Rowdy Rousey is At It Again
Ronda Rousey is a women's MMA legend and began to make a successful pivot to expanding her career into media and entertainment around 2014. Although her acting roles don't always feature her as the central character, Rousey makes each one memorable in a way only she can.
As the first Women's UFC Champion, former Women's UFC Bantamweight Champion, 4-time Olympic Gold-medalist Judoka, and UFC Hall of Famer, "Rowdy" Rousey has already accomplished so much. She continues to stretch her boundaries and constantly evolves.
Join us as we explore these 5 Movies with Ronda Rousey in more detail:
- Charlie's Angels (2019)
- Mile 22 (2018)
- Entourage (2015)
- Furious 7 (2015)
- The Expendables 3 (2014)
1. Charlie's Angels (2019)
In 2019, she appeared in the remake of the classic action-comedy franchise, Charlie's Angels. But Rousey's involvement in Charlie's Angels was not limited to action sequences.
The film incorporated Rousey’s real-life athleticism and fighting skills to emphasize a sense of realism in her performance. The UFC Hall of Famer-turned-Hollywood-actor demonstrated her adaptability by effectively incorporating the film’s comedic elements into her scenes.
Here is an interesting behind the scenes look at Ronda on the set of Charlie's Angels:
While this role marked another milestone in Rousey's career, it was consistent with her persona as a strong, charismatic woman challenging the boundaries of athleticism and performance.
2. Mile 22 (2019)
In the 2018 action-thriller movie, Mile 22, Rousey landed a significant role, further establishing her acting credentials after continuing journey into Hollywood.
In Mile 22, Rousey plays the character of Sam Snow, a tactical operations officer whose ruthless determination and combat skills mirror Rousey's real-life persona in the UFC. While acting demands a completely different skill set, Rousey leveraged her physical strength and athleticism, giving an authentic energy to her character that the average actor might find challenging (or impossible) to achieve.
This role was another big step for Rousey's transition from the combat sports world to Hollywood. Watch Ronda talk about the crew almost burning all her hair off during filming:
Her acting in this film was not solely reliant on physical stunts and her portrayal of Sam Snow explored the character's mental toughness, pushing the boundaries of her adaptability and widening acting range.
3. Entourage (2015)
Rousey's cameo appearance in the big-screen adaptation of the popular TV series, Entourage was both comical and refreshing. Released in 2015, the Entourage film allowed Rousey to showcase her skills and charisma beyond the octagon and judo competition.
Rousey's role in the movie (as herself) was a fun and self-aware nod to her real-life status as an accomplished athlete. Her screen presence at the meeting of the movie and MMA worlds increased the film's appeal to a wider audience.
Listen to Ronda talk about her role (as herself) in the movie below:
Rousey displayed a flair for comedy and timing, highlighting her acting potential beyond one-dimensional action roles. The cameo marked her third movie role since branching out into entertainment.
*Fight Fact: Ronda fought 3 times in 2015, defending her Bantamweight title twice before losing it to Holly Holm at UFC 193.
4. Furious 7 (2015)
The 7th movie in the globally renowned Fast & Furious franchise cast Rousey as a bodyguard, a fitting choice for such an accomplished competitor. Furious 7 provided an intriguing opportunity for Rousey, as this role underscored her capacity to portray a character who embodies physical strength and decisive resolve.
As Kara, Ronda effectively utilized her martial arts skills during the dynamic and intense fight scenes (especially during her fight scene with Michelle Rodriguez).
Furious 7 was her second role in a major motion picture and opened the door for Rousey to demonstrate her adaptability and range as a performer, since her character require more pronounced thespian skills.
5. The Expendables 3 (2014)
Before making her transition out of professional MMA full-time, the former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion made a memorable acting debut in The Expendables 3. Rousey portrayed Luna, one of the younger, new-generation members of the Expendables mercenary group; a character known for her brawny physicality and aggressive fighting style.
Being part of an action superstar franchise alongside actors like Sylvester Stallone (Rocky movies) and Wesley Snipes (Blade) provided Rousey a platform to authentically exhibit her real-life fighting skills. Her experienced combat abilities added an element of authenticity to the action sequences she was involved in.
As Luna, Rousey drew inspiration from parallels to her real-life persona as a world class martial artist. The character of Luna offered Rousey the first real chance to explore acting as a new avenue for her career.
From Highlight Knockouts to Career-Changing Cameos - What's Next?
From her cameo in Entourage to brief, but memorable roles in Furious 7 and The Expendables 3, each of the movies with Ronda Rousey represent a different time in her acting career. A career that has been an unquestionably intriguing segue from professional sports to Hollywood.
In each role she has undertaken, Rousey leveraged her unique athletic background and MMA skills. One of the traits that helped Rousey achieve success in competition is her willingness to take on challenges and this mindset was carried over into her acting roles.
This also carried over into her fairly brief career in professional wrestling with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Her debut at WrestleMania 31 with The Rock was widely applauded by fans, where she showcased her ability to perform complex wrestling moves and engage with the audience.
She eventually claimed several WWE Women's Championship belts, creating impressive highlights during her on-and-off career as a professional wrestler. The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion's inspiring career shifts highlight her multilayered nature and willingness to continually evolve her professional horizons.
