Athletes Who Made It Big in Hollywood

Born in Northern California, Buster Crabbe first made his mark in the pool, winning Olympic bronze in 1928 and gold in 1932. His athletic success opened the door to Hollywood, where he became a leading action star.

Following in Johnny Weissmuller’s footsteps, he portrayed Tarzan before cementing his legacy as the silver screen’s greatest sci-fi hero. Crabbe became the face of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, thrilling audiences with daring adventures. His career spanned decades, proving that Olympic champions could become Hollywood icons.