5) Jessie Ventura
Jessie "The Body" Ventura has had quite the diverse career. Beginning his adult life as a Navy seal, Ventura transitioned into the wrestling world where he became an impressive performer and, eventually, a very distinctive colour-commentator on WWF broadcasts. Ventura's in ring achievements were honoured with a Hall of Fame induction in 2004. However, what perhaps does not get as much recognition is his acting career. Appearing in 80s action staples such as Predator, The Running Man and Demolition Man, Ventura also guest starred in episodes of X-Files and Zorro, while also entering the world of politics as the Governor of Minnesota. Ventura's politics may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there is no denying his in-ring and acting careers are nothing to turn your nose up to and his contributions to the silver screen shouldn't be overlooked.
4) Roddy Piper
Last year, the world lost one of the most of its most charismatic characters when "Rowdy" Roddy Piper passed away after a short battle with illness. Piper was wrestling's ultimate bad guy, headlining the very first Wrestlemania in a battle against Hulk Hogan and Mr T, while also competing in all-time classics against the likes of Bret Hart and Ric Flair. And while his film career may have went under most people's radar (having starred in mostly small independent films) film fans will recognise him for his portrayal of George Nada in John Carpenter's cult classic "They Live". Impressing audiences and critics alike, Piper proves his acumen as a leading man in film and its a shame we never got to see him do more of this type of thing in his career. He will forever live on in the legacy he has left on the wrestling business and in his infamous line "I came here to kick ass and chew bubblegum. And I am all out of bubblegum."
3) Dave Bautista
Batista burst on to the wrestling scene in the early-2000's as a member of Triple H's villainous stable Evolution. Before his departure from WWE at the end of the decade, Batista had become one of the most decorated champions in the company's history. After a brief spell competing in MMA, Bautista (his real name is spelt differently to his wrestling persona) decided to turn his attention to acting. After starring several low budget action films such as The Scorpion King 3 and The Man with the Iron Fist, the man formerly known as "The Animal" began to make his way further up the food-chain by starring alongside Vin Diesel in 2013's "Riddick". Further roles in recent years as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy (a role for which he received massive critical acclaim) and Spectre were to follow, further cementing Bautista as a force to be reckoned with in modern-day Hollywood. His relative freshness to the film industry has left him further on his list but, if his performances thus far are anything to go on, the former World Heavyweight Champion could be in for a very special career indeed.
2) Lenny Montana
Lenny Montana was the real-life enforcer of the Columbo crime family when he was cast as the now-iconic Luca Brasi in Francis Ford Coppola's gangster epic The Godfather. Montana's first ever cinematic role, he gave a performance that was as innocent as it was intimidating, and after his turn as the Corleone family member he appeared in many more film productions (such as Matilda) while also making time to appear on many TV shows (such as Magnum PI). However, what many people don't know is that he is a former NWA Central States Heavyweight Champion, competing under the moniker of the "Zebra Kid". Go figure. Is it too cheesy to say he left his openings sleeping with the fishes? Anyhow, Montana's legacy as one of the most iconic big men in cinema history will live on forever, and that is what sees him so far up this list.
1) Dwayne Johnstone
Can you smell what The Rock is cooking? If you were a wrestling fan in the 90s, you best believe that you could. The Rock was the reason wrestling went through a boom-period in the late 90's/early 2000's, with his long list of catchphrases and undeniable charisma making him one of the hottest properties in entertainment. When he made the switch from sports-entertainment to the film industry, Johnstone brought that magic with him. Johnstone began starring in movies such as The Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King. As the noughties continued, Rocky paid his dues starring in more family friendly flicks. In saying this it wasn't until the dawning of the new decade that Johnstone truly cemented his cinematic legacy as one of the greatest action stars of the modern era, starring in blockbusters such as GI Joe: Retaliation, Hercules and San Andreas, as well as reinvigorating the Fast and Furious franchise. Dwayne Johnstone is the highest grossing actor of the modern era and a true box-office draw, and it is without question that "The Great One" would top this list.
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