By Wonderwall.com Editors
8:10am PDT, Jul 30, 2019
Jason Statham's latest action flick is coming to a theater near you. In celebration of the release of "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" on Aug. 2, 2019, Wonderwall.com is going over a few fun facts about the action star that you might not know (but should!). Let's start with the obvious: From the sunglasses to the suit to the car, Jason is the definition of suave. We could look at this picture all day! Keep reading to get started…
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No. 1: He's a moneymaker
Jason Statham knows how to bring in the big bucks! The British actor's films have earned more than $1.5 billion at the box office, making him one of the movie industry's most bankable action-movie stars.
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No. 2: He's a supportive fiancé
Jason Statham is devoted to fiancée Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The in-love couple, who got together in 2010, have both gushed about each other in interviews, sharing how they make their relationship work. "I just feel lucky that I'm with somebody who is equally as passionate about his own career as he is about mine and he's really supportive of everything I do," Rosie told ELLE of Jason, who's 20 years her senior. "When you're a career-driven person, it works best when your partner is equally as excited for you and supportive. And that's what Jason is. He's my biggest cheerleader and I'm his." Jason piggybacked off the supermodel's statements during an interview with E!, adding "We're very happy. She's a great girl."
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No. 3: He's a great dad
Jason Statham is not only a supportive fiancé but a hands-on dad. The star of "The Meg" is often spotted on walks and enjoying playtime with Jack, who was born in June 2017. "I am running around like crazy. He's fast on his feet, I can tell you that," Jason told "Extra" of his toddler. "Yeah, we love him. We're lucky."
No. 4: He's an all-star diver
Jason Statham is an A-list movie star today, but once upon a time, he was a professional diver. He began diving when he was 11 and later became a member of Britain's National Swimming Squad, a position he held for 12 years. In 1990, Jason represented England in the Commonwealth Games in the 10 meter, 3 meter, and 1 meter competitions. "I spent 12 years on the national squad," he told IGN. "It was a great experience, you know, to travel the world and compete at a certain level. It teaches you discipline, focus and certainly keeps you out of trouble."
No. 5: He's got great style
Jason Statham might be all action on the big screen but that doesn't mean he doesn't know how to dress. The "Fast & Furious" franchise star is well known for his classic accessories and chic suits and tuxedos, which are often designed by top fashion brands like Ralph Lauren, Burberry and David August.
No. 6: He's a former model
Jason Statham probably soaked up all that style during his days as model. That's right — before he was an A-lister, Jason was an up-and-coming model who posed for brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's and French Connection in the '90s. "We chose Jason because we wanted our model to look like a normal guy. His look is just right for now: very masculine and not too male-modelly," a spokesperson for French Connection told The Independent in 1995.
No. 7: He gets along with his co-stars
Jason Statham is Mr. Popular on set. The English actor has had nothing but positive things to say about his "Hobbs & Shaw" cast, and they've echoed his sentiments. "I'm really happy that we were … able to crack the creative and really lean into the relationship and chemistry — the biting chemistry between myself and Jason Statham," Dwayne Johnson told Entertainment Weekly. Jason added that The Rock is "extremely precise and he's just so relaxed. He's just a diamond to work with. He's a 10 out of 10." Aww, bromance!
No. 8: He's a martial arts master
Don't ever challenge Jason Statham to a fight. The father of one has been practicing Wing Chun kung fu, kickboxing and karate since he was a young boy. "I'm absorbing and taking aboard all the experience I can," he told The Film Stage of his martial arts studies. "And it's great. It's a real passion. And that's another reason when I tend to gravitate towards doing these [action] films — I really have a fascination for martial arts."
No. 9: He does his own stunts
Jason Statham doesn't shy away from the action. He's performed all his own stunts since the beginning of his career — and thinks other actors should follow suit. "I'm inspired by the people who could do their own work. Bruce Lee never had stunt doubles and fight doubles, or Jackie Chan or Jet Li. I've been in action movies where there is a face replacement and I'm fighting with a double, and it's embarrassing," he told the Guardian. "But if you really are an aficionado of action movies, you know who's doing what and who ain't. To me it's a little bit sad." The shade!
No. 10: But he still advocates for others
Jason Statham might do his own stunts, but he's still a huge advocate for professional stunt performers. In 2015, he told Vanity Fair that stunt workers should receive Oscars and that the lack of recognition for their work is an "injustice." "I think it is an overlooked category, [considering] how much responsibility these coordinators have for some of the greatest entertainment in action movies," he said. "I mean, all of the stunt men — these are the unsung heroes. They really are. Nobody is giving them any [credit]. They're risking their necks. It's a total injustice. They're the ones getting busy."
No. 11: He almost died on the set of "The Expendables 3"
Jason Statham might want to consider a stunt double every now and then — especially if his life is on the line! The butt-kicking action star nearly drowned on the set of "The Expendables 3" when he was propelled into the Black Sea after the brakes on a truck he was driving failed. "I went over the edge," he told the "Today" show in 2014. "The brakes failed. It's the closest I've ever been to drowning. I've done a lot of scuba diving; I've done a lot of free diving. … No matter how much of that you've done, it doesn't teach you to breathe underwater. … I came very close to drowning. It was a very harrowing experience."
No. 12: He's a car enthusiast
Jason Statham isn't just a car fanatic on the big screen — he's also one in real life. He's often spotted at race tracks and race-car driving competitions around the world and frequently shares photos on Instagram of cars he likes or owns, including an Audi E-Tron Vision Gran Turismo, a Jaguar Supercharged XJR and a Ferrari F12.
No. 13: He was a music video backup dancer
Back in the '90s, you could find Jason Statham getting his groove on in several music videos. The actor worked as backup dancer and model in videos such as "Comin' 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.
No. 14: He's bald and proud
Jason Statham doesn't have a head full of luscious movie star hair and he wouldn't have it any other way. The British actor is proud of his bald look, telling the Daily Express, "Thank God I'm bald. Hair just doesn't suit me." We agree, Jason!
