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Summary
From the time that the crowing theatrical action film began to attain popularity in the 1970s and eighties , filmmakers set out to discover actors who not only looked the part but were also real - lifetough guy actors . From name like Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee , who came into Hollywood as legitimate problematical guys , to actors who developed genuine - world fighting skill after getting their start , many tough guy personas on screen are so adorable to see because they ’re authentic .
Real - life-time tough doer do n’t just appear in action movies , either . There are typeface who have been involved in science fiction movies and TV display , revulsion motion-picture show , and more , who are actual - sprightliness tough guy worker . Many actors , especially in the earlier decades of Hollywood , enteredthe professing after careers in the military . Many morestill discover their fame in competitive fighting sports like MMA , packing , or martial arts , transitioning to the screen after many years of prove their toughness in the ring .
natural process pic often fall into the trap of hyper - focusing on spectacle , but some notable musical genre entries contain naturalistic , grounded action tantrum .
25Bruce Lee Founded His Own Martial Arts Philosophy
Bruce Lee Created Jeet June Do And Laid The Foundations For MMA
At one time , there was n’t abigger martial art wizard in Hollywood than Bruce Lee . On top of star in some of the earth ’s biggest warlike arts movies , Lee was a warriorlike prowess master . In Hollywood , Lee starred in movies likeFist of Fury , Enter the Dragon , andGame of Death . Sadly , he died at the young age of 32 before he could do more .
Bruce Lee rail some major names in warlike arts , including Joe Lewis , Chuck Norris , James Coburn , and his own son , Brandon Lee .
accord to the bookThe fashion of the Warrior , Lee wasthe laminitis of a hybrid martial arts philosophy called Jeet June Do , which was one of the main influences of MMA fighting in the future . Lee also mastered Tai Chi , Wing Chun , box , Karate , Judo , Escrima , and Taekwondo before he combined all of those into his Jeet June Do . It was n’t just his own skills he hone though , as Bruce Lee trained some major name in martial arts , including Joe Lewis , Chuck Norris , James Coburn , and his own boy , Brandon Lee .
24Charles Bronson Was In The US Air Force
The Magnificent Seven And Dirty Dozen Star Was Awarded The Purple Heart
Charles Bronson get his starting line acting in war movies likeThe Magnificent SevenandThe lousy twelve . He then became an legal action - hero icon in theDeath Wishmovies . While his fictitious character inDeath Wishand the various state of war film killed countless people , Bronson was also a tough guy off the large screen . Bronson was a gamy - collar worker before he set about acting , frame in prison term in the mines in Pennsylvania to follow in the footsteps of his late father .
After that , Bronson joined the Air Force and fought in World War IIwhere he received a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle(viaMilitary.com).In World War II , he served as an Army gunner in the 760th Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron . He then became a Superfortress sailor with the 39th Bombardment Group , based on Guam . Bronson ended up assigned to a B-29 grinder , flying on 25 missions .
23Arnold Schwarzenegger Was A Professional Bodybuilder
The Acclaimed Physical Powerhouse Won Mr. Olympia Seven Times
Arnold Schwarzenegger , while in his 70s , is still one of the toughest actors in Hollywood . Most sleep with him from his role inTerminator , although he was a familiar face in some ofthe biggest action at law picture show of the 1980s . However , before he became an actor , he started lift system of weights when he was 15 , won Mr. Universe when he was only 20 , and move on towin the honored Mr. Olympia deed seven times(viaBodybuilding.com ) .
His legacy in the sport of muscle building ca n’t be overstated .
While he might not be a fighter and was just a bodybuilder , he still earned the regard of names like Bruno Sammartino and more , and his bequest in the sport of bodybuilding ca n’t be overstated . Arnold die on to become one of the most famous tough guy rope doer of the 1980s and 1990s , and he run on to star in some of the biggest action movies in history , including theTerminatorfranchise , Conan the Barbarian , Commando , Predator , andTotal Recall .
22James Caan Is A Trained Martial Artist
The Godfather Star Studied Takayuki Kubota & Gosoku-ryu Karate
James Caan come to prominence withhis role inThe Godfather . In the classic motion-picture show , he clean up an Oscar and Golden Globes nominating speech for his role as Sonny Corleone . From there , he lend roles in moving-picture show likeBrian ’s Song , A Bridge Too Far , andMisery . What is fascinating about his career is that Caan chose to take on roles in pic that played against the machismo he played inThe Godfather . In real life , Caan was the son of a bumbler who grew up in Queens , New York , and finally found his style into acting .
Caan trained in Takayuki Kubota martial arts and was also a Master of Gosoku - ryu Karate . Caan had been working on fighting since he was a kid , and he even take up boxing as a child and realize the childhood byname of Killer Caan ( viafactinate.com ) . It made common sense that he would end up taking on roles that made him a Hollywood tough cat as well , with Sonny Corleone being just the start .
21Steve McQueen Was A Marine
The Iconic 1960s Actor Saved The Lives Of Five People During An Arctic Exercise
Steve McQueen was one of the most popular actorsof the 1960s counterculture movie movement . He was an Oscar campaigner forThe Sand Pebbles , but also had big roles in some of the era ’s good activeness movies likeThe Thomas Crown Affair , Bullitt , The Great Escape , The Magnificent Seven , andThe Getaway . On top of being the most successful picture star in the world , he was also a literal - life tough guy . His biography , Steve McQueen : portrayal of an American Rebelrevealshe was a Marine when he salve the lives of five other Marines during an Arctic use .
Steve McQueen add up from a rough puerility and a broken home where both his female parent and founding father abandoned him as a child
McQueen also dominate Tang Soo Do , where he earned a 9th - stage Black Belt . His son Chad also explain why his dad was such a tough guy rope , as Steve McQueen add up from a rough puerility and a broken abode where both his female parent and father forsake him as a tyke :
" My dad had a horrible childhood . It made him the man he was . He fought like hell on earth for what he believe in , but he had a very light temper ; I saw that at home and in his employment .
20Jackie Chan Is A Master Martial Artist & Acrobat
The Modern Martial Arts Movie Legend Performs His Own Stunts
Jackie Chan is perhaps one of the most celebrated toughened guy actors with existent - life credential . It ’s been widely documented throughout his calling thatJackie Chan actually does all his stuntsand is even the fight coordinator in his movies . Despite add humor to his action film , Chan is recognize as a legit toughened guy rope in the movie industry . Chan spent a decennary at the start of his performing career studying martial prowess and stunting . He take aim in hapkido under grand master Jin Pal Kim and attained a fateful belt .
Jackie Chan is also technical in kung fu , Karate , Judo , Taekwondo , and Jeet Kun Do . When talking about martial arts , Chan also said that it is more about respect than about hurt people :
" When you are watch about a soldierly art , it is about respect . You have to find a good instructor . If you knock somebody down - stop . Bring them up . "
Several amazing action mechanism movies avail revolutionize the action musical style with groundbreaking especial effects , engaging fight scenes , and original taradiddle .
19Dwayne Johnson Is A Former Professional Wrestler
The Rock Was Also A Former Football Star
Dwayne Johnson is one of the biggest picture show starson the planet , and he not only look the part , but he is a tough bozo in genuine liveliness . While there are many who are doubtful about whether professional wrestlers count as legitimate tough hombre , in the eccentric of The Rock , he fits the role . Before his fourth dimension in WWE , Dwayne Johnson was a football star and played with future NFL stars at the University of Miami . Sadly , his football dreams did n’t hail to fruition , and he moved on to his office in WWE .
His unbelievable figure has definitely been an asset for his career .
Johnson is also a notorious bodybuilding partizan and spends almost as much time in the gym as anyone in Hollywood . His incredible habitus has definitely been an plus for his career , as he has played superheroes inBlack Adamand grievous authorities agents inFast & Furious , and he ’s one of several tough guy actors who can match their characters in veridical life .
18Jean-Claude Van Damme Is A Real-Life Kickboxer
The 1980s Action Movie Star Has Competed In Several Kickboxing Competitions
In the eighties , the Parousia of B - ground level action motion-picture show receiving theatrical dismissal attain its high-pitched period . One of thebiggest stars is Jean - Claude Van Damme , a martial arts actor who come apart out thanks to the late 80s military action moviesBloodsport , Kickboxer , andUniversal Soldier . In many of his movies , he mostly play a martial arts master who often had to fight in illegal tournaments or against over - the - top villains . However , before he started portraying martial arts expert in film , he compete in several karate and kickboxing competitions in tangible life .
One matter that makes Jean - Claude Van Damme unlike from other tough guy actors is that he has no problem make play of his condition and spoofing the exact variety of person he portrayed over his career . In the Prime Video serial , Jean - Claude Van Johnson , Van Damme plays a fictional version of himself . In the series , he mocks his role as a real - life hard - guy worker and run around with that role , register that you do n’t have to be serious to be tough .
17Gal Gadot Was A Combat Fitness Trainer For The Israel Defense Forces
The Wonder Woman Star Was Cast In Fast & Furious Because Of Her Military Experience
When the DCU signalise Gal Gadot to connect the team as Wonder Woman , it was a great deal more than just tally a pretty side . While Gadot was a model turn actor who also appeared in theFast & Furiousfranchise , she has a lot more to her skill set than just her looks . Born in Israel , Gadot enlisted with the Israel Defense Forces when she was 20 . She did n’t just serve well her two mandatory years of military table service , butshe was also a scrap fitness teacher during her fourth dimension there .
Gal Gadot finish up performing her own stunts while relieve oneself the movies , which designate her inherent toughness .
She said thatFast & Furiousdirector Justin Lin chose her because of her military experience and her knowledge of weapons ( viaLongview News - Journal).Gal Gadot ended up performing her own stunt while making the movies , which showed her inherent toughness . While Gadot is no longer portraying Wonder Woman in the DCU , it is well-to-do to see her perform any number of superheroes in the time to come to play off her natural power .
16Chuck Norris Is A Black Belt In Three Different Martial Arts
Bruce Lee Got Chuck Norris His Break In Hollywood
Chuck Norris has become an Internet meme over the eld , but when it comes to his qualification to play natural action star , he earned every bit of it . The man is known to one generation for his public presentation in the TV showWalker , Texas Ranger , and to another generation for his use in action movies likeMissing in Action . However , he enjoyed his break act upon in a picture show with Bruce Lee calledWay of the Dragonin 1972.Lee find that Norris was a material - life tough guyand desire to work with him .
Norris has compete in and defeat champions in all 50 DoS in the International Karate Championship and really went on to win the Karate triple crownwork for the most tournament win in one twelvemonth ( viaAthlon Outdoors).Norris was an Air Policeman in the Air Forceand has a mordant belt in Tang Soo Do , Brazilian jiu - jitsu , and judo . He also went on to create his own fighting style call up Chun Kuk Do , which is translate to intend " The Universal Way . "
