How many times have you thought to yourself, after having watched a kick ass fighting movie: Sure they look great on screen, but they are actors who cannot fight in real life!
Probably more than once. And that is a legit concern. I mean, obviously actors are not required to be able to do the kind of things they showcase in their movies; that is the very definition of their jobs. Still, how awesome that would be if the badass you are watching on screen would also be able to display awe-inducing fighting skills in real life?
Well, here is a list of true, real life badasses who can (or could) fight in real life just as well as they do (or did!) on the big screen, if not better!
5) Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan is known all over the world for his acrobatic fighting styles and crazy stunts. But did you know the guy also has quite a few moves of his own in real life too? See for yourself: Jackie Chan is a black belt in Hapkido under legend Jin Pal Kim and has also trained in karate, judo, taekwondo and Jeet Kune Do. He could definitely kick your butt with a broomstick, but also with actual, diverse combat skills.
4) Jet Li
Jet Li began training wushu at the young age of 8. He showcased so much talent that the prestigious Beijing Wushu Team enrolled him and later on made him fight adults in wushu competitions. The kid was crazy talented. Usually actors pick up fighting skills when the roles they have to play require so but for Jet Li it was the other way around. His elite wushu skills enabled his rise to international fame.
3) Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris, on top of being a movie icon and an ancient Internet joke, is actually a very legit martial arts fighter. A karate fan, Norris rose to the top of the karate scene in 1968 when he won the Professional Karate Middleweight champion title, which he held for six consecutive years. Moreover, Norris has gone down in martial arts history as the first Westerner in the history of Taekwondo to be given the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt.
2) Dolph Lundgren
Who does not remember Lundgren’s legendary role in Rocky 4?
Turns out, Lundgren bears some similarities to Ivan Drago (except he probably does not want to kick your freedom in the b*lls, unlike Drago).
Lundgren has trained since a young age in goju-ryu karate, kyokushinkai karate, and judo. An avid martial arts fan, he has competed in World and European titles at the beginning of the 80’s, actually winning European titles.
Usually the badass displayed on screen is more skilled than the real actor… with Lundgren, it is the other way around!
1) Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee, on top of being a cultural icon even to this day, was a true pioneer of martial arts. You might know his famous Be water quote, which highlighted the fact that the first and foremost quality required in any fight is the ability to adapt oneself to any situation. It was the very philosophy behind Lee’s training, and that is why many MMA enthusiasts consider him to be a pioneer.
Bruce Lee has trained in Wing Chun, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Taekwondo, Judo, and even Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His obsession always has been to broaden his martial arts knowledge so it is no surprise he engaged in such various fighting arts. Lee’s quest to become a complete martial artist, coupled with his rigorous discipline and insane athleticism, is the reason why many martial arts fan recognize him as a true martial arts legend.
