It’s Oscar night! Yes, Sunday night is the 2020 Academy Awards. It’s where Hollywood’s brightest stars shine to celebrate the greatest achievements in film over the past year. The Raiders know a thing or two about movie stars. Quite a few of their former players went on to raise their star from the small screen to the big screen.
We count down the top ten film and TV stars to have ever donned the Silver & Black.
10. Bob Golic (1989-92)
11 TV and film credits. Best known for his role of coach Michael Rogers on Saved By the Bell: The College Years which led to a role in the movie Saved By the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas. Other film credits include The Taking of Beverly Hills and Da Vinci’s War. He was also on an episode of the show Coach.
9. Bill Romanowski (2002-03)
8 TV and film credits, The Longest Yard, The Benchwarmers, Weiners, Get Smart, Bedtime Stories
8. Nnamdi Asomugha (2003-10)
Mr Kerry Washington has 11 credits to his name so far. His film acting roles include Fire with Fire, Hello, My Name is Doris, Crown Heights, and Sylvia’s Love. He’s also been a Producer on critically acclaimed films Beasts of No Nation and Harriet as well as the upcoming film The Banker starring Samuel L Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, and Anthony Mackie.
7. Bubba Smith (1973-74)
52 TV and film credits. Best known as Sergeant Hightower in all six Police Academy films, Escape from DS-3, Black Moon Rising, Gremlins 2
6. Ben Davidson (1964-71)
29 TV and film credits, Behind the Green Door, The Black 6, Conan the Barbarian, Necessary Roughness
5. Lyle Alzado (1982-85)
27 TV and film credits, Earnest Goes to Camp, Tapeheads, Destroyer, Who’s Harry Crumb?, Shocktroop, Club Fed
4. Howie Long (1981-93)
14 TV and film credits. Starred in blockbuster films Broken Arrow, Firestorm, and 3000 Miles to Graceland
3. John Matuszak (1976-81)
Prior to his death in 1989, he was a full blown 80s movie star. He has 34 TV and film credits including starring roles in classics North Dallas Forty, Caveman, The Ice Pirates, and The Goonies
2. Fred Williamson (1961-64)
The 3-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All All-Pro defensive black has an astounding 131 TV and film credits to his name including 7 currently filming or in the works. Best known as star of countless ‘Blaxploitation’ films of the 70s and 80s. Also starred in MASH, Dusk Till Dawn, and Starsky & Hutch. His extensive TV work includes series regular roles on Julia, Half Nelson with Joe Pesci, Fast Track, and Hello Paradise
1. Carl Weathers (1970-71)
Weather had a far more successful acting career than football career. He appearing in 8 games over two seasons in Oakland and has since been credited with 78 TV and film appearances. He broke out for his role of Apollo Creed in the 1979 Best Picture Rocky and continued in the role through the first four Rocky films. He went on to star in Predator, Action Jackson, Hurricane Smith, Happy Gilmore and most recently was the voice of Combat Carl in Toy Story 4. Currently in Disney+ series The Mandalorian.