Which athletes turned actors in 2022? In recent years, it's become commonplace for star athletes to foray into the entertainment sphere to pursue passions for music, animation, art, podcasting, and of course movies, often looking to build their brand recognition by popping up on the silver screen. With so many great new sports movies in recent years like Space Jam: A New Legacy and the Oscar-winning King Richard, film studios love giving star athletes cameos or even letting athletes try their hands at acting. So, what athletes turned actor in 2022? Which 2022 athlete actors do you'll love?
In 2022, there are numerous athletes who became actors in movies or television, such as Marshawn Lynch who featured in season 1, episode 2 of Murderville on Netflix, an improv comedy murder mystery TV series starring Will Arnett. In terms of dynamic duos, LeBron James teamed up with Adam Sandler for the Netflix comedyHustle, which is set to feature appearances and cameos from over 15 NBA players and personalities. Meanwhile, among actors who were athletes is former NFL coach Sean Payton who popped up for a cameo in the 2022 film Home Team, loosely based on his own life.
Look below for all the 2022 athletes turned actors. Then, check back throughout the year as more sports stars try their hand at acting throughout the year.
MEMORABLE SCENE: At one point in the movie, a basketball player who looks to be around 5'9" tries to shoot a jumper over the 6'11" Juan Hernangomez, who violently rejects the shot.
Juan Alberto "Juancho" Hernangómez Geuer (born September 28, 1995) is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played for Estudiantes of the Liga ACB, and has represented the senior Spain national team.
MEMORABLE SCENE/QUOTE: Edwards shows up as a complete scene-stealer antagonist who talks mad sh*t the three times he and Bo Cruz square off on the court.
Anthony Edwards (born August 5, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Georgia Bulldogs. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 225 pounds (102 kg), he plays the shooting guard position.
ROLE: Det. Terry Seattle's new partner and homicide trainee
MEMORABLE SCENE/QUOTE: Det. Terry Seattle calls up HR to let them know him new partner Marshawn Lynch is requesting a name change to "Detective Bagabitche."
Marshawn Terrell Lynch (born April 22, 1986) is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became the school's second all-time career rusher.After three seasons with the Bills, Lynch was traded to the Seattle Seahawks mid-way through the 2010 season. With Seattle, he made four Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos. After initially retiring after the 2015 season, Lynch applied for reinstatement and was traded to the Oakland Raiders in April 2017, with whom he played two seasons before retiring again. Lynch earned the nickname "Beast Mode" for his powerful running style and consistent ability to run over defenders and break tackles. He is considered by some analysts to be among the best running backs of all-time.Lynch has been cast in the third season of the HBO drama Westworld, set to air in 2020.
MEMORABLE SCENE/QUOTE: In a tongue-in-cheek moment, on his way out of the room, Sean Payton, acting as a janitor, turns to Kevin James, playing the role of Sean Payton in the movie, and he says, “We really sucked without you, coach.”
Patrick Sean Payton (born December 29, 1963) is an American football coach and former player who is the current head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Payton was a quarterback at Naperville Central High School and Eastern Illinois University and played professionally in 1987 and 1988. He began his coaching career as offensive assistant for San Diego State University and had several assistant coaching positions on college and NFL teams before being named as the tenth full-time coach in Saints history in 2006. Payton has always been known for his offensive prowess, having scored more points (2,804) and gained more yards (40,158) than any other team in a coach's first 100 games in NFL history. Payton is currently the second-longest active head coach in the NFL, behind New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who has coached them since the 2000 season.
Under Payton's leadership, the Saints made the 2006 NFL playoffs after a disappointing 3–13 season in 2005 and advanced to their first NFC Championship appearance in franchise history. Because of this effort, Payton won the AP NFL Coach of the Year Award. Following the 2009 season, the Saints won their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Since joining the Saints as head coach, he has helped guide the team to 3 NFC Championship games (2006, 2009, and 2018), an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV, and 7 total playoff births with 5 division titles, making him the most successful coach in Saints franchise history.
On March 21, 2012, Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season, originally set to take effect April 1, 2012, as a result of his alleged involvement in the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal, under which "bounties" were allegedly paid for contact that would "knock out" targeted players on opposing teams. Payton has denied that any program encouraging Saints players to injure opposing players ever existed, even though the NFL claims their evidence proves otherwise. Assistant coach Joe Vitt stated "We had a pay to perform program, just like many NFL teams do, but there was never a bounty program, we didn't ever encourage a pay-to-injure program. That's just not true. We never crossed the line." Payton filed an appeal of his suspension with the league the Friday before it was set to take effect. On April 9, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (who handed down the suspension) denied his appeal; his suspension began on April 16. Goodell reinstated Payton on January 22, 2013.Payton is under contract with the Saints at least until the end of the 2020 season. A previously agreed-upon extension of his contract through 2015 was voided by the NFL. This left his status after the 2012 season unclear until December of that year, when he agreed to a five-year contract that made him the highest-paid coach in the history of the NFL. In March 2016, Payton signed a five-year extension with the Saints.
MEMORABLE SCENE/QUOTE: Tristan gives Drake a pump up speech before the ceremony on his wedding day.
Tristan Trevor James Thompson (born March 13, 1991) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for Texas before being drafted fourth overall by the Cavaliers in the 2011 NBA draft. He also represents Canada in international competition. Thompson won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016.
Boban Marjanović (born August 15, 1988) is a Serbian professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also represents the Serbian national basketball team in international competitions. Standing at 7-foot-3.5-inch playing the center position, he is the 2nd tallest active player in the NBA, right after rookie Tacko Fall. In 2015, Marjanović earned an All-EuroLeague First Team selection.
