Jim Brown Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jim Brown was a Hollywood star as much as an NFL star

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 5/19/23

Cleveland Browns legend Jim Brown died on Friday at the age of 87, and while he was primarily known for being one of the greatest football players of all time, he also had an extensive Hollywood career as an actor.

Brown was credited with being in at least 50 films during his acting career, with several leading roles.

His most prominent role was in the 1967 war classic "The Dirty Dozen."

Brown starred alongside an all-star class that included Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine and Donald Sutherland.

Brown played the role of Robert Jefferson, one of 12 convicts who were sent to World War II Germany to assassinate German officers meeting at a castle.

Production for the movie cut into Browns training camp for the 1966 season, a development that resulted in team owner Art Modell threatening to fine him $1,500 per week. Brown, who already decided to retire following the 1966 season, responded by simply retiring a year early.

Brown had a chance to show off his athleticism in one of the movie's most famous scenes.

Brown was also cast in several later films as a leading man, including "The Split," "Riot" and "100 Rifles," where he received top billing over Raquel Welch and Burt Reynolds.

Along with his football career that saw him rush for 12,312 yards and 106 touchdowns, he is one of the biggest pop-culture icons of all time.

While much of his life was in the spotlight as a star, there was also a darker side that included an extensive history of domestic violence and sexual assault allegations.

During his college days at Syracuse, Brown was also a decorated lacrosse and track star to go with his football dominance. He is a member of both the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame.

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