Release CalendarTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersIndependent Spirit AwardsWomen's History MonthSXSWSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Biography
  • Awards
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Dave Bautista(I)

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Additional Crew
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000142
Dave Bautista
Actor and former wrestling champion Dave Bautista, known for his larger-than-life performances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, 'Blade Runner 2049,' 'Dune,' and "See," returns to the MCU in "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special."  In and out of the ring, "No Small Parts" takes a look at his rise to fame. 
Play clip4:18
The Rise of Dave Bautista
99+ Videos
99+ Photos
David Michael Bautista, Jr. was born on January 18, 1969 in Washington, D.C., to Donna Raye (Mullins) and David Michael Bautista, a hairdresser. He has Filipino and Greek ancestry.

When WCW officials told him he'd never make it in sports entertainment, Bautista pushed himself to achieve his dream of being a Superstar. In May 2002, he made his debut on SmackDown using the ring name Batista, but it wasn't until a move to Raw and two victories over Kane that "The Animal" began to make noise in the WWE Universe. The wins impressed Ric Flair and Triple H, who were looking to align themselves with the industry's brightest new stars. After a lengthy search, they identified Randy Orton and Batista. Collectively the four Superstars became known as Evolution.

Batista earned his first championship alongside "The Nature Boy" when the duo captured the WWE Tag Team Championships in December 2003. As Evolution dominated WWE, Batista started to emerge from the shadows of Triple H and Ric Flair. By the time Batista won the 2005 Royal Rumble Match, World Heavyweight Champion Triple H viewed him as a serious threat to his title.

After a triceps injury at the hands of Mark Henry forced Batista to relinquish the title in January 2006, he vowed to return. Batista successfully regained the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series in 2006. Four months into his second reign, Batista faced the Undertaker at WrestleMania 23. "The Animal" took Undertaker to the limit, but was unable to stop the streak of "The Deadman" at WrestleMania. Though disappointed, Batista stayed hungry and always managed to keep himself in the championship hunt for the rest of his career.

At Bragging Rights in 2009, Batista shocked the world when he blamed Rey Mysterio for a loss to Undertaker, then attacked his former tag team partner. "The Animal" then became locked in a tense rivalry with another former friend, John Cena, over the WWE Championship. The grueling match at Over the Limit led to a wheelchair-bound Batista declaring "I quit!" the following night on Raw before fading from the WWE Universe in May 2010. Following his departure from WWE, Bautista appeared opposite Vin Diesel in the Universal film Riddick (2013) and RZA's feature directorial debut The Man with the Iron Fists (2012), in which he played the villainous Brass Body and starred opposite Russell Crowe and Lucy Liu. His other film credits include The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption (2012), where he played Argomael; the action film House of the Rising Sun (2011); and Wrong Side of Town (2010) opposite rapper Ja Rule.

Two years later, he joined MMA and won his first professional MMA fight. In January 2014, he made his long awaited return to the WWE, before quitting a second time in June of that same year. He did this in order to promote Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), which was released on August 1, 2014, and starred Chris Pratt, Benicio Del Toro, Zoe Saldana, and Djimon Hounsou, alongside Bautista.

He will shoot Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016), directed by John Stockwell, and co-starring martial artist Alain Moussi and UFC fighter Georges St-Pierre. The remake of the 1989 Jean-Claude Van Damme film, Kickboxer (1989) is about two brothers David and Kurt Sloan; When David wins the Karate World Championship, a promoter lures him to Hong Kong, despite his brother's protestations that the man is a crook. When Kurt travels to Thailand to meet his brother, he discovers he has died and seeks his revenge.

After starring in films such as, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Hotel Artemis (2018), Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018), and Final Score (2018), he made a special guest appearance on WWE Smackdown! (1999) for it's 1000 episode reuniting with his former Evolution members Triple H, Randy Orton, and Ric Flair on October 16, 2018. The following year on February 25, 2019, he made his return to WWE Raw (1993) when he attacked Ric Flair on his 70th birthday at the end of the episode sending a message to Triple H that would ultimately lead to a No Holds Barred match for WrestleMania 35 (2019). Batista added the stipulation that if he wins the match, Triple H will have to retire from in-ring competition. As a result, Triple H was finally able to beat Batista for the first time and won the match, which ultimately led to Batista announcing his official retirement from wrestling in the WWE. Following his retirement, he will continue with his career as an actor in Hollywood.

His next films scheduled for release will be; Stuber (2019), Avengers: Endgame (2019), Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019), and My Spy (2020). He is one of many professional wrestlers to make the smooth transition from wrestling into the entertainment world.
BornJanuary 18, 1969
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJanuary 18, 1969
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000142
  • Unlock contact info on IMDbPro
  • Awards
    • 3 wins & 4 nominations

Superheroes In and Out of Costume

Superheroes In and Out of Costume

What does Shazam look like when he's not geared up to do battle? Check out this gallery of stars in character and in real life.
See more heroes without their costumes
[object Object]
Photos

Photos413

Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Vin Diesel, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
Dave Bautista in Glass Onion (2022)
Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff in The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special (2022)
Dave Bautista in The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special (2022)
Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista in The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special (2022)
Edward Norton and Dave Bautista in Glass Onion (2022)
Nikki Amuka-Bird, Dave Bautista, and Abby Quinn in Knock at the Cabin (2023)
Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Madelyn Cline, and Jessica Henwick in Glass Onion (2022)

Known for

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy
8.0
  • Drax
  • 2014
Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, and Pom Klementieff in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
7.6
  • Drax
  • 2017
Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Ryan Gosling, and Ana de Armas in Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Blade Runner 2049
8.0
  • Sapper Morton
  • 2017
Vin Diesel in Riddick (2013)
Riddick
6.4
  • Diaz
  • 2013

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
    • Drax
    • Post-production
    • 2023
  • In the Lost Lands
    • Boyce
    • Post-production
    • 2023
  • Dune: Part Two
    • Glossu Rabban Harkonnen
    • Post-production
    • 2023
  • Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas
    • Scott Ward
    • Post-production
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Universe's Most Wanted
    • Pre-production
    • 2023
  • My Spy 2
    • Pre-production
  • Groove Tails
    • In Production
  • WWE 2K23 (2023)
    WWE 2K23
    • Batista
    • Video Game
    • 2023
  • Parachute (2023)
    Parachute
    • Bryce
    • 2023
  • Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rupert Grint, Dave Bautista, and Abby Quinn in Knock at the Cabin (2023)
    Knock at the Cabin
    • Leonard
    • 2023
  • Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff in The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special (2022)
    The Guardians of the Galaxy: Holiday Special
    • Drax
    • TV Special
    • 2022
  • Little Demon (2022)
    Little Demon
    • Baka (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Daniel Craig, Kathryn Hahn, Dave Bautista, Leslie Odom Jr., Janelle Monáe, Madelyn Cline, and Jessica Henwick in Glass Onion (2022)
    Glass Onion
    • Duke Cody
    • 2022
  • Russell Crowe, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Taika Waititi, Chris Hemsworth, and Tessa Thompson in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
    Thor: Love and Thunder
    • Drax
    • 2022
  • Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista in Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (2022)
    Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
    • Drax
    • Short
    • 2022
  • Nissan Presents: Thrill Driver (2022)
    Nissan Presents: Thrill Driver
    • Dave Bautista
    • Video
    • 2022
  • Matthias Schweighöfer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, and Guz Khan in Army of Thieves (2021)
    Army of Thieves
    • Scott Ward (uncredited)
    • 2021
  • Jason Momoa in See (2019)
    See
    • Edo Voss
    • TV Series
    • 2021
  • Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Oscar Isaac, Timothée Chalamet, and Zendaya in Dune (2021)
    Dune
    • Glossu Rabban Harkonnen
    • 2021
  • Ana de la Reguera, Matthias Schweighöfer, Omari Hardwick, Dave Bautista, and Ella Purnell in Army of the Dead (2021)
    Army of the Dead
    • Scott Ward
    • 2021
  • Mark Calaway, Paul Heyman, Drew Galloway, Joe Anoa'i, Mercedes Varnado, and Kanako Urai in WWE Survivor Series (2020)
    WWE Survivor Series
    • Batista
    • TV Special
    • 2020
  • Room 104 (2017)
    Room 104
    • Doug 'Raw Dawg Avalanche'
    • TV Series
    • 2020

Producer

  • In the Lost Lands
    • producer
    • Post-production
    • 2023
  • Universe's Most Wanted
    • producer
    • Pre-production
    • 2023
  • My Spy 2
    • producer
    • Pre-production
  • Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman in My Spy (2020)
    My Spy
    • producer
    • 2020
  • Michelle Yeoh, Jin Zhang, and Dave Bautista in Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy (2018)
    Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy
    • producer
    • 2018
  • Pierce Brosnan, Ray Stevenson, and Dave Bautista in Final Score (2018)
    Final Score
    • producer
    • 2018
  • Brittany Snow and Dave Bautista in Bushwick (2017)
    Bushwick
    • executive producer
    • 2017

Additional Crew

  • WrestleMania 21 (2005)
    WrestleMania 21
    • motion capture performer
    • Video Game
    • 2005
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos167

We Spy on the Career of a Surprisingly Self-Conscious Dave Bautista
Full Episode 7:27
We Spy on the Career of a Surprisingly Self-Conscious Dave Bautista
Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman Play "Truth or Lie"
Full Episode 3:03
Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman Play "Truth or Lie"
Why M. Night Shyamalan Put on His "Boogie Shoes" for 'Knock at the Cabin'
Clip 4:02
Why M. Night Shyamalan Put on His "Boogie Shoes" for 'Knock at the Cabin'
The Rise of Dave Bautista
Clip 4:18
The Rise of Dave Bautista
Dave Bautista | Career Retrospective
Clip 1:16
Dave Bautista | Career Retrospective
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' Director Selects
Clip 4:05
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' Director Selects
"Verify Your Membership"
Clip 1:09
"Verify Your Membership"
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Clip 0:57
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Clip 1:03
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Clip 0:58
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption
Clip 1:48
The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption
The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption
Clip 0:51
The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • Alternative names
    • Dave Batista
  • Height
    • 6′ 2¾″ (1.90 m)
  • Born
    • January 18, 1969
    • Washington, District of Columbia, USA
  • Spouses
      Sarah JadeOctober 7, 2015 - present (separated)
  • Children
      Keilani Bautista
  • Parents
      Donna Raye Bautista (Mullins)
  • Relatives
    • Donna Raye Bautista(Sibling)
  • Other works
    TV commercial: Nissan with Eugene Levy, Catherine O' Hare, Danai Gurira, and Brie Larson
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 2 Interviews
    • 4 Articles
    • 2 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Has a Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Cesar Gracie, and is trained in Muay Thai, Wushu& Kickboxing.
  • Quotes
    I look like a gorilla, just the way I'm built.
  • Trademarks
      Smart dress and general appearance. In a similar style to the Four Horsemen of the 1980s
  • Nicknames
    • Kahn
    • Deacon Batista
    • The Animal
    • DJ
  • Salaries
      Dune
      (2021)
      $2,000,000

Related news

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More to explore

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
  • Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • IMDb Developer
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.