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

xXx: Return of Xander Cage

Furious 7

Detective Chinatown

Expend4bles

Striking Rescue

Ong-Bak

Never Back Down: No Surrender

The Protector

All Movies (32)

• Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business2026
• Striking Rescue2024 · as Bai An
• Expend4bles2023 · as Decha
• Detective Chinatown 32021 · as Jack Jaa
• Monster Hunter2020 · as The Hunter
• Jiu Jitsu2020 · as Kueng
• Triple Threat2019 · as Payu
• Master Z: Ip Man Legacy2018 · as Sadi the Warrior
• Guardians of Martial Arts2017 · as Master Jaa
• Paradox2017 · as Tak
• xXx: Return of Xander Cage2017 · as Talon
• Never Back Down: No Surrender2016 · as Tony Jaa
• SPL 2: A Time for Consequences2015 · as Chatchai
• Furious 72015 · as Kiet
• Skin Trade2014 · as Tony Vitayakul
• The Protector 22013 · as Kham
• Ong Bak 32010 · as Tien
• Ong Bak 22008 · as Tien
• The Bodyguard 22007 · as Piggy Bank Vendor
• The Road to Glory: The Making of Ong-Bak2005
• The Protector2005 · as Kham
• Crying Tiger2005 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Bodyguard2004 · as Supermarket Fighter
• Ong-Bak2003 · as Ting
• Puta khatha thalom khon1997
• Mission Hunter II1996
• Hard Gun1996 · as Sak
• The Rowdy Bunch1994
• Spirited Killer1994
• Siamese Lion1992
• Nonstop—
• Untitled Amazon MGM action project—

All TV Shows (2)

• The Art of Action2020 · as Self
• Detective Chinatown2020 · as Jack Jaa