It is no doubt that many martial artists choose to be on a different path. And that is for different reasons. Some of them become instructors or actors. Some who choose to become actors, they want to expand their career opportunities. And also, most of them have a passion for film and storytelling. So it’s really the best choice to both do what they love. And because martial arts practitioners have strong hearts, they can face any challenges for their dreams to turn into reality. In this article, let us take a look at who these famous martial arts actors are.
Martial Artists: Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is an actor from Hong Kong. Before he became an actor, he was a martial artist. Yen is considered as one of the most prominent and successful martial actors in the industry. Something you can also admire about him is he can do many things because he is also a film director, producer. And a choreographer. Talk about talents!
As one of the martial artists who become famous in the entertainment industry, he began doing martial arts at a very young age. That is because of the influence of his mother. Who is also a martial artist and also his father who is a renowned martial arts master. Yen trained in various martial arts including Tai Chi, Wushu, and Taekwondo. He made his acting debut in the early 1980s but gained widespread recognition in the 2000s for his role as Ip Man. His latest film is John Wick 4 where he showcased his skills in martial arts.
Anderson Silva
Anderson Silva, as one of the martial artists who became an actor deserves a spot on this list. He is a retired Brazilian professional mixed martial artists but he initially trained in Taekwondo and Capoeira. Like others, he began his martial arts journey during his teenage years. Silva later transitioned to Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and became known for his well-rounded skills and strikes. Some of Silva’s notable movies are Tapped Out, Hell’s Chain, Kickboxer, and Ultimate Beastmaster.
Jet Li
Who doesn’t know Jet Li? For sure, this person is somehow familiar to you and especially for the fathers out there. Jet Li is a renowned martial artist and actor who gained international fame through films like Once Upon a Time in China, Hero, and Fearless. Li is also famous for his impressive martial arts abilities and his powerful on-screen presence.
Benny "The Jet" Urquidez
Benny Urquidez is a retired American martial artist and kickboxer. He is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished and influential figures in the world of full-contact martial arts. While Urquidez's primary focus has been on his martial arts career, he has appeared in several films to showcase his fighting skills. Some of his films are Force: Five, The Killer Elite, and Dragon and the Hawk. His contributions to the films greatly contributed to the action genre.
These are just a few martial artists who have successfully transitioned into acting careers and achieved fame in both fields. This just proves that martial arts can offer a variety of work opportunities. As long as you are passionate about what you do, you can definitely do what you love and enjoy at the same time.