From 'Oppenheimer' to 'Dumb and Dumber': The most iconic NHL movie and TV appearances

Wayne Gretzky: "Saturday Night Live" (1989), "The Young and the Restless" (1981)

The Great One went to Hollywood on Aug. 9, 1988, in the most iconic trade in hockey history, but he’d tried his hand at acting long before then, popping up with a wooden performance on the famous soap opera, "The Young and the Restless." His 1989 SNL hosting gig was memorable and feels downright mind-blowing 34 years later. It’s unfathomable that a hockey player was famous enough to get the invite. It will never, ever happen again. And it yielded the legendary Wayne-vs-Wayne sketch in which Gretzky and Mike Myers battled for Janet Jones Gretzky’s love on the ice.

Marty McSorley: "Bad Boys" (1995), "Con Air" (1997)

The Jerry Bruckheimer action movie boom of the mid-to-late 1990s was something to behold. It was a treat seeing enforcer McSorley pop up in two of them. Was he good in either? Probably not. But in playing a thug being interrogated in "Bad Boys" and a scared pilot fighting John Malkovich to the death in "Con Air," at least he was committed. Respect.

Sean Avery: "Oppenheimer" (2023), "Amsterdam" (2022), "Tenet" (2020), "The Rocket" (2005)

Avery actually has multiple speaking lines in "Oppenheimer," which speaks volumes about Nolan’s trust in his acting ability. This wasn’t a silly, disposable action movie. This was a prestige drama with profound things to say, and Avery was tasked with holding his own in an important scene. While his Oppenheimer turn isn’t yet easy to find online, here’s a peek at him clashing with Maurice Richard in "The Rocket."

The Philadelphia Flyers in "This Is 40" (2012)

Scott Hartnell, Ian Laperriere, Matt Carle and James van Riemsdyk teamed up for a nightclub scene in the Judd Apatow comedy in which they flirt with Megan Fox and Leslie Mann and Fox ends up trying on Laperriere’s false teeth. Most notable about this performance was the fact all four players portrayed themselves.

Brent Burns in "Vikings" (2020)

I admittedly forgot about this one. In hindsight, it made too much sense to cast Burns. Not only does he show more personality than almost any other active player, but his look and stature practically scream "Vikings." And what a role it was! If you ever wanted to see Burns, um, get beheaded in a double cross, it’s your lucky day.

OTHER NHLER CAMEOS

Georges Laraque in "Goon" (2011): Throwing down in an evenly matched fight with Seann William Scott’s protagonist Doug Glatt.

Vincent Lecavalier in "The Rocket" (2005): Vinny portrayed Habs icon Jean Beliveau and certainly looked the part. Avery, Mike Ricci and many other NHLers appeared in the film portraying players from Maurice Richard’s era.

Mike Modano and Basil McRae in "The Mighty Ducks" (1992): Sharing a scene with Emilio Estevez, a.k.a. Gordon Bombay, offering him an NHL tryout.

Peter Zezel in "Youngblood" (1986): Brief appearance as an opposing team player along with Steve Thomas.

Brendan Shanahan in "Me, Myself & Irene" (2000): Blink and you’ll miss Shanny as a state trooper.

Bill Ranford in "Miracle" (2004): Behind the mask as Jim Craig for all the actual goaltending scenes.

Luc Robitaille in "Sudden Death" (1995): Bonus points for swearing in French during his dialogue with Jean-Claude Van Damme.