Top 15 Athletes Turned TV Stars

Top 15 Athletes Turned TV Stars

By Jacob Kornhauser

September 28, 2014

Top 15 Athletes Turned TV Stars

Reebok Classic Breakout — During or after their sports careers, many athletes decide to stay in the spotlight by starring on television or in movies. These 15 stars went the television route by being on either sitcoms, talk shows or sports-related shows.

During or after their sports careers, many athletes decide to stay in the spotlight by starring on television or in movies. These 15 stars went the television route by being on either sitcoms, talk shows or sports-related shows.

15. Jason Lee

32nd Annual People's Choice Awards - Show

15. Jason Lee

32nd Annual People's Choice Awards - Show — Not many people know, but the "My Name Is Earl" star was actually a professional skateboarder before starting his acting career. He's surely been more successful in acting than he was as a skateboarder.

Not many people know, but the "My Name Is Earl" star was actually a professional skateboarder before starting his acting career. He's surely been more successful in acting than he was as a skateboarder.

14. Mark Harmon

2014 Summer TCA Tour - Day 10

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14. Mark Harmon

2014 Summer TCA Tour - Day 10 — Another unknown former athlete turned television star, Harmon played football at UCLA before becoming the face of "NCIS." He's probably happy he didn't go all out for football because his acting career has been very kind to him.

Another unknown former athlete turned television star, Harmon played football at UCLA before becoming the face of "NCIS." He's probably happy he didn't go all out for football because his acting career has been very kind to him.

13. Stacy Keibler

ELLE's 5th Annual Women In Music Concert Celebration Presented by CUSP By Neiman Marcus - Arrivals

13. Stacy Keibler

ELLE's 5th Annual Women In Music Concert Celebration Presented by CUSP By Neiman Marcus - Arrivals — The former WWE star has been thrust into the spotlight since she began dating George Clooney and has made appearances on several television shows. Among those is "How I Met Your Mother" where she showed off her potential as an actor.

The former WWE star has been thrust into the spotlight since she began dating George Clooney and has made appearances on several television shows. Among those is "How I Met Your Mother" where she showed off her potential as an actor.

12. Rick Fox

Sacramento Kings v Washington Wizards

12. Rick Fox

Sacramento Kings v Washington Wizards — The former big man for the Lakers has made quite the second career for himself as an actor. He's appeared on such shows as "The Glades" and "Hit The Floor" for which he's become well-known.

The former big man for the Lakers has made quite the second career for himself as an actor. He's appeared on such shows as "The Glades" and "Hit The Floor" for which he's become well-known.

11. Hulk Hogan

WWE's 2014 SuperStars For Kids

11. Hulk Hogan

WWE's 2014 SuperStars For Kids — Unfortunately, Hogan has become famous on TV because of his reality television show that eventually led to a complicated divorce from his longtime wife. Nevertheless, Hogan has as many fans as ever.

Unfortunately, Hogan has become famous on TV because of his reality television show that eventually led to a complicated divorce from his longtime wife. Nevertheless, Hogan has as many fans as ever.

10. Merlin Olsen

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony

10. Merlin Olsen

Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony — After becoming famous for battling in the trenches for the Rams for so long, Olsen became a character on one of the most beloved shows of all time. Being cast in "Little House on the Prairie" is almost as cool as what he accomplished in his NFL career.

After becoming famous for battling in the trenches for the Rams for so long, Olsen became a character on one of the most beloved shows of all time. Being cast in "Little House on the Prairie" is almost as cool as what he accomplished in his NFL career.

9. Bruce Jenner

ARIA Resort & Casino's 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational At Shadow Creek - Day 3

9. Bruce Jenner

ARIA Resort & Casino's 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational At Shadow Creek - Day 3 — After competing in the Olympics, Jenner has mostly stayed in the national spotlight. Through marriage, he has become famous for being on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." As much as it stinks to say, he might be one of the more entertaining aspects of that show.

After competing in the Olympics, Jenner has mostly stayed in the national spotlight. Through marriage, he has become famous for being on "Keeping Up With The Kardashians." As much as it stinks to say, he might be one of the more entertaining aspects of that show.

8. Terry Crews

MEN'S FITNESS Celebrates The 2014 GAME CHANGERS

8. Terry Crews

MEN'S FITNESS Celebrates The 2014 GAME CHANGERS — Crews is most well-known for being absolutely jacked on the several television shows and movies he's been in. However, he was drafted in the 1991 NFL Draft, so he showed some athletic promise. His acting career has treated him well, though.

Crews is most well-known for being absolutely jacked on the several television shows and movies he's been in. However, he was drafted in the 1991 NFL Draft, so he showed some athletic promise. His acting career has treated him well, though.

7. Michael Strahan

NFL Class of 2014 Enshrinement Ceremony

7. Michael Strahan

NFL Class of 2014 Enshrinement Ceremony — Strahan started his life by becoming a star for the New York Giants. He then went on to be a Hall of Famer in his sport. After that? He's become a co-host on one of the most watched morning talk shows on television.

Strahan started his life by becoming a star for the New York Giants. He then went on to be a Hall of Famer in his sport. After that? He's become a co-host on one of the most watched morning talk shows on television.

6. Bob Uecker

Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers

6. Bob Uecker

Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers — Uecker is most famous for his role in "Major League," but he has also appeared in some shows on television. "Mr. Belvidere" among other shows have helped make Uecker even more famous than he already was from his illustrious broadcasting career.

Uecker is most famous for his role in "Major League," but he has also appeared in some shows on television. "Mr. Belvidere" among other shows have helped make Uecker even more famous than he already was from his illustrious broadcasting career.

5. Lou Ferrigno

Nashville Comic Con 2013 - Day 1

5. Lou Ferrigno

Nashville Comic Con 2013 - Day 1 — Perhaps best known for playing The Incredible Hulk, Ferrigno once resembled Hulk himself as a bodybuilder. He's also appeared in several television shows including "King of Queens" for which he always entertained.

Perhaps best known for playing The Incredible Hulk, Ferrigno once resembled Hulk himself as a bodybuilder. He's also appeared in several television shows including "King of Queens" for which he always entertained.

4. Howie Long

Super Bowl XLVIII FOX Sports Media Availabilty

4. Howie Long

Super Bowl XLVIII FOX Sports Media Availabilty — The former NFL star hasn't been in many actual television shows, but he's always entertaining on FOX NFL Sunday Pre-Game Show. His insight is interesting and the fact he has two sons in the league makes it even cooler.

The former NFL star hasn't been in many actual television shows, but he's always entertaining on FOX NFL Sunday Pre-Game Show. His insight is interesting and the fact he has two sons in the league makes it even cooler.

3. Shaquille O'Neal

2014 NBA All-Star Game

3. Shaquille O'Neal

2014 NBA All-Star Game — Since retiring relatively recently, Shaq has already become a presence on TNT's NBA coverage. He, along with Charles Barkley, makes up one of the most entertaining duos on television.

Since retiring relatively recently, Shaq has already become a presence on TNT's NBA coverage. He, along with Charles Barkley, makes up one of the most entertaining duos on television.

2. Terry Bradshaw

28th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner To Benefit The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis - Dinner

2. Terry Bradshaw

28th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner To Benefit The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis - Dinner — The Hall of Fame quarterback has become even more of a star after joining the FOX NFL Sunday Pre-Game crew. He combines with the other members of the crew to make the best NFL pre-game show on television.

The Hall of Fame quarterback has become even more of a star after joining the FOX NFL Sunday Pre-Game crew. He combines with the other members of the crew to make the best NFL pre-game show on television.

1. Charles Barkley

2014 NBA Finals Game Three

1. Charles Barkley

2014 NBA Finals Game Three — Even though he never won a championship as a player, Barkley should really get an award for his work on TNT's NBA coverage. He's absolutely hilarious most of the time and even when he's making ridiculous claims, he's entertaining while doing it.

Even though he never won a championship as a player, Barkley should really get an award for his work on TNT's NBA coverage. He's absolutely hilarious most of the time and even when he's making ridiculous claims, he's entertaining while doing it.

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