Martial Artist or Actor?

opr1945

Black Belt
I have come across some videos of Tony Jaa involving fight scenes. Is he an actual Martial Artist or an actor? Thanks.

 
A person can be both of these at the same time. Are you trying to find out if he can actually fight and use the techniques that you see him use in the movies?
Yes. Poor choice of words on my part. Apparently Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris were actual martial artists and actors. While David Carradine, I read had little to no Martial arts training when he started the Kung Fu TV show, but was a professionally trained dancer at that time. However, after he started the roll he started studying Shaolin Quan Martial Arts, or so I have read.
 
Shaolin kung fu (Chinese: 少林功夫; pinyin: Shǎolín gōngfū), also called Shaolin Wushu (少林武術; Shǎolín wǔshù), or Shaolin quan (少林拳; Shàolínquán), is the largest and most famous style of kung fu. It combines Chan philosophy and martial arts. It was developed in the Shaolin Temple in Henan, China during its 1500-year history. In Chinese folklore there is a saying, "Shaolin kung fu is the best under heaven," which indicates its superiority among martial arts, and "All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin," which indicates its influence on other martial arts. The name Shaolin is also used as a brand for the so-called external styles of kung fu. Many styles in southern and northern China use the name Shaolin.
 
Maybe he is an actor and Martial Artist, but the fight scenes are entirely fantasy?


Tony Jaa involving fight scenes.

 
I have come across some videos of Tony Jaa involving fight scenes. Is he an actual Martial Artist or an actor? Thanks.

Like Jackie Chan, he started as a stunt man in films. I think he trained in traditional Muay Thai (can't remember the name) since he was young.

Also like Jackie Chan, he was then propped up to feature as a lead later in his stunt career. So he's both.
 
Like Jackie Chan, he started as a stunt man in films. I think he trained in traditional Muay Thai (can't remember the name) since he was young.

Also like Jackie Chan, he was then propped up to feature as a lead later in his stunt career. So he's both.

JC was from childhood time brought up in a Chinese theater/opera school/group together with Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao and a fourth one whom I don’t remember his name, all of them became successful in the Hong Kong movie business.
Chinese theatre has quite rigorous training regime that’s kind of wushu’ish and acrobatic
 
thank you for your comments. i had never heard of him until i came across the videos. I think I think i was focused to much on the tree and needed to step back and view the larger forest. And remember it is only entertainment. The intent is to get people to buy tickets. And of course popcorn and soda pop.
 
Fight scenes are fun to coordinate. Alphonso Ribeiro hosted a late night talk show back in the day. I coordinated a fight scene for him to open his show one night. Lots of fun. He’s a really nice man, too.
 

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Fight scenes are fun to coordinate. Alphonso Ribeiro hosted a late night talk show back in the day. I coordinated a fight scene for him to open his show one night. Lots of fun. He’s a really nice man, too.
This group is always full of surprises
 
allegedly

Tony Jaa began training in Muay Thai at his local temple at age 10. According to Jaa, he fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter when Panna Rittikrai saw him and asked him if he would like to do stunts in one of his films. Panna had instructed Jaa to attend Maha Sarakham College of Physical Education in Maha Sarakham Province from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree. His early martial arts experience included Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and Krabi-Krabong, with an emphasis on gymnastics and acrobatics. His films have showcased various other martial arts styles, such as Kung-fu, Silat, and Jiu-Jitsu
 
allegedly

Tony Jaa began training in Muay Thai at his local temple at age 10. According to Jaa, he fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter when Panna Rittikrai saw him and asked him if he would like to do stunts in one of his films. Panna had instructed Jaa to attend Maha Sarakham College of Physical Education in Maha Sarakham Province from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree. His early martial arts experience included Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and Krabi-Krabong, with an emphasis on gymnastics and acrobatics. His films have showcased various other martial arts styles, such as Kung-fu, Silat, and Jiu-Jitsu
Sounds like the real deal, although I have never heard of "Muay Boran, and Krabi-Krabong", but that doesn't mean anything.
 
I think Jet li is the goat as far as post Bruce Lee mainstream 😁
He has a rather extensive background in Modern Wushu and Sanda/Sanshou

However a lot of the folks in MA movies in China today say if you are looking for the most serious martial artist in films you need to look at Donnie Yen. Even Mike Tyson said Yen can hit pretty hard
 
Years ago when I was stationed at Keesler AFB in Mississippi there were lots of Thai soldiers there for training. Small guys. Locals thought they could beat them up in a fight. Sorely mistaken.
 
I've seen some of his Ip man movies. He is very impressive definitely has the good moves. I just found he was the swordsman in Blade II. I love that movie.
Donnie Yen

tai chi, Boxing, Kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do, Hapkido, Mixed martial arts, Taekwondo, Karate, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Hung Ga, Sanda, Judo, Shaolin kung fu (from his mother Bow-sim Mark), wudangquan (from his mother Bow-sim Mark), Wing Chun, and Wushu.

purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ)
black belt in judo
6th degree black belt in taekwondo
 
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