10 Actors Who Can't Help But Play Themselves

4. Jason Statham

Add Jason Statham's no-nonsense delivery to his background in modelling and martial arts, and you have the blueprint for a whole variety of characters he's played over the years. Having described his upbringing and childhood neighbourhood as "colourful", Statham learnt how to handle himself at an early age - well, in between representing the British National Diving Team - and used his martial arts background to perform his own stunts once he got his break in the movie business. With his chiselled looks, shredded physique and gruff tones, The Stath was always going to be a natural for any role that involved action or playing some form of heavy. Having initially played sarcastic hardmen in the likes of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, Statham soon progressed to more action-packed affairs like Death Race, The Transporter, Crank and The Expendables. As so many action heroes of years gone by, it seems that Statham has found a niche for himself playing characters that are slight extensions of his persona. Exception To The Rule: In Gnomeo & Juliet, he plays a small, rotund, bearded gnome. Still, even then his gnome has a sinister charm and evil intentions.
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Senior Writer

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