Wrestler/Actor

[flyonthewall2983]

Pain & Gain might be Dwayne's best performance. He shows a vulnerability underneath his huge frame that never wavers, even when it leads to violence. I was really hoping it was good from the trailers, and it exceeded expectations a little.

[flyonthewall2983]

So, what's the best (or at least notable) performance by a wrestler in a movie/TV show in your estimation?

[Kevin Ridge]

Professor Toru Tanaka in the greatest movie ever The Perfect Weapon.

[NintendoLogic]

Professor Toru Tanaka in the greatest movie ever The Running Man.

Fixed.

[Kevin Ridge]

Professor Toru Tanaka in the greatest movie ever The Running Man.

Fixed.

 

How do I ignore this guy?

[Johnny Guitar]

Because probably no one else will. I'm going to throw a nomination in for Pat Roach.

 

He's not a name that gets any real recognition from wrestling fans. But to the general public in the UK, he was a recognisable name for along time.

 

He was a major part of one of the most popular British TV series of the last 30 years, Auf Wiedersehen Pet. And was in the first 3 Indiana ones movies. He's the dude who fight's with Ford around the plane propeller's in Raider's and on the conveyor belt in TOD. They shot a third fight sequence for Last Crusade, but it was cut.

[flyonthewall2983]

This is his IMDB page. It's interesting you brought someone from England up, I think someone in the cast of Alien 3 was a wrestler. I seem to recall hearing David Fincher telling a story about him on the commentary track for one of his films (Zodiac I think).

 

For the record, I think if he showed the same kind of passion towards acting as he did his native profession, Roddy Piper could have been (and who knows, still might get the chance) to give a genuinely great performance or two.

[Matt D]

Obviously it's Big Show in an episode of Psych.

[Death From Above]

Big Show was great in his one cameo on Star Trek Enterprise although like me and 8 other people saw it. He could probably get lots of work as "giant goon #1" if he wanted to.

[Johnny Guitar]

This is his IMDB page. It's interesting you brought someone from England up, I think someone in the cast of Alien 3 was a wrestler. I seem to recall hearing David Fincher telling a story about him on the commentary track for one of his films (Zodiac I think).

 

For the record, I think if he showed the same kind of passion towards acting as he did his native profession, Roddy Piper could have been (and who knows, still might get the chance) to give a genuinely great performance or two.

Brian Glover,who was the warden in Alien 3, used to be a wrestler.

 

Who know's with Piper. He had the lead in a film (They Live) that became a genuine cult classic. Made by one of the great cult film-makers,which has a base/following totally removed from wrestling. Which is more than most wrestlers have done.

 

At worst his performance should have guaranteed him some parts in other Carpenter flicks.

[flyonthewall2983]

Just looked up Bret Hart's wikipedia page, and it said he played a prison inmate in Natural Born Killers but his scene was cut. Has anyone else heard this? I wouldn't be too surprised if it happened considering the Tatanka bit in the movie.

[(BP)]

I'll never understand how Stan Hansen didn't get more acting work after No Holds Barred.

[Bierschwale]

Obviously it's Big Show in an episode of Psych.

 

I liked Big Show as WWE Ambassador to all of the other USA shows. Burn Notice, Psych, Royal Pains.

[flyonthewall2983]

Batista was just cast in the next James Bond movie. It's been an interesting year for him.

[Mr. Lacelle]

So, what's the best (or at least notable) performance by a wrestler in a movie/TV show in your estimation?

 

Roddy Piper in They Live, it's one of the rare performances by a wrestler where non wrestling fans would buy that he's just an ordinary actor and not a wrestler.

[Al]

Andre the Giant in The Princess Bride seems like the gold standard.

[pantherwagner]

Haven't watched it in ages but Cavernario Galindo was great at La Ultima Lucha.

 

Mexican wrestling films are always corny but this one may be the exception. Movie is on youtube. Anyone with basic Spanish will enjoy it. Actually, the plot is easy to follow and you can know what's going on even if you don't speak the language.

[Bix]

Haven't watched it in ages but Cavernario Galindo was great at La Ultima Lucha.

 

Mexican wrestling films are always corny but this one may be the exception. Movie is on youtube. Anyone with basic Spanish will enjoy it. Actually, the plot is easy to follow and you can know what's going on even if you don't speak the language.

Since you're in the thread I might as well ask: How the hell did Fantasma end up as the lead in Intrepidos Punks?

[ButchReedMark]

It's clearly Billy Gunn in that advert for Hot Chocolate he died about 7 years ago.

[MikeCampbell]

Mick Foley in G vs E?

[flyonthewall2983]

He also had a bit part in a movie Shane McMahon's wife was a producer on, the rather derivative Willem Dafoe vehicle Anamorph.

[flyonthewall2983]

Tiny Lister was an actor first, but he's had some amazing performances. Mostly bit parts, like the one in The Dark Knight.

 

And Batista was awesome in SPECTRE.

[flyonthewall2983]

DDP in The Devil's Rejects. I don't remember much except that he had a tremendous rapport with Danny Trejo.

[elliott]

Terry Funk in Road House isn't the answer in a world where Princess Bride exists, but fucking Terry Funk in Road House y'all.

[Johnny Sorrow]

I figured I'd put this here.

 

 

 

Tonight was opening night at "The Music Man". I'm playing Charlie Cowell, Anvil salesman.

And for my bio in the program I went with :

"John Hedgepeth (Charlie Cowell) originally of New Jersey, is appearing in his fourth show at Jesters. He has previously played loudmouths in Fiddler On The Roof, The Producers, and Guys and Dolls. He's looking forward to continuing the tradition with The Music Man. He would like to thank Louis Albano, Fred Blassie, Ernie Roth, Randy Poffo, and Virgil Runnels for their inspiration."