Shaquille O’Neal has spent decades becoming one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. According to the NBA legend, that level of fame has now created an unexpected obstacle in Hollywood.
O’Neal told Variety that he would like to take on more action-oriented acting roles, but says industry executives have told him his celebrity status and physical presence can make it difficult for audiences to accept him as a fictional character.
“I would love to do more action roles,” O’Neal said, explaining that he has been told he is simply “too big” in the sense that viewers immediately recognize him as Shaq rather than the person he is attempting to portray.
That, O’Neal believes, creates a unique casting problem. A smaller or less famous actor can disappear into the role of a doctor, police officer or action hero. O’Neal, at 7-foot-1 and as one of the most famous former basketball players of all time, carries decades of public recognition with him the moment he appears on screen.
His comments also put to rest any speculation connecting him to Marvel’s upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.” O’Neal is not set to appear in the film, which is scheduled for release in December, nor is he attached to another Avengers project.
The discussion came as O’Neal promoted “Dunkman,” the professional dunking competition he has helped launch. The league brings together dunkers from around the world competing for a $500,000 grand prize, with its finals scheduled to air on TNT on August 25.
Acting itself is nothing new for O’Neal. His career away from basketball has included movies, television appearances, commercials, music and extensive work as an NBA analyst. The challenge, as he describes it now, is moving beyond appearances that rely on audiences already knowing exactly who he is.
