by Trisha Hoffman
Follow @TrishaHoffmanLA
Editor’s Note: The goal of Trisha Hoffman’s Inspired is to give readers an inside look at how high school sports has shaped the lives of very successful people – actors, attorneys, CEO’s, directors, doctors, entrepreneurs, etc.
Did you know that Rita Wilson started her acting career as a cheerleader on the Brady Bunch, but was also a cheerleader in real life during her days at Hollywood High?
Hollywood High’s mascot is a Sheik, named after the 1921 Rudolph Valentino movie called “The Sheik”.
Recently, Wilson, who graduated in 1974, told Billy Bush on Access Hollywood LIVE that the 1972 appearance on the Brady Bunch episode entitled Greg’s Triangle (watch above) landed her that coveted union card and membership to the Screen Actors Guild.
Since her days as a Sheik – Hollywood High mascot – Wilson has appeared in numerous films and television shows and married Tom Hanks.
As you can see from the list below, Wilson isn’t the only entertainer to graduate from the school at Sunset and Highland in Hollywood.
Hollywood High Alums
Valerie Bertinelli
Carol Burnett
Laurence Fishburne
Judy Garland
James Garner
Ricky Nelson
Sarah Jessica Parker
John Ritter
Mickey Rooney
Click here to see the complete list.
And, for those of you wondering, only one former Sheik football player has gone on to the NFL His name is Brian Goodman, who graduated in 1968. Goodman, an offensive lineman, who attended UCLA, played two years as an offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers in 1973 and 1974.
