While franchises like Fast and Furious, John Wick and… well, pretty much anything casting Dwayne The Rock Johnson… are still sure to become blockbusters, there’s no doubt that the 80s were the Golden Age of Action movie stars.
This era revealed countless stars like Stalone, Van Damme, Steven Seagal and Schwarzenegge – forever branded in the collective mind as the epitome of the “macho warrior” – and snatched millions of fans (and millions of dollars in tickets) all over the world.
It also brought the public’s attention to the martial arts and martial artists represented and involved in those films, increasing the popularity of other sub-genre: the martial arts movies, opened by artists like Bruce Lee two decades before.
In this article, we’ll talk about some of the stars that made this Golden Age and become legends in Hollywood’s history and about the martial arts techniques actually mastered by them.
Jackie Chan
When it comes to movie actors and martial artists, this is probably the first name that comes to most people’s minds. He needs no introduction, Chan Kong-Sang or (as he became known around the world) Jackie Chan, is a master of Hapkido and several Kung Fu styles, such as Drunken Fist, Wing Chun, Northern Shaolin, Monkey Style, and modern Wushu.
Jackie Chan has appeared in over 100 films throughout his career, with the first 20 movies having supporting or extra roles. And from the 1980s on, he starred in almost every film he participated in.
Jet Li
Another great monster of martial arts cinema, Li Lianjie, known around the world as the talented Jet Li, has been a Wushu practitioner since childhood. By the age of 12 he had already won the Chinese national martial arts champion title 5 times (between 1974 and 1979).
His success led the People’s Republic of China to declare him a “National Treasure.” Thus, he was invited to accompany several Chinese official visits abroad.
At the age of 17, he made his film debut in Shaolin Temple, which immediately became a national hit in China. For years, Li played legendary heroes of Chinese folklore. But the opportunity to break into world cinema came with Lethal Machine 4, his first work in Hollywood.
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Why not talk about the protagonist of Bloodsport, Jean-Claude Van Damme?
Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg is an expert in Shotokan Karate, Muay Thai, WTF Taekwondo, Full Contact and KickBoxing. Van Damme achieved national success in Belgium as a martial artist and bodybuilder, even winning the title “Mr. Belgium.”
He went to the United States in 1982 to start a career in the Industry, achieving success with films such as The Great White Dragon, Kickboxer, Double Impact, Universal Soldier, and The Target.
Chuck Norris
You’d think we wouldn’t bring you THE LEGEND Chuck Norris, wouldn’t you? The actor who has become a meme synonymous with invincibility.
Norris began his career in 1964, in a small tournament in Salt Lake City. Chuck Norris’ competitive career ended in 1974, with a tournament record estimated at 183 wins, 10 losses and 2 draws, winning at least thirty tournaments.
He had his acting career launched to success when he appeared in Bruce Lee’s film The Way of the Dragon. He had classes with Bruce Lee and trained Van Damme. Beyond all that, he is a master in Karate, Chun Kun Do, Tangsudo, Taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Judo.
In 1990 he founded his own martial arts school, Chun Kuk Do, and in 2005 the World Combat League (WCL), a competition team.
Wesley Snipes
The star – actor and choreographer – Wesley Snipes became worldwide-known for his role as Blade, in the late 1990s. At the time, he was considered one of the most important actors in the industry. Snipes has been practicing martial arts since the age of 11 and is a black belt in Shotokan Karate, Hapkido, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Capoeira and Kung Fu.
Jason Statham
Jason, a professional actor, wrestler and swimmer, became known for several film roles. His martial skills are so well developed that he does his own fighting scenes without stuntmen. Jason has trained and still trains in Karate, Kickboxing, Kung-Fu and Jiu Jitsu. His physical conditioning is of a high level.
Bruce Lee
We couldn’t end this list with anyone else, THE LEGEND, the great Hollywood martial artist: Bruce Lee.
Lee’s films directly influenced how martial arts films would be, both in Hollywood as around the world. He trained in the art of Wing Chun and later combined his other influences from other sources into the spirit of his own martial arts philosophy, which he called Jeet Kune Do.
What might you, Wesley Snipes, Jason Statham and Chuck Norris have in common ?
You all can be black belts in Jiu Jitsu. With dedication and good teachers, you can reach a high level of excellence and perform moves worthy of a movie actor.
Now, if you think that Jiu Jitsu is not for you… do like Van Damme and enroll in Muay Thai. The important thing is to find the martial art that suits you best.
That’s what we offer here at School of Jiu Jitsu. Come visit us!