Some completely missed the mark
Being an actor can be hard work, but Hong Kong native Jackie Chan has truly pushed his body to the limit over the course of his prolific and immensely successful career. Most famous for films like 1978's 'Drunken Master' and the wildly popular 'Rush Hour' franchise, Jackie Chan has broken no less than 40 of his bones on set, including his skull.
Bruce Lee is the eternal and undisputed king of martial arts movies. Not only was Lee a master of kung fu, he even developed his own styles of martial arts such as jun fan. Bruce Lee's greatest films, such as the 1973 classic 'Enter the Dragon,' set the standard for martial arts flicks for decades to come.
The multi-faceted Donnie Yen started his career as a stunt double in Chinese action flicks, but soon began to branch out into fight choreography, film directing, and acting. He is best known in China for his iconic role as the titular Wing Chun master in 2008's 'Ip Man' and its sequels, but also broke into the Western world with roles in blockbusters such as 2016's 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.'
Michelle Yeoh burst back into the spotlight in 2022 after starring in the wildly popular 'Everything Everywhere All At Once,' but her fame didn't start there. Yeoh first found international stardom after starring in 2000's wuxia classic 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.'
Martial artist and Muay Thai champion Tony Jaa grew up in rural Thailand, obsessing over the explosive movies of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. He has done on to star in Muay Thai-centric action movies, such as 2003's 'Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior.'
Hong Kong martial arts star and fight choreographer Sammo Hung is known as dai goh dai in the East, which translates to "biggest big brother." His large figure has made him instantly recognizable, and his explosive on-screen attitude and impressive martial arts skills have made him a favorite of some of Hong Kong's greatest action directors like King Hu, who cast Hung in the 1971 wuxia epic 'A Touch of Zen.'
Hui Liu, better known as Gordon Liu, starred in one of the most impactful martial arts films of all time, 1978's 'The 36th Chamber of the Shaolin.' The film has continued to enjoy fame after the Wu-Tang Clan used it as its inspiration for their iconic debut album, 1993's 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)', and it was also the first film to ever depict the secretive training techniques of the famous Shaolin monks in China.
Iko Uwais became a cult icon overnight after he starred in the Indonesian action classic 'The Raid' (2011) and its 2014 sequel, 'The Raid 2.' Uwais is a master in pencak silat style, from his native Indonesia.
Known around the world as the "Muscles from Brussels", Belgian actor and strongman Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the world's favorite action stars. The karate expert found international fame after starring in the 1988 action movie 'Bloodsport.'
Before there was Angela Mao, however, there was Cheng Pei-Pei. She became one of the first kung fu heroines after starring in 1966's 'Come Drink with Me.'
Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat is one of the most beloved names in Cantonese action flicks. Chow Yun-Fat is perhaps most internationally famous for his role in 2000's 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' alongside Michelle Yeoh, but he has also starred in numerous action classics directed by Hong Kong film master John Woo.
Taiwanese martial artist and actress Angela Mao was widely considered the female counterpart to Bruce Lee during the 1970s. Nicknamed Lady Whirlwind, Mao's fighting skills were respected and admired across Asia and are best exemplified in classics like 1972's 'Hapkido' and 1973's 'Enter the Dragon.'
Filmmaker, actor, and martial artist Stephen Chow was a pioneer in the marriage between impressive fight choreography and slapstick comedy. His 2001 comedy classic 'Shaolin Soccer' is still enjoyed by audiences around the world.
Multitalented actor and martial arts master Michael Jai White has made history more than once during his career. One of the greatest African-American martial arts stars in the world, White became the very first black man to star as a comic book hero on the big screen, this in 1997's 'Spawn.'
Los Angeles native Taimak Guarriello, better known simply as Taimak, quickly rose to fame in Motown Records founder Berry Gordy's 1985 flick 'The Last Dragon.' He continues to work in television and theater.
Once a karate world champion, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace also led an incredible six-year streak of victories as a kickboxer. As if that wasn't enough, he also led a successful movie career, starring in martial arts flicks like 1985's 'The Protector,' alongside Jackie Chan.
The original black kung fu superstar, Jim Kelly made a formidable name for himself in martial arts championships before becoming a movie star. Kelly starred alongside Bruce Lee in the 1973 classic 'Enter the Dragon.'
Hong Kong actress and martial arts expert Kara Wai has been one of the biggest stars in the Hong Kong movie industry since the 1970s. She was awarded the very first Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress in 1982 for her lead role in the 1981 action flick 'Fangs of the Tigress.'
American martial artist and actress Cynthia Rothrock holds black belts in a staggering seven different fighting styles. Her expertise made her a star not only in the United States, but also in Hong Kong, where she starred in numerous films such as 1985's 'Yes, Madam' (she stars alongside Michelle Yeoh as a pair of police inspectors).
Actress Joyce Godenzi started her career as a model, eventually being crowned Miss Hong Kong in 1984. Godenzi was then cast in a number of popular martial arts films, and despite having no prior fighting experience, quickly became a formidable expert in various styles of martial arts.
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Lo Lieh was born in Indonesia in 1939 and relocated to Hong Kong as a child, where he began to study martial arts and eventually became a highly sought-after action star. Lo Lieh is remembered for his acclaimed roles in films such as 1972's 'Five Fingers of Death' and the hugely influential 'The 36th Chamber of the Shaolin' from 1978.
English actor Jason Statham might not be primarily known for his martial arts chops, but he does in fact do most if not all of his own stunts. Statham has trained extensively in Chinese martial arts, kickboxing, and karate.
Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi hadn't had any formal martial arts training when she was cast in a starring role in Ang Lee's 2000 wuxia classic 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' but over the course of the filmmaking process she became such an adept fighter that she was able to perform all of her own stunts.
Hong Kong-American actor Robin Shou has enjoyed considerable success both in the United States and in Hong Kong. Shou trained in the wushu style in China while his family thought he was finishing his collegiate studies in California. This risky decision worked out in Shou's favor, as his acting and fighting chops got him cast in numerous video game film adaptations, from 'Mortal Kombat' to 'Street Fighter.'
There is something irresistibly delightful about settling down with a martial arts flick. Whether a cheesy parody of itself like 2001's 'Shaolin Soccer' or a heartbreakingly beautiful classic like 1971's 'A Touch of Zen,' the world will never tire of seeing impossibly athletic actors fly through the sky delivering a fury of kicks, chops, and yells. From the industry's beginnings in East Asia, martial arts flicks have become globally adored and incorporated into just about every major movie industry in the world. All of this popularity rests, of course, on the shoulders of the incredible martial arts masters-turned-movie stars who dedicated their hearts and bodies to their performances. From well-known icons like Bruce Lee, to more hidden champions like Wesley Snipes, and of course the glorious comebacks of classic stars like Michelle Yeoh, there are innumerable martial arts stars that deserve our praise and attention.
Read on to remember, or discover, just a few of the greatest martial arts action heroes in cinematic history.
Japanese kyokushin karate master Sonny Chiba brought a new level of violence to martial arts films during the 1970s and 1980s, making him a natural idol for Western imitators of the genre, like Quentin Tarantino.
If Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan were the first global martial arts superstars, Jet Li marked the beginning of a new generation of silver screen warriors. Li made a name for himself in Hong Kong and mainland China before becoming a bona fide Hollywood icon in America. Some of the Wushu champion's best films include legendary director Tsui Hark's 1991 classic 'Once Upon a Time in China' and the Hong Kong action flick 'Fist of Legend' (1994).
American actor Wesley Snipes is known for his iconic roles in films like 1991's 'New Jack City,' 1992's 'Passenger 57,' and 1998's 'Blade.' In his action roles, Snipes is known to prefer to do his own stunts, in no small part because of his extensive background in martial arts. Snipes is a master of numerous styles, from hapkido to shotokan karate.
No martial arts action star from the United States can hold a candle to the one and only Chuck Norris. The kung fu champion dominated the world of American action flicks during the 1980s, starring in cult classics like 1983's 'Lone Wolf McQuade.'
Toshiro Mifune was the muse of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, and arguably remains the most iconic Japanese actor to this day. A military veteran, Mifune became the silver screen's quintessential samurai. Despite having no formal martial arts training, he developed his own swordfighting style over the years.
The silver screen's greatest martial arts stars
Kung fu kings, wuxia goddesses, and everyone in between
MOVIES Film
There is something irresistibly delightful about settling down with a martial arts flick. Whether a cheesy parody of itself like 2001's 'Shaolin Soccer' or a heartbreakingly beautiful classic like 1971's 'A Touch of Zen,' the world will never tire of seeing impossibly athletic actors fly through the sky delivering a fury of kicks, chops, and yells. From the industry's beginnings in East Asia, martial arts flicks have become globally adored and incorporated into just about every major movie industry in the world. All of this popularity rests, of course, on the shoulders of the incredible martial arts masters-turned-movie stars who dedicated their hearts and bodies to their performances. From well-known icons like Bruce Lee, to more hidden champions like Wesley Snipes, and of course the glorious comebacks of classic stars like Michelle Yeoh, there are innumerable martial arts stars that deserve our praise and attention.
Read on to remember, or discover, just a few of the greatest martial arts action heroes in cinematic history.