Pro wrestler Mike Walden from Louisville, Kentucky, portrays Bigfoot, the bodyguard for Sylvester Stallone's character on the Paramount+ series Tulsa King. This marks Walden's only scripted TV role to date, with 20 appearances on the show. Walden transitioned from a 30-year wrestling career under the name Cash Flo.
Taylor Sheridan created Tulsa King in under a week, facing a casting challenge to find someone imposing enough to serve as a bodyguard for Stallone's mafioso Dwight Manfredi. Walden, a longtime pro wrestler, took on the role of Bigfoot, a character sharing his real name and Kentucky roots. Speaking to WDRB in Louisville, Walden noted similarities to wrestling but emphasized the differences: 'There are some similarities to wrestling. But it is totally different, and it is extremely hard.' Stallone provided encouragement, telling him, 'On camera, you're so powerful. I need you on my team.' Walden's path to the role began with appearances on wrestling broadcasts and the Netflix docuseries Wrestlers. His agent later connected him for an audition after his exposure there. On the podcast Fightful Wrestling With Sean Ross Sapp, Walden described Stallone's call as surreal and said the actor made him feel like a star. Before Tulsa King, Walden appeared in the 2021 film Afro Samurai Live Action Hood Ninja and a 2025 documentary about wrestling promoter David Herro. Despite the milestone, Walden views it as just another step: 'From the outside looking in, you can say that's his break. But for me, it's just another step.'
