When we think of Jason Statham, we think: bald, brutal, and barely audible. The English action star is known for his gritty persona. The action star was born on July 26, 1967, in England. Seemingly preparing all his life to be an action star, Statham practiced Chinese martial arts, kickboxing, and karate. He also played soccer and was a member of Britain’s national diving team.
Jason’s Early Jobs
While training at London’s Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, Statham was scouted by a sports agency and began sports modeling. He was also signed by Tommy Hilfiger, Levi’s, and French Connection in the late ’90s for various modeling contracts. Even though Statham was booking modeling gigs, he was forced to follow in his father’s street salesman footsteps to make ends meet. He’d sell fake perfume and jewelry on street corners. Jason also made appearances in music videos, including “Comin’ On” by The Shamen in 1993, “Run to the Sun” by Erasure in 1994, and “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by The Beautiful South in 1995.
British director Guy Ritchie met Statham when he was developing the 1998 crime comedy thriller Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Ritchie needed to fill the role of street-wise con artist “Bacon.” After learning about Statham’s past as a black market salesman, Ritchie cast him to play the role, and the film was well-received by both critics and audiences. Statham worked with the director again in the 2000 crime comedy film Snatch, playing the role of “Turkish.” Working alongside popular actors Brad Pitt, Dennis Farina, and Benicio del Toro, Statham was able to break into Hollywood. From then on, he starred in numerous action-packed thrillers.
See below our top 5 film picks that Jason Statham kicked butt in.
5. The Mechanic
Statham stars as hitman Arthur Bishop in this 2011 action thriller. Bishop takes his friend, Harry’s son Steve (Ben Foster) under his wing after he’s killed the man, unbeknownst to Steve.
4. Snatch
This 2000 Guy Ritchie film contains two intertwined plots. The one that Statham’s small-time boxing promoter, Turkish, is involved in finds him under the thumb of a ruthless gangster named Brick Top (Alan Ford) who is ready and willing to have his subordinates carry out severe and sadistic acts of violence.
3. Crank
In this high-octane 2006 film, Statham plays Chev Chelios, a Los-Angeles based hitman who works for a crime syndicate led by Don “Carlito” Carlos (Carlos Sanz). He is contracted to kill mafia boss Don Kim as members of the Triads have been encroaching on Carlito’s business. When he (supposedly) kills Don Kim (Keone Young), ambitious small-time criminal Ricky Verona (Jose Pablo Cantillo) wants to kill Chelios so the Triads don’t retaliate and take his place as Carlito’s new hired gun.
2. The Transporter
In part one of the three-part film series, Statham plays former special operations soldier Frank Martin. He’s got three rigid rules when transporting:
1. Never change the deal.
2. No names.
3. Never open the package.
1. Wrath Of Man
In this 2021 Guy Ritchie flick, Statham plays the role well in being the perfectly average armored truck guard. In order to lay low and blend in to infiltrate who killed his son in an armed robbery gone wrong.