By Patrick Douglas

There is little debate regarding the acting factor required to pull off a top role in professional wrestling. To be the best, you’ve gotta not only possess world class guns, you also have to have some thespian skills. That’s why it’s no surprise to see guys like Steve Austin, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Goldberg, John Cena and even, gulp, Hulk Hogan rolling out major motion pictures over the years.

That’s where Chris Jericho comes in. Last year, he co-starred and received top billing in the low budget horror flick Albino Farm, and this year has a role in the upcoming SNL comedy MacGruber, directed by Jorma Taccone. It’s not something the wrestler takes lightly, as he’s been preparing to give acting a go for awhile.

“I trained and studied acting for two years when I was off and learned methods [like] the Strasberg method. I love playing characters and my body of work is getting bigger now,” said Jericho. “I’ve been so specific in staying away from typical roles that you would expect Jericho to play and I’m gonna continue to do that.”

His part in Albino Farm was that of a creepy and disturbed individual who helps lead a group of four unsuspecting youngsters into a night of blood and gore. Being able to take the reigns as a psycho and add his own little twists was the reason Jericho signed up in the first place.

“Just reading the script you knew it had a chance to be something different from the normal, cheesy horror movie. There’s something about it that makes you feel dirty,” said Jericho, who spent most of his time on the set by himself in hopes of not losing his mojo. “I decided somehow, someway, when I put that stuff on, this is what this guy would do.”

With MacGruber, Jericho got to test out his comedic skills under the tutelage of SNL guru Lorne Michaels.

“I have a great scene with Will Forte. I was able to do some improv that added to my scene,” said Jericho, who also fronts the rock band Fozzy (www.fozzyrock.com). “You get thrown into the fire with these guys, they’re the funniest guys in the world and you have to show ‘em your chops and get involved in it right away.”

While it’s not a new thing for pro wrestlers to try professional acting, it’s rare for them to make the jump to legitimate Hollywood star. It remains to be seen whether or not Jericho will meet similar success as The Rock, but for now, he’s laying the foundation.

“I’d definitely like to do more acting in the future and learn more and expand more and play more characters ‘cause … Chris Jericho is someone I created and play every week with great commitment,” said Jericho. “I would like to continue doing that in other roles as well.”

MacGruber is scheduled to hit theaters everywhere starting on April 23.