What is the name of the actor who played Ivan Drago?

The actor who played Ivan Drago is Dolph Lundgren. The towering Soviet boxer first appears in Rocky IV (1985), where he challenges Apollo Creed in an exhibition match before facing Rocky Balboa in the film's climactic bout.

Lundgren was born Hans Lundgren in Stockholm, Sweden, and had a background in martial arts before becoming an international action-film star. His imposing physique helped him win the part after auditioning for the role, and he reportedly trained intensely in bodybuilding and boxing before filming began.

A common mix-up is confusing the fictional Drago with his son, Viktor Drago, who appears in Creed II. Dolph Lundgren also returned as Ivan in that film, this time portraying him as Viktor's trainer. Another nearby fact fans often ask about is Drago's famous defeat of Apollo Creed, which becomes a major part of Adonis Creed's motivation in the Creed films.