When you think of Dennis Rodman, you probably picture his neon hair, relentless rebounding, and larger-than-life presence on and off the basketball court. But beyond his Hall of Fame NBA career and his pop culture antics, Rodman also took several memorable turns in Hollywood. From explosive ‘90s action flicks to animated cameos, his filmography reflects the same unpredictable, fearless energy that defined his playing days.
Here’s a look at the major movies Dennis Rodman has been involved in — and how each one captures a different side of “The Worm.”
Double Team (1997)
Rodman’s first major movie role came in Double Team, a 1997 action film that teamed him up with none other than Jean-Claude Van Damme. Directed by Tsui Hark, the film was a wild mix of spy action, martial arts, and comic book energy. Rodman played Yaz, an eccentric weapons dealer who helps Van Damme’s character, a secret agent, rescue his kidnapped family.
The movie’s over-the-top style fit Rodman perfectly. He delivered one-liners with the same confidence he once used to psych out opponents on the court, and his fashion-forward wardrobe (including futuristic shades and flashy outfits) felt authentically Rodman. Double Team didn’t win over critics, but it became a cult favorite among fans of ‘90s action — and even earned Rodman a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst New Star. Rodman took it in stride, proving he could laugh at himself just as easily as he could crash the boards.
Simon Sez (1999)
Rodman returned to the big screen two years later in Simon Sez, another high-octane action-comedy — this time with Rodman in the lead role. The movie follows Simon, an Interpol agent who teams up with a computer genius (played by comedian Dane Cook in one of his earliest roles) to stop an arms dealer.
Filmed in France and packed with flashy visuals, Simon Sez leaned hard into the late-’90s cyber-action aesthetic — think wild gadgets, slow-motion explosions, and Rodman dropping quips mid-fight. While the movie didn’t perform well at the box office, it further cemented his reputation as a charismatic showman who didn’t mind taking risks. In many ways, Simon Sez was Rodman’s cinematic equivalent of his NBA career — unconventional, entertaining, and impossible to ignore.
Cutaway (2000)
After his big-screen action phase, Rodman took on a supporting role in the made-for-TV movie Cutaway. Starring Tom Berenger and Stephen Baldwin, the film dives into the world of skydiving and undercover crime investigations. Rodman played Dex, a fearless skydiver with a rebellious streak — a role that, again, seemed tailor-made for his daredevil persona.
While Cutaway didn’t reach the cult status of his earlier films, it showed that Rodman could tone things down and fit into an ensemble cast. The movie became somewhat of a hidden gem for fans of early-2000s action thrillers.
Other Appearances: Animation, Cameos, and Reality Crossovers
Rodman’s larger-than-life personality has also earned him spots in several smaller film and TV projects. He appeared in The Comebacks (2007), a sports parody that poked fun at inspirational sports movies, where he made a self-aware cameo as himself.
He’s also popped up in animated form — notably voicing himself in The Simpsons and Slamball. And of course, his countless appearances in documentaries like Dennis Rodman: For Better or Worse (2019) and The Last Dance (2020) brought his charisma back into the cultural spotlight, giving fans a closer look at the man behind the mystique.
A Career as Unpredictable as the Man Himself
Dennis Rodman’s movie career might not be filled with Oscar contenders, but it perfectly mirrors who he is: fearless, entertaining, and unapologetically unique. Whether trading blows with Van Damme, cracking jokes mid-fight, or skydiving into chaos, Rodman always brought a magnetic energy to the screen — the same energy that made him a five-time NBA champion and pop culture icon.
In an era where athletes often try to play it safe, Rodman’s foray into Hollywood was another reminder that he’s never been afraid to be himself — bold, strange, and unforgettable.
So while Double Team and Simon Sez may not have dominated the box office, they did something far more lasting: they captured the wild, untamed spirit of Dennis Rodman, a man who never just played the game — he rewrote the rules entirely.
