Britney Spears – Basketball

Who would have thought that Princess of Pop Britney Spears could also rock and shine on the basketball court? Her singing stardom might have started in high school, but it was also at that time that she sparked an interest in basketball. During her stay at Parklane Academy, she was appointed as the point guard of the school's basketball team.

However, her star was destined to shine the brightest as a singer. Spears is considered a pop icon after reviving the teen pop genre in the '90s and selling over 150 million records worldwide. Rolling Stone acclaimed her classic "...Baby One More Time" as the greatest debut single in history.

Geena Davis – Archery

Geena Davis has proved she is in a league of her own, having garnered numerous awards for her work on and off the screen. Her most successful projects are "The Fly," "Beetlejuice," and "Grey's Anatomy." She has played roles of all sorts throughout her career, ranging from a doctor, baseball catcher, and pirate.

However, her most outstanding athletic achievement came in real life, as she ranked the 13th overall best archer in the United States. In 1999, she became one of the 300 women who went into the semifinals to participate in the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. Although she did not qualify, she joined the Sydney International Golden Arrow competition.

Channing Tatum – Football

Before Channing Tatum established himself as one of the top matinee idols today, he had a teenage life similar to many. He attended Tampa Catholic High School, and when he graduated in 1998, he was voted most athletic. This led him to have a football scholarship at Glenville State College in West Virginia.

However, he dropped out and started working different jobs until he was discovered; the rest was history. Tatum had his breakthrough in the dance film "Step Up." He then appeared in some of the most notable films in Hollywood like "21 Jump Street," "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," and "The Lost City."

Tom Cruise – Soccer and Wrestling

Tom Cruise is among the world's most awarded and highest-paid actors, with his films grossing over $10 billion worldwide. People don't know about his fateful past that led him to success. He first played soccer but enjoyed wrestling better during his teenage days.

The wrestling team sidelined him when he suffered a knee injury. This event led him to join their high school production "Guys and Dolls" as the lead actor. It was at that time that Cruise decided to pursue a career in acting and went on to be a Hollywood icon. His highly successful films include "Risky Business" and "Mission: Impossible – Fallout."

Nina Dobrev – Gymnastics

Nina Dobrev is a Canadian actress who rose to prominence as Mia Jones in the series "Degrassi: The Next Generation." She is also remembered for her performances in "The Vampire Diaries," "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," and "Flatliners." Apart from acting, she also reported her passion and experience with sports.

During her student years at Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts in Ontario, Canada, she has tried volleyball, soccer, football, baseball, and basketball. However, her experience in rhythmic and athletic gymnastics stood out most. Dobrev has also extended her expertise by teaming up with soccer teams to support cancer awareness and research.

Jason Sudeikis – Basketball

Jason Sudeikis began his career in comedy as a writer and cast member for "Saturday Night Live." He also made it big in comedy films and series with leading roles in "30 Rock" and "Drinking Buddies," among others. Before establishing a full-time career in the showbiz industry, Sudeikis was once a rising point guard at Kansas.

He attended Fort Scott Community College with a basketball scholarship but left to pursue a career on screen before finishing. He even had experience playing with future NBA stars like Tyronn Lue. However, Sudeikis still relives his passion for the sport on the side, having played at the 2011 and 2016 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

Matthew Fox – Football

Matthew Fox is best known as Charlie Salinger on "Party of Five" and for his award-winning portrayal of Jack Shephard on the drama series "Lost." But another real-life character that most people don't know about is his football career back at college. His tall stance caught the eye of the Columbia team, and he eventually joined them.

After some wins and losses, Fox decided that the sport might not just be for him and pursued a different path. Guess everything just led him to where he's destined to be. His acting performances have earned him numerous Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy nominations.

Renée Zellweger – Cheerleading

Renée Zellweger rose to prominence with "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation," leading her to acquire starring roles in major productions such as "Nurse Betty," "Bridget Jones's Diary," and "The Thing About Pam." She was also named among the world's highest-paid actresses in 2007.s

While promoting her stints, Zellweger showed off her hidden yet special cheerleading skills on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." She revealed that while attending Katy High School back then, she tried cheerleading, gymnastics, and debating. When Fallon asked her to relive some seventh-grade routine, she didn't hesitate to remove her stilettos, sang a chant, and did an impressive high kick.

Kate Hudson – Soccer

Hollywood wouldn't have Kate Hudson today if she had pursued her career in soccer. As noted by Teen Buzz, she grew up in an active family that loves athletics. Her mom was a dancer, her dad was a baseball player, her brother was a hockey player, and she completed the picture as a soccer player.

However, destiny had its plans, leading her to a highly successful acting career. After a series of supporting roles, she gained international recognition for "Almost Famous," earning her a Golden Globe and Oscar nominations. Her career progressed with starring roles in "Alex & Emma," "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days," and "Glee."

Emma Watson – Field Hockey

We have seen Emma Watson grow up gracefully onscreen. Starting as a child actress and rising to stardom for the "Harry Potter" film series, she also managed to attend a school like an ordinary student. She played hockey for Rover Oxford while growing up. In 2010, she joined the Brown University field hockey team.

However, Watson focused more on acting as time progressed. Forbes ranked her as one of the world's highest-paid actresses, which is unsurprising. She has starred in some of the highest-grossing and critically acclaimed films worldwide, namely "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Little Women."

Jamie Foxx – Basketball and Football

Jamie Foxx skyrocketed his career when he joined the comedy show "In Living Color." As the show ended, he starred, co-created, and produced his sitcom "The Jamie Foxx Show," and has become one of the most award-winning comedians.

Apart from acting, Foxx also bears a heart for sports. During his high school years at Terrell High School, he joined the basketball and football teams. He was the first player in their school's history to pass for more than 1,000 yards, and he aimed to play for the Dallas Cowboys. Although it didn't push through, he still played on the side and appeared in the 2018 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.

Amy Adams – Dancing and Track

Before ranking as one of the world's highest-paid actresses, Amy Adams has had a history of how she got here. She attended Douglas County High School, and although she was not academically inclined, she was into arts and sports. She competed in tracks and gymnastics.

Adams told the Hollywood Reporter that she was supposed to pursue her track sport because she could run fast but decided she loved dancing more. As such, her career began as a dancer in dinner theater. She then had appearances in minor projects like "Drop Dead Gorgeous" until her breakthrough came in "Junebug." She established herself as a leading lady with roles in "Enchanted" and "The Fighter."

Matthew McConaughey – Golf

After a series of supporting roles, Matthew McConaughey rose to stardom as a leading man in the drama "A Time to Kill." The peak of his career was subsequent starring roles in romantic comedies like "The Wedding Planner" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days." His most critically and commercially successful films include "Interstellar" and "Sing."

When he is not grinding onscreen, McConaughey tries to spend time with one of his long-running passions, golf. He has appeared in celebrity golf events and told Golf Digest that he had made an impressive four hole-in-ones. His name regularly appears on the list of Hollywood's top 100 golfers.

Chris Pratt – Wrestling

Chris Pratt might be known to many as Star Lord in Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Avengers" film series, yet he has been a mainstay in the industry for a while before that. He is also remembered for "Parks and Recreation," "Jurassic World," and "Passengers."

Another thing that people don't know about him is that he had some experience in the wrestling ring. He wrestled in high school at Lake Stevens in Washington and placed fifth in a wrestling tournament. Outside of sports, he also earned a high-grade GPA and was famous for being the class clown. Pratt still uses wrestling as part of his workout.

Tommy Lee Jones – Football

Tommy Lee Jones is best known for starring in "Lonesome Dove" and the "Men in Black" film series. Apart from acting, he also lent his expertise in directing and is the man behind the classics "The Good Old Boys," "The Homesman," and "The Sunset Limited." A big part of his excellence is his experience at Harvard University.

However, Lee Jones is not just about the brains; he got the brawn too! He was an offensive guard or lineman member of Harvard's undefeated 1968 football team. He was part of the history of the 1968 game, which featured an iconic last-minute Harvard 16-point comeback, tying Yale.

Jason Statham – Swimming

Before becoming one of today's most bankable stars, Jason Statham also established success as an athlete. He practiced Chinese martial arts, kickboxing, and karate, yet his swimming career shone most. He was a member of Britain's national diving team and competed for England during the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

He also competed in the 1988 Olympic Games and the 1992 Barcelona Olympiad. While doing these events, he was asked to model for Tommy Hilfiger and Levi's, which launched his appearances in the crime films "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch." Garnering over $1 billion in ticket sales, Statham has starred in the highly successful "The Mechanic" and the "Fast & Furious" film series.

Charlie Sheen – Baseball

Charlie Sheen is best known for his acting stints in "Wall Street," "The Three Musketeers," and "The Arrival." His most-awarded performance is as Charlie Crawford in "Spin City" and Charlie Harper in "Two and a Half Men." The latter earned him $1.8 million per episode, making him the highest-paid television actor in 2010.

Before starring in these projects, Sheen had attended Santa Monica High School in California with fellow stars Rob Lowe and Robert Downey Jr. He spent high school as a baseball team member, lending his skills as a star pitcher. However, he sustained his interest in acting through the years.

Ellen DeGeneres – Tennis

Ellen DeGeneres established herself as one of the most prominent comedians, hosts, actresses, writers, and producers in the United States. She has been hosting "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" since 2003, which earned her 33 Daytime Emmy Awards.

Among her long list of accolades is the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Carol Burnett Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Having interviewed artists and celebrities of all kinds, DeGeneres also frequently shares about her personal life. One of such is her love for tennis. She even occasionally appeared during celebrity tournaments and tried to put on a match between Naomi Osaka and Michael B. Jordan.

Justin Timberlake – Golf

Justin Timberlake rose to stardom as a member of the best-selling boyband, NSYNC. When he indulged in a solo career, he received similar success and has garnered over 88 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists. He also tried acting and appeared in "The Social Network" and "In Time."

With his brilliant career, Timberlake admitted that there aren't many places where he feels he's not being watched. However, the golf course has become one of his havens where he enjoys being alone. Timberlake has been playing golf since he was 12. In 2007, he developed the eco-friendly Mirimichi Golf Course in Tennessee.

Ryan Seacrest – Football

Behind Ryan Seacrest's award-winning producing and hosting skills are impressive football abilities. During his high school stay at Dunwoody High School in the early '90s, he played football as a defensive back. It turned out he could not just play but was good at what he did.

UCF coach David Kelly told ESPN's Bruce Feldman that Seacrest was aggressive and determined to win every time he set foot on the field. This character might have significantly contributed to his media career too. He is best known for hosting "Live with Kelly and Ryan" and "American Idol," the latter earning him an Emmy nomination.

Tom Selleck – Basketball

Tom Selleck is remembered for his glorious mustache and tall height, and apart from using it in his acting stints, these also served as an advantage as a basketball player. He attended the University of Southern California with a basketball scholarship, playing for the USC Trojans.

While earning a degree in Business Administration, a drama teacher suggested he try acting. As such, he dropped out of the university and studied acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. The decision changed his life as he turned out to be among the most awarded actors, with projects "Magnum, P.I.," "Blue Bloods," and "Three Men and a Baby."

Mark Harmon – Football

Mark Harmon is the son of broadcaster and football player Tom Harmon. It wasn't a surprise when he also maintained a remarkable football career. He received offers from major college football programs, namely UCLA and Oklahoma. Harmon chose UCLA and served as the school's quarterback for two years.

During his senior year, Mark received the National Football Foundation Award for All-Round Excellence. His football career might have paused from there, but he found more success as an actor. He is best remembered for his acting performances in "NCIS," "St. Elsewhere," and "The West Wing," with the latter earning him an Emmy nomination.

Elsa Hosk – Basketball

Elsa Hosk pursued her love for basketball and modeling simultaneously. She began modeling in high school, and after graduating, she joined the Swedish women's basketball league while still doing modeling stints on the side. After two years, she pursued modeling full-time and moved to New York.

Although she bid farewell to the court, Hosk mentioned to Fashionista that the intense basketball practices helped her prepare for the physical demands of the modeling world. Hosk has worked for major brands, including Dior, Guess, and Dolce & Gabbana. She is also a former Victoria's Secret Angel, having appeared in the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show for eight years.

Joel McHale – Football

Joel McHale made a name for himself as an actor, comedian, producer, screenwriter, and host. However, what most people don't know much about is his football career during his college years. He was initially recruited to be part of the University of Washington's rowing team but ended up joining the football team.

He didn't have much chance to play professionally, but shifting to a television career turned out to be his destiny. McHale is best known for hosting "The Soup" and his acting performances in "Spider-Man 2" and "Ted." Although he doesn't talk much about his history in the sport, he admitted he is a fan of the Seattle Seahawks football team.

Jane Lynch – Softball and Basketball

Jane Lynch is best known for her starring role as Sue Sylvester in the hit musical series "Glee." Her performance landed a Primetime Emmy Award. She has also appeared in both mainstream and critically acclaimed films. This includes "A Mighty Wind," "Two and a Half Men," and "The 40-Year-Old- Virgin."

Lynch shares tidbits of her life and admits she is a proud Cubs fan. It turned out that she also played some sports herself. She told Newnownext that she was once an athlete, having played softball and basketball in high school. Though she also revealed that she didn't love basketball as much as she was only recruited because she's tall.

Sheryl Crow – Track and Field

Sheryl Crow is the singer-songwriter behind hit classics "All I Wanna Do," "Everyday Is a Winding Road," and "If It Makes You Happy," among others. Her presence in the music industry is widely recognized for incorporating rock, pop, country, folk, and blues elements.

Before hitting waves in the industry, Crow flourished as an athlete during her student years. She was a majorette and an all-state track athlete at Kennett High School, medaling in the 75-meter low hurdles. Although it didn't push through, she still runs for charities nowadays. Crow also acted in numerous television series, including "30 Rock" and "One Tree Hill."

Uzo Aduba – Track and Field

Uzo Aduba skyrocketed her career when she portrayed Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren in the Netflix original series "Orange Is the New Black." Her performance earned her two Emmy Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, making herself one of the only two actors to win an Emmy Award in comedy and drama categories.

Before stardom, Aduba also had a great student time at Boston University. Having grown up in a family that likes sports, she went to Boston University on a track scholarship. At the same time, she also attended opera lessons which sparked her passion for performing. She shared that playing sports prepared her for the demands of show business.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson – Football

There's no denying that Dwayne Johnson is among those artists who excelled in whatever he indulges himself in. His nickname "The Rock" was from his iconic stance as a former professional wrestler, a legacy he continued to carry as an actor. Others might not know that he also tried pursuing a career in football.

He has played defensive linemen for the University of Miami and won a national championship. However, it didn't push through as he went undrafted in 1995 and was cut from Canadian Football League in his first season. Despite that, Johnson became one of the greatest professional wrestlers and among the highest-grossing actors in history.

George Clooney – Baseball

George Clooney might be one of the biggest names in Hollywood today, but he also had his humble beginning before stardom. He attended Augusta High School and told Esquire that he earned good grades and enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. He wanted to be a professional baseball player and tried out for the Cincinnati Reds.

Although it did not push through, it only served as a sign that he was meant for other and more significant pursuits. He first had his breakthrough in "ER" and "From Dusk till Dawn." Apart from acting, he is also the director behind commercially and critically successful films "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and "Leatherheads."

Terry Crews – Football

Before gracing television screens, Terry Crews once flourished in the world of football. He served as a defensive end and linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins in the National Football League. He started in 1991 until 1997 when he pursued acting.

It turned out to be a great move as he rose to stardom for his appearances in "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." He also hosted the popular game shows "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "America's Got Talent." Crews mentioned with ReelTalks that football bears similar structure and expectations as acting, which helped him transition early in his acting career.

Jon Stewart – Soccer

Jon Stewart's hard work is reflected in the many years of his onscreen career. When he joined "The Daily Show," he helped it acquire commercial and critical success. During his time at the program, it earned 22 Primetime Emmy and two Grammy Awards. He also received the 2022 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

It turned out that this hard work can be traced back to his college days. While attending William & Mary, he played as the winger on the men's soccer team. As noted by Wayback Machine, his former head coach stated that Stewart was aggressive, quick, and could make things happen in a team.

Forest Whitaker – Football

Before gaining awards for his contribution to film and television, Whitaker first collected experience as a football player during his student years. He played at the Palisades Charter High School and entered California State Polytechnic University on a football scholarship.

A back injury pushed him to change his major to music and eventually to drama. He later moved to the University of Southern California and pursued a career in acting. Destiny had the stars in the right places, and Whitaker is now considered one of the most awarded actors in Hollywood. His most successful films include "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "The Last King of Scotland."

2 Chainz – Basketball

2 Chainz first rose to mainstream media as the better half of the hip hop duo Playaz Circle. As a duo, their most successful single was "Duffle Bag Boy," featuring Lil Wayne. When he ventured into a solo career in 2012, he found success with singles "No Lie," "Birthday Song," and "I'm Different."

Others might not know that 2 Chainz was also good at shooting hoops outside the music scene. During his stay at North Clayton High School, he played basketball and later entered Alabama State University on a scholarship. He played for the team from 1995 to 1997 and timed in 24 out of 29 games.

Ed O'Neill – Football

Ed O'Neill first entered football at Ursuline High School while also working. He was then given a football scholarship at Ohio University and admitted to Inside the Actors Studio that he spent more time playing sports and going out than studying. He transferred to Youngstown State University and served as a defensive lineman.

After his time at Youngstown, he was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers but didn't make it further. At this time, he tried various jobs until he landed onscreen. His roles in "Married... with Children" and "Modern Family" earned him numerous Golden Globes, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

Burt Reynolds – Football

Burt Reynolds worked himself to the top and is now considered an American famous cultural icon. Before stardom, he went to Florida State University on a football scholarship and served as the football team's halfback. His first year ran smoothly, but a knee injury cut off his games during his sophomore year.

He tried rejoining again, but his injury slowed him down, and he decided it was an endgame for sports. That only served as a detour, as he also sparked interest in acting while joining school plays. After a series of minor roles, Reynolds led the box office hits "The Longest Yard" and "The Cannonball Run."

Kate Middleton – Field Hockey

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, became part of the royal family when she wedded Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in 2011. Before getting busy with royal duties, she indulged herself in retail and marketing jobs. She also liked doing charity work even after she became a duchess.

Apart from these things, Middleton has been proud to show off her history and skills with field hockey. It all started during her stay at St Andrew's School, where she was a field hockey team member. While boarding at Marlborough College, she served as the women's field hockey team captain. She also joined England's Olympic team practice for the London Olympics in 2012.

Avril Lavigne – Hockey

One of Avril Lavigne's greatest hits that introduced her to stardom was "Sk8er Boi," and many might not know that she was a skater girl herself. In an interview with ESPN, she revealed that her father had her on ice skates in the backyard when she was just two years old.

She played the right-winger for the boys' hockey league during high school and was an MVP awardee twice. At age 16, Lavigne had to shelf her skates after signing a recording contract. She became the "Pop Punk Queen" and released highly successful albums. However, she also admitted bringing her skates on tour to play street hockey.

Gwen Stefani – Swimming

Gwen Stefani first rose to prominence as the songwriter and lead vocalist of the band No Doubt. They produced the songs "Just a Girl" and "Spiderwebs." While on a hiatus, she embarked on a solo career and received similar success with her record-breaking singles "What You Waiting For?" and "Cool."

Apart from her voice, Stefani is also commended for her style and beauty. Her stunning physique could also be attributed to her stint on the swimming team at Loara High School in California. According to Ocaquatics, it is believed that she still swims regularly as part of her workout routine.

Denzel Washington – Basketball

Denzel Washington is named by The New York Times as the most outstanding actor of the 21st century and is often credited for re-configuring the concept of classic movie stardom. During his peak as a leading man in the '90s, he has starred in blockbuster films "Malcolm X" and "Much Ado About Nothing."

Washington is also remembered for starring in the sports drama film "He Got Game." It turned out that he was not a new recipient to the basketball scene. While earning a degree in drama and journalism at Fordham University, he served as the guard for the collegiate basketball team under NBA coach P.J. Carlesimo.

Hugh Jackman – Rugby

Hugh Jackman is almost synonymous with his iconic role as Wolverine in the "X-Men" film series. The part landed him the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a live-action Marvel character until 2021. He also participated in other major productions, "Les Misérables" and "The Greatest Showman."

Apart from maintaining a figure onscreen, Jackman has also been vocal in his support and interest in the sport. During his high school years, he played rugby union, cricket, basketball, kayaking, and was a swimming team member. Although he focused more on films, he admitted he is a long-time fan and supporter of the National Rugby League club Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Josh Duhamel – Football

 

Josh Duhamel tried his luck in modeling first, but it seemed he found more success as an actor. He made it to hit shows "All My Children" and "Las Vegas." Later on, he was a regular face onscreen and remembered for the "Transformers" film series "Life as We Know It" and "Love, Simon."

Before gracing the acting scene, Duhamel also had humble beginnings and attended Minot State University in North Dakota, where he served as the backup quarterback for the football team. His two seasons received a 50% completion rate. After college, he received modeling stints until he was recruited for acting appearances; the rest was history.

Steve Carell – Ice Hockey

Fans of Steve Carell probably know that he is a huge hockey fan, but it's not just that as he was an ice hockey player growing up. He played ice hockey and lacrosse in high school. While attending Denison University, he was a goalie on the school's Big Red hockey team and a Burpee's Seedy Theatrical Company member.

Carell shared with ESPN that he had to decide whether to pursue a serious career in the sport or consider it a hobby. While he also aspired to play professional hockey, fate pulled him to acting. He is best known for "The Office" and was named "America's Funniest Man."

Phil Robertson – Football

Before establishing himself as one of the most prominent professional hunter, businessman, and reality television stars, Phil Robertson was once a star on the football field. Starting in high school, he was doing well in football, baseball, and track. He was then given a football scholarship to attend Louisiana Tech University.

Everyone saw his potential in professional football, but Robertson was more interested in hunting. As ESPN noted, he loved hunting more than playing and would like to pursue it as his source of living. The decision turned out well as he starred in the series "Duck Dynasty" and appeared in "Duck Commander."

Gigi Hadid – Volleyball

It looks like supermodel Gigi Hadid is not just a beauty on runways; she also knows her way inside sports, specifically the volleyball court. She was the captain of Malibu High School's varsity volleyball team. Shortly after she finished high school, she moved to New York to pursue a modeling career.

Hadid told W that she wanted to be a volleyball player and considered it for college, but she chose to gamble in New York because she also wanted to be a model. Soon after she went on various auditions, she landed her first Tom Ford campaign, launching her career. Hadid went on to become one of the highest-paid supermodels.

Will Ferrell – Soccer

When we think of Will Ferrell today, we remember his lines and performances in several comedic art pieces. He rose to stardom by joining "Saturday Night Live" and then went on to star in comedy films including "Elf," "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," and "Kicking & Screaming."

Apart from thriving in his showbiz career, he keeps himself busy as the part-owner of Los Angeles FC, an American professional soccer team. It turned out that Ferrell's passion for soccer goes way back to his high school days. He served as the kicker for the varsity football team at his University High School in Irvine.