Some celebrities are so well-known for their acting or TV careers that many forget they were once Olympic athletes. These individuals transitioned from the sports spotlight to the entertainment world, and some found even greater fame off the field. Here are a few Olympic medalists who made their mark in showbiz.
Caitlyn Jenner
Before her gender transition, Caitlyn Jenner competed as Bruce Jenner and became a gold medalist in the decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. After her Olympic fame, Jenner appeared in movies such as Can’t Stop the Music (1980) and Jack and Jill (2011). She later reached a much wider audience through the reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, alongside then-wife Kris Jenner, their daughters Kendall and Kylie, and the Kardashian siblings.
In 2015, Jenner came out as a trans woman and was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair with the headline “Call Me Caitlyn.” She went on to star in her own reality show I Am Cait, which followed her gender transition journey.
Johnny Weissmuller
Johnny Weissmuller is best remembered as Hollywood’s most iconic Tarzan, but he was first a swimming legend. He won five Olympic gold medals in the 1920s and held multiple world records. His film debut came in Tarzan the Ape Man (1932), and he went on to star in 11 more Tarzan films. His trademark Tarzan yell remains one of cinema’s most recognizable sounds.
Eleanor Holm
Eleanor Holm was a star swimmer who won a gold medal at the 1932 Summer Olympics. She briefly turned to acting and appeared in two films: The Human Fish and The Warrior’s Husband. However, her screen career failed to gain traction, and she left Hollywood shortly after.
Buster Crabbe
Buster Crabbe followed a similar path to Weissmuller. After winning the gold in the 400-meter freestyle at the 1932 Olympics, he jumped into Hollywood. He played Tarzan, just like Weissmuller, but is better known for his roles in Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, and other serials. Crabbe’s rugged looks and athleticism made him a favorite action star during the 1930s and 1940s.
Sonja Henie
Norwegian figure skater Sonja Henie was a three-time Olympic gold medalist (1928, 1932, and 1936) and a ten-time world champion. She transitioned seamlessly into Hollywood and starred in her first film, One in a Million (1936), which became a box-office hit. Henie went on to appear in several more films and also launched popular touring ice shows, making her one of the highest-paid actresses of her time.
Carol Heiss
Carol Heiss won silver at the 1956 Winter Olympics and gold in 1960. After retiring from competition, she starred in Snow White and the Three Stooges (1961), her only film role. Though the movie didn’t perform well, critics praised Heiss for her charm, acting, and skating on screen.
Harold Sakata
Harold Sakata won a silver medal in weightlifting at the 1948 Olympics in London. He later moved into professional wrestling before gaining worldwide fame as the silent villain Oddjob in the James Bond classic Goldfinger (1964). His deadly steel-brimmed bowler hat and intimidating presence left a lasting impression on moviegoers.
Jean-Claude Killy
Jean-Claude Killy became a French national hero after winning three gold medals at the 1968 Winter Olympics. He later starred in the action-skiing film Snow Job (1972), and made guest appearances on TV shows. Killy also found success in endorsements for companies like American Express and United Airlines.
Mark Breland
Mark Breland won gold in boxing at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He later played Tom Pearce in the military drama The Lords of Discipline (1983), earning critical acclaim for his performance. Breland also became a boxing trainer and mentor, working with top fighters like Deontay Wilder.
Glenn Morris and Eleanor Holm
Both Olympic medalists, Glenn Morris and Eleanor Holm, appeared together in Tarzan’s Revenge (1938). Morris, who won gold in the decathlon at the 1936 Olympics, had a brief movie career afterward. Holm, a gold medal swimmer, gave up acting after that film. Critics panned their performances, calling them “listless” and “disengaged,” and both athletes left Hollywood shortly thereafter.
Final Thoughts
These athletes show that Olympic glory can lead to opportunities far beyond the field or pool. Some transitioned successfully into film and television, while others found only brief stints in the spotlight. Either way, their stories highlight the versatility and ambition of champions who reached for more after winning gold.