by BretMan » March 7th, 2008, 12:58 am
Ballplayers turned actor:
Yep, John Berardino. Played from 1939 to 1952 for the Browns, Indians and Pirates, missing a couple of seasons for the war. He has a long list of film and television credits, then like a thirty year run as Doctor Steve Hardy on General Hospital.
Of note, he appeared in many early TV classics, including Dragnet, The Untouchables, many westerns, The Adventures of Superman and even on Batman in the 1960's. Also appeared in the 1981 TV movie Don't Look Back: The Story of Leroy "Satchel" Paige.
Even more of note- he actually had a Rawlings-issued endorsed glove, with the endorsement being his nickname "Bernie" Berardino!
Chuck Connors was the actor that played The Rifleman in the TV western. His Major League career was brief- a cup of coffee with the Brooklyn Dodgers and half a season with the Cubs in 1949 and 1951. Before and after, he played in the minors for many different teams.
Even more amazing- before trying his hand at professional baseball, he was a member of the Boston Celtics for the 46-47 season
Actor Kurt Russell was a minor-leaguer in the Angels farm system in the early 70's, before a career-ending shoulder injury led him into acting. Friend Ron Shelton wrote the screenplay for Bull Durham with Kurt in mind as the lead, but the studio insisted on Kevin Costner.
Kurt's father was Bing Russell, one-time owner of the class-A Portland Mavericks baseball club. Himself an actor, Bing Russell appeared in the film The Magnificent Seven, was a regular on the TV series Bonanza and had his own long list of film credits.
And one more- if we're talking ballplayers turned actor, how can we forget the one-and-only Bob Uecker!
Last edited by
BretMan on March 7th, 2008, 1:26 am, edited 1 time in total.