Jason Statham biography, net worth, age, fight scenes, wife and kids, height 2025

Jason Statham Biography

Jason Statham – Hollywood action star often called "the new Bruce Willis." His breakthrough came through collaboration with director Guy Ritchie, who made him the lead in several of his films (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, Revolver). Statham later became the unmistakable face of blockbuster franchises like Crank and The Transporter.

Thriller and action movie star Jason Statham

Childhood

Jason was born on July 26, 1967, the second child of Barry, a well-known lounge singer, and Eileen, a dressmaker who later retrained as a dancer. The future actor's father was seriously into gymnastics and boxing, so from an early age he raised his sons to be true athletes.

The boy was born in the town of Shirebrook in Derbyshire, but soon the family moved to the east coast, to Great Yarmouth. Here Jason started first grade, got into football, and met Vinnie Jones, his future co-star in many films. He later described his family as pretty creative, remembering how as a kid he participated in theater productions and loved every minute of it.

Jason's older brother absorbed their dad's love of martial arts and often used his younger sibling as a "punching bag." His friend Vinnie went on to play football professionally. Jason preferred water sports, particularly diving, though he was also into kickboxing and jiu-jitsu.

He fell in love with diving the moment he saw people jumping off springboards during a family vacation in Miami when he was 12. Back home, he immediately signed up for a diving club. Jason became friends with coach Kim White, who a couple of years later was appointed coach of Britain's junior national diving team. After getting the promotion, White remembered his talented student and invited him to join the squad.

Soon after, White moved up again and started coaching the senior national team. Statham followed him and relocated to London, where the Crystal Palace sports complex was located.

You'll often see mentions online about Statham competing for Great Britain's Olympic team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. But the actor himself debunked this and was actually surprised when journalists asked if it was true he placed 12th at the Olympics: "Who told you that, my mom?"

As an athlete, he wasn't exactly breaking records, since he'd started too late by elite sports standards. Jason's triumph – he rarely cracked the top 20 at competitions – was an 8th place finish at the Commonwealth Games held in New Zealand in 1990.

Young Jason Statham (right) at a competition in the USSR

But he had a blast traveling constantly to countries that seemed exotic by British standards. What stuck with him most was a trip to the USSR for the "Spring Swallows" tournament. He still has a photo from that trip with members of the Soviet diving team. "Hanging out with foreign divers. You're thinking: 'This is awesome!'" the actor recalled.

Street Hustler Days

By 24, Jason realized he wasn't going to become a champion. The pay was terrible—diving wasn't exactly a popular sport—and most of his salary went straight to rent in the capital. Plus, he was sick of waking up at 6 AM every morning to make it to training by 8 and spend six hours doing the same monotonous drills year after year. Statham decided it was time to find something more profitable.

In interviews, Jason has admitted that in his youth, he made money through some less-than-honest means. His first real cash came from hawking fake jewelry and knockoff perfume on the streets.

You stand outside Harrods [London's most famous luxury department store], pull out a chain to sell. People know I can't afford something like that. Someone comes up, asks if it's stolen. I tell them it's none of their business. I ask if they know Cartier—even though it's obviously not Cartier. I tell them today's their lucky day: instead of a thousand pounds, this chain won't cost them 500 (even though 500 would be cheap), not even a hundred, not even fifty... Twenty quid for this beautiful chain. And I'll throw in this gold Figaro chain for free. By the end, you're selling them seven chains for a tenner, and they're practically fighting each other for them.

This way, the future action star could pull in about two thousand pounds a day. He doesn't consider it a scam: "You don't have to be a genius to know a gold chain can't cost 10 quid. It's all about greed." According to Jason, money just came to him naturally. He knew how to hook passersby, charm them, and convince them they needed to buy.

As a young man, Jason Statham sold stolen goods on the streets

Interestingly, Jason learned the art of the hustle from his own father. When young Statham was 12, Barry got into buying up old junk—not antiques, just cheap dishes and appliances. Once he'd collected enough stuff, he'd set up an auction: head down to the waterfront, lay out his goods, and without a hint of embarrassment, start calling out to crowds, luring them in with promises of "high quality" merchandise and rock-bottom prices. His younger son was his faithful sidekick, standing nearby and taking mental notes.

But as time went on, the hustle got harder—people weren't so easy to fool anymore. Then one evening, two guys approached Jason's stand claiming to be cops and demanded he empty his pockets. Statham quickly realized these guys had nothing to do with law enforcement. Sure enough, the visitors tried to rob him, and a fight broke out. Jason didn't get seriously hurt, but he lost his merchandise—had to ditch the chains and watches when he ran. "Need to find something calmer," he thought, though he had absolutely no idea what to do next.

First Steps to Fame

While Jason was weighing his options, the right opportunity found him. Out of habit, he'd still drop by the sports complex to train with old friends. By lucky coincidence, during one of these visits, recruiters from Sports Promotions modeling agency showed up looking for fresh faces.

In his youth, Statham worked as a fashion model

Jason Statham's athletic build and face—he hadn't gone completely bald yet—caught their attention. That's how Statham became a catalog model, shooting in clothes from Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's, and Adidas.

Then a bigger agency, French Connection, noticed him. They needed a male model who didn't look like the gaunt, androgynous mannequins flooding the runways—and preferably not pretty-boy handsome. "A regular masculine guy," the agency announced, and Statham fit the bill perfectly.

French Connection specialized in casting actors for music videos. Through them, Jason appeared in videos for Erasure ("Run to the Sun"), The Shamen ("Comin' On"), and The Beautiful South ("Dream A Little Dream"). Sure, these small roles didn't exactly satisfy Statham's ambitions, but the pay was solid.

Jason Statham in Erasure's music video

Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie: A Brilliant Partnership

In the late '90s, the head of fashion house Tommy Hilfiger became the producer of young director Guy Ritchie's first feature film. Remembering Jason's less-than-lawful past, someone from the fashion house who'd worked with Jason recommended him to the director as a candidate for the lead role.

Guy Ritchie, Jason Statham and Dexter Fletcher

Turns out his street hustling experience paid off. At the audition, Jason was asked to sell the director fake jewelry—and he nailed it. But when Ritchie tried to return the "jewels," Statham turned rock-solid immovable. Here's what Statham said about that screen test: "Guy was looking for an authentic character, and that turned out to be me, because the things he needed and I could do aren't taught in drama schools."

That's how Jason Statham became one of four leads in the twisty crime caper "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," packed with top-shelf dark humor. Alongside Jason Flemyng and Dexter Fletcher, he had to tie together multiple storylines and save their card-game-losing friend from a deadly fate.

Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels Opening Scene

The film, released in 1998, was a smash hit. Though some critics accused Guy Ritchie of copying Quentin Tarantino, most audiences loved it. It was a stunning debut for both Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham, and two years later came the next result of their partnership—"Snatch."

This time the lead role belonged entirely to Jason Statham. He transformed into a small-time criminal named Turkish, who by chance gets pulled into a breathtaking caper involving a lethally strong gypsy (Brad Pitt), bare-knuckle boxers, a hysterical crime boss, man-eating pigs, bumbling jewelry thieves, and a dog.

Later, in 2007, the actor appeared in another Ritchie project—"Revolver." His character, Jake Green, ended up behind bars due to circumstances and lost seven years of his life in solitary confinement. But those years gave him invaluable skills that helped him win at any game of chance. Jake's antagonist was Ray Liotta's character—casino owner Dorothy Macha.

Career Peak

After the double combo of breakthrough projects, Jason Statham instantly became a global celebrity. He immediately jumped into three action films: "Turn It Up," "Ghosts of Mars," and "The One." And while these movies didn't match the success of his first films, working with Ice Cube, Jet Li, and a string of other well-known actors added to his acting experience.

But Jason Statham earned his Hollywood blockbuster star status after the release of the first installment of The Transporter – a thriller about a driver who'll transport anything, anywhere, no questions asked. Only once did he break his own rule and peek inside the bag a client handed him…

"The Transporter" – one of the brightest moments in Jason Statham's biography

Unlike many action thrillers, this film was met with applause thanks to its fresh storyline and Statham's magnetic presence. The actor's paycheck crossed the milestone million-dollar mark, and the sequels (2005, 2008) generated just as much buzz as the original.

Top 10 Times Jason Statham Went Beast Mode

Since then, Statham's been typecast as the "cool-headed tough guy" who can knock out opponents with a single punch and walk away from any shootout without a scratch. From that point on, his filmography became packed with characters like hired assassins, super-agents, cops, bodyguards, and thieves.

Jason Statham's physique is perfect for his signature roles

Jason lamented that he hadn't reached his peak in sports, so he felt he had to give everything on set: "At least here I don't have the right to screw up."

In 2005, the first installment of the action film Crank hit theaters, where Statham transformed into hitman Chev Chelios, who has to keep his adrenaline pumping to survive a deadly poison that reacts to a slowing pulse.

Another major milestone in Jason Statham's acting career – the thriller "The Mechanic". The actor's character, contract killer Arthur Bishop, earned his nickname for his remarkable precision and clean work.

Worth noting: Jason Statham is one of three favorite actors of the legendary Sylvester Stallone. In 2010, he invited his English colleague, along with Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis, to star in The Expendables, which he directed himself.

The quartet of masters created such a sensation among action fans that the film made back its budget many times over at the box office, and two years later a sequel arrived. This time Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme joined the super-team. In one scene, Statham's character says: "I'm a professional mechanic," referencing two of his films at once: The Mechanic and Killer Elite (in Killer Elite, released in 2011, the actor once again played an internationally renowned hitman).

Surprisingly, Statham tried his hand at voice acting in animated films. He's the voice of Tybalt in the animated feature Gnomeo & Juliet.

In 2015, Jason Statham joined the "Fast & Furious" franchise, appearing in the seventh film as the antihero Deckard Shaw – the older brother of Owen Shaw (Luke Evans), who featured in the previous installment. Due to the tragic death of Paul Walker, the film's release was delayed by two years.

In 2016, "Mechanic: Resurrection" hit theaters, followed by the eighth Fast & Furious film in 2017. In 2018, the actor appeared in the creature feature The Meg, where his character faced off against a prehistoric megalodon.

2016: Jason Statham at the 21st Annual Critics' Choice Awards

Remaining arguably one of the most recognizable action stars, Jason Statham kept fans happy with at least one film appearance every year. In summer 2019, he teamed up with Dwayne Johnson for the street racing spinoff "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw". This time, his character – an elite special agent – landed one of the lead roles.

"Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw": Jason Statham and Dwayne Johnson

In 2020, Jason Statham was busy filming Wrath of Man. After 15 years, Statham reunited with Guy Ritchie, but this wasn't the comedic caper of their early collaborations. The film, where Statham played an armored truck guard with a dark past and a thirst for revenge, came out gritty, brutal, with non-linear storytelling. The actor took the lead role of H – a gentleman seeking justice and hunting down the mastermind behind a series of Los Angeles heists. He was joined by Scott Eastwood and Josh Hartnett.

Jason Statham in black tactical gear aims a pistol while standing by an armored van against an industrial backdrop — Jason Statham in "Wrath of Man"

In interviews, the actor said he was blown away by the script's structure, which broke conventional storytelling, while Guy Ritchie admitted it was as easy as working together in the good old days: "We're all a bit older but probably not wiser, but working with Jason is always fun."

Otherwise, the pandemic year of 2020 was quiet for Jason Statham. The actor took his first break from filming in years, but that doesn't mean he was sitting idle. That's when he and his fiancée Rosie Huntington-Whiteley decided to relocate to London.

That same year, Statham made a brief appearance in F9 as Deckard Shaw, but his cameo was more of a tease for fans, hinting at future developments for the character.

The actor spent 2022 filming and in 2023 treated fans to four releases featuring his work. First up was Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre – another collaboration with Guy Ritchie. Statham played superspy Orson Fortune, an elegant, ironic agent in the James Bond vein, but with Ritchie's signature spin. The director admitted he practically rewrote every scene right on set:

We just rewrote every scene in this movie almost completely. We had general ideas that we liked, but how we got there was completely spontaneous.

Next came Fast X, where Deckard Shaw's role was more substantial than in the previous installment.

In August, the disaster flick "Meg 2: The Trench" brought Statham back as Jonas Taylor – now Meiying's stepfather after her mother Suyin's death. The film doubled down on the original's stakes: this time, the heroes had to battle not one but multiple megalodons (plus a handful of villains). Statham himself was disappointed by the lighter tone and lack of gore, which came down to the PG-13 rating.

Jason Statham in black clothing kicks off a massive shark with its jaws wide open at the water's surface — Still from "Meg 2: The Trench"

The final note of that packed year came with "Expend4bles," released in September. Sylvester Stallone officially passed the franchise torch to Statham – his character Barney Ross appeared only in a cameo, while Lee Christmas became the new leader of the mercenary team. For this film, the actor earned a personal record of $25 million. Unfortunately, the movie bombed at the box office ($51 million against a $100 million budget) and got slammed by critics.

January 2024 brought "The Beekeeper," directed by David Ayer. The actor played Adam Clay, a former operative of the secret "Beekeepers" organization who's living a quiet life as an actual beekeeper until his elderly landlady falls victim to scammers and takes her own life. After that, Clay methodically destroys the entire criminal network from the bottom up.

Jason Statham in a gray protective suit walking down a road carrying a bag and helmet with trees in the background — Jason Statham in "The Beekeeper"

Statham raved about the film even before its premiere:

I can't wait for people to see this. It's really slick and cool, full of emotion. It's a great film.

The film became a hit, pulling in $162.6 million against a modest $40 million budget, and earned positive reviews – a rarity for the action genre. The success was so impressive that MGM immediately greenlit a sequel.

Jason Statham's Personal Life

Despite his on-screen persona, Jason Statham can't exactly boast a long list of romantic conquests. For seven years (starting in 1997), the actor dated fellow actress Kelly Brook. The couple seemed beautiful and nearly perfect – right up until Kelly met actor Billy Zane. The meeting happened on the set of "Survival Island." Brook left Statham, dealing his heart what seemed like a fatal blow. And though Brook and Billy have long since split, Jason still ignores all his ex's attempts at reconciliation.

In his youth, Jason Statham dated Kelly Brook

After Kelly, Jason Statham tried building a relationship with singer Sophie Monk, but their romance was doomed before it really began. The tabloids blamed Sophie's vulgar behavior for the quick collapse.

In 2006, the actor started dating art curator Alex Zosman. This event triggered such a wave of negativity from the Hollywood star's fans toward the woman that Statham decided he didn't want to share details of his personal life with anyone anymore. That's why their 2010 breakup didn't become public knowledge right away.

Jason Statham's ex-girlfriend – Alex Zosman

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Then luck smiled on the actor – in 2010, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, a Victoria's Secret model, took notice of him. They got together, broke up, took breaks, lived apart...

Finally, in 2017, the media learned that Statham was about to become a dad for the first time. At first, the actor's girlfriend's fans were puzzled when she stopped posting new photos on social media. But when paparazzi caught Rosie and photographed her growing baby bump, which the model carefully concealed under an oversized coat, everything became clear.

On June 24 of that year, Jason Statham became a father for the first time. He and Rosie welcomed their son, Jack Oscar Statham.

A year after their child's birth, in August 2018, Jason and Rosie announced their upcoming wedding. At least, that's what all the British media reported. But in December, Statham's partner belatedly commented on the news: "It's all lies!" The actor and model still aren't married, but they're happy. They're often spotted out and about near their home with their son.

Jason Statham and his girlfriend aren't rushing to tie the knot

In August 2021, it became known that Rosie was expecting their second child. In February 2022, the couple welcomed their daughter, Isabella James Statham.

Jason Statham, according to Rosie, turned out to be an incredibly hands-on father:

I call him a human jungle gym because he's constantly got kids riding on his back. This man has an insane amount of energy – it's limitless. He's a big kid himself.

The Statham family lives a relatively private life, trying not to put their children in the spotlight. Rosie explains: "We're pretty normal – we don't leave restaurants separately. People want to live in front of the camera 24/7, but that's not us."

They ride around London on electric bikes as a family, wear tracksuits, and just live an ordinary British life with a light touch of Hollywood glamour.

Jason Statham Now

In January 2025, "The Beekeeper" hit theaters, an action thriller from director David Ayer based on Chuck Dixon's novel. Statham plays Levon Cade, a former special ops soldier trying to live a quiet life as a construction worker with his daughter until someone close to him disappears.

Jason Statham in a hard hat and jacket walks through a construction site with workers and machinery visible in the hazy background — Still from "The Beekeeper"

The script was written by Sylvester Stallone, who initially conceived the project as a series. But after Ayer and Statham joined, the format shifted to a feature film. The cast also featured David Harbour and Michael Peña.

At the same time, the actor starred in and produced through his company Punch Palace Productions the action film "Mutiny" directed by Jean-François Richet. The film follows Cole Reed, a former special ops soldier and NYPD cop who transitions to private security for a Thai tycoon, but when his boss is murdered, all evidence points to him. Filming wrapped in 2024, with a release scheduled for January 2026.

Jason Statham: latest news and articles

Betty Guerrero

I realize that most of the actors were hooligans when they were young and Jason Statham is not an exception.

2021-05-15 14:18:41
Terry Carter

Despite of his English origin (where most of the actors are slender), Jason Statham fit well in Hollywood.

2021-05-13 23:58:12
Dylan Blake Griffin

Statham in `The Transporter` as though played himself, brutal bad guy who will find the right way at the end.

2021-05-11 14:32:43
Judy Norman

Fine piece of man, Jason Statham just a walking testosterone! I watched all the movies with him. I`m thrilled!

2021-05-09 19:45:32
Rodney Rice

Not everyone can boast the amount of quality action movies like Statham. But that`s all, is unlikely he can play in other type of movies.

2021-03-26 12:38:19
Carothom Investments

omg I love this person,greatest movie star.i love everything about Jason guys,i watch all your movies with my boyfriend and drive him nuts because he says he can hardly hear anything coz I scream everytime when I see you looooool,but really why wouldn't I looooool

2018-11-19 10:47:51
Lynn

Well I am still here waiting to hear from you.

2018-11-03 06:19:59
Jase

Biggest british movie star out there, love all your movies, not being able to dive didnt do you too much harm ! Take care jc

2018-10-04 18:24:55
doreen mwendwa

I love your movies and always looking forward for new one.

2018-08-17 09:23:18
Joan Dean

I don't know what your like in person but i love the sweet humility you have in your characters added with the bad ass guy. Its brilliant! In my opinion you are better than Bruce Willis, whom I've seen reviews compared you to. I would marry you. Lol

2018-07-22 08:24:43
Cheryl Reay

So happy you've found Love. Luv ur movies.xo

2018-06-22 06:23:49
Aditi

Hi...I m big fan of urs...I like watching ur movies.....ur stunts are awesome.....

2018-06-11 23:06:15
люк

i like all youre films plenty of action and i like you.keep them comming ,ive been a fan from the beginingand i always will b.lolxx mrya

2018-06-02 19:57:03
Lisa Goyco

Jason you are awesome I first started watching all of your movies with my husband he passed in 2016 to a courageous battle of cancer. At first I was a little skeptical of action pack movies but he talked me into it lol women are more into romantic movies. Well keep up the good work. Lisa Goyco

2018-01-29 16:11:21

Jason Statham

Photos: Jason Statham