Nothing Goes Over His Head

Despite movie delays, Dave Bautista is bigger than ever.

- Joe Toppe

From penniless father to world-class wrestler, from a lover of film to larger-than-life movie star, Dave Bautista has put in the work. He’s also a student of the craft, wants to act alongside the industry’s best, and loves to tell a story through performance.

He wasn’t always this big though. Bautista was a shy, gangly kid growing up on the streets. Since, he’s had to overcome an introverted personality and the financial hardships of a young family to get his start.

For the last two decades, Bautista has enjoyed the life of a six-time WWE wrestling champion, roles in films like Riddick, Blade Runner 2049, and the Guardians of the Galaxy movie franchise as Drax.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed a long list of movie premieres and episodes from our favorite theater, Netflix, Apple, or Hulu feature, the star of Dave Bautista has gotten brighter.

Recently, Innovation & Tech Today caught up with him to talk not only about his time as a wrestling champion and tech interests, but his upcoming projects like Dune, See, and Army of the Dead.

Innovation & Tech Today: Can you tell us how you started in entertainment?

Dave Bautista: It’s not a very glamorous answer. I needed to make some money because I was broke. To be honest, there wasn’t much I was qualified to do. Other than lifting weights, I didn’t pursue a lot right out of high school. I loved working out, it was so therapeutic for me.

But closing in on 30 with two kids and no money, I figured I’d give professional wrestling a try. It was so hot at the time and I looked the part, right? Back then, when I told people about my plans, they looked at me like I was crazy because I was such an introverted person.