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1%%
2%%Look at the first line of the description before you put an example.
3%%
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5[[quoteright:350:[[Film/SnowWhiteAndTheThreeStooges https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/snow_white_stooges_poster_1286.jpg]]]]
6[[caption-width-right:350:Starring Carol Heiss, a trained skater, not an actor.]]
7
8->''"Apparently back in the '90s, people thought if you could look in the camera and say "Drink Pepsi," you were considered a good actor."''
9-->-- '''[[WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic Nostalgia Critic]]''', ''Film/{{Kazaam}}'' Review
10
11Hiring a big celebrity to play a '''starring role''' (''not'' a supporting or minor one), even if it's not the sole major role, in a movie, play, or TV show. Only, this celebrity isn't known for acting. In fact, this may be the celebrity's first acting job. A close cousin of StuntCasting, only with a bit more risk, since the stunt castee doesn't have much experience (if any), and is practically carrying the project despite that inexperience.
12
13So why is it done, despite those risks? Well, the fact is that [[Creator/WillSmith it]] [[Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger sometimes]] [[Music/DavidBowie works]] (it tends to work better for stand-up comedians, singers, and [[{{Kayfabe}} pro wrestlers]], being close to what they normally do for a living anyway). Also, even if the vehicle is a failure, the new actor may still have a career afterwards.
14
15You are most likely to see IAmNotLeonardNimoy play throughout the movie. If the work is about the celebrity in RealLife, it overlaps with AutobiographicalRole. If the celebrity's role is doing what they're famous for, it overlaps with CastTheExpert.
16----
17!!Examples:
18[[foldercontrol]]
19
20[[folder:Models]]
21* Creator/CindyCrawford in ''Film/{{Fair Game|1995}}''.
22* It was only a TV movie, but Vanna White of ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' fame starred in ''Film/GoddessOfLove'' on NBC. At that point in her career, the only other TV experience she had was… as a contestant on ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' in 1980 (two years before she took over the ''Wheel'' role she holds to this day).
23* Antonio Sabato Jr. (a former underwear model) in ''Film/TheBigHit''.
24* ''Film/{{Galaxina}}'' had Dorothy R. Stratten, Playboy Playmate of the Year 1980, prominently cast as the title character.
25* Professional cosplayer Creator/JessicaNigri was given the starring role in the English dub of the ''Anime/SuperSonico'' anime. It's a {{downplayed|Trope}} example, though, since she had previously voiced Cinder Fall in ''WebAnimation/{{RWBY}}''.
26* Creator/MonicaBellucci in ''{{Film/Malena}}''. She was still primarily a model at the time, and this marked her StarMakingRole as an actress.
27* Lily Cole as the monster in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' episode [[Recap/DoctorWhoS32E3TheCurseOfTheBlackSpot "The Curse of the Black Spot"]], in which she has little to do but waft around and glare at people.
28* Creator/BrookeShields (a child model) in ''Film/PrettyBaby''.
29* Gisele Bündchen in ''Film/{{Taxi|2004}}''.
30[[/folder]]
31
32[[folder:Musicians]]
33* Music/TheAndrewsSisters headlined a couple of American army morale-boosting films during UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, such as ''Film/PrivateBuckaroo'' and ''Film/SwingtimeJohnny''.
34* Creator/WillSmith in ''Series/TheFreshPrinceOfBelAir'', which saved him from bankruptcy and [[StarMakingRole launched his blockbuster acting career]]. The show hung a lampshade on it here and there.
35* Music/BritneySpears in ''Film/{{Crossroads}}''.
36* Music/DavidBowie in ''Film/TheManWhoFellToEarth''. Although he didn't really act before this, he studied mime and acting in TheSixties as his recording career slowly gained ground and incorporated his new skills into his stage act. He went on to appear in a number of films in both lead and supporting roles, such as ''Film/MerryChristmasMrLawrence'' and ''Film/{{Labyrinth}}'', and performed on Broadway as the title character in ''Theatre/TheElephantMan'' in 1980.
37* The TropeMaker was Creator/AlJolson in the original 1927 version of ''Film/TheJazzSinger''. Music/NeilDiamond also did it in the 1980 remake. He won a Worst Actor Razzie for his performance, but this is a good example of a performer who managed to retain their original career after trying their hand at this trope; in fact, three of his biggest hits -- "America", "Love on the Rocks" and "Hello Again" -- were written for this film.
38* Luciano Pavarotti in ''Film/YesGiorgio''.
39* {{Music/Madonna}} in ''Film/DesperatelySeekingSusan'', where she played a pop musician. Led to an almost two-decades-long acting career, in which she generally did well if she was part of an ensemble (as in ''Film/DickTracy'', ''Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn'' and ''Film/{{Evita}}''), and usually didn't fare so well if she was appearing in a star vehicle (as in ''Film/SweptAway'').
40* Music/MariahCarey in ''Film/{{Glitter}}''.
41* Music/MickJagger in ''Film/{{Performance}}'' and ''Film/{{Ned Kelly|1970}}''
42* Music/VanillaIce in ''Film/CoolAsIce''. Since then, he's mostly appeared in cameos and non-major roles.
43* Music/{{Eminem}} in ''Film/EightMile''. Though considering he was basically playing himself in the film, how much actual acting was involved is open for debate.
44* Music/WhitneyHouston in ''Film/TheBodyguard''. She starred in several other films afterwards, to the point where she focused more on her acting career than her music for the bulk of TheNineties (she released no studio albums between ''I'm Your Baby Tonight'' in 1990 and ''My Love is Your Love'' in 1998), though she did contribute to the soundtracks for most of them.
45* Music/{{Bjork}} in ''Film/DancerInTheDark''. It was such a bad experience for her that she swore she'd never act again.
46* Music/OliviaNewtonJohn in ''Film/{{Grease}}'', though she started out her career this way as well, in the obscure film ''Film/{{Toomorrow}}'', a sci-fi musical starring the band she fronted at the time, also called Toomorrow, a prefab group assembled by impresario Don Kirshner after he was ousted as the music supervisor for Music/TheMonkees.
47* Creator/DorisDay, before starring in ''Film/RomanceOnTheHighSeas'', was known only as a singer. She went on to become one of the biggest movie stars of [[TheFifties the late 1950s]].
48* Music/LadyGaga in ''Film/{{A Star Is Born|2018}}'' and ''Film/{{House of Gucci}}''
49* Music/FiftyCent in ''Film/GetRichOrDieTryin''. He did later appear in a number of films, occasionally credited under his birth name, e.g. "Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson".
50* Cellist Yo-Yo Ma in the Creator/AtomEgoyan film ''Film/{{Sarabande}}''.
51* ''Film/PurpleRain'', created as a showcase for the singer Music/{{Prince}} and based on his album of the same name. It won an award for Best Original Song Score.
52* Music/TheBeatles in: ''Film/AHardDaysNight'', ''Film/{{Help}}'', ''Film/MagicalMysteryTour'', ''[[InkSuitActor Yellow]] [[WesternAnimation/YellowSubmarine Submarine]]''... In fact, it was because of these movies that Music/RingoStarr got his taste for acting.
53* Music/PaulMcCartney starred by himself in ''Film/GiveMyRegardsToBroadStreet'' and that's pretty much it.
54* Outside of ''Film/{{Moonwalker}}'', that was all about him anyway, Music/MichaelJackson only ever played the Scarecrow in ''Film/TheWiz''. Well, and the eponymous ''Film/CaptainEO'', who was basically Michael Jackson InSpace.
55* ''Film/Terminator2JudgmentDay'' '''[[WhatCouldHaveBeen almost]]''' did this for Music/BillyIdol. He was originally picked to play the T-1000 but had to turn down the role because of a motorcycle accident. Music/{{WASP|Band}} frontman Blackie Lawless was also considered for the role at one point but got turned down for being too tall.
56* Music/WeirdAlYankovic in ''Film/{{UHF}}''. Al had already done ''Al TV'' and some other comedy performances, so it wasn't much of a stretch, but this was still the first major performance of his career. He's gone on to appear as himself in a variety of other settings, most notably as the co-host of ''Series/ComedyBangBang'' and have a considerable career as a voice actor, including starring as the title character on ''WesternAnimation/MiloMurphysLaw''.
57* Creator/BetteMidler in ''Film/TheRose''; though she had dabbled onstage in her early career, it was her first film role. She played a musician, although more a Music/JanisJoplin type than the big band and traditional pop music she was mostly known for at the time. She went on to have a long and fairly successful career as an actress, reaching her peak in both fields at about the same time (the late [[TheEighties 1980s]] and early [[TheNineties 1990s]]).
58* Music/JohnDenver in ''Film/OhGod''.
59* The 1956 Broadway musical ''Theatre/MrWonderful'' gave Creator/SammyDavisJr his first starring role; it incorporated a large portion of his nightclub act wholesale.
60* Several members of Music/AKB48 took part in the anime ''Anime/AKB0048''. Quite a few of them had no acting experience up until then.
61* Korean Television Stations are frequently used as places where singing idols try to diversify their entertainment value:
62** The DoggedNiceGuy in ''Series/BoysBeforeFlowers'' is Kim Hyun Joon from the group Music/{{SS501}}. He shows up again in ''Series/PlayfulKiss''.
63** Almost every lead character in ''Series/DreamHigh'' has a RealLife career in a singing group. This is not surprising, though, as the premise of the KoreanDrama is a bunch of kids at a high school that specializes in the entertainment business (sort of like ''Film/{{Fame}}'').
64** ''Series/OhMyLady'' stars Si Won, one of the singers in the BoyBand Music/SuperJunior. His character is lampshaded as having the worst acting skills ever.
65** Mickey Yoochun, from the music groups TVXQ and JYJ, played the LonelyRichKid in ''Series/SungkyunkwanScandal''.
66** ''Series/YouAreBeautiful'' has several, including Lee Hong Ki (a former child actor) from the group Music/FTIsland and Jung Yong Hwa from Music/CNBlue. In a non-musical reversal, Jang G'suen Suk started as a model before the show, and just released his first music album in April 2011.
67** Though not a TV show, Jessica Jung of Music/GirlsGeneration appeared in the Korean production of ''Theatre/LegallyBlondeTheMusical''.
68** Suzy of miss A in ''Series/TheGuFamilyBook''.
69* Music/TheVillagePeople and Olympic gold medalist [[Creator/CaitlynJenner Bruce (now Caitlyn) Jenner]] in ''Film/CantStopTheMusic''; the former also overlaps with AutobiographicalRole.
70* [[Music/TwistedSister Dee Snider]] in the horror movie ''Film/{{Strangeland|1998}}'', which he wrote himself.
71* Music/{{Sting}} starred in the 1982 adaptation of ''Film/BrimstoneAndTreacle'' (The Police recorded three songs for its soundtrack, and Sting contributed two solos) and 1985's ''Film/TheBride'', and had supporting roles or cameos in ''Film/{{Quadrophenia}}'', ''Film/{{Dune|1984}}'', ''Film/TheAdventuresOfBaronMunchausen'' and ''Film/LockStockAndTwoSmokingBarrels''.
72* ''Film/TwoLaneBlacktop'', starring a young James Taylor and Music/TheBeachBoys drummer Dennis Wilson.
73* Music/GeorgeStrait in ''Film/PureCountry''. The movie didn't do too well, but Strait's soundtrack is the best-selling album of his career.
74* The 1988 Broadway musical flop ''Film/LegsDiamond'' was this for singer-songwriter Peter Allen, who wrote the songs and played the title character.
75* Music/TomWaits in Creator/JimJarmusch's ''Film/DownByLaw''. He's had many supporting actor credits to his name, to the point that he's not really a non-actor anymore, but this was one of his first roles and his only lead role to date.
76* Arlo Guthrie, AsHimself in ''Film/AlicesRestaurant''.
77* ''Film/TheOscar'' gave singer Tony Bennett a significant [[AndStarring "introducing/as"]] credit. He never appeared in another feature film.
78* In France, ''AB Productions'' was specialized on this ([[{{Macekre}} among other things]]): Most "actors" in AB-produced sitcoms were new singers trying to get notoriety. It worked at the time, but became a stain on their reputation after AB shows fell out of favor.
79* Kid/Teen salsa group Salserín starred in several of these in the late 1990's: the first one was "''La primera vez''" (which was more known as "Salserín: [[TheMovie La Película]]"), where the kids and their producer were more or less on {{Autobiographical Role}}s; then the soaps "''De sol a sol''", "''Yo sin ti''", "''Entre tú y yo''" and "''Dónde está el amor''". After several changes in the singers rooster, they got at it again in the late Noughties, first with a radio soap (''Envíame Mensajes'') and then the soaps "''Mi niña amada''", "''Mi otra mitad del sol''" and "''Robando corazones''" on tv.
80* When the singers from the first generation of Salserín, the brothers Servando and Florentino Primera, went solo, they starred in a movie, ''Muchacho solitario''. It was cynically made for two reasons: exploit their TeenIdol popularity, and give ProductPlacement to Golden brand soda. The guys ''did'' have some acting experience from their Salserín era, and Servando was a child actor before joining the band as a singer, but that couldn't be seen on screen, and despite their popularity at the time the film bombed.
81* In 2013, singer Music/CarrieUnderwood starred in a live TV version of ''Theatre/TheSoundOfMusic'' for Creator/{{NBC}}.
82* {{Country|Music}} singer Music/DougStone had a starring role in the 1995 film ''Film/{{Gordy}}''.
83* Alex Cox (of ''Film/RepoMan'') made ''Film/StraightToHell'' when a musical tour of Nicaragua was canceled. A bunch of 1980s musicians and other oddballs were stuck with nothing else to do, so Cox decided to take them to Spain to make a weird and wacky SpaghettiWestern parody starring, among others, Music/ElvisCostello, The Circle Jerks, Music/ThePogues, Amazulu, Creator/JimJarmusch, Grace Jones and a very young Music/CourtneyLove. Also featured in ''Straight to Hell'' was Joe Strummer, frontman for Music/TheClash (and, for a time, the Pogues). Strummer actually appeared in several films, including a cameo (alongside Clash bandmate Mick Jones) in Martin Scorcese's ''Film/TheKingOfComedy.''
84* Music/IconaPop in ''WesternAnimation/{{Trolls}}''.
85* Billie Joe Armstrong of Music/GreenDay in ''Film/OrdinaryWorld''.
86* Music/RebaMcEntire did have some acting chops before starring in the TV movie ''Film/IsThereLifeOutThere?'' (inspired by her hit single at the time.) She had a few more before starring in the WB sitcom ''Series/{{Reba}}''. The much-shorter lived ''Series/MalibuCountry'' also qualifies, but by now she's practically made acting a second career.
87* TransparentCloset Camp pianist Music/{{Liberace}} in ''Film/SincerelyYours'', in which he played... a camp pianist. He had a similar role as special guest villain "Chandell" (and his "twin brother Harry") in ''Series/Batman1966''.
88* Music/KellyClarkson and Justin Guarini were tapped to star in ''Film/FromJustinToKelly'' after they were winner and runner-up, respectively, in the inaugural season of ''Series/AmericanIdol''. Clarkson never acted in another live-action movie (she ''did'' appear in the animated film ''WesternAnimation/{{Uglydolls}}''), but maintained musical success well into TheNewTens; Guarini wasn't so lucky.
89* In a VideoGame example, Young Maylay had no prior acting experience before he voiced Carl Johnson in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoSanAndreas''. He is glad that the game brought him into mainstream recognition, but he felt frustrated about being more [[IAmNotSpock associated]] with playing the role of CJ than his rapping career. It later culminated into a furious tirade against Rockstar after he has had enough of fans who kept on pestering him about starring in the next ''GTA''. While Maylay's rants were criticized by many as being immature and unprofessional, his cousin Shawn Fonteno (who played Franklin Clinton in ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'') acknowledged and understood Maylay's sentiments, while at the same time left a more level-headed and reasonable response to the issue.
90* Music/KatherineJenkins in the ''Series/DoctorWho'' episode "A Christmas Carol". She spends most of the episode as a HumanPopsicle, and then sings a song at the end.
91* Grace Vanderwaal, the teenage singer-songwriter who won ''Series/AmericasGotTalent'', playing the title character in the Creator/DisneyPlus adaptation of ''Literature/{{Stargirl}}''.
92* Music/TinaTurner as the BigBad Auntie Entity in ''Film/MadMaxBeyondThunderdome''.
93* Dani Filth, lead singer of ''Music/CradleOfFilth'', plays a central role in ''Film/CradleOfFear'': albeit a role that mostly requires him to look scary and has minimal dialogue. The rest of the band has come roles in the movie.
94* Music/ElvisPresley in ''Film/LoveMeTender'', ''Film/JailhouseRock'', and ''Film/KingCreole'' (plus many other movies throughout the 60s).
95* Slight variant with Venezuelan rock singer Paul Gillman, who had a prolific Latin Spanish dubbing career for some time (notably being the original Latin Spanish voice of Patrick Star in ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'')
96* Pioneering {{Reggae}} star Jimmy Cliff in ''Film/TheHarderTheyCome''.
97* ''Film/BloodHarvest'' stars Music/TinyTim as a mentally unstable clown.
98* ''Film/IBelieveInSantaClaus'': French pop singer Karen Cheryl plays the Christmas Fairy and sings several songs during the movie.
99* The Dave Clark Five in ''Film/CatchUsIfYouCan''.
100* Gerry and the Pacemakers in ''Film/FerryCrossTheMersey''.
101* Music/HermansHermits starred in two movies, ''Film/HoldOn1966'' and ''Film/MrsBrownYouveGotALovelyDaughter'' (1968).
102* [[Music/{{Haim}} Alana Haim]] as Alana Kane in ''Film/LicoricePizza'', directed by frequent collaborator Creator/PaulThomasAnderson.
103* Music/TheEraserheads were featured in the 1995 Joey de Leon gay comedy film ''Film/RunBarbiRun'' where they appeared as the in-house band at the bar where the titular character took refuge in.
104* A large number of the characters in ''Film/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand'' were played by professional musicians, most notably having Music/PeterFrampton and Music/TheBeeGees as the lead characters. Notably, the film originally had spoken dialogue alongside its songs, but due to the lack of acting experience had by most of the cast it was taken out; in the final product, the only character that actually speaks is Creator/GeorgeBurns' Mr. Kite (who narrates the film).
105[[/folder]]
106
107[[folder:Pro Wrestlers]]
108* Wrestling/DwayneJohnson just had a small part in ''Film/TheMummyReturns'', but was then given the main role in ''Film/TheScorpionKing''. He's had a successful acting career since then, to the point that he's not even credited as "The Rock" anymore.[[note]]Though this is more due to WWE trademarking their talents' ring names, which perhaps accounts for why some wrestlers use their real name as their in-ring name instead.[[/note]]
109* Wrestling/HulkHogan in ''Film/NoHoldsBarred'', leading to other films: ''Film/SuburbanCommando'', ''Mr Nanny'', and ''Film/SantaWithMuscles''.
110* Wrestling/RoddyPiper in ''Film/TheyLive''. He [[ThrowItIn ad-libbed]] one of the [[ChewBubblegum most memorable lines]] in the film and helped choreograph its [[FightScene famous fistfight]].
111* Anime example: woman pro-wrestler Cutey Suzuki as the voice of Anime/{{Iczer}}-3.
112* Whichever wrestler is starring in any given Creator/WWEStudios project:
113** The Rock, as mentioned above.
114** ''Film/SeeNoEvil'' and ''Film/SeeNoEvil2'', starring Wrestling/{{Kane}}.
115** ''Film/TheMarine'', then ''Film/TwelveRounds'', and ''Legendary'', starring Wrestling/JohnCena. Cena has gone on to appear in multiple non-WWE productions.
116** ''Film/TheCondemned2007'', starring Wrestling/StoneColdSteveAustin.
117** And direct-to-DVD films starring Wrestling/BigShow, Wrestling/TripleH, [[Wrestling/KenAnderson Mr. Kennedy]], Wrestling/RandyOrton, Wrestling/TheMiz, Wrestling/SummerRae and Wrestling/TedDiBiaseJr
118** Triple H also played one of the lead vampires in ''Film/BladeTrinity'', while Steve Austin was part of the giant ensemble of action heroes in ''Film/TheExpendables'', more because of their physically intimidating presence than any particular acting chops and experience.
119* Wrestling/{{Batista}} in ''Film/TheManWithTheIronFists'', and after he retired from wrestling he became an actor full time.
120[[/folder]]
121
122[[folder:Sports Stars]]
123* Creator/SonjaHenie in ''Film/OneInAMillion''. She made quite a few films after that.
124* Swimmer Esther Williams started a similar screen career with a supporting part in ''Film/AndyHardy's Double Life''. A series of star vehicles followed, starting with ''Film/BathingBeauty''.
125* Pictured: Carol Heiss in ''Film/SnowWhiteAndTheThreeStooges'' was an attempt to make her the next Sonja Henie. It, unfortunately, didn't work out that well; Film/TheThreeStooges weren't even brought in until the studio realized Heiss couldn't carry the movie.
126* Two big vehicles for Shaquille O'Neal: ''Film/{{Kazaam}}'' and ''Film/{{Steel}}''. His first film, ''Film/BlueChips'', had him in a supporting role (along with Penny Hardaway).
127* Creator/RandyCouture in the [[DirectToVideo straight to DVD]] sequel to ''Film/TheScorpionKing'', subtitled "Rise Of A Warrior".
128* Howie Long in ''Film/Firestorm1998''.
129* UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan in ''Film/SpaceJam''. And in [[Film/SpaceJamANewLegacy the sequel]], UsefulNotes/LeBronJames.
130* A downplayed example with ''WesternAnimation/{{Smallfoot}}'', as the film already has an AllStarCast, but among the top-billed cast is the previously mentioned [=LeBron=] James.
131* Dennis Rodman in ''Film/DoubleTeam'' (second-billed to Creator/JeanClaudeVanDamme) and later ''Film/SimonSez''.
132* Two US Olympic male gymnasts attempted this trope back in the 1980s:
133** Kurt Thomas in ''Film/{{Gymkata}}'', a film widely considered to be a pretty awful consolation prize for Thomas losing his chance to bring home the Gold at the 1980 Olympics, but something of a CultClassic for its ridiculous premise.
134** Mitch Gaylord in ''Film/AmericanAnthem''[[note]]his co-star was Janet Jones, who went on to become Mrs. UsefulNotes/WayneGretzky[[/note]].
135* Ray Allen in ''Film/HeGotGame''.
136* UsefulNotes/CollegiateAmericanFootball star (and high-profile NFL flop) Brian Bosworth in ''Film/StoneCold''. He's done a fair amount of supporting roles since then.
137* Brazilian soccer star Breno Mello and track & field athlete Adhemar da Silvain in ''Orfeu Negro (Film/BlackOrpheus)''.
138* Olympic Swimming champion and male model Creator/JohnnyWeissmuller as ''Franchise/{{Tarzan}}: the Ape Man''. His performance proved so successful that [[TypeCasting he was cast in the same role eleven more times]].
139* Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby took a turn playing the title character in the ''Theatre/{{Peter Pan|1954}}'' stage musical in 1974 -- and did so well that she's played the role in various productions well into TheNewTens!
140* UsefulNotes/JackieRobinson in ''Film/TheJackieRobinsonStory''.
141* Both versions of ''Ice Castles'' starred professional figure skaters: Creator/LynnHollyJohnson in [[Film/IceCastles1978 the 1978 original]] (she turned to acting full-time after the film) and Taylor Firth in [[Film/IceCastles2010 the 2010 remake]].
142* Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger was a professional bodybuilder when he starred in ''Film/HerculesInNewYork''. His breakout role in ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982'' still applied, as his grasp of English was still somewhat limited, he was still more known for his bodybuilding, and many his co-stars were likewise also professional bodybuilders, athletes and models. The film worked within their limited acting range by relying on the visuals and their nonverbal performances to do much of the storytelling, while the majority of the important dialogue was handled by the more experienced actors like Creator/JamesEarlJones and Creator/MaxVonSydow.
143* ''Film/{{Haywire}}'' stars UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts covergirl Creator/GinaCarano.
144* The 2010 ''Film/TheATeam'' film cast [[UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts former UFC champion]] Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as B.A. Baracus, filling the shoes of Creator/MrT, who was also known for his tough-guy exploits before getting into acting. Jackson had done a few films before, such as a memorable cameo in ''Film/TheMidnightMeatTrain''.
145* Rudolf Nureyev (ballet dancer) as Rudolph Valentino (silent movie star) in ''Film/{{Valentino}}''.
146* Alexander Godunov (ballet dancer) as Daniel Hochleitner (Amish farmer and romantic rival of Harrison Ford's character, John Book) in ''Film/{{Witness}}''.
147* Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in ''Film/SafeAtHome!''
148* Italian alpine ski racer and former [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carabinieri carabiniere]] Alberto Tomba began and ended his film career with "Alex l'ariete" (''Alex the Ram''), where he played the eponymous "badass" cop. Predictably, his acting was beyond wooden, the film was a total mess and an abysmal failure at the box office. The film would be totally forgotten, if not for its infamous status and the countless {{YouTube Poop}}s made out of it by Italian "enthusiasts".
149* This trope is attacked by Creator/GaryOldman in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIaWo-BlBjs this scene]] from a ''Series/JimmyKimmelLive'' episode.
150* Not really "acting", but in 1989, Rolf Benirschke of the San Diego Chargers was picked to host the daytime network version of ''Series/WheelOfFortune'' while Pat Sajak continued to host the nighttime syndicated version (which he does to this day). It remains, to date, [[OneBookAuthor Rolf's only TV role]].
151* Filipino boxer Creator/MannyPacquiao did a string of movies since 2000 and usually played, well, a boxer. There were movies where he didn't play a boxer (or himself), such as ''Anak ng Kumander'' and ''Wapakman'', but they weren't well-received. Not to mention that the decision to cast him in the historical biopic ''Malvar: Tuloy ang Laban'' (lit. ''Malvar: The Fight Continues'') as the titular general Miguel Malvar who surrendered during the Filipino-American War attracted controversy.
152* Filipino pool star Efren "Bata" Reyes appeared alongside Creator/FernandoPoeJr in the 2003 film ''Pakners'', which turned out to be Poe's final film project before his presidential candidacy and eventual death. Needless to say, Reyes is definitely no actor, with his lines sounding like as if he merely read it from the script. It did show him in what he does best though.
153* Creator/LewisHamilton and Jenson Button, amongst other [=McLaren=] drivers, starred in ''WesternAnimation/{{Tooned}}'' in 2013 to promote their racing team. The drivers' voice acting is passable more or less, but they sure had fun with their parts. And [[UsefulNotes/FormulaOne F1]] fans appear to like it as well, with some wishing for similar productions starring drivers from other teams.
154* Hamilton did play bit and cameo roles in a number of films as well, notably in the ''Franchise/{{Cars}}'' franchise and in ''Film/Zoolander2''. And as a mechanic in ''VideoGame/CallOfDutyInfiniteWarfare'' of all things.
155* Ditto with UsefulNotes/ConorMcGregor, who also played as an antagonist in ''Film/InfiniteWarfare''.
156* While UsefulNotes/NikiLauda (later of ''[[Film/Rush2013 Rush]]'' fame, played by Creator/DanielBruhl) did appear in a number of guest and cameo roles in a few television series and films, he was top-billed in the little-known [[MadeForTVMovie made-for-TV]] SciFi children's adventure movie ''Film/TopKids'' in 1987[[note]]Initially produced under the title ''Centurion Odyssey'' prior to being picked up by Creator/{{Disney}} for their then-new cable channel[[/note]], where he appeared as a time traveler being transported into [[ProgressiveEraMontage various moments in automotive history]] along with a teenager named Eric and a ragtag band of children [[HollywoodHacking hacking]] an arcade machine into a time machine or [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed Animus of sorts]]. The production was amateurish at best with [[SpecialEffectsFailure obvious green-screening]] at points, but it did have some moments such as Niki racing a 1900s car and later a [[CoolCar Lamborghini Countach]] in the 1950s sequence, and by the end of the film he would pose with Mercedes Jellinek (aka the girl whose father Emil would lend her name to the Mercedes-Benz car brand) and Eric--[[HilariousInHindsight ironically enough]], Lauda would wind up as a non-executive chairman for the Mercedes F1 team.
157* VideoGame example: Creator/ColinMcRae and his co-driver Creator/NickyGrist gained mainstream popularity in the ''VideoGame/ColinMcRaeRally'' series of games. Whilst the game received some positive critical reception, Colin's voice acting left a lot to be desired for his near-monotone delivery in the Rally School levels. Grist's pace notes were a wee less so, but not to the level that he does in RealLife. Their voice acting became less of an issue over time though, especially in ''[[VideoGame/DiRT [=DiRT 4=]]]'' where Nicky and the other co-driver actors had to sit in a simulator chair whilst recording their lines on an actual rally intercom for added authenticity. Grist later branched out as a presenter and occasional color commentator for rallying events in the 2000s.
158* Arian Foster in ''Film/DraftDay''.
159* ''Film/IceGirls'', a MadeForTVMovie, was one for Michaela Du Toit and Taylor Hunsley, two teenage Canadian figure skaters. Elvis Stojko, a dedicated Olympic skater and silver medalist, also had a supporting role.
160* Baseball player Joe Garagiola hosted ''The Series/{{Today}} Show'' from 1967 to 1973. This led to a surprisingly fruitful career as a television host, which also included the game shows ''Series/HeSaidSheSaid'', ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'', and ''Series/ToTellTheTruth''.
161* The NBA's Kyrie Irving plays the titular character in the 2018 comedy ''Film/UncleDrew'', reprising the role from a series of Pepsi Max ads that began in 2012.
162* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' has had many famous sports stars come on and host the show, dating back to football player Fran Tarkenton in the second season. The record is mixed. Some have been forgettable but some did really well, like Creator/PeytonManning with an iconic fake United Way commercial in 2007, or Joe Montana with the "Sincere Guy Stu" sketch, one of the most famous SNL sketches [[https://snltranscripts.jt.org/86/86istu.phtml of all time]].
163* German former boxer Henry Maske played the role of UsefulNotes/MaxSchmeling in the 2010 biopic about the famed boxing legend. Unfortunately, while Creator/UweBoll (yes, ''that'' Uwe Boll) did [[CastTheExpert cast someone who knows the sport]] inside-out, whatever acting ability Herr Maske had was sorely lacking despite having taken theatrical workshops.
164* [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeague LA Rams]] star Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch sustained a bit of an acting career in TheFifties, with prominent roles in three films: ''Crazylegs'' (a BioPic where he starred AsHimself), ''Unchained'' (a prison drama; you may know its theme song "Unchained Melody") and ''Film/ZeroHour'' (as the plane's captain, the character later parodied by Creator/PeterGraves in ''Film/{{Airplane}}'').
165* Boxer Kali Reis starred in and cowrote the story for ''Film/CatchTheFairOne''.
166* The late Brazilian football legend Pelé co-starred in the World War II sports drama ''Film/EscapeToVictory'' alongside Creator/SylvesterStallone, obviously showing what he and his fellow football star actors do best. Though prior to that, he also actually starred in a ''telenovela'' in his home country called ''Os Estranhos'' about first contact with aliens of all things.
167* Prior to Pacquiao, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde appeared in a number of films to capitalise on the success of his boxing career. He played AsHimself in the [[BioPic autobiographical film]] ''The Flash Elorde Story'' in 1961 and alongside Creator/FernandoPoeJr in ''Film/ManoMano'' (1964). Elorde was also remembered for a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw7XcmqnCOs San Miguel Beer commercial]] where he appeared alongside notable Filipino celebrities Bert Marcelo and Rico J. Puno, uttering "... isang platitong mani!" (A [small] plate of peanuts!).
168* Fellow Filipino pugilist and 1996 Olympic silver medalist Creator/OnyokVelasco played an autobiographical role in ''Film/TheOnyokVelascoStory''. He has since pursued a career in acting as he found it to be more financially sustainable, also lamenting that the government failed to support his previous athletic efforts.
169* Creator/JohnFord cast tennis champion Althea Gibson as Lukey in ''Film/TheHorseSoldiers'' partly to attract African-American viewers. Gibson was a racial-barrier-breaking athlete, the female Jackie Robinson of tennis, who--just prior to being featured in this film--had won both the Wimbledon and US Open tennis championships in 1957 and 1958.
170* While Creator/TonyHawk starred in his [[VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater eponymous video game series]] alongside his skating colleagues, he along with the rest of the Bones Brigade team starred in the direct-to-video movie ''Film/TheSearchForAnimalChin'' about the titular Asian skateboarder who was said to have invented the sport InUniverse.
171* Fellow Bones Brigade alumni Creator/RodneyMullen--of all people--starred in ''VideoGame/GhostReconBreakpoint'' as tech mogul Jace Skell. While Mullen has appeared in most entries of the ''VideoGame/TonyHawksProSkater'' series and served as a skating stunt double in films, ''Breakpoint'' is so far his only acting credit where he doesn't play AsHimself or in a skateboarding-related role; though it could be argued that Rodney was basically just being himself ''a la'' ''8 Mile'' as he simply projected his personality into the character of Jace Skell.
172[[/folder]]
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174[[folder:Other]]
175* Creator/HarryHoudini in ''Film/TheMasterMystery''.
176* Creator/StevenSoderbergh likes this trope.
177** His first foray was hiring an entire cast of [[AmateurCast non-professional actors]] for ''Film/{{Bubble}}'', recruiting from the local town. Notably, the star of the film was discovered working the drive-through window at KFC.
178** ''Series/TheGirlfriendExperience'' stars porn actress Sasha Grey as a high-class callgirl.
179** ''Film/{{Haywire}}'', starring UsefulNotes/MixedMartialArts fighter Creator/GinaCarano.
180** Soderbergh did this for himself in his surreal 1996 comedy ''Schizopolis'', which stars the man himself in not one but two roles. Underneath all its weird and surreal humor, it's really about Soderbergh examining the crumbling of his marriage (his real-life ex-wife appears as his character's wife) as well as his anxieties about the future of his directing career in the wake of a series of flops following his debut ''Film/SexLiesAndVideotape''
181* John Wayne Bobbitt: ''Uncut''.
182* Creator/AudieMurphy as himself in ''To Hell And Back''.
183* Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos as themselves in ''Film/The1517ToParis''.
184* StageMagician Doug Henning had two Broadway Musicals written around him, despite not being a singer:
185** The first was ''The Magic Show'' in 1974, with music by Creator/StephenSchwartz, which was a huge success and ran for four years. It was based around Henning's unusual stage persona; set in a nightclub where a new scruffy magician goes up against a more traditional top-hat magician (played by Creator/DavidOgdenStiers).
186** The other was ''Merlin'' in 1983, based around the character from Arthurian Legend, but young and inexperienced. It also featured Chita Rivera as an evil sorceress and was the Broadway debut of Nathan Lane. It was a critical and commercial flop, notorious for having an exceptionally long preview period without officially opening, and while still charging full ticket prices (much like ''Theatre/SpiderManTurnOffTheDark'' did, years later).
187* Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse had a short-lived sitcom on NBC.
188* Creator/SegaPinball attempted to invoke this by having Kelly Packard (of ''Series/{{Baywatch}}'' fame) as the star of ''Pinball/GoldenCue,'' a billiards-themed pinball game, even though she had no connection to either billiards or pinball. This trope was ultimately averted when Sega Pinball went out of business and ''Kelly Packard's Golden Cue'' was redesigned and released as ''Pinball/SharkeysShootout''.
189* The DirectToVideo film ''Sophia Grace and Rosie's Royal Adventure'' is one, where the titular girls are assigned by their mentor Creator/EllenDeGeneres to cover a coronation in a fictional kingdom and help the soon-to-be-coronated princess believe in herself.
190%%* ''Film/GrumpyCatsWorstChristmasEver'' seems to fit.
191* Filipino celebrity chef Boy Logro of all people starred in the 2013 action-comedy film ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fighting_Chefs The Fighting Chefs]]''.
192* ''Series/LimeStreet'' is largely remembered for starring Samantha Smith, a young girl from Maine whose letter to Yuri Andropov made international headlines and caused her to detour into youth activism. Smith also appeared on an episode of ''Series/CharlesInCharge''.
193* Film critic Rex Reed was mystifyingly cast as the male version of the title character in ''Film/MyraBreckinridge''.
194* Creator/SonnyBarger and his merry band of Hells Angels played themselves in ''Film/{{Hells Angels on Wheels}}'' (1967) and ''[[Film/HellsAngels69 Hell's Angels '69]]'' (1969). Barger later went on to have a recurring role as Lenny 'The Pimp' Janowitz in ''Series/SonsOfAnarchy'', alongside fellow bikers David Labrava, Robert Patrick, Chuck Zito, and Rusty Coones.
195* Creator/TheSafdieBrothers' film ''Film/HeavenKnowsWhat'' stars Arielle Holmes, a former teenage drug addict, in an AutobiographicalRole based on her life on the streets of New York City. The marketing of the film emphasized this fact.
196* ''Film/RingOfFear'' gives starring roles to circus owner/lion tamer Clyde Beatty and mystery writer Creator/MickeySpillane. Spillane later starred as his own literary creation Mike Hammer in ''The Girl Hunters''.
197* The action movie ''Film/BetYourLife'' was made to showcase the 'talents' of Sean Carrigan and Corinne Van Ryck de Groot: the male and female winners of the RealityShow ''Series/NextActionStar''.
198* While she was was co-hosting ''Series/TheTalk'', Creator/{{CBS}} drafted Creator/AmandaKloots to star in their Creator/HallmarkChannel-like 2022 RomanticComedy MadeForTVMovie ''Fit for Christmas''. Her only other screen acting role before that was a small part in ''Film/TheIrishman''.
199* Platform/TikTok personality Creator/AddisonRae in Creator/{{Netflix}}'s ''Film/HesAllThat''.
200[[/folder]]

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