Jason Statham – an actor who became famous after appearing in Guy Ritchie’s “Lock, Stock, Two Smoking Barrels”, is currently one of the most famous in Hollywood.
The audience knows him as an action movie star, but he is able to play not only a guy “without fear and reproach”, he is also good at comedic images. In addition, Jason Statham has a good sense of humor and a love of practical jokes: he once hid a box with horseshoes in Matthew Vaughn’s new car, which made strange sounds when driving. To understand what was wrong with his car, the producer even had to go to a car service, where the joker was exposed.
Childhood and youth
Jason was born in the small town of Shirebrook, located in Derbyshire, but later the family moved to Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. His birthday is July 26, 1967. His parents were Barry and Eileen Statham, his father was a musician and boxer, and his mother was a dressmaker who later became a dancer. Since childhood, the film artist has been fond of music, he even, together with his older brother, was a member of the group that Barry created.
Later, the actor appeared several times in the videos of other artists, among which was the viral video of The Shamen called Comin On. Also, from an early age, he is fond of sports, his father instilled in him a love for martial arts, and a passion for diving appeared after watching competitions. Athletes looked spectacular, and the boy was eager to learn how to jump just as well. Hard training gave results, and at the age of 12 he was included in the national British team, with which he went to competitions, but, alas, the team never achieved significant results.
Another hobby of the young man was football. Jason was taught to play by the then little-known football player Vinnie Jones, whom he met in Norfolk. Sports did not bring income to the young man and was more of a hobby, so he began selling various knick-knacks imitating expensive perfumes and gold jewelry on the street. But still, classes in the pool helped the young man earn money – he was seen by an agent of the company Tommy Hilfiger and, having assessed his external data, invited him to appear in an advertisement for jeans. These photographs have been published in many magazines.
The beginning of a film career
Jason never thought about a career in cinema, and starred in his first film thanks to the very jeans advertisement. The owner of the brand was the producer of Guy Ritchie’s picture “Cards, Money, Two Smoking Barrels” and after reading the script, he remembered a promising young man and proposed his candidacy. Instead of screen tests, the director asked to demonstrate his skills as a merchant and sell jewelry under the guise of gold jewelry.
Statham brilliantly coped with the task, performing it masterfully. Delighted, Richie immediately approved him for the role. Recalling this episode, Jason said that the things he learned by trading on the streets are not taught in art school, so he was able to play sincerely and more authentically than other candidates. The debut was unexpectedly stunning, and the joint work of the actor and film director continued in several more films: Big Jackpot, Bone Breaker, Revolver and, in 2021, Human Wrath.
Fame
Collaboration with Guy Ritchie made Statham a famous and sought-after film actor. He starred in several projects: “Turn it up”, “Ghosts of Mars” and in “Confrontation”, where he starred on a par with experienced film actors. These pictures were quite successful, but still the world fame overtook Jason after the role of Frank Martin in the thriller “Carrier”.
Surprisingly, in life he does not manage cars very well, although after this film he appeared more than once in the form of skillful drivers. He passed on the right only on the 4th attempt and even took driving lessons from the Formula 1 champion Damon Hill, but he could not achieve significant results. However, looking at him in the frame, it would never occur to anyone that he is not as good at driving as his characters. The actor gives all his best every time – once he said that since he could not realize himself in sports, he must compensate for this with good work on the set.
Further career
In 2003, the actor starred in the action movie The Italian Job, followed by the films Accomplice and Cellular, in the latter Kim Basinger became his partner. The movie star asked her partner to surprise her during the filming, but did not take into account his imagination and sense of humor. Jason pretended that he was going to strangle the actress with a belt, having achieved the most vivid emotions on her part. Shortly after the premiere of this picture, he demonstrated that he could act in more than action films.
In 2005, he starred in the melodrama “London”, and in 2006 the shooting of the fantasy “In the Name of the King: The Story of the Dungeon Siege” began, the audience was able to see this film in April 2007. The following year, the premiere of “Death Race” took place, which was especially liked by the fans of the actor. To look as authentic as possible in the frame, Statham went to California and visited the cell of a serial killer in Concoran maximum security prison. Also among his significant work is filming in parts 6, 7 and 8 of the famous Fast and Furious franchise, and in 2010 he was lucky enough to work with Sylvester Stallone, one of his three most favorite actors.
The famous American treated his colleague with great respect and highly appreciated his abilities. In The Expendables, Rocky Balboa also acted as a director, assembling a team of Hollywood stars for the main roles. By the way, during the filming, Statham had to endure not the best moments. The brakes of the truck he was riding failed, the car skidded, and the actor collapsed into the water, wearing his seat belts. Even in this dangerous situation, he worried not only for his life, but also for the operators, whom he accidentally hit during the fall. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, and the former swimmer managed to get to the surface on his own, where he was given first aid.
Private life
During his life, Statham met with many girls, but, like a true gentleman, he does not like to talk about his victories on the personal front. He had a serious relationship with Kelly Brook, an American actress and model, the couple broke up in 2004. Six years later, he met Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who is 20 years younger than him.
A girl from the age of 16 in the modeling business and boasts that she has been a Victoria’s Secret angel for a long time. According to some reports, in order to attract the attention of the chosen one, Jason stole a golf cart and was detained by the police. Rosie could not resist, and soon they were already living together. In 2016, the lovers announced their engagement, and a year later their son Jack Oscar Statham was born.
