Being Gronk: How this actor and stunt double plays the NFL legend on screen

Laith Wallschleger looked like a mess.

Laith Wallschleger looked like a mess.

He had just run through an exploding wall — literally — as a stunt double for former NFL star Rob Gronkowski in a Super Bowl commercial and had plaster all over his hair, face and body. 

But he had a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to New York in a matter of hours, and his appearance was the last thing on his mind. Quickly throwing on a different set of clothes, Wallschleger rushed off the set and headed to Los Angeles International Airport for an acting role he had booked ... as Gronkowski.

Portraying Gronkowski, the future Hall of Fame tight end and larger-than-life personality, on screen was easy. After all, they’ve been friends since college. 

“I’ve hung out with him for so many years,” Wallschleger said of playing Gronk on FX’s "American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez."

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/rob-gronkowski-stunt-double-rcna175601

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