Jason Statham is celebrated for his high-octane action roles and undeniable screen presence, but his story goes far beyond the adrenaline-pumping stunts and explosive on-screen moments.
Before becoming a household name in Hollywood, Statham had a surprising and diverse career path that shaped his unique persona. From his early days in competitive sports to his unexpected transition into acting, Statham’s journey is as dynamic as the characters he portrays.
In addition to his impressive filmography, which includes iconic roles in franchises like The Transporter and Fast & Furious, there are numerous fascinating facets to his life that often go unnoticed.
Here are 10 cool facts about Jason Statham that will blow your mind and provide a deeper look into the life of this action superstar, revealing the experiences and quirks that contribute to his larger-than-life persona.
#1 Diving was Jason Statham’s first passion and calling before he transitioned to acting.
Before making a name for himself as an action star, Jason Statham showcased remarkable grace and skill as one of the world’s top competitive divers in the early 1990s. He spent 12 years with the British National Diving Squad, including a notable performance at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.
Despite his elite status in diving, Statham never qualified for the Olympics, a fact he still considers a “sore point.” Reflecting on his diving career, he has said, “I started too late. It probably wasn’t my thing. I should have chosen a different sport.”
#2 Jason Statham also dabbled in modeling.
After his diving career came to an end, Statham ventured into modeling for the fashion brand French Connection. Although his rugged appearance might not seem like the typical choice for male modeling, it was exactly what the company was aiming for.
Lilly Anderson, a spokesperson for French Connection, explained in a 1995 interview with the Independent, “We chose Jason because we wanted our model to look like a normal guy. His look is just right for now—very masculine and not too male-modelly.”
#3 Jason Statham appeared dancing half-naked in a couple of music videos.
A word of warning: The internet never forgets. In 2015, two ’90s music videos resurfaced—“Comin’ On” by The Shamen and “Run to the Sun” by Erasure—and they went viral not just for their catchy tunes, but because they featured a half-naked, and quite oily, Jason Statham dancing in the background.
These videos showcase a very different side of Statham, far removed from the slick suits and commando gear he later sported in The Transporter and The Expendables series. So which one do you prefer? Leopard-print Speedo Statham from “Comin’ On” or his Silver Surfer look from “Run to the Sun”? And no, “both” isn’t an option. (Though “neither” is acceptable.)
#4 Before Guy Ritchie cast him in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Jason Statham was selling knockoff jewelry and perfume on the streets.
After years of diving, modeling, and dancing, Jason Statham was still seeking a steady income in the late ’90s. His next unconventional job was selling knockoff perfume and jewelry on street corners in London. Fortunately, this real-world hustler persona was exactly what director Guy Ritchie was looking for for his 1998 film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Ritchie had been introduced to Statham through his modeling work at French Connection and saw the potential in his street-savvy demeanor. He crafted the role of Bacon specifically for Statham, which ultimately became the breakthrough role that launched him into Hollywood stardom.
#5 John Carpenter wanted to cast Jason Statham as the lead in Ghosts of Mars.
Though Jason Statham earned acclaim for his role in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, he wasn’t quite a leading man yet. Director John Carpenter aimed to change that by casting him as James “Desolation” Williams, the main character in Ghosts of Mars.
Despite Carpenter’s confidence in Statham’s readiness for the role, the producers preferred a more recognizable name. They pressured Carpenter to cast Ice Cube instead. As a result, Statham took on a smaller role as Sgt. Jericho Butler in the film.
#6 Jason Statham is known for performing his own stunts regularly.
In addition to maintaining an impressive physique, Jason Statham takes great pride in performing many of his own stunts.
From intense hand-to-hand combat to hanging from a helicopter 3,000 feet above downtown Los Angeles, Statham is dedicated to doing his own high-risk work. He firmly believes that actors should handle their stunts, citing icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li as inspirations.
“I’m inspired by the people who could do their own work,” Statham has said.
“Bruce Lee never had stunt doubles and fight doubles, or Jackie Chan or Jet Li. I’ve been in action movies where there’s a face replacement and I’m fighting with a double, and it’s embarrassing.”
Statham is particularly critical of superhero movies, saying:
“You slip on a cape and put on the tights and you become a superhero? They’re not doing anything! They’re just sitting in their trailer. It’s absolutely, 100 percent created by stunt doubles and green screens. How can I get excited about that?”
#7 Filming Expendables 3 almost killed Jason Statham.
For all his commitment to authenticity by performing his own stunts, sometimes things don’t go as planned for Jason Statham.
While filming an action scene for Expendables 3, the brakes on a three-ton stunt truck Statham was driving failed, sending the truck off a cliff and into the Black Sea.
If you’ve ever wondered if the real Statham is as tough as his on-screen persona, his dramatic underwater escape from the truck might provide an answer.
“It’s the closest I’ve ever been to drowning,” Statham recounted on Today.
“I’ve done a lot of scuba diving; I’ve done a lot of free diving … No matter how much of that you’ve done, it doesn’t teach you to breathe underwater … I came very close to drowning. It was a very harrowing experience.”
#8 Jason Statham practices a range of martial arts.
Statham’s fitness routine goes beyond traditional weightlifting and core exercises. He incorporates various fighting disciplines into his regimen, including boxing, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Among all his training activities, it’s the martial arts that have been most beneficial for enhancing his on-screen presence.
“That’s what I have to give most of my time to these days: training for what I have to do in terms of providing action in an authentic manner,” he shared with Men’s Health.
Statham isn’t alone in his martial arts passion. Director Guy Ritchie, who is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and a brown belt in karate, also shares this enthusiasm.
When asked if the two ever sparred, Statham recalled, “I remember when we started out, we’d go on a press tour for Lock, Stock… and we’d be moving all the furniture out of the way in the hotel room, trying to choke each other out.”
After all, what are collaborators for if not for a little friendly competition?
#9 Jason Statham is well aware that some of his movies have been duds.
When asked by Esquire if he ever watched one of his films at a premiere and thought, “Oh, no…,” Jason Statham admitted, “Yeah, I think I’ve said that more often than not. Yeah.”
He listed his favorite films as those directed by Guy Ritchie, including The Bank Job, Transporter 1 and 2 (but not 3), and Crank. As for the rest, Statham joked, “And the rest is sh*t.”
He clarified that his comment was meant in jest, explaining, “I mean, you do a lot of films. You’re always aiming for something and trying to push yourself to do something good.”
He compared his work to the intricate mechanics of a watch, saying, “A movie is like a very complicated timepiece. There are a lot of wheels in a watch. And if some of those wheels don’t turn right, then the watch ain’t gonna tell the time.”
#10 Jason Statham’s movies have collectively earned over $5 billion worldwide.
Statham’s films may not always win over critics, but they certainly captivate audiences and studio executives alike. His filmography has amassed over $5 billion in global box office revenue.
A significant portion of this success can be attributed to his role in the Fast & Furious franchise, but he’s also had seven films that have surpassed the $100 million mark worldwide outside of that series. Statham is well aware of what resonates with viewers, as he candidly shared in an interview with The Guardian.
“If you’ve got a story about a depressed doctor whose estranged wife doesn’t want to be with him anymore, and you put me in it, people aren’t going to put money on the table,” Statham explained.
“But if you say, ‘All he does is get in the car, hit someone on the head, shoot someone in the f*cking feet,’ then, yep, they’ll give you $20 million. You can’t fault these people for wanting to make money.”
