40 Vintage Photos of Celebrities Playing Sports

It's stressful being a celebrity—sometimes you just have to sweat it out to let it out. And other times, you've got to sweat it out because...that's what it says in the script. (That's showbiz). So when these icons weren't busy jet-setting around the globe or hanging out by the pool for a day, you could find them on the nearest field, court, course, or ring, either getting in a workout, or making it look like they were getting in a workout. From getting 18 holes in on the course to hitting the slopes (and surely a little apres ski), these vintage photos of celebrities playing sports prove that old Hollywood stars knew how to play ball.

Betty White, television's favorite Golden Girl, gives it her all on the tennis court during a TV appearance on May 4, 1957.

James Dean strikes a pose with a basketball, circa 1945.

Marilyn Monroe takes a swing at baseball during a 20th Century Fox studio league game, July 1, 1952.

Clint Eastwood practices his golf swing, circa 1968.

Actor Cary Grant (right), star of Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, learns some boxing moves in preparation for a new film, May 6, 1935.

The Beatles – Paul McCartney (front), John Lennon (middle), George Harrison (back), and Ringo Starr (fallen off the back) – partake in a little snow sledding, Austria, 1965.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, along with co-stars William Frawley and Vivian Vance, take up golf in a 1954 episode of I Love Lucy.

Jane Fonda practices her cheerleading skills for her debut role in Tall Story, 1960.

Charlie's Angels star Farrah Fawcett plays tennis, September 1, 1976.

Burt Reynolds sports #46 on the Florida State University Seminoles football team in Tallahassee, Florida, circa 1950.

Sammy Davis Jr. (right) receives a pep talk from Heavyweight Champion Cassias Clay (left) before heading out for a celebrity boxing match, January 14, 1965.

Steve McQueen during a game of golf on the set of The Thomas Crown Affair, 1968.

Rockstar Alice Cooper goes up to bat at a celebrity softball game in Las Vegas, May 29, 1977.

Hollywood power couple Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh strike a silly pose on a ski slope, January 2, 1958.

Marilyn Monroe plays softball on the beach with a pup by her side, circa 1950.

Related: Vintage Photos of Celebrities at the Beach

Henry Fonda and James Stewart play a game of ping pong, circa 1937.

Bonnie and Clyde star Gene Hackman stands at the ready during a tennis match in 1973.

Bing Crosby hits a couple of golf balls during a filming break, circa 1930.

Joan Crawford is greeted by her pet dachshunds after swimming laps in her Beverly Hills pool in 1938.

Tarzan actor, Johnny Weissmuller, spends the day ice skating on a pond in 1925. The Hungarian-born actor was a five-time Olympic athlete before venturing to Hollywood.

Ginger Rogers hits the tennis court to practice for an upcoming mixed doubles match during the National Tennis Open Meet in 1950.

Doris Day gets a feel for the water temperature before diving into her swimming pool in 1940.

Fred Astaire joins a female companion for a round of mini-golf atop a New York skyscraper in 1930.

Joan Crawford and Dorothy Sebastian play a friendly game of football while spending the day at the beach in 1927.

Clark Gable's horse managed to look even more posed than the actor. The leading man and his equine are photographed after a horseback ride in 1940.

Judy Garland looks ready for a match up as she poses with a badminton racket in her backyard in 1945.

Gary Cooper uses his lawn as a gym and spends the afternoon weight lifting, circa 1930.

Lana Turner takes a break from her run to pose for a photograph. The actress is enjoying a ski holiday, circa 1960.

Arnold Schwarzenegger opts for skins during a match at the RFK Pro-Celebrity Tennis Tournament in 1978.

Eartha Kitt looks casual during a day in the park in 1952. The singer joined in on a game of softball for fun.

Kirk Douglas smiles at the camera as he prepares to enjoy an afternoon of waterskiing in Antibes, France in 1969.

Claudette Colbert is dressed in her tennis whites as she gets ready to hit the court, circa 1930.

Ronald Reagan and his first wife, Jane Wyman, hold ping pong paddles after finishing up a competitive game on their honeymoon.

American actress Betty Hutton looks glamorous as she plays a round of croquet, circa 1955.

Joan Crawford appears to be a natural as she receives instruction from tennis champion Harvy Snodgrass, circa 1930.

While playing a game of pond hockey Gary Cooper sneaks by an opponent and charges toward the makeshift goal. The actor is on a ski vacation in 1949.

Rita Hayworth doesn't quite look like she's on top of a mountain, however she looks ready for the slope with those skis, circa 1940.

Marlon Brando shows of his coordination by skipping rope at the gym, circa 1955.

Katherine Hepburn demonstrates her follow-through as she hits the tennis court at Merion Cricket Club in 1940.

Bing Crosby receives instruction on how to properly use an exercise machine at the fitness center in 1934.