MTF MTF
Jim Thorpe, one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, plays a nameless prisoner who passes along some bad news to Cody Jarrett in WHITE HEAT (1949)
(There’s a reason Thorpe looks worse for wear in this movie. After his athletic career ended, Thorpe had difficulty holding down a job, eventually becoming a chronic alcoholic. He ran out of money sometime in the early 1950s, and when hospitalized for lip cancer in 1950, he was admitted as a charity case. He died of heart failure in three years later at the age of 64.)
A minor but memorable role for Alex Karras in the western parody BLAZING SADDLES (1974): the very strong and slow-witted thug Mongo, who rode into town on a huge brahman (marked with “yes” and “no” passing signals), knocked out a horse with one punch, and famously responded to a question from Sheriff Bart with, “Don’t know…” (looking straight into the camera) “…Mongo only pawn in game of life.”
He played football with the Detroit Lions in the NFL from 1958–1962 and 1964–1970.
Pittsburgh Steeler QB Terry Bradshaw as himself in SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (1980). The Hall of Famer played 14 seasons with Pittsburgh, won four Super Bowl titles in a six-year period (1975, 1976, 1979, and 1980), becoming the first quarterback to win three and four Super Bowls, and led the Steelers to eight AFC Central championships.
He also appeared in two other Burt Reynolds films: HOOPER & THE CANNONBALL RUN.
Pittsburgh Steeler Defensive Tackle “Mean Joe” Greene as himself in SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (1980). The Hall of Famer’s acting career is best remembered for his 1979/1980 Coca-Cola TV commercial.
New York Jet defensive lineman Joe Klecko as himself in SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II (1980). Klecko has appeared in sveral Burt Reynolds films including the original SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT, THE CANNONBALL RUN and HEAT.
RUDY (1993) is an account of the life of Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles. The actual Rudy Ruettiger can be briefly caught in the stands, in the row behind and just to the left of Ned Beatty at the final game of the 1975 season.
It was the first movie that the Notre Dame administration allowed to be shot on campus since KNUTE ROCKE, ALL AMERICAN (1940).
Miami Dolphin quarterback and future Hall of Famer Dan Marino as himself, being rescued by Jim Carrey after being kidnapped in ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE (1994)
Former Miami Dolphin Defensive End Jeff Cross is getting harassed by snoopy pet detective Jim Carrey in ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE (1994).
Former Miami Dolphin Defensive End Marco Coleman can’t shake Jim Carrey in ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE (1994).
Miami Dolphin Head Coach Don Shula is having trouble mailing a letter in ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE (1994).
Although he was retired from the NFL for 9 years by the time ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE (1994) came out, longtime Miami Dolphin linebacker Kim Bokamper can be spotted sharing a shower with Jim Carrey.
Former Miami Dolphin Center Dwight Stephenson signing autographs in ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE (1994).
By the time ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE came out in 1994, Center Jeff Uhlenhake left the Miami Dolphins for the New Orleans Saints.
Brett Favre (without a cellphone) as himself, Mary′s former love interest in THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY (1998).
Barely recognizable through the rain is Warren Moon in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (1999). Moon is a former American professional gridiron football quarterback who played for the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos and the National Football League’s Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. He is currently a broadcaster for the Seattle Seahawks.
Terrell Owens scores a touchdown in the final playoff game in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (1999). A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens holds or shares several National Football League records, and features in the all-time top-five in several receiving categories, including yards and touchdowns.
Bob St. Clair as the Minnesota Head Coach in the first game in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (1999). St. Clair is a former San Francisco American football player known for fine play and eating raw beef. Because of his eccentricities, his teammates nicknamed him “The Geek”.
Dick Butkus as an opposing coach and Pat Toomay, who wrote the novel for ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (1999).
The great Johnny Unitas as the Knights Head Coach in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (1999). Unitas was a pro American football player in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback, and the National Football League’s most valuable player in 1959, 1964 and 1967. His record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games (between 1956–1960) remains unsurpassed as of 2011.
Y.A. Tittle in some very brief screen time in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (1999). Tittle, is a former football quarterback in the NFL & All-America Football Conference who played for the Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Giants. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.
Terry Crews as the boot camp instructor in BRIDESMAIDS (2011). Crews was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played for seven seasons, including stints with the Rams, San Diego Chargers, the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles.