From ‘Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ to ‘Transporter’ and ‘Fast and Furious,’ Jason Statham has always kept us on the edge of our seats. The star became really famous due to his top-notch acting skills and is a favorite of many.
But behind his action-packed roles lies a hidden story. Facing life-threatening moments on set and other challenges off-screen, has he been keeping secrets from his fans? What has Jason Statham finally admitted? Let’s uncover how Jason Statham Finally Admits What We All Suspected.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
In a 2003 interview with Imagine Games Network, Jason Statham reflected on how his experience as a diver taught him discipline and focus, keeping him on a positive path. At one point, he ranked as the world’s twelfth-best diver. His father, who taught him how to do a handstand practically before he could walk, was a significant influence. Due to his early training, he could perform somersaults and flips from a young age. However, Statham entered the diving world relatively late, beginning at age 12 when most start at 5. Despite having an accountant as a coach instead of a professional, his dreams of the Olympics faded when he placed third in the trials for two spots on the British team in 1992. This led him to shift his focus to judo, boxing, and jiu-jitsu, aiming to specialize in stunt work.
Transition to Modeling
Statham’s journey into the limelight began when Sports Promotions discovered him training at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London. This marked the start of his career as a sports model, landing contracts with well-known brands such as Tommy Hilfiger, Griffin, and Levi’s for their Spring/Summer 1996 collections. His rugged, masculine appearance attracted attention at French Connection, where he became a prominent model in 1997. Despite his burgeoning modeling career, Statham continued to sell perfumes and imitation jewelry on street corners to make ends meet, blending glamour with gritty reality. Alongside modeling, Jason Statham appeared in several music videos, including “Coming On” by The Shamen in 1993, “Run to the Sun” by Erasure in 1994, and “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by The Beautiful South in 1995. These early experiences laid the groundwork for his eventual transition into acting.
Rise to Fame in Acting
During his tenure as a French Connection model, Jason Statham crossed paths with emerging British director Guy Ritchie. Ritchie was developing a film and sought a street-smart actor to portray a cunning con artist. Intrigued by Statham’s background as a former street hustler, Ritchie cast him as Bacon in the 1998 crime comedy-action film “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels,” which launched Jason Statham into stardom with both critical acclaim and commercial success. Despite earning just 5,000 pounds for the role, Statham’s collaboration with Ritchie continued in 2000 with “Snatch,” where he starred alongside Brad Pitt and Benicio del Toro as Turkish. The film grossed over 80 million dollars worldwide, solidifying Statham’s reputation as a compelling actor in the genre. His salary tripled to 15,000 dollars for “Snatch,” but Statham stated he would have done it for free for the sake of doing something different.
Transitioning smoothly to Hollywood, Statham starred in two films in 2001: the science fiction horror action “Ghosts of Mars” and the science fiction martial arts action film “The One.” These roles showcased his versatility and set the stage for his iconic portrayal of Frank Martin in “The Transporter” in 2002, written by Luc Besson. Known for his expertise in Wing Chun, karate, and kickboxing, Statham brought depth to the skilled driver character, leading to successful sequels in “Transporter 2” and “Transporter 3.”
Expanding Repertoire
Throughout the early 2000s, Statham expanded his repertoire with roles in films like “Mean Machine,” a supporting role in “The Italian Job,” and as the main antagonist in “Cellular.” His ability to deliver action-packed performances and portray diverse characters endeared him to audiences worldwide. Establishing himself further in 2005, Jason Statham reunited with director Guy Ritchie for “Revolver,” which faced critical disapproval and disappointing box office results. Despite this setback, Statham diversified his roles, portraying a dramatic character in the independent film “London” in 2006. That same year, he showcased his action prowess in “Crank,” a high-energy thriller that required his presence at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con for promotion.
Versatility and Recognition
In 2007, Jason Statham showcased his versatility with two contrasting roles: he impressed audiences in the British crime thriller “The Bank Job” and followed with “Death Race,” a remake of the 1975 cult classic “Death Race 2000.” American film critic Armond White praised Statham’s ascent as an action star, commending his performances and hailing him as having the best track record among contemporary film stars. White continued his praise in 2008, describing “Transporter 3” as outstanding kinetic pop art. While some critics, like Chris Hewitt of Empire magazine, found certain films lacking vitality, Statham’s career continued to soar.
The Expendables and Beyond
In 2010, Statham portrayed Lee Christmas in “The Expendables,” an ensemble action film alongside Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, and Mickey Rourke. Statham’s role as a former SAS soldier and close combat expert earned him further praise, and the film was a box office hit, grossing 274 million dollars globally. Statham’s ability to fill action hero roles once dominated by icons like Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger solidified his legacy.
Continued Success and Personal Life
With multiple action franchises to his name, including the hugely popular “Fast and Furious” series, Statham’s rise as an action star was inevitable given his physical prowess for stunts, sharp charisma, and captivating presence as a Hollywood icon. Nearly three decades after his diving career, Statham stands as a pillar of big-budget action cinema and one of the industry’s most recognizable stars.
Known for performing his own stunts, Statham brings guaranteed excitement to the screen, whether it’s a high-speed car chase, intense shootout, or gritty hand-to-hand combat. His willingness to do his own stunts reflects both bravery and dedication. As he told Imagine Games Network, he would do more if allowed because he has never been afraid of anything. His rigorous training from diving likely prepared him well for the physical demands of his film career.
Personal Life
Jason Statham’s personal life shows that age is just a number. He has dated several stunning women over the years. He dated English model and media personality Kelly Brook for seven years before their split in 2004. He then had a brief relationship with former “The Bachelorette” star Sophie Monk and a serious one with Alex Zosman until early 2010. After parting ways with Zosman, Statham began a relationship with former Victoria’s Secret Angel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Despite their 20-year age gap, the couple got engaged in 2016 and have been happily together for over a decade. They announced their engagement in January 2016 and welcomed their first child in June 2017, followed by their daughter on February 2, 2022. They currently live in Beverly Hills, California.
Rosie Alice Huntington-Whiteley, born April 18, 1987, is an English model and actress. She’s famous for working with Victoria’s Secret as one of their “Angels,” being the face of Burberry’s 2011 fragrance Burberry Body, and collaborating with the denim fashion brand Paige. She transitioned to acting with roles in “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” in 2011 as Carly Spencer and “Mad Max: Fury Road” in 2015 as The Splendid Angharad.
Rosie grew up on a farm near Tavistock, Devon. Her family includes notable ancestors like Wing-Commander Eric Huntington-Whiteley, JP, and relatives of Polish Jewish descent. She went to Tavistock College and shared that she was bullied for her name, small breasts, and full lips. After leaving school in the summer of 2003, she signed with a modeling agency at 16 and had her first modeling session for a Levi’s jeans commercial. Her big break came in January 2004 when she went to New York City for a Teen Vogue shoot. She made her catwalk debut alongside Naomi Campbell in Spring 2004 and was photographed by Bruce Weber for Abercrombie & Fitch. In early 2006, she signed with Victoria’s Secret and debuted at their fashion show in Los Angeles.
Rosie remained relatively unknown outside the fashion world until 2008 when she was cast in Burberry’s Autumn/Winter campaign, replacing Agyness Deyn. She appeared on the cover of British Vogue in November 2008 and later starred in campaigns for Karen Millen and Agent Provocateur. In 2009, she modeled for Godiva and Miss Sixty. In February 2010, she became a Victoria’s Secret Angel and participated in their New York City fashion show. In 2010, she also posed for the Pirelli Calendar and modeled for designers like Prada and Giles Deacon.
