Tony Jaa

Tony Jaa, born Tatchakorn Yeerum on 5 February 1976 in Surin Province, is a Thai martial artist, actor, action choreographer, stuntman and director. He began training in Muay Thai at his local temple as a boy and also studied Taekwondo, Muay Boran and Krabi-Krabong, with an emphasis on gymnastics and track and field. By his own account he fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter until the filmmaker Panna Rittikrai saw him and offered him stunt work, and he spent 14 years as a stuntman for Muay Thai Stunt. His breakthrough as a leading man came in Ong-Bak in 2003, followed by Tom-Yum-Goong, the Ong Bak sequels he directed, and Furious 7. He is credited with popularising Muay Thai and Muay Boran worldwide and, with Rittikrai, developing the fighting style Muay Kotchasaan in 2005.