Tatchakorn Yeerum, better known Tony Jaa, is a martial artist, actor, and director who transformed Thai action cinema with his intense, acrobatic fighting style. Inspired by Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, he trained in Muay Thai and gymnastics, developing a breathtaking mix of speed, agility, and raw power. Jaa got his start in the film industry as a stunt double in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997), where his impressive athleticism caught the eye of director Panna Rittikrai. Under Rittikrai’s mentorship, Jaa honed his craft and eventually starred in Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003). The film, featuring real, wire-free stunts and bone-crunching Muay Thai, revolutionized Thai action cinema and gained worldwide acclaim.

Filmography

• 2026Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business
• 2024Striking Rescue — Bai An
• 2023Expend4bles — Decha
• 2021Detective Chinatown 3 — Jack Jaa
• Detective Chinatown — Jack Jaa
• 2020Jiu Jitsu — Kueng
• 2020Monster Hunter — The Hunter
• 2019Triple Threat — Payu
• 2018Master Z: Ip Man Legacy — Sadi the Warrior
• 2017Guardians of Martial Arts — Master Jaa
• 2017Paradox — Tak
• 2017xXx: Return of Xander Cage — Talon
• 2016Never Back Down: No Surrender — Tony Jaa
• 2015Furious 7 — Kiet
• 2015SPL 2: A Time for Consequences — Chatchai
• 2014Skin Trade — Tony Vitayakul
• 2013The Protector 2 — Kham
• 2010Ong Bak 3 — Tien, Director, Producer, Writer, Story
• 2008Ong Bak 2 — Tien, Director, Producer, Writer
• 2007The Bodyguard 2 — Piggy Bank Vendor
• 2005The Protector — Kham, Martial Arts Choreographer
• 2005The Road to Glory: The Making of Ong-Bak
• 2004The Bodyguard — Supermarket Fighter
• 2003Ong-Bak — Ting, Martial Arts Choreographer
• 1997Mortal Kombat: Annihilation — Stunt Double
• 1997Puta khatha thalom khon
• 1996Hard Gun — Sak
• 1996Mission Hunter II
• 1994Spirited Killer
• 1994The Rowdy Bunch
• 1992Siamese Lion
• Nonstop
• Untitled Amazon MGM action project

Appearances as themselves (2)

• The Art of Action — Self
• 2005Crying Tiger — Self (archive footage)