40+ Celebrities Who Had Athletic Careers Before They Became Famous

Published on 03/29/2023
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Uzo Aduba – Track and Field

Upon her casting as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Netflix’s original series “Orange Is the New Black.” Uzo Aduba’s career skyrocketed. Her performance garnered her two Emmys and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, making her one of only two actors to receive Emmy nominations in both comedy and drama. Before becoming a celebrity, Aduba excelled as a student at Boston University. She entered Boston University on a track scholarship after growing up in a sports-crazed family. She engaged in opera classes at the same time, which aroused her interest in performance. Sports, she maintained, had prepared her for the rigors of show business.

Uzo Aduba – Track And Field

Uzo Aduba – Track And Field

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Football

There’s no doubting that Dwayne Johnson is one of those unique talents who excels at whatever he tries. His stage name “The Rock” was inspired by his famed posture as a former professional wrestler, which he carried over into his acting career. Others may be unaware that he dabbled in football. He was a defensive lineman at the University of Miami and helped the team win a national championship. However, he went undrafted in 1995 and was released from the Canadian Football League after only one season. Despite this, Johnson went on to become one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time and one of Hollywood’s highest-grossing performers.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Football

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – Football

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