Now that Dwayne Johnson is no longer billing himself as "The Rock," he's become a movie star in family-friendly films like "Race to Witch Mountain," opening Friday. But make no mistake about it: Johnson first came to public attention as a bellowing, bulked-up pro wrestler with a memorable catchphrase - "Can you smell what The Rock is cookin'?" - and loads of charisma.

Johnson still has the magnetism and looks, and has proved he's a more-than-capable on-screen presence. Which means he's the latest in a long line of athletes (wrestling may be fake, but these guys are still athletic) who have tried their hands at the silver screen, a history that dates at least as far back as 1926, when football legend Red Grange starred in a long-forgotten flick called "One Minute to Play."

"I think pro athletes are, by nature, so competitive, just the idea of testing themselves [acting], represents another challenge for them," says Ray Didinger, co-author (with Glen Macnow) of the forthcoming "The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies." Many pro athletes "are so naturally gifted," he adds, "playing the game is easy for them, so the acting is something they really have to work at.."

"Athletes often stick close to what they are comfortable with when they start acting, often playing athletes or starring in action parts that play off their pro sports personas," adds Irv Slifkin of Moviesunlimited.com. "If that succeeds, they try other things."

And some have been better at it than others. Of the many football and basketball players, wrestlers, boxers, decathletes, ice skaters and pro skateboarders who have given the thespian arts a try, here are a few who stand out - for better or worse."