The most prominent figures from the world of cinema who inspired people to take up sports.

Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Sylvester Stallone need no introduction. These actors not only left their mark on cinema but also became ambassadors of martial arts, sparking interest in the sport for countless people. Some took up training themselves, while others began following boxing, MMA, or other combat sports, even trying to predict fight outcomes. Moreover, you can find a bookmaker with a free bet on Legalbet to try your hand at betting without risking any money.

Top Martial Artists from the World of Cinema

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee has long been a legend; he appeared in only a few films, but all of them are cult classics. Many consider the fight scenes from 'The Big Boss' and 'Way of the Dragon' as canonical depictions of Eastern martial arts. The Chinese master's hard work and the realistic (for their time) fight choreography ensured the success of Lee's films. His untimely death under mysterious circumstances only cemented his legendary aura.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone has starred in various action films, and it's hard to call him a martial arts master. However, the 'Rocky' film series is a benchmark for boxing match choreography, showcasing the sport in all its glory. The fight choreography also turned out great—Stallone looks like a good boxer, with much attention paid to realism.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan began his film career when Bruce Lee was already a star. Interestingly, Chan himself had not practiced martial arts before his film career, starting to learn them after turning 20. He sought his own path and ultimately became an icon of comedic action films, always paying enormous attention to fight choreography in his movies—making them both realistic and dynamic.

Jet Li

Jet Li rose to fame after the 1982 film 'The Shaolin Temple'. It caused a sensation due to its polished fight scenes, the involvement of real athletes, and Jet Li's own brilliant technique. This sparked a real wave of martial arts obsession, and the number of visitors to the Shaolin Temple increased tenfold.

Tony Jaa

In 2003, the film 'Ong-Bak' was released, which launched the star of Tony Jaa and sparked interest in Muay Thai among viewers worldwide. The classic Muay Thai technique combined with Jaa's acrobatics still looks impressive today.

Scott Adkins

The film character Yuri Boyka, played by British actor Scott Adkins, is remembered by all martial arts fans. The 'Undisputed' film series motivated many to take up sports. Adkins himself practiced several martial arts, which explains the effectiveness of his fight scenes in cinema.

Iko Uwais

We end our overview with another martial arts master—Indonesian Iko Uwais, who introduced the world to the unique martial art of Pencak Silat. His characters in 'The Raid' and 'The Raid 2' were tough and charismatic. Following this, the popularity of Pencak Silat reached new heights—new schools have since appeared in countries where this discipline was previously unknown.