, though!
Mark Harmon: Football
Yes, Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs used to play football back in the day. Of course, his NCIS character differs from the actor himself, the 1986 Sexiest Man Alive doesn't seem like much of a football guy!
Mark went to UCLA to get his undergraduate degree. He was on the UCLA Bruins football team from 1972-1973. Clearly, football wasn't his calling, but he was locally known for his talent on the field!
Uzo Aduba: Track and Field
Uzo Aduba broke into the scene with her role as Crazy Eyes in Orange Is the New Black. She was so convincing as that character that many people were shocked to see that she's a naturally sweet-tempered, bubbly actor. She does have a competitive side to her, though.
Uzo got her education at Boston College back in the day. In addition to her passion for acting, she also partook in track and field. She was one of the top runners in her group and almost broke tons of records that were set by her predecessors.
Terry Crews: Football
This isn't a secret, but you can't not mention Terry Crews! Obviously, he is built as a football star through and through. Many fans of Brookyn Nine-Nine or even White Chicks might not realize that he was first and foremost an NFL defensive end and linebacker.
Growing up, Terry was always a sporty kid. He was involved in as many afterschool sports as he could handle. He was eventually drafted into the NFL and played for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. At one point, he knew that it was time to retire and pick up on acting.
Chris Pratt: Wrestling
Guardians of the Galaxy fans wouldn't be surprised to see that Chris Pratt was once a star wrestler in high school. Parks and Recreation fans, on the other hand, probably are surprised... After all, Andy Dwyer does not seem like the sporty type!
That's Chris Pratt, front and center! When he was in high school, he was known as a "star" wrestler. He represented his school all four years. He placed fifth in a state competition in his senior year.
Josh Duhamel: Football
Josh Duhamel is best known for his time on All My Children and Las Vegas. He's even had some modeling stints to put on his resume. As if he wasn't a pro at acting and modeling, he was also a pro at college football.
Josh went to Minot State University in North Dakota. He played quarterback for most of his career at the university. He was so good, that the school inducted him into their hall of fame for athletes.
Tommy Lee Jones: Football
With such a decorated acting history, it's interesting to see that Tommy Lee Jones also has room for even more talent in football. He starred in the films Men in Black, The Fugitive, and No Country for Old Men. Not only does he have a decorated acting career, but he's also got a football career that's up to par.
Tommy went to Harvard University to major in English. He was always involved with the school's football team but was named the "star player" in 1968. He was recognized for his phenomenal, undefeated season as an offensive lineman.
Jason Statham: Diving
For a guy who plays devilish characters, having a diving career is pretty entertaining! Jason Statham has starred as the bad guy in the films The Transporter, Fast and Furious, and Crank. Before he was a daredevil actor who did his own stunts, Jason was a top diver in England.
That's Jason back in 1990. He was a competitive diver and represented Great Britain in the 1990 Commonwealth Games. He nearly made it to the Olympics!
Jamie Foxx: Football
Jamie Foxx is truly a Jack of all trades. He's an actor, singer, comedian, TV host, and producer. He won an Oscar for Best Actor for his role as Ray Charles. He's done it all, including football.
Back in the day, Jamie was a fantastic football player. He was the quarterback at Terrell High School in Texas. He was the first player to pass for more than 1,000 yards! At one point, he wanted to play for the Dallas Cowboys, but his aspirations obviously changed.
Joel McHale: Football
I wonder if Joel McHale would review his football tapes on The Soup? Not only did he have great success on the commentary show, but he was also the star of Community. His athletic prowess is nowhere near his acting ability.
Joel McHale went to the University of Washington. He was recruited by the crew team, but things changed! Even though he hadn't played football since his freshman year of high school, he was asked to walk on as tight end for a game and ended up taking the team to victory at the Rose Bowl in 1992.
Emma Watson: Field Hockey
It's not quidditch, but it's close! The Harry Potter superstar and Brown University graduate somehow managed to add field hockey to her busy schedule. Maybe that's how she was so good at quidditch...
Emma played on the field hockey team during her time at Brown University. As if being in college, being a movie star, and being a dual-citizen isn't enough on your plate! Playing on the field was probably a fun release of stress.
Forest Whitaker: Football
Forest Whitaker didn't just play an athlete in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He was a true athlete in high school! Even though his role on Empire doesn't require any athletic prowess, his experience in college did play a huge role in his acting career.
Forest played quarterback for California State Polytechnic University after he was scouted in high school. Sadly, his football career came to a quick end when he injured himself.
Phil Robertson: Football
Phil Robertson was your average Joe before his claim to fame on Duck Dynasty. No, he did not have the beard before the show and he certainly didn't have it on the football field!
He used to be an average-looking dude! Who would have thought? Phil played quarterback for Louisiana Tech back in his college years. In 2013, he was honored at halftime at a Bulldogs game.
Malcolm Gladwell: Long-Distance Running
Malcolm Gladwell is best known for his inquisitive books on human behavior. He's gotten himself on quite a few bestselling lists throughout his career. In his heyday, he used to be a star runner.
Malcolm Gladwell
That's him on the right! Malcolm used to compete in competitive track and field before he set his eyes on storytelling. Even with his full-time job at The New Yorker, he still finds time to run. "I just like the purity of it," he once said. "I like the fact that it doesn't have the rules and refs, the owners and teams, fancy uniforms and equipment, and all the other things that have weighed down so much modern sport."
Hugh Jackman: Rugby
The Aussie actor grew up as a rugby fan. In fact, he's said that rugby has fueled how he plays Wolverine! "In playing rugby, my rage would come out," he told People, "rage that I identify as Wolverine rage."
Hugh Jackman: Rugby
Rugby seems like the perfect sport to get into if you're training to become Wolverine! Rugby is a huge sport in Australia, so it makes sense that he grew up playing in. "I'd be somewhere in a ruck in rugby, get punched in the face and I'd just go into a white rage." Sounds like Wolverine!
Kate Middleton: Field Hockey, Tennis, and Cross Country
Most people don't realize that the Royals love sports. Kate Middleton grew up playing all different types of sports. Now, she's a bit preoccupied with royal duties and being a mom to play any sports, but she'll get down in a game from time to time.
Kate Middleton: Field Hockey, Tennis, and Cross Country
Back when she was in boarding school, Kate ran cross country, played tennis, and competed in field hockey. In 2007, she trained tirelessly for months to lead an all-female rowing team across the English Channel. Sadly, that training did not pay off as the Queen ordered her to pull out. She also loves to ski!
Justin Timberlake: Golf
Justin Timberlake has done it all. He rose to fame in the Mickey Mouse Club, defined his path with the NSYNC, continued to work on his music career solo, and got into acting. With all of that, he still found time to settle down for some rounds of golf.
Justin Timberlake: Golf
"There aren't many places I can go where I don't feel like I'm being watched," he told Golf.com. "But, the golf course is one of them. It's my refuse. It's where I get a chance to be alone in the world." Justin learned how to play golf when he was 12 and put in practice ever since.
Pippa Middleton: Long-Distance Running
As the younger sister of Kate Middleton, it's hard for Pippa to find her own light. She managed to figure herself out when she began running competitively. Pippa doesn't have nearly as much on her plate as her older sister, so she has the time to practice her sport.
Pippa Middleton: Long-Distance Running
In June 2015, Pippa ran the Safaricom Marathon in Kenya and finished the 26.2-mile distance in just under four years. Just a week prior to that, she had cycled 54 miles from London to Brighton in order to raise awareness for the British Heart Foundation. She can do it all!
George Clooney: Baseball
Nowadays, George Clooney is best known as the sexiest man alive, husband to powerhouse Amal Clooney, and father to twins. In his prime, he was putting out movies left and right and gaining sponsorships from luxury brands from all over the world. Even before that, he wanted to play for the Cincinnati Reds.
George Clooney: Baseball
Clooney was a promising baseball player back in his high school days. He had big dreams to play for the Cincinnati Reds and even tried out for the team in 1977. He didn't make the team, which was a heartbreaking moment in his career. Things seemed to work out for him in the end!
Sheryl Crow: Track and Field
Before her country music days, she was an ordinary girl living in Missouri. She has ten studio albums, four compilations, and two live albums under her belt. Before music, her passion was actually in track and field.
Sheryl Crow: Track and Field
Sheryl was a hugely popular athlete in her high school days. She would spend every day after school practicing for her track meets on the weekends. She even went onto the stte championships and won medals in 75-meter low hurdles.
Jason Lee: Skateboarding
Before comedy, before My Name Is Earl, and even before acting, his passion was skateboarding. Most fans wouldn't even know that he was a semi-pro skater back in the day! He's since retired (mostly) from acting, but that's where his true passion picked up...
Jason Lee: Skateboarding
Jason put acting on the backburner so he could focus more on skatboarding. He's worked hard to establish Stereo Skateboards, a company that sells skateboard decks.
Mahershala Ali: Basketball
Mahershala Ali is best known for his role on House of Cards, but he's got quite a few accolades under his belt. He's won two Academy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild awards, one BAFTA award, and a Golden Globe Award. He had an incredible role in the hit movie Moonlight.
HeMahershala Ali: Basketball
Long before all of that fame and success, he was a college basketball player. He went to Saint Mary's College of California on a basketball scholarship. By the end of his time there, he had lost interest in the game. Coincidentally, he wasn't into the politics of it all. His breaking point was when he was threatened to get "shipped off" to the University of Denver.
Tom Selleck: Basketball
The older generation knows Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I. The younger generation knows him as Monica's older boyfriend in Friends. People who knew Tom in college knew him as a basketball star!
Tom Selleck: Basketball
Tom Selleck was welcomed to the University of Southern California on a basketball scholarship. He played the game all four years of school but never took it further than college. The acting was his true calling!
Ed O'Neill: Football
Ed O'Neill is best known for his roles in Married... With Children and Modern Family. He's been in show business for a few decades now and has no plans on slowing down. His career with football, on the other hand, slowed down tremendously...
Ed O'Neill: Football
Ed went to Ohio State University on a football scholarship. That didn't last long because he ended up partying way too hard and had to leave. In 1969, he was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers but was cut from the team two weeks into training.
Kurt Russell: Baseball
Kurt Russell has been on TV since he was a child. He started acting at the age of 12 and hasn't stopped. He did try to balance a baseball career at the same time...
Kurt Russell: Baseball
Back int he 70s, Kurt was a popular minor league player. He played for the Portland Mavericks, the Walla Walla Islanders, and the El Paso Sun Kings. He ended up putting his minor league career on the backburner to focus on acting.
Channing Tatum: Football
Channing Tatum is funny, good looking, and a fantastic actor. There's nothing he can't do! With roles like Magic Mike and 21 Jumpstreet, he had to be in good physical condition for his character. Getting into shape was a breeze for this former athlete!
Channing Tatum: Football
Channing attended Glenville State College on a football scholarship. He loved playing sports as a kid and was especially good at football, but not good at school. He ended up dropping out of college for reasons outside of the game.
Jon Stewart: Soccer
Before his time as a comedian and on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart was quite the busy soccer player! He went to the William & Mary College and played all four years.
Jon Stewart: Soccer
Those four years of soccer paid off, and he ended up playing on a USA soccer team. They went on to win silver at the Pan American Maccabi Games in Brazil. Unfortunately, Jon eventually hurt his knee and had to retire from the sport.
Dean Cain: Football
It only makes sense for Superman to be into sports! Cain is best known for his role in Lois and Clark back in the 1990s. He had that perfect Superman style!
Dean Cain: Football
Dean went to Princeton University where he played on the football team. He was so good that he was signed with the Buffalo Bills straight out of college. Sadly, he brutally injured himself during the pre-season training and his career was over. Football simply wasn't his true calling!
Burt Reynolds: Football
Of course Burt Reynolds was a football player in college. Virtually every Hollywood Heartthrob was! He was in tons of films that gave him the title of a sex symbol back in the day. His acting career might not have even happened...
Burt Reynolds: Football
Burt was a star athlete at his high school and was scouted to play on the Florida State team. He did incredible things as their running back until his career was tragically cut short. If he hadn't injured his leg, his acting career might have never even happened.
Jason Segel: Basketball
Jason Segel has made history with his roles on Freaks & Geeks and How I Met Your Mother. Those two shows were pivotal. Despite being off the air for years, people still talk about them. His acting wasn't the only thing that people praised...
Jason Segel: Basketball
Back in the day, Jason Segel was a popular basketball player! It makes sense since he's so tall, too. He was actually teammates with pro players Jaron and Jason Collins. Even though they went in different paths, none of the men forget their roots.
2 Chains: Basketball
2 Chainz is an iconic rapper, but he used to be a basketball player! A good one, too. He played on Alabama State's basketball team in the 90s.
2 Chainz: Basketball
2 Chainz, known as Tauheed Epps, towers over most people at 6'4". That works well in basketball! According to his coach, his head wasn't in the game during his time at Alabama State and had a lot more potential. "He was very skillful and could shoot a ball pretty decently."