Tony Jaa

Tatchakorn Yeerum<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> (born 1976<ref name="auto"/>) (Template:Langx, Template:RTGS, Template:IPA; formerly Phanom Yeerum (Template:Langx, Template:IPA)), better known internationally as Tony Jaa and in Thailand as Jaa Phanom (Template:Langx, Template:RTGS, Template:IPA), is a Thai martial artist, actor, action choreographer, stuntman, and director. Known for his explosive martial arts stunt work, Jaa had his breakthrough in 2003 with Ong-Bak, which earned him international recognition and spawned two sequels.

Jaa began training in Muay Thai at age 10, and fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter when he was discovered by filmmaker Panna Rittikrai. He worked as a stuntman for Muay Thai Stunt for 14 years, before making the transition to acting. His first lead role was as Ting in Ong-Bak (2003), which earned him a Star Entertainment Award. He went on to star in the prequels Ong Bak 2 (2008) and Ong Bak 3 (2010), both of which he directed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2005, he portrayed Kham in Tom-Yum-Goong, a role he reprised in the sequel, Tom Yum Goong 2 (2013). Furious 7 (2015) marked his first English-speaking role, and SPL II: A Time for Consequences (2015) marked his Hong Kong debut. His other notable films include XXX: Return of Xander Cage, Paradox (both 2017), Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018), Triple Threat (2019), and Detective Chinatown 3 (2021).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Jaa's films have grossed over $2.7 billion worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Widely considered one of the greatest martial arts stars in the history of cinema,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jaa is credited with helping establish the Thai action genre worldwide and popularising the Thai combat systems of Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and "Muay Kotchasaan" (a fighting style Jaa and Rittikrai developed in 2005).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="auto1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Early life

Jaa was born on February 5th 1976 and raised in a rural area in Surin Province to Rin Saipetch and Thongdee Yeerum.<ref name="aboutfilm">Template:Cite web</ref> In his youth, he watched films by Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan at temple fairs, which inspired him to learn martial arts. He practiced the techniques in his father's rice paddy.Template:Citation needed "What they [Lee and Chan] did was so beautiful, so heroic that I wanted to do it too," Jaa told Time in a 2004 interview. "I practiced until I could do the move exactly as I had seen the masters do it."<ref>Perrin, Andrew (18 October 2004). "Hitting the big time". Time.</ref><ref>Perrin, Andrew (18 October 2004). "Quotes of the Day"(Dead link) Archive Copy</ref> Jaa was also inspired by Jet Li and Donnie Yen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Jaa began training in Muay Thai at his local temple at 10 years old. According to Jaa, he fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter when filmmaker Panna Rittikrai saw him and asked him if he would like to do stunts in one of his films.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His early martial arts experience included Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and Krabi-Krabong, with an emphasis on Gymnastics and Acrobatics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His films have showcased various other martial arts styles, such as Kung-Fu, Judo, Aikido, Silat, and Jiu-Jitsu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

Stunt work

Tony Jaa initially worked as a stuntman for Muay Thai Stunt for 14 years, appearing in many of Rittikrai's films. He doubled for Sammo Hung when the martial-arts movie actor made a commercial for an energy drink that required him to grasp an elephant's tusks and somersault onto the elephant's back.<ref>Pornpitagpan, Nilubol (3 February 2003). "Leap into the limelight".(Dead link) Bangkok Post. Archive Copy</ref> He was also a stunt double in the Thai television series Insee Daeng (Red Eagle).<ref>Yusof, Zack (21 November 2003). "Selling a Thai style", The Star (Malaysia) (retrieved from Archive.org on 15 December 2006).</ref>

2003–2008: International success

File:Tony Jaa.jpg

Jaa in 2006

Together, Panna and Jaa developed an interest in Muay Boran, the predecessor of muay thai and worked and trained for four years at the art with the intention of developing a film about it. Eventually they were able to put together a short film showing what Jaa could do with the help of instructor Grandmaster Mark Harris. One of the people they showed it to was producer-director Prachya Pinkaew.Template:Citation needed

This led to Ong-Bak in 2003, Jaa's break-out role as a leading man. Jaa did all the stunts without mechanical assistance or computer-generated effects and it showcased his style of extreme acrobatics and speedy, dance-like moves. Injuries suffered in the filming included a ligament injury and a sprained ankle. One scene in the film involved fighting with another actor while his own trousers were on fire. "I actually got burned," he said in a 2005 interview. "I really had to concentrate because once my pants were on fire the flames spread upwards very fast and burnt my eyebrows, my eyelashes and my nose. Then we had to do a couple more takes to get it right."<ref>Franklin, Erika. May 2005. "Alive and Kicking: Tony Jaa interviewed" Template:Webarchive, Firecracker Media (retrieved on 15 December 2006)</ref>

His second major movie was Tom-Yum-Goong (The Protector in the US), named after tom yum soup, which included a style of Muay Thai that imitates elephants.

In August 2006, he was in New York to promote the US release of The Protector, including an appearance at the Museum of the Moving Image.<ref>Hendrix, Grady. 21 August 2006. Tony Jaa in town, kicks people Template:Webarchive, KaijuShakedown.com (retrieved 23 August 2006).</ref>

By mid 2000s, dubbed versions of Jaa's films gained international recognition through theatrical releases, television broadcasts, and on-demand platforms. His films were noted to be innovative productions featuring fast paced martial arts choreography and stunts. It established him as a global action icon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sahamongkol Film International advertised that Tony Jaa's third film would be called Sword or Daab Atamas, about the art of Thai two-sword fighting (daab song mue), with a script by Prapas Chonsalanont.<ref>Kaiju Shakedown, "Next Tony Jaa project announced" Template:Webarchive, 27 May 2005.</ref> But due to a falling out between Prachya and Jaa, which neither has publicly commented on, Sword was cancelled.<ref name = "hit"/>

In March 2006, it was reported that there would be a sequel to Ong-Bak titled Ong Bak 2. Directed by and starring Jaa, it was released in December 2008.<ref name="hit">Payee, Parinyaporn, A hit of 'Chocolate' Template:Webarchive, The Nation (Thailand); retrieved 2007-11-18</ref><ref>Payee, Parinyaporn. 30 November 2006. High-kicking khon Template:Webarchive, The Nation.</ref><ref>The Nation, "Soop Sip", 3 May 2006 (print only).</ref><ref>Frater, Patrick (27 March 2006). "Weinsteins are back with another 'Bak'" Variety (magazine) (subscription-only).</ref>

Jaa's films captured the attention of his hero, Jackie Chan, who asked director Brett Ratner to cast Jaa in Rush Hour 3. "I gave the director videos of Jaa because I think he is the most well-rounded of all action stars," Chan told the Associated Press.<ref name="IHT">Template:Cite news</ref> "The director liked him a lot," Chan said.<ref name=IHT/> However, Jaa mentioned that he is unable to participate in the film because of scheduling conflicts with Ong Bak 2.<ref name=IHT/><ref name=Kaiju>Template:Cite web</ref>

While Jaa and Amogelang were working on Ong Bak 2, director Prachya Pinkaew and action choreographer Panna Rittikrai were working on Chocolate, starring a female martial artist, Nicharee Vismistananda and released 6 February 2008.<ref name = "hit"/> Jaa had been cast in a small role in a third installment of the King Naresuan film series directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, although the film was ultimately cancelled. Ong Bak 3 was released in 2010 and provides a conclusion to this franchise trilogy.

2010–present: Career expansion

File:Press conference of Skin Trade.JPG

Tony Jaa (center) at a press conference for Skin Trade in 2015

Jaa and Panna Rittikrai co-directed Ong Bak 3.

After leaving the monastery, Jaa accepted a deal with Sahamongkol film company. He filmed Tom Yum Goong 2 (2013) for them, with Chocolate star Jija Yanin in a major role too, the first time Jaa has shared the big screen with another international martial arts star. Director Prachya Pinkaew and choreographer Panna Rittikrai also returned for this film.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2013, Jaa teamed up with Dolph Lundgren in the Thai western-comedy A Man Will Rise (which remains unfinished) and in 2014 in Lundgren's pet project Skin Trade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jaa then co-starred in the blockbuster action film Furious 7 (2015), produced by and starring Vin Diesel and directed by James Wan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jaa also teamed up with fellow actors Louis Koo and Wu Jing in Hong Kong-Chinese action film SPL II: A Time for Consequences (2015).

Jaa was briefly attached to the remake of Kickboxer: Vengeance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, in November 2014, it was announced that he had exited the project.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jaa's most recent project was co-starring with Diesel again in XXX: Return of Xander Cage, directed by D. J. Caruso and released in January 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2016, Jaa co-starred with Koo again in Paradox, the third installment of the SPL series.

He was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Jaa married his longtime girlfriend Piyarat Chotiwattananont on 3 May 2012. The couple have two daughters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1994	Spirited Killer		Supporting role
1996	Hard Gun
	Mission Hunter 2 (Battle Warrior)
1997	Mortal Kombat Annihilation		Stunt double: Robin Shou
2001	Nuk leng klong yao		Supporting role
2003	Ong-Bak	Ting
2004	The Bodyguard	Himself	Cameo
2005	Tom-Yum-Goong	Kham
2007	The Bodyguard 2	Himself	Cameo
2008	Ong Bak 2	Tien	Action choreographer, director and stunt coordinator
2010	Ong Bak 3
2013	Tom Yum Goong 2	Kham
2014	Skin Trade	Tony Vitayakul	Direct-to-DVD
2015	Furious 7	Kiet	Hollywood debut, 1st time working with Vin Diesel and Jason Statham, and also 1st and only time working with Dwayne Johnson, Ronda Rousey, Paul Walker, Cody Walker and the rest of the cast members
	SPL II: A Time for Consequences	Chatchai	Hong Kong debut<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016	Never Back Down: No Surrender	Himself	Cameo
2017	XXX: Return of Xander Cage	Talon	2nd Hollywood film, 2nd time working with Vin Diesel and also 1st and only time working with Donnie Yen, Michael Bisping, Deepika Padukone, Kris Wu and the rest of the cast members
	Paradox	Tak
	Gong Shou Dao	Master Jaa	Short film
2018	Master Z: Ip Man Legacy	Sadi the Warrior
2019	Triple Threat	Payu
2020	Jiu Jitsu	Keung
	Monster Hunter	The Hunter
2021	Detective Chinatown 3	Jack Jaa	Thai dubbing in somescene and some part of Thai version
2023	Expend4bles	Decha	3rd Hollywood film and 2nd time working with Jason Statham
2024	Striking Rescue	Bai An	Thai dubbing in somescene and some part of Thai version
TBA	A Man Will Rise		Abandoned; director

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1998	Red Eagle อินทรีแดง (2541)		Stunt double: Red Eagle, uncredited
2015	Sze U Tonight		With Simon Yam & Wu Jing
2024	Detective Chinatown	Jack Jaa	Recurring (Season 2), 3 Episodes

Singles

Year	Title	Ref
2017	"Lui He Lui" ลุยเฮลุย (GROUNDBREAKING)	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Music videos

Year	Artist	Title	Role
2004	Tragédie (duo)	"Je Reste Ghetto"	Muay Thai

Video games

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005	Tom Yum Goong: The Game	Kham	Voice

Awards and nominations

Year	Awards	Category	Work	Outcome
2003	Star Entertainment Awards	Actor in Leading Role of the Year	Ong-Bak	Template:Won
2004	Suphannahong National Film Awards	Best Actor		Template:Nom
2005		Honorary Award	Tom-Yum-Goong	Template:Won
2006	Online Film Critics Society Awards	Best Breakthrough Performance	Ong-Bak	Template:Nom
2008	Top Awards	Motion Picture of the Year	Ong Bak 2	Template:Won
2009	Nine Entertain Awards			Template:Won
	Chalermthai Awards			Template:Nom
	Suphannahong National Film Awards	Best Actor		Template:Nom
2010	Top Awards	Actor in Leading Role of the Year	Ong Bak 3	Template:Nom
2011	Deauville Asian Film Festival	Best Actor		Template:Nom

See also

• Panna Rittikrai
• Muay Thai Stunt

External links

• Template:Facebook
• Template:IMDb name