When they are asked about the contemporary Hollywood action stars, there is one name that always comes up, and it is Jason Statham. With his screen presence, martial arts, and appearances in some of the most blockbuster action movies ever made, Statham has created a career that is on par with the largest movie stars ever. But he is as captivating in his road to becoming a star as the characters he portrays. His story is more than inspiring as he was a competitive diver in England and one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood action movies.
Early Life and Diving Career
Jason Statham was born 26th July
1967 in Shire brook, Derbyshire, England. Prior to his career as a Hollywood
actor, he was an enthusiast in sports. During his adolescent age, Statham was a
professional diver and a member of the National Diving Squad of Britain. He has
competed more than ten years representing England in events like the
Commonwealth Games. His discipline, strength and agility in his career as a
diver would be translated into his onscreen action performances.
He did not go home with Olympic medals,
but diving taught him the work ethic and provided him with the physical skills
which would later be seen in fight scenes and stunt work. This is a background
that made him stand out among most other action
movie industry actors.
Theory and History of Film/Cinema Studies: Modeling and
First Steps.
When Statham retired as a diver, he
had a chance to venture into modeling due to his rough appearance and a fit
figure. He featured in advertisements such as French Connection and this earned
him publicity in the entertainment sector. He got his big break when he was
cast by director Guy Ritchie in the 1998 film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking
Barrels. This action comedy was a blockbuster and it established Statham as a
tough, street-wise character, which he would perfect over the course of his
career.
Statham
would reteamed with Ritchie two years later in Snatch (2000), co-starring Brad
Pitt. Once more, his gritty and charisma appealed to audiences and critics.
These small parts assisted him to move to mainstream Hollywood action movies.
The Transporter Series and Rise to Fame.
The
Transporter (2002) was the first action movie in which Jason Statham proved
himself a hero. As a professional driver who had mastered combat skills,
Statham demonstrated his martial arts training, diving exercised agility, and
innate screen presence in the role of Frank Martin. The success of the movie
brought about sequels making him a star Hollywood
action actor.
As
opposed to many theaters, where actors use the services of stunt doubles,
Statham tends to do the stunts himself. His commitment to realism makes his
fighting sequences more captivating and more real, and this is a quality that
fans appreciate.
Replenishing His Action Hero Status.
The
career of Statham took off after The Transporter. He starred in action-packed
movies including Crank (2006), War (2007) and Death Race (2008). Every project
served to reinforce his no-nonsense, adrenaline-pumping hero image.
When
he was invited to join The Expendables franchise and collaborate with such
giants as Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, his popularity
soared. The character of Lee Christmas played by Statham helped him to stand up
on his own as one of the best action movie stars of all time.
Jason Statham in Fast & Furious
Statham
had another career-altering event when he became a part of the Fast and Furious
franchise. His character emerged firstly because he played a role of Deckard
Shaw in Fast & Furious 6 (2013) and his character was instantly popular
among fans. He continued to appear in big parts in Furious 7, The Fate of the
Furious, and spin-off Hobbs and Shaw, where he appeared alongside Dwayne the Rock Johnson.
The
Fast and Furious films brought Statham fame worldwide and made him a household
name as one of the most bankable Hollywood action actors.
Personal
Life and Legacy
Beyond the movie industry, Jason Statham has been
known to keep fit doing martial arts and hard training. His longtime girlfriend
is model Rosie Huntington-Whitely and they have a son.
Statham, a diver and now Hollywood action actor, is
an example of how the rich keep getting rich when a person is persistent and
works hard. His background was not typical like many others who were groomed to
go to Hollywood. However, it provided him with one special advantage that is
valued by fans all over the world.
Conclusion
The story of Jason Statham is one of
perseverance and strength through which he was able to rise and become a top
Hollywood actor. He has established himself as a legend in the world of action
movies with the unforgettable roles in The Transporter, The Expendables and
Fast and Furious. Battling the bad guys, doing some crazy moves, or uttering
one-liners, Jason Statham always entertains the audience and becomes one of the
surest bets in the action movie industry.
