Jason Statham

About Jason Statham

Jason Statham (born 12 September 1972) is an English actor, known for his definitive masculine roles in the Guy Ritchie crime films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; Revolver; and Snatch. Statham also appeared in supporting roles in several American films, such as The Italian Job, as well as playing the lead role in The Transporter, Crank, The Bank Job, and War alongside martial arts star Jet Li.

Statham was born in 1972 in Shirebrook, Derbyshire and later moved to London, and then Great Yarmouth, where the family business was running a bathroom stall. Jason played football for the local Grammar school (1978-83) but his real passion was diving. He was the second son of a lounge singer and dressmaker-turned-dancer who ran a black market operation. He grew up, initially, following his parents' trail to master the art of street theatre. Statham developed an interest in sports, diving in particular, which led him to become an excellent athlete in the sport; he finished 12th in the World Championships in 1992. Although Derbyshire at heart, Jason Statham has made it known he is a keen follower of English Football side Nottingham Forest FC, in the Coca-Cola Championship, and regularly attends matches when he is not filming and he was also a member of Britain's National Diving Squad for twelve years.

Statham's life in media began when he was spotted by a talent agent specializing in athletes while training at London's Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. Afterwards, he became a model for the clothing brand French Connection where he was introduced to then-fledgling British director Guy Ritchie.