Jason Statham Biography
Award winning star of ‘The Transporter’ and ‘The Italian Job’ films Jason Statham has his roots in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, U.K where he was born on September 12 1967 to low-class parents Eileen and Barry Statham. His early childhood was divided between the classroom and the sports pitch where he spent a substantial amount of time although he occasionally did odd jobs with his father in order to finance the needs of the Statham family. Growing up he always knew that he would pursue a career that was sports oriented either in soccer or in diving.
Statham was an active child who participated in almost all sports events at his schools as one of the top athletes. By the time Statham was ten he was the unrivalled champion in his neighbourhood and he was a master under water. Although he had an interest in film Statham concentrated mainly on his first passion sparing only a little time for the theatre, he also trained in martial arts and participated in a few contests.
After school Statham began auditioning for modelling jobs while selling contraband products for his father’s business. Statham’s break came in the mid 90’s when he was signed to the French Connection Modelling agency, after a few stints on the runway Statham ventured into the high paying film industry by accident with a debut role in 1998’s ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’. Featured in the film as an illegal trader named Bacon, Statham played the role with an ease and flair that compared him to well established actors. The audience loved how natural he appeared and critics were full of nothing but praise for the now famous actor. His earnings for the role were also substantial thus making then model-turned actor consider a new career move.
Roles in 2000 and 2001 saw him appear on ‘Turn It Up’ as Mr. B and ‘Ghosts of Mars’ as Jericho Butler before he landed on the high profile film ’The Transporter’ in 2002 with the lead role of Frank Martin. In this popular film Statham’s title was a quiet but very skilled fighter who took up jobs as a driver transporting persons in danger while fighting constant ambushes for killers. Statham’s martial arts’ training was put to use in the film and he acquired a following of fans that saw him as a macho sex symbol. Statham reprised his role in the following sequels part 2 & 3 in 2005 and 2008 respectively.
In 2003 Statham appeared in yet another best-seller film titled ‘The Italian Job’ as handsome Rob, the film pushed him higher up the ladder of respected and wealthy actresses and fans filled theatres to see his act.
Statham has played in other films like ‘Crank: High Voltage’, ‘Collateral’, ‘The Bank Job’, ‘Revolver’, ‘The Pink Panther’, ‘Death Race’ and ‘In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege’ among others. Statham can be seen in his latest 2010 film ‘The Mechanic’ as Arthur Bishop. He is currently filming for another film titled ‘The Killer Elite’.
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