Steve Austin Biography

Fast Facts

• Played football on a scholarship for the Mean Green of then-North Texas State, mainly as defensive end; played linebacker in junior college and running back in high school
• Started out wrestling for WCW as Stunning Steve Austin, half of the preening Hollywood Blonds duo, before moving to ECW, and finally WWF
• Won the WWF Championship belt for the first time at Wrestlemania XIV in a match refereed by boxer Mike Tyson
• Played the recurring role of Det
• Jake Cage on CBS' Nash Bridges
• Retired from the ring in 2003 due to cumulative effects of spine, ankle and knee injuries, but still appears occasionally on WWE shows
• Made his big-screen debut playing a guard in 2005 remake The Longest Yard, which was followed by a starring role in 2007 actioner The Condemned
• Has said he counts his deer rifle, his chocolate lab Hershey and an autographed Andy Warhol painting among his favorite possessions