After reigning supreme in wrestling with his time in WWE, Dave Bautista decided to switch careers and get into acting. While many individuals aren’t successfully able to complete their transition to action, Bautista has been on at it for a very long time and so far is enjoying a career that has seen him really grow into as an actor. Dave Bautista Says He Never Wanted to be the Next 'Rock' But Just a 'Good F***ing Actor'.

Working with directors like Denis Villeneuve, Rian Johnson, James Gunn and more, Bautista has really done well in choosing out roles that really help him be the best version of himself as an actor. So, to celebrate Dave Bautista’s 54th birthday, let’s take a look at five of his best roles that proves he is the best wrestler-turned-actor.

Mr Hinx (Spectre)

Going toe-to-toe with Daniel Craig’s James Bond in Spectre, Bautista plays a member of the titular criminal organisation and makes for some of the most entertaining moments of the film. While the role doesn’t see him talk at all, Bautista has enough of a threatening presence to him which makes him feel like a genuine threat.

Duke Cody (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery)

Playing the role of a right-win men’s rights influencer in Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion, Bautista was a treat to see here. With Andrew Tate currently making the rounds of internet with his absolutely insane views, the timing of this couldn’t be better as Bautista’s performance here is a direct spoof of folks like him.

Scott Ward (Army of the Dead)

While the film itself can lack in certain areas, Dave Bautista is someone who actually becomes the driving emotional force behind the movie. Someone who has lost a lot to the apocalypse, Scott Ward is a great character that actually proved that Bautista can be a great leading man in a film. Army of the Dead was all the better for Bautista.

Drax (Guardians of the Galaxy Films and the MCU)

While Bautista has spoken about his reservations for the role, it’s fair to say that this was his star-making moment. A complete riot in the role, Bautista makes the best of Drax and has provided for some of the best scenes in the MCU. Can’t wait to see his return in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.

Sapper Morton (Blade Runner 2049)

This is the role that actually saw Bautista tap into a place we had never seen him tap into before. Working with Denis Villeneuve, Bautista just gets 4 minutes in the film, and he gives one of the most impressive performances in the film. With him working with Villeneuve again in the Dune films, we can’t wait to see what the duo cooks up. Dave Bautista Removes Tattoo of Manny Pacquiao's Team Over Latter's 2016 Homophobic Statements and the Reason is Personal.

Bautista definitely has become of our favourite stars throughout the years and we can’t wait to see what he does next. With this, we finish off the list and wish him a very happy birthday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 18, 2023 09:37 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).