'Eddie the Eagle' transitions from Olympic ski jumper to actor, in photos

Michael Edwards, famously known as “Eddie the Eagle,” has transitioned from Olympic ski jumper to small-time actor as he expands his repertoire. Edwards, who became Britain’s first Olympic ski jumper in 1988, has since embraced various roles, from recording songs to speaking engagements. Now 62, he continues to entertain audiences, proving that his spirit and determination have kept him soaring.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

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Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle, left, playing Professor Crackpot, receives applaud as he performs with fellow actors in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, wears a replica of his 1988 helmet with the original glasses during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, speaks during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle, center right, plays Professor Crackpot as he performs with fellow actors in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre, in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle, plays Professor Crackpot in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre, in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, poses for a photo at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

FILE - British ski jumper Michael Edwards known as Eddie The Eagle flies towards 58th, and last place, in the 70 meter ski jump at the Winter Olympics, in Calgary, February 14, 1988. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara, File)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, arranges his photos from the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle plays Professor Crackpot in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eaglen plays Professor Crackpot in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre, in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, wears a replica of his 1988 helmet with the original glasses, during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

More Images

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle, left, playing Professor Crackpot, receives applaud as he performs with fellow actors in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, wears a replica of his 1988 helmet with the original glasses during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, speaks during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle, center right, plays Professor Crackpot as he performs with fellow actors in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre, in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle, plays Professor Crackpot in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre, in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, poses for a photo at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

FILE - British ski jumper Michael Edwards known as Eddie The Eagle flies towards 58th, and last place, in the 70 meter ski jump at the Winter Olympics, in Calgary, February 14, 1988. (AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara, File)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, arranges his photos from the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eagle plays Professor Crackpot in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

Michael Edwards, better known as Eddie the Eaglen plays Professor Crackpot in the pantomime "Beauty and the Beast" at Watersmeet Theatre, in Rickmansworth, England, Dec. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Krych)

British former ski jumper Michael Edwards, known as Eddie the Eagle, wears a replica of his 1988 helmet with the original glasses, during an interview at the Ski and Snowboard Center, in Gloucester, England, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

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PARIS (AP) — The Louvre in Paris reopened fully on Friday after staff voted to suspend a strike that had disrupted access to the world’s most visited museum, management and unions said.

The decision was taken during a general assembly of museum workers, who voted unanimously to pause the strike to allow the museum to welcome visitors, unions said in a statement. The walkout had led to a full closure earlier in the week and a partial reopening on Wednesday.

Unions said the suspension followed five meetings with Culture Ministry officials but said progress remains insufficient, particularly on staffing levels, pay and long-term security plans. They also cited concerns over building deterioration and working conditions.

Union representatives criticized what they described as a lack of engagement from Louvre President Laurence des Cars during the strike, saying she neither met staff nor addressed them during the mobilization.

Workers are due to hold another general assembly on Jan. 5 to decide whether to resume strike action.

'Eddie the Eagle' transitions from Olympic ski jumper to actor, in photos

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