Why Didn’t Ric Flair Pursue a Hollywood Career Like Dwayne Johnson and John Cena, Despite Having an Outstanding Personality?

There are a plethora of charismatic characters in the WWE. But no one comes close to the energy and passion of The Nature Boy, Ric Flair. Living up to his name, Flair always brought something to the ring that others could not match: a charming personality. Whether he was the heel or babyface, fans always cheered. This type of wrestler could easily make it in Hollywood. So why didn’t Flair?

Flair has been in the pro wrestling industry since 1972, and despite being 74 years old today, he’s still working in AEW.

The reason why Ric Flair never joined Hollywood

If you look at the current WWE stars, many of them have Hollywood movies under their resume. For example, John Cena and Dwayne Johnson, who are arguably the biggest WWE stars, turned actors. You even have Dave Bautista, who is slowly solidifying himself as a credible star. But why didn’t one of the most gifted WWE stars turn to movies?

While on the Club Shay Shay episode titled Ric Flair Makes You Cry, Laugh & Smile In This Episode, Flair was asked this very same question. Flair said, “I had a chance to do a movie with Ryan Vickers. A guy approached me out here when I was wrestling here at the Forum in the 80’s.” Flair went on to explain that the movie was a type of James Bond-inspired action flick. However, he had valid reasons to say no.

Flair continued, “Back then, we didn’t have guaranteed contracts. If you didn’t work, you didn’t get paid.” He explained that to do the movie, he would have to take three months off from wrestling. Flair claimed that the money he would make from the movie as a one-time payment would not compare to the money he would make wrestling for three months.

READ MORE: Here Is Everything You Need to Know About Ric Flair’s Latest Multi-Year AEW Contract

He went on to talk about the fact that he would have to vacate the title to another star, which would halt his momentum at the time. These factors resulted in Flair saying no to the deal offered at the time. Flair concluded, “I think I made the right choice. I stayed with wrestling, and I’ve never looked back.”

But that doesn’t mean the 16-time world champion didn’t take his chances when the opportunity arose later on. He has made some distinguished appearances across some Hollywood ventures.

Ric Flair’s appearances in movies and TV Shows

Ric Flair appeared in a 1996 episode of Baywatch along with other WCW wrestlers. In 2013, he appeared in the TV show Stuff You Should Know, episode Bacteriopolis, as Dr. Roland Grayson. Flair also provided his voice in the TV shows Uncle Grandpa and The Cleveland Show. His Hollywood debut would be in the 2015 hit Magic Mike XXL.

He holds a strong hold over some popular Hollywood celebrities. Revered actor Jack Nicholson expressed an interest in inducting him into the WWE Hall of Fame. Nicholson held Flair in high esteem and cited him as his all-time favorite wrestler.

What do you think about Flair’s reasons for not being in movies? Tell us your thoughts down below.

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