20+ Actors Who, In Real Life, Are Formidable Martial Artists

John Cusack

The lovable John Cusack is one of those performers who, in terms of publicity, tends to fly under the radar. As a result, you might be shocked to hear that he has a level six black belt in the martial art of ukidokan kickboxing. In fact, he’s been connected with the sport for three decades and is frequently found on Twitter gushing about it.

John Cusack

Jennifer Aniston

Have you ever wondered how Jennifer Aniston has kept her beautiful shape for so long? Budokon, a mixed-movement practice that the Friends actress has acknowledged for her upper body power, could be the reason. She’s also introduced yoga-like activities to her spouse, Justin Theroux.

Jennifer Aniston

Forest Whitaker

Despite playing the wicked tyrant Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, Forest Whitaker is actually endearing. However, you might not want to get on his bad side, especially given his Kenpo karate high-kicking skills. And Whitaker has attained the rank of 1st Dan, demonstrating that he is more than capable in the demanding discipline.

Forest Whitaker

Jessica Biel

While many on this list began martial arts as a passion separate from their employment, Jessica Biel was the polar opposite. She discovered she enjoyed learning routines for her role in Total Recall so much that it has now become a part of her exercise routine. “I’m really into martial arts now – it’s the most amazing workout ever,” she told Look magazine in 2011.

Jessica Biel

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves has made no secret of his love for martial arts throughout the years, starring in The Matrix and directing the kung-fu film Man of Tai Chi. But with the 2014 action film John Wick, he pushed things to a whole new level. He not only spent months learning judo, but he also studied jiujitsu, which helped give his character the lethal moves featured in the film.

Keanu Reeves

Katheryn Winnick

Katheryn Winnick is a martial arts gem in the acting profession. Her ass-kicking abilities were well-honed before she entered the industry, as she received her first black belt at the age of 13. Winnick had three martial arts schools up and running by the time she was 21. The Vikings star focuses in taekwondo and karate, and she holds black belts in both disciplines.

Katheryn Winnick

James Caan

James Caan, another acting legend, was no stranger to getting physical and gained a very outstanding 6th Dan level in Gosoku-ryu karate. In reality, under the guidance of Takayuki Kuboto, he ended up teaching martial arts to the Culver City Police Department. Wow!

James Caan

Sean Connery

Sean Connery may have appeared to be the perfect gentleman, but he could get down and dirty with the best of them. The Scot studied Kyokushin karate and got a first-degree black belt as a result of his efforts. In addition, everyone’s favorite During the making of Never Say Never Again, James Bond famously got into an actual battle with a martial arts master, who shattered his wrist. Who was the instructor? Steven Seagal, to be precise.

Sean Connery

Ashton Kutcher

Isn’t Ashton Kutcher perfectly safe? No, not exactly. Kutcher is a student of Brazilian jiujitsu and achieved his purple belt in 2014. He’s also in good hands, having been taken under the wing of the legendary Rigan Machado. Meanwhile, Machado was trained by The Gracies, pioneers in martial arts development.

Ashton Kutcher

 Sarah Michelle Gellar

It’s critical to have some slick maneuvers in your arsenal if you’re going to play Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And Sarah Michelle Gellar has enough of them, even rising to the rank of 1st Dan in taekwondo. In addition, Gellar engages in kickboxing, street fighting, and boxing, making her the perfect all-arounder.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Naomi Watts

You’d think Naomi Watts, who played the scared Rachel in The Ring, was all sweetness. That is not the case for this modest performer, who has been studying martial arts since she was a child. Yes, after competing in amateur judo competitions in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Watts moved on to learn Brazilian jiujitsu, which she still does today.

Naomi Watts

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes is an all-around legend, but combine him with martial arts and you’ve got the real deal. The Blade actor is skilled in two martial arts: Shotokan karate and Brazilian jiujitsu. Meanwhile, the Independent asked him in 2010 if he had ever had to utilize his abilities in a real-life encounter, to which he replied cryptically, “It ended very quickly.” The lesson to be learned here is don’t mess with Blade.

Wesley Snipes

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay, star of Law & Order: SVU, is no stranger to martial arts. She began her training in the 1990s and has now mastered the technique of Shotokan karate. She even received a first-degree black belt for her efforts. In describing her love for the sport, she previously said, “It exercises your discipline in a way I haven’t found in other sports.”

Mariska Hargitay

Jason Statham

Jason Statham, a British tough man, trains in a variety of martial arts, including Brazilian jiujitsu, Wing Chun, karate, and kickboxing. However, the rationale behind his selections is rather intriguing: he wishes to conceal his face. Furthermore, in a 2014 interview with Combat Bear, he expressed his aversion to any form of face-to-face martial arts. “Because there’s not a lot of contact with the face,” Statham explained. “As a result, the face will not be injured, which is critical in my line of work.” Excellent decision!

Jason Statham

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba, an actress and entrepreneur, is no slouch when it comes to battle scenes, viewing them as the ideal occasion to showcase her martial arts skills. And, while she’s dabbled in a variety of martial arts over the years, she’s just discovered the highly violent Krav Maga. On a 2016 broadcast of Today, she remarked of the fighting style, “It’s brutal, it’s fast, it’s to the point, and it was fun to do!”

Jessica Alba

Ed O’Neill

Ed O’Neill, star of Married… with Children and Modern Family, is perhaps not someone you’d expect to be involved in martial arts. He was taught Brazilian jiujitsu by the famous Rorion Gracie and was awarded a black belt for his years of dedication.

Ed O’Neill

Ice-T

Few media figures are as fiery as the belligerent rapper Ice-T. He may be found practicing jiujitsu techniques in his spare time when he isn’t playing the imposing detective Fin Tutuola on Law & Order: SVU or fronting the violent heavy metal band Body Count. Don’t annoy the iceman.

Ice T

Robert Downey Jr.

Few stories are as uplifting as Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback to Hollywood. While his difficulties with addiction are well-documented, few people are aware that the martial art of Wing Chun played a significant role in his recovery. The actor was trained by the fighting style’s originator, Eric Oram, and credits it for his lifestyle shift. Downey Jr. was so moved that he told Oprah, “Martial has just been… I can’t tell you how much it has affected my capacity to stay healthy and focused.”

Robert Downey Jr.

Ralph Macchio

Ralph Macchio may not be as skilled as the other martial artists on this list, but he was the Karate Kid! He also has injuries to show it. Macchio stated on the DVD commentary for The Karate Kid that the bruise on his chin, which is visible at one moment in the film, was caused by a wayward roundhouse kick during the Halloween night skeleton fight.

Ralph Macchio

Jack Black

The Kung Fu Panda and Tenacious D rocker has studied judo and has been known to display some of his techniques when performing on stage, including a tiger roll. In preparation for Kung Fu Panda, he also underwent kung fu training.

Jack Black

Gisele Bundchen

Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady’s spouse and occasionally harsh critic of wide receivers, is another famous person who does martial arts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. At the Boston Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute, Gisele received kung fu and tai chi instruction from Yao Li.

Gisele Bundchen

Courtney Cox

Here is the Friends co-star who introduced Jennifer Anniston to Budokon. Even David Arquette, Courtney Cox’s ex-husband, joined her for a workout (while they were married, of course). The name of Cameron Shayne’s organization, Budokon, translates as “the way of the spiritual warrior.”

Courteney Cox

D’Brickashaw Ferguson

D’Brickashaw Ferguson, a 6’6″, 310-pound offensive tackle for the New York Jets, holds a black belt in karate and also practices taekwondo. His father holds a license to teach karate. Ferguson’s footwork, dexterity, and discipline have all been attributed to his martial arts training.

D’Brickashaw Ferguson

President Barack Obama

Barack Obama, the president of the United States, has a green belt in taekwondo. When he was a junior senator from Illinois between 2001 and 2005, the president spent four years studying taekwondo. President Lee Myung-Bak of South Korea conferred an honorary black belt in taekwondo on Obama in 2009.

Barack Obama

Dave Mustain

Since he was 12 years old, Megadeth’s main singer has been learning various fighting strategies. He holds black belts in both taekwondo and karate. He represents the World Taekwondo Federation as a goodwill ambassador.

Dave Mustain

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq has been practicing MMA for a long time and is a major admirer of the sport. He just consented to challenge another well-known name on this list. Later, we’ll talk a little more on that…

Shaquille O’Neal

David Lee Roth

Frontman/crazy person for Van Halen, David Lee Roth has studied a variety of martial arts, including karate and kung fu. He even runs classes in martial arts. Watch this video to see Roth applying his skills in the real world.

David Lee Roth

Jose Canseco

Jose Canseco, a former baseball slugger who has acknowledged to using performance-enhancing drugs, has competed professionally in mixed martial arts. Canseco was indeed the one who challenged basketball legend Shaq to compete in an MMA contest!

Jose Canseco

Joe Rogan

The comedian and UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as MMA fans are aware. He studied BJJ with Eddie Bravo and is a brown belt. Since he was a little child, he has also trained in taekwondo. He actually holds a black belt in taekwondo and has won four consecutive state championships in the sport in Massachusetts.

He won the US Open Taekwondo Championship at the age of 19, and he went on to win the grand championship after outlasting the middleweight and heavyweight champions in his weight class.

Joe Rogan

Mickey Rourke

Mickey Rourke, who had studied boxing as a youngster, switched his focus to acting and rose to fame in the 1980s thanks to roles in films like Diner, Rumble Fish, and 9 And A Half Weeks. He won the most praise from critics for the Charles Bukowski movie Barfly. When Rourke decided to stop acting in 1989 and start boxing professionally, many people were shocked. According to his own account, he had “had little respect for [himself] as an actor” and had gained greater notoriety for his personal life and acting choices.

Mickey Rourke

Jean Claude Van Damme

It should come as no surprise that Jean-Claude Van Damme is a skilled martial artist. At the age of ten, he started learning Shotokan karate, and at the age of 18, he received his black belt. Van Damme began practicing for the national karate team when he was 12 years old. At the age of 15, he started a competitive career in semi-contact karate, where he amassed an astonishing 44 victories. To enhance his physique, he also started bodybuilding, which allowed him to become ‘Mr. Belgium Bodybuilding’. He started dancing when he was 16 to develop his general physicality and balance. Although he also studied taekwondo and Muay Thai, the most of his moves are a fusion of karate and kickboxing.

Jean Claude Van Damme

Dolph Lundgren

Lundgren has frequently asserted that the tense nature of his relationship with his father motivated him to continuously push himself to do better. He has a degree and master’s in chemical engineering, but he wasn’t just content to stick to academics; he also decided to learn karate and became a 3rd dan black belt in Kyokushin karate. Following his transformation into Grace Jones’ bodyguard, the two started dating and eventually moved to New York. Lundgren was given a small part as a KGB operative when Jones, Roger Moore, and Christopher Walken were cast in the James Bond film A View to a Kill.

Dolph Lundgren

Taylor Lautner

It’s possible that Taylor Lautner trained in martial arts since birth. Actually, he started learning karate at the age of six, received his black belt at the age of eight, and at one point held the top spot in his division according to the American Sports Karate Association.

Lautner was a gifted athlete who excelled in dance and football. He played the fictional hero Sharkboy in the movie The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl, where his outstanding talent at such a young age was well utilized. In addition to his ongoing martial arts training, he engaged in intense weight training to gain over 30 pounds of muscle before landing his breakthrough role as Jacob Black in the Twilight film series.

Taylor Lautner

Neil Brown Jr.

In total, Neil Brown Jr. spent 26 years learning boxing and martial arts before making an appearance in the WMAC Masters martial arts TV show. The two-season program featured carefully staged fights between real martial artists. Despite the show’s lack of popularity, he was given enough screen time to draw some attention.

Neil Brown Jr.

Mark Dacascos

Mark Dacascos has primarily played action parts throughout his career and has studied in martial arts since he was seven years old. He participated in and won a number of kung fu and karate competitions between the ages of 7 and 18. Dacascos has studied muay thai with kru puk, capoeira with Mestre Amen Santo, and wushu with Coaches Eric and Debbie Chen. He is skilled in his father’s martial art, Wun Hop Kuen Do.

Mark Dacascos

Michael Jai White

His appearances in the Tyler Perry films Why Did I Get Married and Why Did I Get Married Too have made him most well-known. Michael Jai White has established himself in a number of action movies over the past few decades, in addition to Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse and its spin-off TV series. In 1997’s Spawn, a year before Wesley Snipes’ Blade, he made history by becoming the first black actor to play a prominent comic book superhero in a major motion picture.

White has been practicing jiu-jitsu since he was seven years old. He is an incredibly talented and committed martial artist, holding no less than eight black belts in shotokan, taekwondo, kobudo, goju ryu, tang soo do, wushu, and kyokushin.

Michael Jai White

Chuck Norris

According to rumors, Chuck Norris pulls the world down more than he pushes himself up when performing push-ups. Although the entertaining list of Chuck Norris facts is not entirely accurate (there isn’t another fist hidden under his beard), his reputation as a strong guy is well-earned.

He joined the Air Force in 1958 and was stationed in Korea where he first trained in tang soo do. His interest led to black belts and eventually in developing his own fighting style, chun kuk do. He currently holds a 10th degree black belt in that, a 9th degree black belt tang soo do, an 8th degree black belt in taekwondo, 5th degree black belt in karate, 3rd degree black belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu and a black belt judo. In 1990, he became the first westerner to be awarded an 8th degree black belt in taekwondo, becoming a Grand Master.

Chuck Norris

John Foo

John Foo, one of the list’s more promising actors, is quickly establishing himself as a dependable action star. He began his career as an extra or stunt performer in films like Universal Soldier: Regeneration and Batman Begins (2005), when he played a member of the League of Shadows (2010). He has been studying intensively in Wushu since he was 15 years old. From the age of 8, he pursued Kung Fu and Judo training. This skill set gave him an advantage when breaking into Hollywood, and when combined with his stuntman abilities and shockingly quick delivery of a deadpan one-liner, he becomes a star to watch in the future.

John Foo

Jason David Frank

Without a Power Ranger, this list wouldn’t qualify as an actor/martial artist list. No other actor has the martial arts badassery of Jason David Frank, who played Tommy Oliver on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. The cast of the program has fluctuated throughout the years, and some of them had actual martial arts training before being cast. Jason started learning martial arts at a young age, and by the time he was 18, he had earned a black belt and was instructing younger students. Jason is now studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and holds a 7th degree black belt in Shotokan karate.

Jason David Frank

Sho Kosugi

Sho Kosugi was the ideal ninja from a movie. Sho Kosugi’s badassery in the 1980s is to thank for the shinobi’s love. Sho Kosugi’s amazing skill set was utilized in every film that featured a ninja with advanced martial arts abilities. Sho Kosugi was not just a fantastic fighter and weapons specialist, but also a gifted actor given the subject matter.

Sho Kosugi

Michael Dudikoff

How about the American Ninja series from the 1980s while we’re talking about movie ninjas? In the film series of the same name, Michael Dudikoff portrayed the American ninja who holds the title. Michael was trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a martial art that was less well-known in the United States at the time the American Ninja movies were filmed but was familiar with striking martial arts when he was cast in the part.

Michael Dudikoff

Steven Seagal

At 64 years old, Steven Seagal is still going strong and has a well-deserved reputation in Hollywood as an authentic ass-kicker. Although it’s well known that Seagal has run-ins with many people, he still maintains positive working connections with everyone in the industry that helped him become well-known in the 1980s and 1990s. A 7th Dan black belt in Aikido, Seagal was formerly employed as an Aikido instructor before stepping in front of the camera. He started his career in Japan, then established the first American Aikido dojo before relocating to Los Angeles in an effort to maybe make money with his skill set.

Steven Seagal

Jackie Chan

Before Jackie Chan found fame in American cinema, he had been doing it for a very long time. Ironically, Rumble in the Bronx, one of his first movies to be made in the country, wasn’t even intended for an American audience. Additionally, the movie wasn’t actually filmed in America. Yes, it was filmed in North America—more specifically, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. However, it made Americans aware of Jackie Chan, the Chinese sensation. Chan is a skilled martial artist who has trained in tae kwon do, judo, hapkido, and karate. He was a product of Chinese martial arts cinema, yet the top stuntmen in Hollywood and around the world coveted his work.

Jackie Chan

Jet Li

Another Chinese film legend who eventually received a role in American cinema was Jet Li. Li was given the chance to play the unstoppable villain in Lethal Weapon 4 opposite Mel Gibson and Danny Glover after years of acting in movies in his native China. After astonish­ing viewers in the blockbuster, Jet Li went on to have instant­aneous success in a number of American martial arts movies, where he played both the hero and the bad guy. He has a strong background in martial arts, is a master of several types of wushu, and won numerous gold medals in Chinese national contests before the age of majority.

Jet Li

Bruce Lee

The legend of Bruce Lee goes far beyond the movie screen, but thanks to the medium, the world was able to know the martial arts master. For those who absolutely love the sub-genre of martial arts flicks, you can offer your continuous gratitude to Bruce Lee. No doubt martial arts films would have been made, but would they have been popular or profitable without the founder of Jeet Kune Do? Bruce Lee studied Wing Chun under the legendary Yip Man. Unlike many on this list, Bruce didn’t start training as a toddler or child, rather as an adolescent who was getting his butt kicked by rival gangs.

Bruce Lee

Cynthia Rothrock

In the films, Rothrock exhibits possibly the highest level of female martial artistry we have ever witnessed. She was viewed as the ideal combination of beauty and badass by both martial arts and cinema lovers. She was also one of the select few Western performers to enjoy true stardom in China.

At the age of 13, Cynthia began her martial arts training, eventually becoming a master in a variety of techniques. She participated in numerous martial arts competitions, including those using weapons. She took first place 32 times throughout her career, including 12 times in competitions using weapons. Additionally, because there were no women’s divisions back then, she frequently fought against men.

Cynthia Rothrock

Billy Wayne Blanks

In the 1990s, Billy Wayne reigned supreme in underground martial arts films. He was also, in our opinion, a seriously undervalued actor who was an accomplished martial artist in real life. Billy’s hip joints were abnormal when he was born in 1955, which limited his ability to move. He enrolled in Taekwondo and Karate classes when he was a small child. However, his coaches believed that given his limitations, he would not accomplish much. Wayne was able to triumph despite all odds and achieve mastery in taekwondo, kung fu, and karate thanks to his unwavering determination and willpower.

Billy Wayne Blanks

Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson

Wilson is unquestionably the greatest underappreciated martial arts actor, and we can’t seem to get away from that. He wasn’t a megastar like Jean Claude Van Dame, which is primarily the reason for this. However, he had a sizable fan base just because he appeared in so many legendary underground action films. In addition, many people consider him the greatest full-contact kickboxer in American history and the greatest kickboxer to ever appear on the big screen.

Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson

Michael Imperioli

In Goodfellas and The Sopranos, Michael Imperioli perfected battling with words. But it turns out he’s not too bad on his feet either. The talented performer began taekwondo as part of a healthy lifestyle and claims that it assisted him in quitting smoking. “Taekwondo teaches you that you can overcome any obstacle, that you can tackle anything,” he said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Michael Imperioli

Wiz Khalifa

Wiz is renowned primarily for leading a wild and unhealthy lifestyle. The rap icon Snoop Dog claims that Wiz is the only person who can smoke more marijuana than him. I mean, isn’t that perhaps what every smoker strives for? We were therefore very surprised to learn that Wiz had made the decision to slow down his life by training Muay Thai. And believe us, he is a true workaholic who has already demonstrated some excellent skills. Additionally, he changed his physique by adding 40 pounds of muscle!

Wiz Khalifa

Guy Ritchie

Ritchie is a well-known film producer and director who has a great love for martial arts. At the young age of seven, he began training in karate. He later attained black belts in both karate and judo. Later, Guy would switch to BJJ and practice under the watchful eye of Renzo Gracie, the maestro himself. He became addicted to it right away, and Renzo gave him the black belt after years of rolling on the mats. Guy is a legitimate black belt in three different combat martial arts, demonstrating his extraordinary skill for the art. Even among martial arts professionals, such is quite uncommon.

Guy Ritchie

Paul Walker

Paul is an important part of the “Fast and Furious,” and there was no denying that he’s filled with adrenaline. Paul participated in everything that was risky enough to give him the much-needed adrenaline spike while he was still alive. Of course, when we think of Paul, we all immediately think of racing and fast automobiles. Few people, however, are aware that Paul is also a devoted martial artist. He spent many years honing the Muay Thai martial art, and he also had a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. But during his burial, Paul received a black belt from his BJJ master. A truly depressing and tragic act.

Paul Walker

Christian Bale

Batman Begins featured Christian Bale. This was the first of a trilogy that would culminate in him playing Batman in the storied Dark Knight films, often regarded as the best Batman films ever made. The focus on Bruce Wayne’s beginnings and how his career as a martial artist began was a crucial aspect of this film. Bale trained in Bhutan in some of the earlier sequences to demonstrate this. Following a rigorous training regimen, Batman returns to Gotham and makes extensive use of his martial arts abilities. Does this fighting style look familiar to you? It’s Wing Chun, which explains why. In earlier movies, Batman frequently used Wing Chun and relied on his arms to deflect blows.

Christian Bale

Kevin James

James found that he genuinely enjoyed training in mixed martial arts—and training with the greatest of the best—while exercising. James claims he trained with great MMA fighters who, by taking it easy on him, undoubtedly allowed him to give his all to everything he did.

Kevin James

Jim Carrey

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training has started for Jim Carrey. Although I couldn’t find a video of him working out, I did find a clip from his time on In Living Color in which he plays a martial arts coach. Funny things.

Jim Carrey

Nicolas Cage

The legendary Royce Gracie teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to actor Nicolas Cage. What a surprise right? Well, if you want to know more about this, you can check out the film Bangkok Dangerous to see Cage doing another form of martial arts called “Wing Chun”!

Nicolas Cage

Maynard James Keenan

Lead singer of the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle, Maynard James Keenan, studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Rickson Gracie.

Maynard James Keenan

Rikki Rockett

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renato Magno is Poison drummer Rikki Rockett. Good to know that he’s also active outside of the drums!

Rikki Rockett

Evan Rachel Wood

In taekwondo, actress Evan Rachel Wood earned her black belt alongside her mother.

Evan Rachel Wood

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker, an Oscar-winning actor, practices the Kali style of Filipino martial arts and holds a black belt in kenpo.

Forest Whitaker

Christian Slater

Actor Christian Slater started learning karate because of a lifetime feeling of inadequacy he had over his height. He currently holds a green belt in karate.

Christian Slater

Ryan Phillippe

Taekwondo expert Ryan Phillippe holds a black belt. He has taught children martial arts and participated in competitions.

Ryan Phillippe

Willie Nelson

Additionally a black belt in taekwondo, this country music great. Nelson is pictured working out with Sam Um, a master of taekwondo.

Willie Nelson

Lucy Liu

Actress Lucy Liu, who starred in Kill Bill, is a Kali-Eskrima-Silat practitioner (knife-and-stick fighting).

Lucy Liu

Tommy Lee

Tommy Lee, the notorious drummer for Motley Crue, studies Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the Gracie Family. Simply observe the rear-naked choke in the image.

We hope you enjoyed reading about the famous people who practice martial arts. Do you believe there’s a potential that Celebrity MMA will become popular like Celebrity Boxing was a few years ago?

Tommy Lee

Demi Lovato

The strength of Demi Lovato’s voice is not the only thing it possesses. The 5″2 vocalist is a blue belt in grappling-focused combat sport Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2016, she started practicing the martial art after falling in love with MMA.

Jiu-Jitsu champion Danielle Martin, the starlet’s former coach, claims that Lovato has a natural sense for fighting and is quick to learn up new techniques. The Dancing with the Devil singer claimed during an interview on Joe Rogan’s podcast that she finds art to be calming and that it aids in her feeling balanced.

Demi Lovato

Chris Hemsworth

Thor, the God of Thunder, wasn’t cast by random Hollywood executives. It is practically impossible to picture anyone else playing the mythological Norse god than Chris Hemsworth. The Australian actor used MMA to build up and lose weight in order to play the Marvel character.

The sparring practice videos Chris has posted to Instagram show that he is pretty skilled at it. The Avengers: Endgame actor put up a battle against his trainer, Luke Zocchi, using outstanding jabbing techniques, and even received accolades from UFC fighters like Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Max Holloway.

Chris Hemsworth

Donnie Yen

Ip Man, the 2008 instant classic biography of Bruce Lee’s mentor, is the most significant and well-known effort by Hong Kong heartthrob and multi-talented mixed martial artist Yen. Wing chun, a close-quarters fighting technique that emphasizes deflections, blocks, and short-arm blows, became more well-known as a result. Even more remarkable when you take into account how quickly Yen picked up the technique—just nine months.

Donnie Yen

Tony Jaa

By forgoing wires and stunt doubles, the next Bruce Lee gives his fight sequences a brutally ultra-realistic feel. Jaa, who was raised in a rural area of Thailand, studied martial arts through movies and in his father’s rice field, eventually becoming proficient in taekwondo, muay thai, aikido, krabi krabong, judo, and jiu-jitsu. The star of Ong-bak is also a high jumper who still clears two meters, a swordsman, and a gymnast. Jaa has an amazing, acrobatic style that is swift, fluid, and mind-blowing. He is shorter than Lee at 5 feet 6 inches, but he punches just as powerful.

Tony Jaa

Iko Uwais

The emerging star began training in the Pencak Silat martial art when he was ten years old. Uwais was employed as a truck driver in Jakarta when Welsh filmmaker Gareth Evans noticed him and cast him in the independent film Merantau from 2009, where he learned the “Sumatran tiger style” of combat. More of his work was displayed in The Raid and The Raid 2, and he even had a small part in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.

Iko Uwais

Bolo Yeung

The Cantonese bodybuilder was frequently cast in evil movie parts due to his intimidatingly powerful stature and downturned mouth, with Enter The Dragon against training buddy Bruce Lee and later Jean-Claude Van Damme being the most noteworthy example. He always made for a particularly charismatic badass, being skilled in tai chi, wing chun, and generally crushing bones.

Bolo Yeung

Chow Yun-Fat

The Hong Kong hero is one of the finest at preparing for certain parts and executing fight choreography with ease. He may be more of an action man than a pure martial artist. As Wudang warrior Li Mu Bai, he displayed astounding wire work and weapon mastery in 2000’s lyrical, Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

Chow Yun Fat

Gordon Liu

Hui Liu, better known by his stage name Gordon, rose to fame in the 1978 masterpiece The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin, which serves as the setting for Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album. As San Te transforms from a novice fighter to a folk hero, it’s the first Shaolin movie to display the monastery’s training procedures. The “Master Killer,” a favorite of Tarantino’s, appeared in two of the Kill Bill movies.

Gordon Liu

Sammo Hung

Hung, a cigar-smoking member of the Hong Kong new wave who revived the genre in the 1970s and 1980s, goes by the moniker “dai goh dai,” or “largest big brother.” He began his career as a child actor before becoming a director, producer, and well-known combat choreographer for actors like Jackie Chan and John Woo. Hung (who starred in Enter The Fat Dragon in 1978) has a large frame yet is remarkably athletic. Outside a nightclub in Kowloon, he was struck with a broken bottle, leaving him with a circular scar on his face.

Sammo Hung

Toshiro Mifune

Director Akira Kurosawa was inspired by battle veteran Mifune because of his genuinely intimidating demeanor and harsh voice. Together, the two produced 16 movies, with 1954’s Seven Samurai being the most well-known. Mifune’s fighting technique was appropriately manly and vicious; George Lucas considered casting him as Obi Wan Kenobi and he nearly landed the role of Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid (1984), but he was rejected because he was thought too frightening.

Toshiro Mifune

Cheng Pei-Pei

In the 1966 film Come Drink With Me, the former ballet dancer established herself as the first screen queen of kung fu. She portrayed the swashbuckling warrior Golden Swallow, whose main goal is to rescue her kidnapped brother. Since the movie served as a key inspiration for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000, Cheng, who was 54 at the time, was chosen by director Ang Lee to play the cunning Jade Fox.

Cheng Pei Pei

Stephen Chow

There is no questioning Stephen Chow’s martial arts skills, even though his acrobatic performances in films like Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle may have been augmented with CGI. He was influenced by Bruce Lee as a youngster and started practicing Wing Chun as a result. And for that, we are quite grateful.

Stephen Chow

Sonny Chiba

raised the bar in terms of violence after Bruce Lee’s time. He had a nasty, showy fighting style to fit his scary wolf-like appearance, viciously decimating opponents while maintaining a thundering sneer on his bushy-browed face. Clarence appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s 1993 film True Romance as a Chiba nerd, and in 2003’s Kill Bill Vol. 1 as the sword maker turned sushi restaurant owner.

Sonny Chiba

Phillip Rhee

A lot of times be-mulled Rhee began learning martial arts at the age of four and has since attained mastery in taekwondo, hapkido, and kendo. The dearth of opportunities in the US film industry frustrated him, so he resolved to start his own. The gritty Best Of The Best (1989–1998) series later developed into cult favorites. His older brother Simon is also no slouch; he has directed stunts and choreographed battles for movies like The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

Phillip Rhee

Michelle Yeoh

Malaysia-born Michelle Yeoh exploits her skills in dancing to great use in her films, pulling out her own stunts and competing with Jackie Chan for sheer death-defying boldness in Police Story 3: Supercop. She performed one of the greatest stunts ever captured on camera when she jumped from a bike to a train in that movie. She took a break from acting in the 1980s, but happily she returned in the 1990s, appearing in the excellent Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. She recently released Everything Everywhere All At Once, one of her best films, which includes some of her best-ever battle scenes, demonstrating that she has no intention of slowing down.

Michelle Yeoh

Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace

The groundbreaking kickboxer, who was unbeaten in his professional career from 1974 to 1980, is now limited to using one leg to punch due to a right leg injury. The Protector (1985), which also stars Jackie Chan, shows how his left leg, which is capable of a deadly-accurate hook-kick measured at 60 mph, became one of the most feared weapons in combat.

Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace

Dragon Lee

Due to his similarity to Bruce Lee, the South Korean taekwondo and hapkido master was frequently referred to as Bruce Lei. star in The Clones Of Bruce Lee (1981) and The Real Bruce Lee, a documentary about the great man.

But if you’re going to see one of his films, pick The Dragon’s Snake Fist.

Dragon Lee

Chris Smalling

Not an actor, but a soccer player; Smalling has a skill unlike most other sportsmen. The former Manchester United defender is more athletic than the average defender, and much of that is probably due to his commitment to the martial art of judo as a youngster before football took over at the age of 15.

In his age group, 32-year-old Smalling was a national champion. Last year, he returned to his former club and performed some of his classic techniques to a hero’s welcome.

Chris Smalling

Bolo Zenden

Another footballer with a deadly secret- skills in judo! Former Barcelona star Zenden chose to pursue judo rather than karate at a young age. Bolo Zenden, the son of former judoka Pierre Zenden, has always had a passion for the discipline. In his native Limburg province, he has won three judo championships and attained his black belt before the age of 14.

Bolo Zenden

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

In his homeland of Malmö, Ibrahimovic notably attained a black-belt in Taekwon-Do at the age of 17. Later, while playing for AC Milan, he was given honorary membership in the Italian Taekwon-Do team.

Ibra’s ability to apply his martial arts training on the field is often praised, and his technically flawless volleys and ball control have come to define his career. However, the former Manchester United striker also enjoys kicking his teammates. He once gave his buddy Antonio Cassano a straight boot to the head.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey might be known for her roles in movies like Furious 7 and Mile 22, but her martial arts credentials are no less impressive. A former UFC champion and Olympic medalist in Judo, Rousey has demonstrated her fighting skills in both the ring and on the big screen. Her transition from sports to acting showcases her versatility and martial arts prowess.

Ronda Rousey

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not just acting—she’s trained in various martial arts to bring authenticity to her role. Johansson has studied Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and kickboxing, making her fight scenes both realistic and riveting. Her dedication to martial arts is evident in her powerful on-screen performances.

Scarlett Johansson

Gina Carano

Gina Carano, former MMA fighter turned actress, is known for her roles in Deadpool and The Mandalorian. Carano has an extensive background in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which translates into her powerful and convincing fight scenes. Her transition from the ring to the screen showcases her impressive martial arts skills.

Gina Carano

Scott Adkins

Scott Adkins is renowned for his martial arts prowess in films like Undisputed and Ninja. Adkins holds a black belt in Taekwondo and is also trained in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Krav Maga. His dedication to martial arts and stunt work makes him one of the most formidable action stars in Hollywood.

Scott Adkins

Chloe Grace Moretz

Chloe Grace Moretz may be young, but her martial arts skills are formidable. Known for her role as Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass, Moretz trained extensively in Taekwondo and gymnastics to perform her own stunts. Her dedication to martial arts is evident in the realistic and energetic fight scenes she delivers.

Chloe Grace Moretz

Carrie-Anne Moss

Carrie-Anne Moss, best known for her role as Trinity in The Matrix series, is a skilled martial artist. Moss trained in Kung Fu and Jiu-Jitsu to perform her intricate fight scenes. Her dedication to martial arts training has made her one of the most iconic action heroines in cinema.

Carrie Anne Moss

Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman, known for his role as Wolverine in the X-Men series, has trained in various martial arts, including boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to embody his character’s fierce fighting style. His commitment to physical training has made his performances both believable and captivating.

Hugh Jackman

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy’s dedication to martial arts is evident in his roles in Warrior and Venom. Hardy has trained in boxing, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, bringing authenticity to his intense and physical performances. His martial arts skills add depth to his tough-guy persona on screen.

Tom Hardy

Zoë Bell

Zoë Bell, a stuntwoman-turned-actress, is known for her roles in Death Proof and The Hateful Eight. Bell is proficient in Taekwondo and Wushu, and her extensive stunt background gives her a unique edge in action sequences. Her martial arts skills and daring stunts make her performances unforgettable.

Zoë Bell

Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe, known for his role in Gladiator, has trained in various martial arts to prepare for his action-packed roles. Crowe’s dedication to training in disciplines like boxing and Krav Maga ensures his fight scenes are as realistic and engaging as possible.

Russell Crowe

Jason Momoa

Jason Momoa, known for his role as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, is a skilled martial artist. Momoa has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has a background in martial arts that includes Kung Fu and Kali. His impressive physicality and martial arts skills are evident in his powerful performances both on and off the screen.

Jason Momoa

Maisie Williams

Maisie Williams, who played Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, trained in various martial arts to prepare for her intense fight scenes. Williams learned Wushu and sword fighting, which helped her portray the fierce and agile Arya. Her dedication to martial arts is evident in her dynamic and captivating performance.

Maisie Williams

Viggo Mortensen

Viggo Mortensen, best known for his role as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has trained in various martial arts, including sword fighting and knife fighting. His rigorous training for the films included mastering horseback riding and combat techniques, making his portrayal of Aragorn authentic and compelling.

Viggo Mortensen

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie, known for her action roles in films like Tomb Raider and Salt, has trained in multiple martial arts, including Krav Maga and Muay Thai. Jolie’s commitment to her martial arts training enhances her performance, making her one of Hollywood’s most believable and formidable action stars.

Angelina Jolie

Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley, known for her roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and King Arthur, has trained in sword fighting and various martial arts disciplines. Knightley’s dedication to her combat training is evident in her convincing and dynamic fight scenes, adding depth to her adventurous characters.

Keira Knightley

Matt Damon

Matt Damon, known for his role as Jason Bourne in the Bourne series, has trained extensively in boxing and Filipino Kali, a martial art focusing on weapon-based fighting. Damon’s dedication to mastering this fighting style has resulted in some of the most realistic and intense fight scenes in modern action cinema.

Matt Damon

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron, who starred in Atomic Blonde and Mad Max: Fury Road, trained in various martial arts including Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai. Theron’s rigorous training regimen for her action roles showcases her physicality and commitment to performing authentic fight scenes.

Charlize Theron

Taron Egerton

Taron Egerton, known for his role in the Kingsman series, has trained in various martial arts disciplines, including boxing and parkour. His intense training allows him to perform many of his own stunts, bringing a high level of energy and authenticity to his action-packed roles.

Taron Egerton

Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill, famous for his role as Superman in the DC Extended Universe, has trained in multiple martial arts disciplines, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Krav Maga. Cavill’s dedication to his martial arts training is evident in his powerful and realistic fight scenes, adding depth to his superhero persona.

Henry Cavill

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, known for his role as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, has undergone extensive sword fighting and combat training. His martial arts and stage combat skills added realism to his portrayal of the skilled and complex knight, enhancing his dynamic fight scenes.

Nikolaj Coster Waldau

Idris Elba

Idris Elba, known for his roles in Luther and Thor, has trained in kickboxing and Muay Thai. Elba even competed in a professional kickboxing match, showcasing his dedication to martial arts. His training enhances his physical presence and intensity in his action roles.

Idris Elba

Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie, best known for his role in House, is a skilled boxer. Laurie has trained in boxing for many years, which has contributed to his physical fitness and endurance. His martial arts training adds an unexpected layer of toughness to his versatile acting skills.

Hugh Laurie

Olivia Munn

Olivia Munn, known for her role as Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse, has trained in Taekwondo and has a black belt in the discipline. Munn’s martial arts skills are evident in her convincing and fluid fight scenes, showcasing her dedication to her craft.

Olivia Munn

Dylan O’Brien

Dylan O’Brien, known for his roles in Teen Wolf and The Maze Runner series, has trained in martial arts, including parkour and combat training. O’Brien’s dedication to his physical training allows him to perform many of his own stunts, adding realism to his action scenes.

Dylan O’Brien

Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale, known for her roles in the Underworld series, has trained in various martial arts, including Krav Maga and kickboxing. Beckinsale’s commitment to martial arts training is evident in her powerful and agile fight scenes, making her a credible action star.

Kate Beckinsale