Jason Statham

Jason Statham is an English actor, producer, and former model, known for his roles in various action thriller films. Infamous for his portrayals of tough, gritty, or violent characters, Statham has been a significant figure in the resurgence of action films during the 2000s and 2010s. His films had grossed over £1.1 billion by 2017 - marking him as one of the industry's most bankable stars. His early life was characterized by practicing Chinese martial arts, kickboxing, and karate recreationally while working at local market stalls. A member of Britain's national diving team, he also competed for England in the 1990 Commonwealth Games. His career ascended following his casting in the Guy Ritchie crime films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch (2000). Evolving his career, Statham has since starred in the ensemble action series The Expendables (2010–2023) and in the Fast & Furious franchise.

Statham was born in Shirebrook, with his father working a variety of jobs including as a street seller, house painter, and singer. Despite his father's profession, Statham chose not to follow his father's career path and instead practiced martial arts and became a passionate diver - eventually forming part of Britain's national diving team. His career trajectory changed when he was spotted by the sports modelling agency Sports Promotions, resulting in modelling contracts with Tommy Hilfiger, Griffin, and Levi's. His acting career received a significant boost when he was cast in the crime comedy thriller Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) which was well received by both critics and audiences. He successfully broke into Hollywood and has since been a significant figure in the action thriller genre.