10 Actors Who Had INSANE Careers Before Movies
6. Wyatt Russell Played Professional Ice Hockey In Europe
You'd be forgiven for thinking that with Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn for parents, Wyatt Russell could have waltzed into an acting career anytime he wanted. As it happens, Russell has carved out a successful career for himself on screens both big and little, but despite being a child actor, he initially pursued his dream elsewhere.
Long before playing the most hated character in the MCU, the actor played professional ice hockey in Europe. After a successful college playing career, Russell signed with German team EHC Timmendorfer Strand 06 and played in four games, before moving over to Dutch side Pecoma Grizzlies Groningen in 2009, where he featured in 13 games, before having to retire due to injury.
Like Jason Statham, who brought some of his diving skills to his acting life on the set of The Meg, Wyatt Russell has starred in two separate films as a hockey player, first in This is 40, then Goon: The Last of the Enforcers.
In spite of giving up his hockey career many years earlier, Wyatt Russell was invited onto the ice for the NHL's 2022 All-Star Skills Challenge, where played in goal against the league's elite, and at least got to live out his dream in some, small way.