6 NFL Stars Who Made the Jump To Acting In the 1980s
A pro football player’s sports career is generally pretty short-lived; if they are lucky, it maybe lasts five years or so, and a few extend it to over a decade. But they are still done early in life, so what to do with one’s remaining years? In the case of some who don’t stay in the game in the capacity of coaching, etc., they turn to broadcasting, or even acting. In the 1980s, a number of ex-NFLers, like Fred Dryer, Merlin Olsen, and more, could be seen on the big and small screens in a variety of roles (interestingly, many of the best-known of them seem to have come from the defensive side of the ball).
1 Dick Butkus
TriStar/Courtesy: Everett Collection
The legendary Chicago Bears linebacker popped up on a number of TV shows in the ’80s, including guest appearances on Magnum, P.I., Night Court and Growing Pains. He had a regular role on My Two Dads from 1987-89.
2 Fred Dryer
Stephen J. Cannell Prod./Courtesy: Everett Collection
The Los Angeles Rams defensive end made an appearance in Super Bowl XIV in 1980 before he turned to acting. In fact, he was an original consideration to play Sam Malone on Cheers before the role went to Ted Danson. Dryer did make a few guest appearances on Cheers as boorish sportscaster Dave Richards before starring in the title role on NBC’s crime drama Hunter from 1984-91.
3 Alex Karras
Paramount Television /Courtesy: Everett Collection
A defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions in the 1950s and ’60s, Karras turned to acting in the ’70s, notably playing Mongo in Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy classic Blazing Saddles. In the ’80s, Karras gained TV fame starring in the sitcom Webster (alongside real-life wife Susan Clark) from 1983-89.
4 John Matuszak
Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection
After retiring from the NFL in 1982, the former defensive end had guest appearances in various TV shows of the time before landing his most famous role as Sloth in the 1985 classic The Goonies (hidden under plenty of special effects makeup).
5 Merlin Olsen
Everett Collection
After retiring from the Los Angeles Rams after 15 seasons as a defensive tackle, Olsen turned to acting. He played the recurring character Jonathan Garvey on Little House on the Prairie from 1977-81, and then played the title character in Father Murphy from 1981-83.
6 Bubba Smith
Warner Bros/courtesy Everett Collection
The tough defensive end proved he had a knack for comedy in his later acting career. He is best remembered as Hightower in several Police Academy films starting in 1984.
Fun Fact: Bubba Smith and Dick Butkus were both in the short-lived 1984 Dana Carvey series Blue Thunder.
Remind 
’80s Where Are They Now
March 2023
Who can forget all the great TV shows, movies and music of the ‘80s? See what your favs are up to now!
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