The 10 Athletes Who Should Take Up Acting

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We all know that jocks, rock stars, and movie celebrities all want each others' jobs.

It's understandable, however, since the three "professions" get the fame, the notoriety, the beautiful women, the cars, and the ginormous mansions.

As tall as they may be, athletes still want to see their names up on movie billboards, looking to make strides in the realm of Tinseltown.

This is why this list looks at 10 of the most attractive or charismatic athletes who should take the theater or the studio into serious consideration—before or after retirement.

Get your popcorn ready!

10. Venus & Serena Williams

These siblings, originally from Compton, California, are a smash hit on the court, in fashion, and in other endeavors.

They win tournaments mostly by day and moonlight as designers and endorsement magnets by night.

Can someone please sign them up for a romcom, action-hero, or animated role, please?

Stat!

9. Jason Taylor

He thrilled the fans in Miami, and after a few recent hiccups on the field, the defensive end will surely be embraced under the big lights of New York.

His second place spot in Dancing with the Stars will allow him to be pegged for a musical or dance project.

But Jason's lean 6'6" frame can easily place him in action/hero, dramatic, or spy thriller genres as well.

8. Kobe Bryant

The man has lived overseas. He speaks fluent Italian. He has escaped the depths of scandal and resurfaced as a hero years later.

While some may fully disregard him, and others peg him as a vile, seedy character, he triumphs under insurmountable odds again and again.

He's a shoe-in to be in an action, thriller, suspense, drama, action-hero, or sports-related movie.

Batman, anyone?

James Bond, perhaps?

7. Chad Ochocinco

The uber-popular Cincinnati Bengals wideout can dance and has been a hit in commercials for such companies as Fat Head and Reebok.

He's also gone viral on Twitter and YouTube.

I'd say romcom (romantic comedy), comedy (Rush Hour 4? Chile, please!), and even musicals (he'd be great in Singin' in the Rain with former Dancing with the Stars partner Cheryl Burke) are in the stars for him.

6. Derek Jeter & Alex Rodriguez

They're both starring in the Bronx and have opposite personalities, which seems to work for the reigning World Series champs.

So it wouldn't be far fetched to imagine them paired sometime soon on Broadway in another version of the Neil Simon play The Odd Couple, with Jeter as Felix Ungar and A-Rod as Oscar Madison.

They could even take their shtick to Hollywood in other cinematic/TV roles once they hang up their cleats.

5. Christiano Ronaldo

Here's the world's richest soccer/football star who seems unfazed by not winning the world's biggest prize (the World Cup) for his country.

Yet when the ladies' man always lands as the big catch for some of the hottest women on this earth (Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian to name a few), who can blame him?

Mr. Ronaldo should be seen cavorting with the ladies on reality TV series such as The Bachelor: The Portuguese Edition or on the big screen as a versatile, modern-day heartthrob like Johnny Depp.

Pirates of the Iberian, anyone?

4. LeBron James

He's the master of disguise.

He seems faithful at first, then bolts on loved ones just when they think he's loyal and devoted to them.

Suddenly, he bolts from one spot and lands on another, miles away.

LeBron could surely play off of these skills in either an espionage or action hero flick. Mystery, horror, and anime roles are applicable, too.

We are all witnesses—to the next blockbuster—at a theater near you!

3. Maria Sharapova

From Russia, the beautiful tennis champ left her homeland during a radioactive disaster in 1986.

She has daring looks, makes people laugh with her Canon camera commercials, and plays a mean game, having won two Grand Slam titles.

Can somebody tell me if she's not the perfect lovely lady to play opposite Angelina Jolie in the (potential) sequel, SALT II?

Maria is bound to play in action (X-Men, Watchmen), spy, and suspense thrillers.

2. Peyton Manning

Tall, burly pro football guys have been successful in their transition from the gridiron to the big and small screen.

Alex Karras and Merlin Olsen are two examples; Peyton's a third: his delivery has been spot-on in MasterCard, Sony, and Oreo ads. Also, he doesn't mind perpetually poking fun at himself.

So, I don't see why it'd be a stretch of the imagination for Peyton to shock us in a raunchy, Judd Apatow comedy, or grace us with his comic timing in sitcoms, especially those involving father-type figures in the star role.

Anybody ready for Peyton Knows Best?

1. Tom Brady

The man has won Super Bowls, the hearts of models (including his wife, Gisele), and haters alike. Plus, with his looks, it seems as if he can either play a villain or a hero in any film of his choosing.

Being tapped as the next James Bond (heck, seeing him in a Christopher Nolan, Pedro Almodovar, or Spike Lee joint) wouldn't be a bad choice in my books either.