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FROM NO TO GO - THE CAREER PATH OF AN ACTION STAR

Arnold Schwarzenegger Once upon a time, an actor's career path was a pretty straightforward journey to follow. First, an actor would need to learn about their chosen profession in either an acting school or a drama class. Then they would have to get some experience performing on the stage, on the streets, or on the TV. And finally, if they're lucky enough, a studio would spot them and they'd get to play with the big boys on the silver screen, or green screen, depending on the breaks. That said, however, this formulaic approach isn't always the case for some actors.





Recently Kevin Hart has managed to make the transition from stand-up comic to wannabe-actor, care of the Warner Bros produced buddy-comedy, Central Intelligence. Inadvertently this shows us that, yes, some actors can make the change regardless of their original origins. Here, check out the following list to see some other actors who also made the transitional acting-cut.


Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson


While I'm on the subject of Central Intelligence, co-starring with Hart on this film is none other than the all round big screen titan, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Dwayne, as some people often call him, started out his career as a WWE wrestler, having previously played American Football to national championship level. From 1996 to 2004 he was a major figure on the WWE circuit, doing so while overlapping his sporting career with his film career, most notably by making his feature film debut in The Mummy Returns (2001). Other roles he then added to the list include Be Cool (2005), Get Smart (2008), and Race To Witch Mountain (2009), before Johnson got his big break in Fast & Furious 5 (2011). Since then he has been unstoppable, starring in the likes of Empire State (2013), San Andreas (2015), and with the likes of Baywatch and Jumanji on the horizon, it looks like the Johnson juggernaut has no signs of slowing down.


Arnold Schwarzenegger



Austrian born Arnold Schwarzenegger first became known in Hollywood for flexing his biceps and becoming the best bodybuilder of all time; winning Mister Universe at the age of 20 and Mister Olympia seven times. Not content with his weightlifting prowess alone, our ‘Arnie’ then turned his attention to the big screen; earning his first major role in the John Milius 1982 sword and sandals epic, Conan The Barbarian, which was followed two years later with James Cameron’s sci-fi classic, The Terminator -- one of his most iconic roles. Arnie re-prized the same role again in 1991, 2003, and 2015s reboot, giving moviegoers one of the most quoted lines ever quoted; “I’ll be back”. While it has been said that Arnie is the ultimate action hero, he is also something of a career chameleon as well, and in 2003 he became the 38th Governor of California; serving for two terms until 2011. His next trick? Arnie will host and lead the weekly sackings on the US TV show, 'The Celebrity Apprentice', taking over from Donald Trump.


Harrison Ford



Do you know what Han Solo and Jesus Christ both have in common? No. It doesn't have anything to do with them hanging out with Chewbacca, silly. As a matter of fact, both men started off their respective careers as a carpenter. Although, in Han's case (or should that be Harrison's?), making film props for George Lucas gave him his first big break into show business, what with George hiring him for a small role in the 1973 road movie, American Graffiti, and following that, got him to star in something to do with stars going to war. No. I'm not referring to the Indiana Jones series of films. That was the third franchise Lucas got him involved with. Anyway, whatever it was called, you might like to know that Ford, unlike Jesus, is also a qualified pilot and has a collection of planes based in Santa Monica. Amen.





Unlike the other stars on our list, Mickey Rourke -- real name Philip Andre Rourke Junior -- started off as an actor in the early 1980s, with roles in films such as the Charles Bukowski biopic, Barfly, as well as the Michael Cimino not-so-classic, Heaven's Gate. Then, in 1991, Rourke turned his back on acting by becoming a full-time professional boxer. Don't worry though. Three years later the ring thankfully pushed Rourke back into his first love again, acting, and since then he's worked on such great films as Sin City (2005), and The Wrestler (2008), the latter of which earned him numerous accolades, including a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and an Oscar nomination. Rourke is also a passionate dog lover; having owned numerous Chihuahuas. So much so, in fact, that in his 2009 Golden Globes acceptance speech Rourke attributed his success to his four-legged friends.


Jason Statham


Now most people know that Jason Statham was one of the actors who starred in, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrel's (1998), The Transporter trilogy (2002 to 2008), and, of course, The Fast & Furious franchise. Yet, a lesser known fact is that this Derbyshire-born actor started out as a footballer and a diver, being introduced to the former through his old friend, Vinnie Jones. His dedication and prowess for diving grew, and grew, and grew, earning him a place on GB’s National Diving Squad for 12 years and a spot at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. Statham’s diving-honed physique then caught the eye of fashion brand, The French Connection, whom Statham went on to model for before starting his hugely successful movie career.

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE IS AVAILABLE ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD NOW, AND ON BLU-RAY AND DVD FROM THE 24TH OF OCTOBER, 2016

FROM NO TO GO - THE CAREER PATH OF AN ACTION STAR FROM NO TO GO - THE CAREER PATH OF AN ACTION STAR Reviewed by David Andrews on November 22, 2016 Rating: 5

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