When we think of actors in action movies, we tend to associate them with exaggerated graphics and stunt doubles. There is no doubt that Hollywood knows how to make complete amateurs real McCoys on the big screen. But there is a surprising number of actors who, not only because of the hype, but actually earned themselves a reputation as real martial artists. Some of them even make it a point to perform their own stunts, refusing to let a stuntman risk their life. .
10. Jason Statham
A British actor known for his tough, hardcore personality and explosive fighting skills, Jason Statham is more than just a front for the camera. His fighting ability stems from his athletic background, as well as specialized training in martial arts such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Wing Chun kung fu, karate, kickboxing, and other disciplines. He began martial arts as a teenager and also represented England as a diver in the 1990 Commonwealth Final. As one of the few actors who insists that his fight scenes not be choreographed, he has done so in most of his films, but especially in the Crank, The Transporter, The Fast and the Furious, and The Expendables franchises.
9. Wesley Snipes
As one of the few African American actors to dominate the martial arts and action world, Wesley Snipes has become a legend thanks to his brand of trained martial artist. Although his earlier roles in films such as New Jack City (1991), Jungle Fever (1991) and White Men Can’t Jump (1992) did not showcase his fighting technique, his skills were solid. and sharp as a blade (pun intended). ). From the age of 12, Snipes began to practice martial arts and received a 5th dan black belt in Shotokan Karate, and also practiced hapkido, kung fu, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing. His role in Blade immortalized him as a martial arts legend, in addition to other low-budget films focusing more on his fighting skill.
8. Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is also considered one of the most modest and unadorned actors in Hollywood. In modern times, he is best known for his roles in The Matrix trilogy and John Wick, both of which are intense action films with multiple martial arts scenes. When asked about his martial arts background, he replied, “I have no martial arts experience… I only know the Kung Fu movie.” However, what he lacks in personal training, he makes up for in independent stunts. In particular, in the Matrix and John Wick franchises, he performs 90 percent of his stunts, even at 58 years old.RELATED:
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7. Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan has been showing his Hong Kong martial arts to the world since the 1970s in kung fu films such as Little Tiger from Canton (1973), The New Fist of Fury (1976) and The Drunken Master (1978). He even worked alongside the legendary Bruce Lee as a stuntman in Fist of Fury and Enter the Dragon. He has achieved success in Hollywood with films such as the Police Story franchise, Armor of God 2: Operation Condor, Rush Hour, Who Am I?, The Accidental Spy, Shanghai Noon, The Tuxedo, and a number of other films with other famous Hollywood celebrities. Chan is most praised for personally performing all of his own stunts, up until his death.
6. Jet Li
Jet Li’s early mastery of wushu, or “martial arts”, propelled him to superstardom on the Hollywood screen. It is reported that the Chinese authorities discovered him because of his athletic ability and invited him to the Beijing School of Sports and Exercise. His first major film was Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Martial Arts. He gained international recognition when he starred in Romeo Must Die, Cradle 2: The Grave, Lethal Weapon, The Expendables, Alone and War, to name a few. His speed and agility made him exceptional for the job. Lee performed almost all of his own stunts, but only uses a stunt double for complex action sequences.
5. Jean-Claude Van Damme
As a highly skilled and accomplished martial artist, Jean-Claude Van Damme has become a household name for his charming and flirtatious demeanor. The Belgian actor is also known as a director and choreographer, performing his own stunts in films such as Bloodsport, Cop, Hard Target and Kickboxer. He is especially known for his epic splits, which he displayed in his films, as well as in a Volvo commercial where he sits between two moving trucks to show the accuracy and validity of the news from the outside.
4. Michael Jai White
Michael Jay White is one of the few African-American actors who has proven himself as a master of martial arts, as well as one of the few who was brave enough to perform his own stunts. White is also capable of many things, as the roles of screenwriter, director and producer suit him. He began his martial arts journey at the age of seven and has black belts in various styles of martial arts, such as Shotokan, Taekwondo, Kobudo, Goju-ryu and Wushu, to name a few. His roles in cinema include the role of Mike Tyson in the films “Tyson”, “Toxic Avenger, Part 2”, “Blood and Bone”, “Indisputable”, “Universal Soldier. Возвращение” (together with Jean-Claude Van Damme) and in many other films. He is also the first African-American to play the role of a superhero in Spawn.
3. Taylor Lautner
Taylor Lautner can be considered the youngest master of martial arts in Hollywood, but don’t let his age confuse you. Known primarily for his role as Jacob Black in the “Twilight” film series, he charms the crowd with his athletic physique and impressive fighting skills. His interest and innate ability to learn the fighting style of karate from the age of six led to the fact that he succeeded in this discipline. By the age of eight, he became the owner of a black belt, and by the age of twelve, he won three gold medals for representing America in the World Karate Association. In 2015, he starred in the action parkour film “Tracers”, in which he performed all his stunts personally.
2. Steven Seagal
Recognized as one of the veterans of the martial arts world, Steven Seagal has established himself as an actor, producer, screenwriter and martial artist. Seagal started martial arts at a very tender age. At 17, he went to Japan to teach English as well as improve his martial arts skills, earning black belts in aikido, karate, judo, and kendo. He dominated the martial arts film era of the 90s, with films like Above the Law, Hard to Kill and Under Siege, and later in movies with celebrities like Ja Rule in Coming Out of Wounds. .