Tony Jaa

Biography

Tatchakorn Yeerum, better known Tony Jaa, is a martial artist, actor, and director who transformed Thai action cinema with his intense, acrobatic fighting style. Inspired by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, he trained in Muay Thai and gymnastics, developing a breathtaking mix of speed, agility, and raw power.

Jaa got his start in the film industry as a stunt double in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), where his impressive athleticism caught the eye of director Panna Rittikrai. Under Rittikrai’s mentorship, Jaa honed his craft and eventually starred in Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003). The film, featuring real, wire-free stunts and bone-crunching Muay Thai, revolutionized Thai action cinema and gained worldwide acclaim.

Known For

The Art of Action

Self

Furious 7

Kiet

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

Talon

Expend4bles

Decha

Detective Chinatown

Jack Jaa

Ong Bak

Ting

The Protector

Kham

Monster Hunter

The Hunter

Filmography

Year	Movie	Role
2024	Striking Rescue	Bai An
2023	Expend4bles	Decha
2021	Detective Chinatown 3	Jack Jaa
2020	Monster Hunter	The Hunter
2020	Jiu Jitsu	Kueng
2019	Triple Threat	Payu
2018	Master Z: Ip Man Legacy	Sadi the Warrior
2017	xXx: Return of Xander Cage	Talon
2017	Guardians of Martial Arts	Master Jaa
2017	Paradox	Tak
2016	Never Back Down: No Surrender	Tony Jaa
2015	Furious 7	Kiet
2015	SPL 2: A Time for Consequences	Chatchai
2014	Skin Trade	Tony Vitayakul
2013	The Protector 2	Kham
2010	Ong Bak 3	Tien
2008	Ong Bak 2	Tien
2007	The Bodyguard 2	Piggy Bank Vendor
2005	The Protector	Kham
2005	Crying Tiger	Self (archive footage)
2005	The Road to Glory: The Making of Ong-Bak
2004	The Bodyguard	Supermarket Fighter
2003	Ong Bak	Ting
1997	Puta khatha thalom khon
1996	Mission Hunter II
1996	Hard Gun	Sak
1994	Spirited Killer
1994	The Rowdy Bunch
1992	Siamese Lion

Year	TV Show	Role
2020	The Art of Action	Self
2020	Detective Chinatown	Jack Jaa