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Entertainment • Actor

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista is an American actor, retired professional wrestler, and former mixed martial artist born in 1969.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dave Bautista is an American actor, retired professional wrestler, and former mixed martial artist. He is best known for his WWE career as Batista and for film roles in franchises such as Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune.

Early life

Dave Bautista was born in Washington, D.C., and is of American nationality. Public biographies identify his birth date as January 18, 1969.

Wrestling career

Bautista became widely known through WWE, where he wrestled primarily as Batista. He was active in professional wrestling from 1999 to 2019 and is associated with the Ruthless Aggression era.

Acting career

Bautista moved into acting in 2006 and later became known for roles in action, science-fiction, and drama films. His best-known screen role is Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Public image

Bautista is known for his large physique, action-film roles, and a career shift from wrestling to acting. Public sources differ on some biographical details such as billed height, but agree on his core career history.

Key facts

  • Bautista was born on January 18, 1969, making him 57 years old in 2026.
  • He rose to prominence in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Batista.
  • He transitioned into acting in the mid-2000s and has appeared in major films and franchises.
  • His film credits include Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre, Blade Runner 2049, Dune, and Knock at the Cabin.
  • Reliable public sources list his height at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), though some entertainment databases and wrestling profiles give higher billed heights.
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Canadian context

Canadian audiences know Bautista especially through the Marvel films Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune, both of which had strong theatrical and streaming viewership in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Dave Bautista?
Dave Bautista was born on January 18, 1969, which makes him 57 years old in 2026.
What is Dave Bautista's net worth?
Public estimates vary. Some biography sites and non-authoritative sources have cited figures around US$10 million to more than US$16 million, but no single verified public figure is confirmed.
What movies has Dave Bautista been in?
He has appeared in films including Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre, Blade Runner 2049, Dune, Army of the Dead, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, and Knock at the Cabin.
Why did Dave Bautista leave WWE?
He reduced and eventually ended his WWE in-ring career to focus on acting and other projects. Public biographies describe his wrestling career as ending in 2019 after earlier sporadic returns.
Is Dave Bautista married?
No current marriage is publicly confirmed in the sources provided. He has been married previously, but current relationship status is generally described as private.
What is Dave Bautista's height?
Reliable biographical sources list him at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), although some entertainment databases list a billed height of 6 ft 6 in.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Bautista
    Supports: Birth date, birth name, nationality, acting and wrestling career overview, and height details.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dave-Bautista
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, nationality, and overview as an actor and former professional wrestler.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1176985/
    Supports: Age, birth date, height listings, and biographical profile.
  4. TV Insider — https://www.tvinsider.com/people/dave-bautista/
    Supports: Birth date, age, birthplace, and occupation profile.
  5. Famous Birthdays — https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/dave-batista.html
    Supports: Marital history and age listing; used cautiously because it is a secondary entertainment database.
  6. The Famous People — https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/dave-bautista-41600.php
    Supports: Height and spouse history; used cautiously as a secondary entertainment biography source.