8 Actors You Didn't Know Were Wrestlers

6. Alex Karras

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Warner Bros./Wrestling Revue Archives

Before he was giving it his best stab as the sudden guardian of orphan Webster Long or fumbling his attempt to assassinate Sheriff Bart in Mel Brooks' comedy classic Blazing Saddles, actor Alex Karras was an accomplished sportsman. A 10th draft pick for the Detroit Lions, Karras became a four time Pro Bowl player during an NFL tenure which lasted from 1958 to 1970.

During his rookie year, Karras turned his considerable talent to pro-wrestling during the off-season, earning himself a nice little bonus before his football career really took off.

He didn't accomplish much in the squared circle, but one particular angle opposite Dick the Bruiser ignited interest. Industry apocrypha told how the two had got into a legitimate bar-room brawl, and the only way to settle it was in the ring. In reality, Karras was sidelined from the gridiron after a cheeky bet too many, and saw the worked shoot as a good way to fill the time - and his wallet. It did both.

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Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.