Who's in the 2021 movie Born a Champion, and how do you know them? The sports drama was directed by Alex Ranarivelo, who co-wrote the screenplay with lead actor Sean Patrick Flanery. Born a Champion follows a down-and-out American fighter who competed during the early days of professional mixed martial arts.
Born a Champion takes place between the years 1991 and 2001. Former U.S. soldier Mickey Kelley, a Gulf War veteran, begins an MMA career after studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the legendary trainer Renzo Gracie. During a trip to Dubai, Mickey meets a woman named Layla, and eventually saves her from a manipulative Greek businessman with bad intentions. After Mickey's career is ended by a cheap shot, he returns to California and begins a new life. He's drawn back to competition, however, when clips of past fights emerge online and go viral. Born a Champion chronicles Mickey's attempts to right a past wrong, and to fulfill a promise that he made to his family.
The Born a Champion main cast features one of the stars from the cult classic The Boondock Saints. In the primary female role, a cast member from 30 Rock portrays Mickey's adoring wife. The supporting lineup also includes a real-life UFC fighter as the main villain, and the aforementioned Gracie even makes a brief cameo. Here's a cast and character guide for Born a Champion.
Sean Patrick Flanery As Mickey Kelley
Sean Patrick Flannery stars as Mickey Kelly, a Gulf War veteran who begins competing in the world of professional mixed martial arts, just as the sport gains mainstream popularity. Unfortunately, he's severely injured while competing against a man who later becomes a famous MMA fighter. Mickey doesn't train to start fights, but rather learns skills that will help him end physical confrontations.
Flannery famously starred opposite Norman Reedus in the 1999 cult classic The Boondock Saints. He previously headlined the 1995 film Powder in the title role, and also played Max Minot in Suicide Kings. In the last decade, Flanery played Jacob Elway in Dexter and Ty Garrett in The Bay.
Katrina Bowden As Layla
Katrina Bowden co-stars as Layla, a paralegal who Mickey meets while traveling to Dubai. She later marries the fighter and gives birth to a son. Layla isn't thrilled about Mickey's continued interest in fighting, but knows that it's something he needs to explore, if only to resolve psychological issues from the past.
Bowden delivered a breakthrough performance as Cherie in 30 Rock. She later portrayed Ms. Tasty in Sex Drive, Allison in Tucker and Dale vs Evil, and Shelby in Piranha 3DD. She currently appears as Florence "Flo" Fulton in The Bold and the Beautiful.
Dennis Quaid As Dick Mason
Dennis Quaid appears as Dick Mason, an MMA promoter who doesn't initially believe in Mickey — an older fighter — but learns to appreciate the man's skill and bravery. Mason was a commanding officer during the Gulf War, and has a unique connection to Mickey's military past.
Quaid rose to fame during the '80s by portraying Gordon Cooper in The Right Stuff and by starring as Jerry Lee Lewis in Great Balls of Fire! In the '90s, he appeared as Doc Holliday in Wyatt Earp and later played Jack "Cap" Rooney in Any Given Sunday. Quaid became a bigger movie star in the 2000s with starring roles in Frequency and The Day After Tomorrow, and also starred as Sheriff Ralph Lamb in the TV series Vegas. Quaid most recently played Wade Blackwood in Goliath and William "Bull" Halsey in Midway.
Reno Wilson As Terry Pittman
Reno Wilson portrays Terry Pittman, the owner of Real American Wrestling and a former NCAA national champion. He trains Mickey and enlists top-notch MMA fighters to test his friend's skills.
Wilson appeared as Brains in the Transformers movie franchise and had a recurring role as Officer Carl McMillan in Mike & Molly. He recently portrayed Stan Hill in Good Girls.
Maurice Compte As Roscoe
Maurice Comptes has a prominent role as Roscoe, Mickey's long-time friend. The opening sequence reveals that Mickey first met Roscoe while defending him against a group of attackers.
Compte portrayed Horacio Carrillo in Narcos and Kevin Jimenez in Mayans M.C. He also appeared as Diego Jimenez in Power, Brasa in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, and Gustavo Barros in The Last Ship.
The Born A Champion Supporting Cast
Edson Barboza (Above) as Marco Blaine: An MMA fighter who ended Mickey's pro career. Edson Barboza makes his feature debut in Born a Champion. He's a real-life MMA fighter who currently competes in the UFC's Featherweight division.
Currie Graham as Burchman: Mason's business colleague. Graham portrayed Lt. Thomas Bale in NYPD Blue and Nate Knaborski in Suddenly Susan. In movies, he's best known for playing Mike Kahane in Assault on Precinct 13 and Bellator in Pompeii.
Costas Mandylor as Dimitris: A Greek fur mogul who initially hires Layla and sets up a fight between Mickey and Marco. Costas Mandylor is best known for portraying Mark Hoffman in the Saw movie franchise. In the '90s, he appeared as Kenny Lacos in Picket Fences and John Donovan in Virtuosity. Mandylor recently played Vice Admiral Demetrius in The Last Ship.
Ali Afshar as Sheik Bin Khalid: A Dubai man who hires Mickey to teach Jiu-Jitsu. Ali Afshar has appeared in the movies Three Kings and He's Just Not That Into You. He recently played Hazan in Casa Grande.
Chris Boudreaux as Jimmy: A sensei at Red Dragon dojo who is not impressed with Mickey's wrestling techniques. Chris Boudreaux portrayed Connor in Open Relationship and Troy in The Filth.
Jonathan Kowalsky as Travis Prince: Pittman's MMA friend who spars with Mickey as a test. Jonathan Kowalsky had a recurring role as Mike in Justified, and also appeared as Todd Jeffries in True Blood.
Chris Boudreaux as Alva: Dmitris' bodyguard. Steve Tanabe has appeared in Hunting Season and Fist 2 Fist 2: Weapon of Choice.
Al Atieh as Amin: The Sheik's son and Mickey's former student. Al Atieh makes his feature debut in Born a Champion.
Renzo Gracie as Himself: Mickey's professor. Renzo Gracie is an iconic Jiu-Jitsu coach. He's featured in the 2008 documentary Renzo Gracie: Legacy.