Pete Stoyanovich’s Ace Ventura movie cameo has caught attention again among football fans and movie buffs. The former Miami Dolphins kicker served as the kicking double in the 1994 comedy Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, starring Jim Carrey. Stoyanovich, who also shone as a college player at Indiana University, performed the actual field goal kicks in key scenes, adding a real NFL touch to the film’s wild plot.
The movie centres around Ace Ventura, a quirky pet detective hired to find the Miami Dolphins’ missing mascot. The story ties into a fictional Super Bowl loss blamed on kicker Ray Finkle, played by Sean Young in disguise. In one memorable warehouse scene, the character attempts a kick while dressed as Finkle.
Young handled the acting, but Stoyanovich stepped in for the leg work. Reports from the set say he even wore high heels and a dress to match the disguise for the shot. He got credited as playing himself, a small but fun role for the then-active Dolphins player.
Stoyanovich spent his early NFL years with Miami, drafted in the eighth round in 1989 out of Indiana. At the Hoosiers, he earned All-Big Ten honours in 1988 and set school records for field goals and extra points in a season. He was a reliable kicker, known for clutch performances.
His time with the Dolphins overlapped with stars like Dan Marino, who also appeared in the film as himself. That connection made Stoyanovich a natural fit for the cameo when filmmakers wanted authentic football action.
Ace Ventura hit theatres in February 1994 and became a huge comedy success. It launched Carrey into stardom and spawned sequels and a cartoon series. Football fans especially love the Dolphins references, from the team logo to Marino’s kidnapping in the plot.
Stoyanovich’s behind-the-scenes contribution adds a layer of trivia. In interviews years later, he talked about the fun experience, though it remained a footnote in his career.
After Miami, Stoyanovich played for the Kansas City Chiefs and briefly the St. Louis Rams before retiring in 2000. He finished with solid stats, ranking high in Dolphins history for scoring among kickers. Post-football, he stayed involved in sports, coaching soccer at times and tying back to his college days, where he played both sports.
The cameo resurfaced recently in online posts, with fans sharing clips and facts. One X update from a Dolphins reporter highlighted his Indiana roots and the movie role side by side.
It sparked comments from people surprised by the link. Some recalled watching the film as kids, not knowing a real pro handled the kicks. Others tied it to the movie’s 30th anniversary buzz in recent years.
This kind of crossover reminds us how sports and Hollywood mix. The 90s saw several athletes in films, from cameos to bigger parts. Ace Ventura used the Dolphins heavily, filming at their stadium and involving players. Marino got more screen time, but Stoyanovich’s practical role helped sell the football scenes.
For younger fans discovering the movie on streaming, these details add charm. Stoyanovich, now in his late 50s, keeps a low profile but remains a Dolphins favourite. His college success at Indiana paved the way, earning him a spot in the university’s athletics hall of fame.
Stories like this show the lighter side of pro sports. A kicker’s legwork in a comedy classic. No big drama, just a neat piece of trivia that connects football history to pop culture. If you’re rewatching Ace Ventura, keep an eye on those kick scenes. You might spot the real pro touch.
