Africana55 Radio 
In the wake of the Oscars, we take a close look at the niche intersection between leading sports stars and the film industry
It's Oscars season.
Parasite made history on Sunday evening as the first non-English language film to take home the top prize, while Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor for Joker and Renee Zellweger won Best Actress for her performance in Judy.
With the world focused on the silver screen we decided to trawl the archives for sport's best performers in film.
Some of the biggest names around from LeBron James to Ronda Rousey have made the switch from sport to screen, with varying results.
Here's our top 10:
Created with Sketch.
Created with Sketch.
1/11 10 top athletes who starred on the big screen
Some of the biggest names around from LeBron James to Ronda Rousey have made the switch from sport to screen, with varying results.
Getty
2/11 Michael Jordan - 'Space Jam'
An obvious one this. One of the most popular and successful athletes of his day, Jordan dominated the NBA before trying his hand at acting in 1996. His superstar turn came in 'Space Jam' where he teamed up with Bugs Bunny and company to take down the Monstars.
Warner Bros. Pictures
3/11 LeBron James - 'Trainwreck'
Another NBA legend, James has appeared in several movies as himself, most notably the 2015 romcom 'Trainwreck'. The American is also starring in the upcoming 'Space Jam 2,' following in the footsteps of his idol Michael Jordan.
Universal Pictures
4/11 Ronda Rousey - 'Furious 7'
A leading name in MMA, Rousey has also tipped her toe into the world of acting. Since 2014, she has co-starred in major movies like 'The Expendables 3,' 'Furious 7' and 'Entourage'.
Universal Pictures
5/11 Brett Favre - 'There's Something About Mary'
The American was one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, setting numerous records during his 15-year spell with the Green Bay Packers. If the demands of NFL weren't enough, Favre played himself in the 1998 comedy 'There's Something About Mary.'
20th Century Fox
6/11 David Beckham - 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'
The less said about this, the better. Beckham made a much-criticised cameo in the 2017 Guy Ritchie film, which itself was widely slated. In their review, Empire called the brief appearance a “misguided, fist-biter of a performance”.
Warner Bros. Pictures
7/11 Gina Carano - 'Deadpool'
Once dubbed the 'Face of Women's MMA', Carano played a key role in promoting the sport. Outside the ring, though, the American has continued to make a name for herself, having starred in the likes of Marvel's 'Deadpool'. She has also secured a role in Jon Favreau's highly reviewed Star Wars TV show 'The Mandalorian'.
20th Century Fox
8/11 Vinnie Jones - Snatch
It seems fair to say that Jones has become better known for his acting career than his football one, but that by no means disqualifies him from the running. The Englishman played as a midfielder from 1984 to 1999, notably for Wimbledon, Leeds United, Chelsea and Wales before venturing into acting. His film career began with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and continued with roles in mainstream films such as Snatch (2000) and Mean Machine (2001).
Sony Pictures Releasing
9/11 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Airplane!
The legendary NBA basketball player, who enjoyed two stints with the Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975) and the Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989), has made numerous guest appearances on US TV shows. But the pinnacle of his acting career undoubtedly came in the 1980 comedy classic 'Airplane!'.
Paramount Pictures
10/11 Shaquille O'Neal - 'Kazaam'
Starting with 'Blue Chips' and 'Kazaam', O'Neal appeared in movies that were panned by some critics. O'Neal is also one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a motion picture, having starred as John Henry Irons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Steel.
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Inc. (United States) PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
11/11 O.J. Simpson - 'Naked Gun'
Before becoming one of America's most famous criminals, Simpson was arguably the country's most popular athlete. Along with his numerous awards and trophies, Simpson also had a 30-year acting career to boot. His most famous role came as the hapless detective Nordberg in 'The Naked Gun' film trilogy.
Paramount Pictures
1/11 10 top athletes who starred on the big screen
Some of the biggest names around from LeBron James to Ronda Rousey have made the switch from sport to screen, with varying results.
Getty
2/11 Michael Jordan - 'Space Jam'
An obvious one this. One of the most popular and successful athletes of his day, Jordan dominated the NBA before trying his hand at acting in 1996. His superstar turn came in 'Space Jam' where he teamed up with Bugs Bunny and company to take down the Monstars.
Warner Bros. Pictures
3/11 LeBron James - 'Trainwreck'
Another NBA legend, James has appeared in several movies as himself, most notably the 2015 romcom 'Trainwreck'. The American is also starring in the upcoming 'Space Jam 2,' following in the footsteps of his idol Michael Jordan.
Universal Pictures
4/11 Ronda Rousey - 'Furious 7'
A leading name in MMA, Rousey has also tipped her toe into the world of acting. Since 2014, she has co-starred in major movies like 'The Expendables 3,' 'Furious 7' and 'Entourage'.
Universal Pictures
5/11 Brett Favre - 'There's Something About Mary'
The American was one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, setting numerous records during his 15-year spell with the Green Bay Packers. If the demands of NFL weren't enough, Favre played himself in the 1998 comedy 'There's Something About Mary.'
20th Century Fox
6/11 David Beckham - 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword'
The less said about this, the better. Beckham made a much-criticised cameo in the 2017 Guy Ritchie film, which itself was widely slated. In their review, Empire called the brief appearance a “misguided, fist-biter of a performance”.
Warner Bros. Pictures
7/11 Gina Carano - 'Deadpool'
Once dubbed the 'Face of Women's MMA', Carano played a key role in promoting the sport. Outside the ring, though, the American has continued to make a name for herself, having starred in the likes of Marvel's 'Deadpool'. She has also secured a role in Jon Favreau's highly reviewed Star Wars TV show 'The Mandalorian'.
20th Century Fox
8/11 Vinnie Jones - Snatch
It seems fair to say that Jones has become better known for his acting career than his football one, but that by no means disqualifies him from the running. The Englishman played as a midfielder from 1984 to 1999, notably for Wimbledon, Leeds United, Chelsea and Wales before venturing into acting. His film career began with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and continued with roles in mainstream films such as Snatch (2000) and Mean Machine (2001).
Sony Pictures Releasing
9/11 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Airplane!
The legendary NBA basketball player, who enjoyed two stints with the Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975) and the Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989), has made numerous guest appearances on US TV shows. But the pinnacle of his acting career undoubtedly came in the 1980 comedy classic 'Airplane!'.
Paramount Pictures
10/11 Shaquille O'Neal - 'Kazaam'
Starting with 'Blue Chips' and 'Kazaam', O'Neal appeared in movies that were panned by some critics. O'Neal is also one of the first African Americans to portray a major comic book superhero in a motion picture, having starred as John Henry Irons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Steel.
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, Inc. (United States) PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
11/11 O.J. Simpson - 'Naked Gun'
Before becoming one of America's most famous criminals, Simpson was arguably the country's most popular athlete. Along with his numerous awards and trophies, Simpson also had a 30-year acting career to boot. His most famous role came as the hapless detective Nordberg in 'The Naked Gun' film trilogy.
Paramount Pictures
Check out the countdown in the gallery above and let us know what you think in the comments below
