10 Remarkable Facts About Jason Statham

Jason Statham stands out as one of the most iconic action stars of his time—many consider him the ultimate action hero. On screen, he has portrayed a variety of roles, including a hitman, transporter, con artist, veteran, and numerous other rugged yet oddly likable characters. However, before his film career, Statham led a life that could easily rival the intriguing personas he has played. Here are 10 captivating facts about Jason Statham that reveal what drives this English powerhouse.

1. Diving was Jason Statham's initial passion.

Long before his rise as a Hollywood action star, Jason Statham showcased elegance and precision as a top-tier competitive diver in the early 1990s. He dedicated 12 years to the British National Diving Squad, with a notable appearance at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.

Despite being a top-tier diver, Statham never made it to the Olympics, something he confesses still bothers him. "I began too late," he once remarked about his diving journey. "It might not have been my true calling. Perhaps I should have pursued a different sport."

2. Jason Statham tried his hand at modeling.

After his diving days ended, Statham ventured into modeling, working with the fashion brand French Connection. While his tough-guy persona might not seem like a natural fit for modeling, it was precisely the unconventional look the company sought.

"We picked Jason because we wanted someone who looked like an everyday man," Lilly Anderson, a French Connection representative, stated in a 1995 Independent interview. "His appearance is perfect for the current trend—very rugged and not overly polished like typical male models."

3. Jason Statham appeared shirtless in a few music videos.

A friendly reminder: The internet has a long memory. In 2015, two music videos from the ‘90s—The Shamen’s “Comin’ On” and Erasure’s “Run to the Sun”—gained viral attention, not for their musical quality but for featuring a shirtless, oiled-up Jason Statham dancing energetically in the background.

Both videos showcase Statham’s bold lack of inhibition, a stark contrast to the polished, action-ready personas he later embodied in The Transporter and Expendables franchises. So, which version do you prefer? The leopard-print Speedo Statham from “Comin’ On” or the metallic Silver Surfer look from “Run to the Sun”? And no, you can’t pick both—though “neither” is a valid choice.

4. Before Guy Ritchie cast him in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Jason Statham was peddling counterfeit jewelry and perfume on the streets.

After years of diving, modeling, and music video appearances, Statham was still searching for a stable income in the late ‘90s. His next venture? Selling fake perfume and jewelry on the streets of London. As fate would have it, his street-smart hustler persona was precisely what director Guy Ritchie needed for his 1998 film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Ritchie met Statham through his modeling work with French Connection and recognized the authenticity he could bring to the role. He crafted the character of Bacon specifically for Statham, a decision that would launch the actor into Hollywood fame.

5. John Carpenter aimed to cast Jason Statham as the protagonist in Ghosts of Mars.

Despite earning praise for his performance in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Statham hadn’t yet established himself as a leading man. Director John Carpenter sought to change that by offering him the role of James “Desolation” Williams, the central character in Ghosts of Mars.

While Carpenter believed Statham was perfect for the part, the producers disagreed. They insisted on hiring a more recognizable actor, ultimately choosing Ice Cube. Statham remained in the film, taking on the smaller role of Sgt. Jericho Butler.

6. Jason Statham often performs his own stunts.

Beyond his incredible physical fitness, Statham prides himself on performing many of his own stunts, whether it’s intense fight scenes or hanging from a helicopter 3000 feet above Los Angeles. He’s almost unwavering in his belief that actors should handle their own stunts.

"I admire those who can do their own work," Statham once remarked. "Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li never relied on stunt doubles. It’s embarrassing when I’ve been in action films where face replacements are used, and I’m fighting alongside a double."

The biggest culprits? Superhero films. Statham doesn’t hold back when sharing his opinions on the genre:

"You throw on a cape and tights, and suddenly you’re a superhero? They’re not doing anything! They’re just lounging in their trailers. It’s all stunt doubles and green screens. How am I supposed to find that exciting?"

7. Filming Expendables 3 nearly cost Jason Statham his life.

Despite Statham’s commitment to performing his own stunts for authenticity, things can go wrong. During a stunt for Expendables 3, the brakes malfunctioned on a three-ton truck he was driving, causing it to plunge off a cliff and into the Black Sea.

If you’ve ever questioned whether Statham’s real-life toughness matches his on-screen persona, his underwater escape from a massive truck should settle that debate.

"That was the closest I’ve ever come to drowning," Statham revealed on Today. "I’ve done plenty of scuba and free diving, but none of that prepares you to breathe underwater. I was seconds away from drowning. It was an incredibly terrifying experience."

8. Jason Statham is skilled in multiple martial arts disciplines.

Statham’s fitness regimen goes beyond weights and core exercises. The actor is also trained in various combat disciplines, including boxing, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Among all his fitness activities, martial arts have been the most beneficial for his on-screen performances. "That’s where I dedicate most of my time these days: preparing to deliver action scenes authentically," he shared with Men's Health.

Statham isn’t the only one passionate about martial arts; director Guy Ritchie holds a black belt in jiu-jitsu and a brown belt in karate. When Men’s Health asked if the two ever sparred, Statham recalled, "Back when we started, during press tours for Lock, Stock, we’d clear the furniture in hotel rooms and try to choke each other out."

After all, that’s what collaborators are for, right?

9. Jason Statham is fully aware that some of his films haven’t been hits.

When Esquire asked if he ever watched one of his movies at a premiere and thought, "Oh no ...," he responded with candid self-awareness: "Yeah, I’ve definitely felt that way more often than not. Absolutely."

He went on to list his Guy Ritchie films, The Bank Job, Transporter 1 and 2 (excluding 3), and Crank as some of his personal favorites. As for the rest, he humorously added, "And the others? Well, they’re not exactly masterpieces."

He later clarified that his remark was meant as a joke, stating, "You make a lot of films, and you’re always striving to create something meaningful and push yourself to do better."

He likened filmmaking to the intricate mechanics of a watch, explaining, "A movie is like a complex timepiece. There are many moving parts, and if even one doesn’t function properly, the whole thing falls apart."

10. Jason Statham’s films have collectively grossed over $5 billion globally.

While critics may not always praise Statham’s movies, audiences and studios can’t seem to get enough. His filmography has collectively earned more than $5 billion worldwide.

Much of this success stems from his recent involvement in the Fast and Furious series, but he’s also seen seven of his other films surpass $100 million globally. This isn’t by chance; Statham understands precisely what kind of films attract audiences, as he revealed in an interview with The Guardian.

"If you’ve got a story about a troubled doctor whose wife has left him, and you cast me in it, people aren’t going to line up to see it. But if you say, ‘All he does is drive fast, knock people out, and shoot someone in the feet,’ then, sure, they’ll hand you $20 million. You can’t blame them for wanting to make a profit."