real like fights made them famous but their talents translated perfectly to
their talents translated perfectly to
their talents translated perfectly to the big screen welcome to watchmojo.com
the big screen welcome to watchmojo.com
the big screen welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 fighters turn to action
for the top 10 fighters turn to action
for the top 10 fighters turn to action stars
before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re
more great content for this list we’re
more great content for this list we’re looking at successful fighters that
looking at successful fighters that
looking at successful fighters that managed to cross over into mainstream
managed to cross over into mainstream
managed to cross over into mainstream cinema
cinema
cinema we’ll be excluding those who did martial
we’ll be excluding those who did martial
we’ll be excluding those who did martial arts before becoming famous but who
arts before becoming famous but who
arts before becoming famous but who weren’t technically competitive fighters
weren’t technically competitive fighters
weren’t technically competitive fighters so Jackie Chan and Jason Statham aren’t
so Jackie Chan and Jason Statham aren’t
so Jackie Chan and Jason Statham aren’t eligible
eligible
eligible we’re also excluding professional
we’re also excluding professional
we’re also excluding professional wrestler stars like Dwayne the rock
wrestler stars like Dwayne the rock
wrestler stars like Dwayne the rock Johnson as their original careers were
Johnson as their original careers were
Johnson as their original careers were more about mass entertainment than
more about mass entertainment than
more about mass entertainment than traditional fighting number 10 Michael
traditional fighting number 10 Michael
traditional fighting number 10 Michael Jai White get busy check out my trunk
Jai White get busy check out my trunk
Jai White get busy check out my trunk tell them the rest of my money by
tell them the rest of my money by
tell them the rest of my money by Wednesday I’ll make him stick himself in
Wednesday I’ll make him stick himself in
Wednesday I’ll make him stick himself in 1995 this esteemed martial artist put on
1995 this esteemed martial artist put on
1995 this esteemed martial artist put on the gloves to portray a fellow
the gloves to portray a fellow
the gloves to portray a fellow Brooklynite in HBO’s Tyson and while the
Brooklynite in HBO’s Tyson and while the
Brooklynite in HBO’s Tyson and while the role highlighted Michael Jai White’s
role highlighted Michael Jai White’s
role highlighted Michael Jai White’s attack ability the film was essentially
attack ability the film was essentially
attack ability the film was essentially an audition for more action-oriented
an audition for more action-oriented
an audition for more action-oriented flicks
as a master of the martial arts and with
as a master of the martial arts and with eight black belts to his name white
eight black belts to his name white
eight black belts to his name white utilized his skills for a groundbreaking
utilized his skills for a groundbreaking
utilized his skills for a groundbreaking lead performance in the titular spawn in
lead performance in the titular spawn in
lead performance in the titular spawn in 1997 which opened the doors for black
1997 which opened the doors for black
1997 which opened the doors for black actors in the superhero genre you sent
actors in the superhero genre you sent
actors in the superhero genre you sent me to jail Jason
me to jail Jason
me to jail Jason I’m here to return the favor over the
I’m here to return the favor over the
I’m here to return the favor over the years he’s built an impressive resume
years he’s built an impressive resume
years he’s built an impressive resume thanks to his multifaceted skills with
thanks to his multifaceted skills with
thanks to his multifaceted skills with me roles in blood and bone and Black
me roles in blood and bone and Black
me roles in blood and bone and Black Dynamite not to mention a rolling
Dynamite not to mention a rolling
Dynamite not to mention a rolling Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight as
Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight as
Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight as well enough from the clown number nine
well enough from the clown number nine
well enough from the clown number nine chun-li
chun-li
chun-li [Applause]
you’ve seen him in the UFC and you’ve
you’ve seen him in the UFC and you’ve seen him alongside wu-tang’s RZA in
seen him alongside wu-tang’s RZA in
seen him alongside wu-tang’s RZA in 2012’s the man with the iron fists but
2012’s the man with the iron fists but
2012’s the man with the iron fists but it was in Strikeforce where the South
it was in Strikeforce where the South
it was in Strikeforce where the South Vietnamese coolie originally thrived
Vietnamese coolie originally thrived
Vietnamese coolie originally thrived accumulating a seven to one record
accumulating a seven to one record
accumulating a seven to one record between 2006 and 2009 and though Lee has
between 2006 and 2009 and though Lee has
between 2006 and 2009 and though Lee has experienced plenty of drama inside the
experienced plenty of drama inside the
experienced plenty of drama inside the Octagon he’s come a long way in the
Octagon he’s come a long way in the
Octagon he’s come a long way in the entertainment industry since the 2001
entertainment industry since the 2001
entertainment industry since the 2001 appearance in Walker Texas Ranger
appearance in Walker Texas Ranger
appearance in Walker Texas Ranger in fact 2009 marked perhaps his most
in fact 2009 marked perhaps his most
in fact 2009 marked perhaps his most prolific year on screen with roles in
prolific year on screen with roles in
prolific year on screen with roles in Tekken bodyguards and assassins Pandorum
Tekken bodyguards and assassins Pandorum
Tekken bodyguards and assassins Pandorum and the appropriately titled fighting
and the appropriately titled fighting
and the appropriately titled fighting opposite Channing Tatum as a three-time
opposite Channing Tatum as a three-time
opposite Channing Tatum as a three-time world champion in kick boxing Lee is
world champion in kick boxing Lee is
world champion in kick boxing Lee is proven to be more than valuable to
proven to be more than valuable to
proven to be more than valuable to action directors
known for his insane fitness regimen and
known for his insane fitness regimen and jaw-dropping action choreography this
jaw-dropping action choreography this
jaw-dropping action choreography this Hong Kong native is a true icon of Asian
Hong Kong native is a true icon of Asian
Hong Kong native is a true icon of Asian cinema North Americans probably know
cinema North Americans probably know
cinema North Americans probably know Donnie Yen as the titular character of
Donnie Yen as the titular character of
Donnie Yen as the titular character of the it man franchise and with good
the it man franchise and with good
the it man franchise and with good reason
reason
reason considering the exceptional action
considering the exceptional action
considering the exceptional action sequences but as far back as 1992 he
sequences but as far back as 1992 he
sequences but as far back as 1992 he starred alongside Jet Li in the film
starred alongside Jet Li in the film
starred alongside Jet Li in the film once upon a time in China – this coming
once upon a time in China – this coming
once upon a time in China – this coming nearly a decade after his film debut in
nearly a decade after his film debut in
nearly a decade after his film debut in drunken Tai Chi as an actor gain can
drunken Tai Chi as an actor gain can
drunken Tai Chi as an actor gain can handle his business but it’s his Wing
handle his business but it’s his Wing
handle his business but it’s his Wing Chun routines and martial art abilities
Chun routines and martial art abilities
Chun routines and martial art abilities that separate him from his peers number
that separate him from his peers number
that separate him from his peers number 7 Gina Carano you gonna do superhero
7 Gina Carano you gonna do superhero
7 Gina Carano you gonna do superhero landing wait for it
during her mixed martial arts and
during her mixed martial arts and kickboxing careers Carano amassed a
kickboxing careers Carano amassed a
kickboxing careers Carano amassed a record of 19 – and one named the hottest
record of 19 – and one named the hottest
record of 19 – and one named the hottest woman in America in 2008 jina starred
woman in America in 2008 jina starred
woman in America in 2008 jina starred alongside Michael Jai White in 2009’s
alongside Michael Jai White in 2009’s
alongside Michael Jai White in 2009’s blood and boat and not just because of
blood and boat and not just because of
blood and boat and not just because of her good looks
her good looks
her good looks of course the performance didn’t go
of course the performance didn’t go
of course the performance didn’t go unnoticed by one of cinema’s most
unnoticed by one of cinema’s most
unnoticed by one of cinema’s most acclaimed directors Steven Soderbergh
acclaimed directors Steven Soderbergh
acclaimed directors Steven Soderbergh who cast the fighter in a leading role
who cast the fighter in a leading role
who cast the fighter in a leading role in haywire the action sequences in which
in haywire the action sequences in which
in haywire the action sequences in which Jena performed her own stunts proved to
Jena performed her own stunts proved to
Jena performed her own stunts proved to be phenomenal leading her to the Fast
be phenomenal leading her to the Fast
be phenomenal leading her to the Fast and the Furious franchise and a role in
and the Furious franchise and a role in
and the Furious franchise and a role in Deadpool gene is bound to be a unique
Deadpool gene is bound to be a unique
Deadpool gene is bound to be a unique and lasting force in Hollywood for years
and lasting force in Hollywood for years
and lasting force in Hollywood for years to come
this esteemed actor may be a recognized
this esteemed actor may be a recognized Hollywood figure but it was karate and
Hollywood figure but it was karate and
Hollywood figure but it was karate and Hapkido that got him started in fact
Hapkido that got him started in fact
Hapkido that got him started in fact Wesley Snipes earned black belts for
Wesley Snipes earned black belts for
Wesley Snipes earned black belts for both martial arts in the early 70s a
both martial arts in the early 70s a
both martial arts in the early 70s a full decade before he appeared in
full decade before he appeared in
full decade before he appeared in Michael Jackson’s music video for bath
Michael Jackson’s music video for bath
Michael Jackson’s music video for bath ru bad oh is that what they teach you up
ru bad oh is that what they teach you up
ru bad oh is that what they teach you up at that little sissy school of yours
at that little sissy school of yours
at that little sissy school of yours with his striking on-screen presence and
with his striking on-screen presence and
with his striking on-screen presence and phenomenal agility it only made sense
phenomenal agility it only made sense
phenomenal agility it only made sense that Snipes became a legit action star
that Snipes became a legit action star
that Snipes became a legit action star in the early 90s for his performance in
in the early 90s for his performance in
in the early 90s for his performance in demolition man Snipes earned a Best
demolition man Snipes earned a Best
demolition man Snipes earned a Best Villain nomination at the MTV Movie
Villain nomination at the MTV Movie
Villain nomination at the MTV Movie Awards is it cold in here or is it just
Awards is it cold in here or is it just
Awards is it cold in here or is it just me Godin memory by the end of the decade
me Godin memory by the end of the decade
me Godin memory by the end of the decade he choreographed and starred in the
he choreographed and starred in the
he choreographed and starred in the box-office sensation blade in terms of
box-office sensation blade in terms of
box-office sensation blade in terms of Hollywood Wesley Snipes first
Hollywood Wesley Snipes first
Hollywood Wesley Snipes first demonstrated his acting talent and later
demonstrated his acting talent and later
demonstrated his acting talent and later crossed over into action making him a
crossed over into action making him a
crossed over into action making him a unique martial arts figure of his
unique martial arts figure of his
unique martial arts figure of his generation
number 5 Jet Li he’ll let me go I’d like
number 5 Jet Li he’ll let me go I’d like to live this former wushu champion has
to live this former wushu champion has
to live this former wushu champion has seen his martial arts skills translate
seen his martial arts skills translate
seen his martial arts skills translate beautifully to the silver screen over
beautifully to the silver screen over
beautifully to the silver screen over the years after establishing himself as
the years after establishing himself as
the years after establishing himself as a bonafide action star in Chinese and
a bonafide action star in Chinese and
a bonafide action star in Chinese and Hong Kong movies through the 80s and 90s
Hong Kong movies through the 80s and 90s
Hong Kong movies through the 80s and 90s gently would first arrive into the
gently would first arrive into the
gently would first arrive into the Hollywood scene in Lethal Weapon 4 he’d
Hollywood scene in Lethal Weapon 4 he’d
Hollywood scene in Lethal Weapon 4 he’d then find himself
then find himself
then find himself top billing in movies like Romeo Must
top billing in movies like Romeo Must
top billing in movies like Romeo Must Die kiss of the Dragon and cradle to the
Die kiss of the Dragon and cradle to the
Die kiss of the Dragon and cradle to the grave nowadays he’s been known for
grave nowadays he’s been known for
grave nowadays he’s been known for starring among a host of other big-name
starring among a host of other big-name
starring among a host of other big-name action heroes as martial arts expert yin
action heroes as martial arts expert yin
action heroes as martial arts expert yin yang in the Expendables franchise
number four Randy cooter we all know I
number four Randy cooter we all know I wrestled in college right aside from
wrestled in college right aside from
wrestled in college right aside from being a UFC Hall of Famer this veteran
being a UFC Hall of Famer this veteran
being a UFC Hall of Famer this veteran brawler is also one of the original
brawler is also one of the original
brawler is also one of the original Expendables during the mid-2000s Randy
Expendables during the mid-2000s Randy
Expendables during the mid-2000s Randy Couture wasn’t exactly landing the
Couture wasn’t exactly landing the
Couture wasn’t exactly landing the biggest rolls but he was in the midst of
biggest rolls but he was in the midst of
biggest rolls but he was in the midst of an epic run as UFC champ and so his
an epic run as UFC champ and so his
an epic run as UFC champ and so his absolute dominance in the Octagon set in
absolute dominance in the Octagon set in
absolute dominance in the Octagon set in motion a noteworthy movie career in 2008
motion a noteworthy movie career in 2008
motion a noteworthy movie career in 2008 randy appeared in the Scorpion King –
randy appeared in the Scorpion King –
randy appeared in the Scorpion King – rise of a warrior which preceded an
rise of a warrior which preceded an
rise of a warrior which preceded an iconic turn as toll road alongside other
iconic turn as toll road alongside other
iconic turn as toll road alongside other action icons in the Expendables
action icons in the Expendables
action icons in the Expendables franchise not a bad credit to have on
franchise not a bad credit to have on
franchise not a bad credit to have on the old action star resume number three
the old action star resume number three
the old action star resume number three Chuck Norris as seen in the 2015
Chuck Norris as seen in the 2015
Chuck Norris as seen in the 2015 documentary Chuck Norris versus
documentary Chuck Norris versus
documentary Chuck Norris versus communism this man’s influence on the
communism this man’s influence on the
communism this man’s influence on the modern world is truly extraordinary
modern world is truly extraordinary
modern world is truly extraordinary Chuck Norris even founded his own
Chuck Norris even founded his own
Chuck Norris even founded his own martial art called Chun Kuk dude but the
martial art called Chun Kuk dude but the
martial art called Chun Kuk dude but the legend all started in the late 60s as
legend all started in the late 60s as
legend all started in the late 60s as black belt magazine named the former air
black belt magazine named the former air
black belt magazine named the former air force policeman fighter of the year in
force policeman fighter of the year in
force policeman fighter of the year in 1969 the same year Chuck made his film
1969 the same year Chuck made his film
1969 the same year Chuck made his film debut in the wrecking crew and later
debut in the wrecking crew and later
debut in the wrecking crew and later appeared with the one and only Bruce Lee
appeared with the one and only Bruce Lee
appeared with the one and only Bruce Lee in 1972 s weight at the drag of course
in 1972 s weight at the drag of course
in 1972 s weight at the drag of course it was his eighties filmography that
it was his eighties filmography that
it was his eighties filmography that influenced an entire generation of
influenced an entire generation of
influenced an entire generation of action fanatics and meme makers all
action fanatics and meme makers all
action fanatics and meme makers all world huh Barney Booker we were either
world huh Barney Booker we were either
world huh Barney Booker we were either you were dead yeah I heard that too
you were dead yeah I heard that too
you were dead yeah I heard that too number two jean-claude Van Damme
[Applause]
[Applause] the 80s were a magical time for action
the 80s were a magical time for action
the 80s were a magical time for action place and this man elevated the genre
place and this man elevated the genre
place and this man elevated the genre through his blood sweat and the fear he
through his blood sweat and the fear he
through his blood sweat and the fear he imposed on his enemies as a teenager
imposed on his enemies as a teenager
imposed on his enemies as a teenager jean-claude van damme actually studied
jean-claude van damme actually studied
jean-claude van damme actually studied karate and ballet which led to a
karate and ballet which led to a
karate and ballet which led to a successful martial arts career in his
successful martial arts career in his
successful martial arts career in his native Belgium but Van Damme was not
native Belgium but Van Damme was not
native Belgium but Van Damme was not destined to dance he was destined for
destined to dance he was destined for
destined to dance he was destined for 80s classics like bloodsport and
80s classics like bloodsport and
80s classics like bloodsport and kickboxer the 90s only enhanced his
kickboxer the 90s only enhanced his
kickboxer the 90s only enhanced his persona as a legend within the genre
[Music]
[Music] most stars of his con tend to easily
most stars of his con tend to easily
most stars of his con tend to easily fade away with age but JCVD keeps
fade away with age but JCVD keeps
fade away with age but JCVD keeps finding new ways to impress all the
finding new ways to impress all the
finding new ways to impress all the while proving he’s far from expendable
while proving he’s far from expendable
while proving he’s far from expendable given his prolific resume before we
given his prolific resume before we
given his prolific resume before we unveil our top pick here are a few
unveil our top pick here are a few
unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions oh no I don’t work
honorable mentions oh no I don’t work
honorable mentions oh no I don’t work slowly you jacking me
slowly you jacking me
slowly you jacking me what is this UPS today I’m not a thief
what is this UPS today I’m not a thief
what is this UPS today I’m not a thief but if I don’t reach my friend in time
but if I don’t reach my friend in time
but if I don’t reach my friend in time then he dies thank God you showed up
these parties bore me to death
these parties bore me to death [Music]
number one Bruce Lee as the preeminent
number one Bruce Lee as the preeminent example of a fighter turned action star
example of a fighter turned action star
example of a fighter turned action star this man’s untimely death produced a
this man’s untimely death produced a
this man’s untimely death produced a mythical persona born in the Chinatown
mythical persona born in the Chinatown
mythical persona born in the Chinatown section of San Francisco Bruce Lee
section of San Francisco Bruce Lee
section of San Francisco Bruce Lee studied under the legendary Yip Man
studied under the legendary Yip Man
studied under the legendary Yip Man learning the art of Wing Chun which came
learning the art of Wing Chun which came
learning the art of Wing Chun which came in handy on the rough streets of late
in handy on the rough streets of late
in handy on the rough streets of late 50s Hong Kong but as the son of a noted
50s Hong Kong but as the son of a noted
50s Hong Kong but as the son of a noted opera star Lee was naturally drawn to
opera star Lee was naturally drawn to
opera star Lee was naturally drawn to performance art by the early 70s he not
performance art by the early 70s he not
performance art by the early 70s he not only starred in fists of fury but also
only starred in fists of fury but also
only starred in fists of fury but also established an immediate legacy with his
established an immediate legacy with his
established an immediate legacy with his breathtaking turn in way of the Dragon
perhaps most notably however 1973’s
perhaps most notably however 1973’s entered the Dragon is arguably the most
entered the Dragon is arguably the most
entered the Dragon is arguably the most influential martial arts film ever made
influential martial arts film ever made
influential martial arts film ever made and with good reason
and with good reason
and with good reason Bruce Lee is the go-to example for any
Bruce Lee is the go-to example for any
Bruce Lee is the go-to example for any fighter looking to become a legit action
fighter looking to become a legit action
fighter looking to become a legit action star
[Music]
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