LeBron James and Other Sports Stars Who've Gone Hollywood

This past weekend, the three-time NBA champion agreed to a four-year $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers once again

By Corinne Heller Jul 04, 2018 9:55 PMTags
LeBron James Theo Wargo/NBC/Getty Images for 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

This past weekend, LeBron James agreed to a four-year $154 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers once again.

The three-time NBA champion was originally signed by the latter team in 2003 and left Ohio, his home state, in 2010 to join the Miami Heat. He returned to Cleveland after helping the Heat win two NBA Finals, in 2012 and 2013.

Naturally, LeBron received a warm welcome to L.A. on social media from fans, including celebs.

He is no stranger to Los Angeles and to the Hollywood lifestyle. LeBron owns not one but two multi-million dollar mansions in the prestigious, celebrity-favorite Brentwood neighborhood. He has even already had small parts in TV shows and films, such as Trainwreck, produced his own documentaries and other shows and is expected to star in Space Jam 2. He should have no problem adapting to his new glamorous celebrity life.

LeBron James

King James has been hobnobbing with Hollywood's elite for years and has also been a resident of Los Angeles for years—in 2017, while still a Cleveland Cavalier, he bought a second mansion in Brentwood. Now an official Laker, LeBron should feel right at home.

Jason Statham

Before he was starring in basically every action movie you can think so, the actor and husband of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was a member of Britain's National Diving Squad and took part in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

Tom Brady

The New England Patriots quarterback gets to attend the most elite celebrity events, mostly thanks to his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen.

Dwayne Johnson

Not only is WWE's The Rock a Hollywood star, he is one of the highest-paid actors in the world.

O.J. Simpson

The former NFL star, a California native and USC alum, was building an acting career, with roles in films such as the Naked Gun trilogy and the mini-series Roots, before he retired from professional football. It was derailed with his 1995 murder trial over the killing of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, of which he was acquitted. He is currently out on parole after serving nine years for a botched armed robbery in Las Vegas.

John Cena

The WWE star is building his Hollywood acting resume, with roles in comedy films such as Trainwreck and Blockers.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Before he was the Terminator, and the Governor of California, he was a bodybuilder and Mr. Olympia. 

Serena Williams

The tennis champion has celebrities fangirling over her! Also, she's BFFs with Meghan Markle now. Serena - 1, Hollywood - 0.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

"Wait a minute. I know you. You're Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. You played basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers. Then you were in Airplane! This year, you were on Dancing With the Stars. I've seen you dance! I think you're the greatest, but my dad says you don't work hard enough on the Quickstep."

Jason Lee

Did you know the Mallrats and My Name Is Earl star used to be a professional skateboarder?

Russell Wilson

The Seattle Seahawks quarterback is certainly living up the Hollywood lifestyle, thanks to wife Ciara.

Brookls Laich

Julianne Hough's husband and Washington Capitals center has gotten used to the red carpet life thanks to his glamorous wife.

Ronda Rousey

The UFC fighter-turned-WWE star had had small parts in films such as The Expendables 3, Entourage and Furious 7.

Check out other athletes who have gone Hollywood, including some who became successful actors.

The list includes Arnold SchwarzeneggerDwayne Johnson and John Cena.