Could Michael Phelps be the next Brad Pitt? The short answer, according to the Hollywood Reporter, is probably not.
Back in the film industry’s earlier years, it was common practice to insert Olympic stars like Norwegianfigure skater Sonja Henie and U.S. swimmers Buster Crabbe andJohnny Weissmuller into films. (For a few more athlete-turned-actor roles, check out our gallery of 9 Olympian Movie Efforts.)
"Once upon a time studios would find these beautiful creatures andput them in movies," Hollywood publicity guru Tony Angellotti said."And if someone isn’t that facile with the English language, like Weissmuller, well, you just make him Tarzan."
Today, Hollywood’s fickleness is leaving many former Olympians on the bench, and for good reason. Phenomenal athletic abilities do not often translate into Oscar-caliber acting chops. Does any one else remember gymnast Keri Strugg’s awkward cameo on a 1996 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210? That girl belongs on the uneven bars, not acting in front of a camera.
So where is an athlete to turn when he/she wants a little TV face time? You guessed it it! Reality shows, where they can presumably be themselves but still get the exposure they want. (Rumor has it beach volleyball phenom Misty May-Treanor is hoping to cha-cha her way onto Dancing With the Stars.)
What do you think, PopWatchers? Are there any Olympic athletes you’d like to see in a movie or on TV (either acting or in a reality show)? Or is every four (or two) years enough?
Comments (1-16) of 16 Add your comment
I would watch Ryk Neethiling of South Africa in anything. . .seriously. I dont think he medaled in anything this year but gosh he is one beautiful man!
http://www.rykneethling.com/
Mitch Gaylord’s role in American Anthem HAD to be the nail in the coffin for Olympians hoping to parlay their dreams for a gold medal into a gold statue. But I could watch Lolo Jones on the big 20′x100’screen reading the phone book. Gorgeous much, girl!??!
Haven’t we suffered enough what with Bruce Jenner’s spawn Brody becomming a reality TV show stable?
I guess I’m old fashioned because I prefer to have actors with some acting ability to be in movies. The only movie Michael Phelps should star in is a documentary about himself in about 15 years.
I guess I’m old fashioned because I prefer to have actors with some acting ability to be in movies. The only movie Michael Phelps should star in is a documentary about himself in about 15 years.
I’d love to some of the Olympians on Saturday Night Live. I’m sure that some of them have some hidden talents for comedy or impressions. And, at about 3 to 5 minutes for a sketch, they couldn’t crash and burn too badly.
I say everyone goes on DWTS and we have an all-olympian edition….we’d get the added bonus of NOT having to suffer through Kim Kardashian
Seven Olympians live in a house and agree to have their lives taped…
Seriously, sports commentary is really the only viable television career path for most of these athletes. ESPN should set up a recruting table at the games.
recruiting – ugh.
Since I hate when athletes or musicians take jobs away from real, struggling actors who can actually act, I say no.
They can do commercials, but that’s as far as it should go.
I remember when Kerri Strug was on SNL and Chris Kattan played her equally squeaky-voiced brother Kippy…very funny. While I love seeing Olympic athletes on shows like SNL and in commercials, they should leave most of the acting to the professionals.
If Marvel can’t get Brad Pitt to be Captain America, they should get Phelps. It’s a better casting job than Leo DiCaprio.
Come on, Hollywood could be missing a huge opportunity here! Phelps could play an undercover CIA agent who infiltrates a secret terrorist swimming organization. The movie, naturally, would be called…
SWIMKATA!
It’s pure gold, baby!!
geez. the guy is a swimmer, not an actor. some people had dual talents. with phelps, you can see it all – his only passion is swimming, and what a powerful passion it is. besides, he doesnt strike me as a kind of charismatic, smooth, lance-armstrongish type. on dry land he’s very normal, sweet, and awkward, even if he’s a god in the water. and i’d prefer for it to stay that way.
gymkata!
I saw that movie Green Crush with Misty’s camio. Stick to BVB Misty. I saw the commercial where she is playing on teh beach…ok…. What makes anyone think Mike Phelps could turn to acting is in fantacy land. He’s better off coaching or something when his time runs down. Besides he was aweful on SNL. No you got better actors on stage at NYCity improve theaters.