Jason Michael Statham, born on July 26, 1967, in Shirebrook, is a British actor and stuntman who also proves his mettle as a film producer and model. Additionally, he is a martial arts master and former competitive diver.
BIOGRAPHY
Early Years
Jason Statham is the kind of guy who grew up in Shirebrook, Derbyshire – a typical English locale where his mom danced and his dad sold anything at hand, trying to make a musical career in local pubs on the side. He was raised in Sydenham, London, with his brother Lee and from a young age had a bug for moving – from swimming and diving to any martial arts he could find. He even landed a spot on the Olympic team, which is no small feat. But life is not just sports, so Jason tried different things to make a living – from street performing, posing for advertisements, and even selling fake jewelry and perfumes to make ends meet.
Career
In ’94, Jason Statham got the idea to shine as a model in the “Run to the Sun” video by Erasure. Then, in the 90s, he figured he could score a gig with French Connection, the company involved in producing Guy Ritchie’s first big hit “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” in ’98, where Jason played Bacon, one of the gangster pals who decided to try their luck at poker with a local boss.
But the real game changer for Statham came with Ritchie’s “Snatch” in 2000, where he played a street hustler in love with illegal fights, alongside Brad Pitt and other big names. Then the roles poured in: from the drama with Ja Rule in “Turn It Up,” through the comedy-drama “Mean Machine” with Vinnie Jones, to a futuristic cop in John Carpenter’s “Ghosts of Mars” alongside Ice Cube and Pam Grier.
He also appeared in the action film “The One” with Jet Li, in Knoc Turn’Al’s “Muzik” video directed by Louis Leterrier, and even in the 2003 remake of “The Italian Job,” where he sparkled alongside Charlize Theron and Mark Wahlberg. He even lent his voice to Sergeant Waters in “Call of Duty” in 2003. Jason just fit in everywhere, changing games in his favor.
Jason Statham is a guy who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty – literally. In “The Transporter” in 2002 and its sequels in 2005 and 2008, he played Frank Martin, a former commando and unyielding courier who doubles as his own protection. The man not only became an icon behind the wheel but also on the set of Michael Mann’s “Collateral” in 2004, where he tussled with Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, and another top-tier crew. He didn’t let up in “Cellular” in 2004, acting alongside Kim Basinger and Chris Evans, nor in “Chaos” in 2005, where as an old police pro, he caught a bank thief Wesley Snipes with rookie Ryan Phillippe.
Let’s not forget about Guy Ritchie’s “Revolver” in 2005, where Statham played a gambler again, and in “Crank” in 2006, he became Chev Chelios, a hitman with an adrenaline bomb in his veins. In 2010 in “The Expendables,” he showed how he wields a knife as Lee Christmas, a member of a team of tough guys for hire.
The man does the job not only on screen but also on magazine covers. “Men’s Health” boasted him in March 2006, winter/spring 2008, October 2007 in the British edition, September 2010, February 2013, and April 2017. “Esquire” joined fans in June 2015, and “GQ” couldn’t miss him in March and September 2018. Jason Statham is not just action and adrenaline, but also style and class on the front pages of magazines.
PRIVATE LIFE
Jason Statham, the tough guy on screen, also has a softer side, especially when it comes to romantic life. Over the years, this macho man has been linked with several captivating ladies. From ’97 to 2004, his heart belonged to Kelly Brook, a model and actress, with whom they made almost a picture-perfect couple. Then, for a moment in 2005-2006, he had romantic scenes with Australian actress and singer Sophie Monk, known from the girl band Bardot. Subsequently, from 2006 to 2010, he was in a relationship with Alex Zosman.
But true love struck in 2010 when Jason started dating Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a British model who seems to be his soulmate. In 2016, they decided to fill their lives with even more love and got engaged, and a year later, they welcomed their son, Jack Oscar, into the world. It appears that even the toughest guys have their softer sides, especially when it comes to true love.