Actors/actresses who made the best movie jocks

Boseman has become universally known as Black Panther, but some of his early roles were that of sports figures, including in his first feature film at as young Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in "The Express" (2008). However, Boseman's first breakout role came with his critically acclaimed portrayal of Jackie Robinson in 2013's "42." Not to be overlooked is Boseman's fictional Ohio State linebacker Vontae Mack in "Draft Day."

Baseball has been the sport of choice for Costner when it comes to sports-themed movies. While he technically wasn't an athlete in "Field of Dreams," his Ray Kinsella is certainly a memorable character. He was solid as aging pitcher Billy Chapel in "For Love of the Game," but one of his greatest roles came as Crash Davis in the smash "Bull Durham." Costner's other notable sports roles include a bicyclist ("American Flyers"), a cross-country coach ("McFarland, USA"), NFL general manager ("Draft Day") and, of course, a down-on-his luck golfer ("Tin Cup").

Dunst went from standout child actress to one of the biggest stars in the 1990s and the first part of this century. That included two sports-themed roles. She shined in the lead of the most popular movie about cheerleading with "Bring It On" and solidly tackled the grass court and love in the 2004 rom-com "Wimbledon."

With his motorcycle and cigarettes, Haley's Kelly Leak was the epitome of cool — as far as little leaguers go. At least until the "The Bad News Bears Go to Japan." That being said, it still might be the actor's most recognizable role within that trilogy. Though, his disturbingly entertaining performance in "Little Children" (2006) was his best. But the "Cutters" might not have won the Little 500 without the contribution of Haley's "Moocher" in the 1979 classic "Breaking Away."

In three consecutive years (1993-95), Epps played a hot-shot freshman running back ("The Program"), an unnecessary "Willie Mays" Hayes ("Major League II") and a collegiate track star with bad grades ("Higher Learning"). However, arguably Epps' most acclaimed role came along side Sanaa Lathan as budding hoop stars in 2000's "Love & Basketball."

No one associates the funny man with being athletic, but his stellar comedic approach in his sports-related roles make him worthy of a spot on this list. His three most significant roles under that banner: Jackman-turned-NASCAR star Ricky Bobby ("Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby"), obscene, washed-up figure skater Chazz Michael Michaels ("Blades of Glory") and the bumbling Jackie Moon ("Semi-Pro") are some of Ferrell's best work.

Hackman's Norman Dale from "Hoosiers" is one of the great fictional sports movie characters of all time. So many great lines. Of course, Hackman received much less fanfare for his role as Jimmy McGinty in the "The Replacements" (2000), another coach with a checkered past trying to guide a rag-tag group of scab football players. So many cheesy lines, yet it's tough to turn away when on TV.

As a basketball player, Harrelson showed us he had game ("White Men Can't Jump") and that he once might have ("Semi-Pro"). In his early acting days, Harrelson was the quarterback-turned-slot back in the Goldie Hawn vehicle "Wildcats." Of course, who can forget his role as has-been pro bowler Roy Munson in "Kingpin."

Hernandez is one of those actors whose name might not roll off the tongue, but his face should be familiar. As far as taking his shot in sports-themed flicks, Hernandez fared well as one of Dennis Quaid's high school baseball players in "The Rookie" (2002) and the talented and smart Brian Chavez from the film version of "Friday Night Lights" (2004).

Before Jordan carried on the "Creed" legacy in the ring for the "Rocky" family of films and then joined the Marvel Universe ("Black Panther"), he was strutting his stuff on the gridiron. Jordan's Vince Howard was a star quarterback and highly touted college prospect on the television version of "Friday Night Lights." However, even before that Jordan showed of his athletic chops as a member of Keanu Reeves' inner-city baseball youth team in "Hardball"(2001).

As "The Karate Kid's" Daniel LaRusso, Macchio is best known for playing one of the most iconic roles of all time — and one that's still making him money. But another sports role that Macchio took on comes as one of the most underrated films of the genre: 2006's hilarious "Beer League," about a group of misfit slow-pitch softball players.

It can be argued that Newman played the role of an athlete or sports figure better than anybody in the history of film. From boxer Rocky Graziano ("Somebody Up There Likes Me") to pool sharks ("The Hustler," "Color of Money") to racers ("Winning," "Cars") and, of course, an over-the-hill hockey player/coach ("Slap Shot" ), Newman was convincing in anything he did. He even competed in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans in the late 1970s.

Perhaps best known as the boy-next-door caddie Danny Noonan from "Caddyshack," O'Keefe's sports roles weren't confined to the links. But one year before the 1980 hit, O'Keefe earned an Oscar nomination for his brilliantly played role of a young basketball player and son of a disciplinarian in "The Great Santini." He also enjoyed success playing a gymnast ("Split Image") and an Atlanta Brave ("The Slugger's Wife").

Always considered one of the more versatile stars in Hollywood, portraying an athlete has never been a problem for Quaid. With his good looks and fit frame, Quaid still looks like an All-American athlete. He even played one in 1988's "Everybody's All-American." Before that Quaid shined as a former high school athlete lost after graduation in the coming-of-age hit "Breaking Away." His other memorable sports roles came as a singer-turned boxer in 1983's "Tough Enough," an aging quarterback in '99's "Any Given Sunday," Syracuse's football coach from "The Express" (2008) and former major league pitcher Jim Morris in "The Rookie," a beloved 2002 hit. 

Interesting note about Reeves' sports roles: He played a former college quarterback in both "Point Break" (1991) and "The Replacements" (2000), and was said to have played at Ohio State in each film. Reeves also had a small role as a junior hockey player in "Youngblood" (1986) and a youth baseball coach in "Hardball" (2001).

Throughout her career, Rodriguez has not had trouble hanging with the boys. Fans of her work found that out in her 2000 debut, "Girlfight," an indie film with Rodriquez's Diana Guzman trying to make it as a boxer. She also taught football players how to surf and trained her best friend in "Blue Crush" (2002).

Another one of the great character actors of all time, Ross has not shied away from sports roles during his lengthy career. While he played an annoying fan and short-term basketball coach in "Hoosiers" and a cocky powerboat mogul in the little-seen "Madison, Ross' two most memorable sports roles probably came as crafty right-hander Eddie Harris in "Major League" and portraying Notre Dame football coach Dan Devine in "Rudy."

Russell was reportedly a decent baseball player growing up, but his two most memorable sports roles came on the football field and the ice. In 1986 Russell starred opposite the late, great Robin Williams as a former high school quarterback reliving his glory days in "The Best of Times ." Then almost 20 years later, he was seemingly spot-on as task-mastering 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks in "Miracle."

Like Will Ferrell, Sandler's sports-themed comedies are not meant to be taken seriously. Though, that does not mean they aren't worth watching — well maybe one, since there was no need to remake "The Longest Yard." But his roles as the etiquette-challenged golfer in "Happy Gilmore" and socially-\ weak football player in "The Waterboy" stand out on Sandler's acting resume.

Consider Snipes a three-sport Hollywood athlete. He made his big-screen debut as a flashy football player in "Wildcats" (1986) — which also starred Woody Harrelson. In 1989, Snipes shined as the original — and one and only — leadoff man "Willie Mays" Hayes in "Major League." Then Snipes and Harrelson joined forces again for the 1992 comedy "White Men Can't Jump."

Perhaps the greatest and most memorable fictional sports character in the history of cinema is Stallone's Rocky Balboa. If Sly didn't make another film outside of the "Rocky" franchise, he'd still be one of the biggest stars on the planet. It's a role that continues to span his acting career, though, we shouldn't forget Stallone's fine work as an underdog arm wrestler in 1987's "Over the Top." Time to turn our hats backward.

Swank won her second Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal as boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" (2004). Swank has shown she is capable of nailing just about any type of role, but we should not forget her breakthrough effort in "The Next Karate Kid" (1994), which gave us an early look at her athletic and physical abilities. 

Sweeney took his turn at bat as the great "Shoeless" Joe Jackson in "Eight Men Out," but his most memorable role still might be that of an injured hockey player who started over as a figure skater in "The Cutting Edge." "Toe pick." But regularly lost in Sweeney's film resume is his role as a street-basketball-loving lawyer in the often forgotten "Heaven Is a Playground" from 1991.

While Wahlberg's supporting role along side Leonardo DiCaprio in 1995's "The Basketball Diaries" was a solid effort, he's probably better known for two other sports roles. Portraying down-on-his-luck South Philly resident Vince Papale in "Invincible," Wahlberg did a fine job. Then he truly shined in another bio-pic as Massachusetts boxer Micky Ward in the acclaimed 2010 gem "The Fighter."

We've already mentioned Apollo Creed's son earlier on this list, so it's only fitting that we end with the man himself. Weathers' role as Rocky Balboa's rival then best friend is one of the most iconic parts in film history. A former NFL player, Weathers chiseled frame looked good in the ring, but we also liked his role as the one-handed "Chubbs" in "Happy Gilmore."