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Tony Jaa

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Tony Jaa
Tony Jaa in 2005
BornSurin, Thailand
Native nameจา พนม
Other names
  • Jaa Phanom
  • Phanom Yeerum
  • Thatchakon Yiram
Years active1994–present
Occupation
  • Actor
  • martial artist
  • choreographer
  • stuntman
  • director
  • traceur
Spouse
Piyarat Chotiwat
​
(m. 2011)​
Children2

Tatchakorn Yeerum[1] (Thai: ทัชชกร ยีรัมย์, RTGS: Thatchakon Yiram, pronounced [tʰát.t͡ɕʰā.kɔ̄ːn jīː.rām]; formerly Phanom Yeerum (Thai: พนม ยีรัมย์, [pʰā.nōm jīː.rām])), better known internationally as Tony Jaa and in Thailand as Jaa Phanom (Thai: จา พนม, RTGS: Cha Phanom, [t͡ɕāː pʰā.nōm]), is a Thai martial artist, actor, action choreographer, stuntman, director, and traceur. Best known for his martial arts films, he is credited with helping establish the Thai action genre worldwide.[2] He was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame in 2017.[3]

Prior to becoming a leading actor, Jaa worked as a stuntman for Muay Thai Stunt for 14 years, appearing in many of his mentor Panna Rittikrai's films. His martial arts films are credited with helping to showcase the Thai combat systems of Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and "Muay Kotchasaan" (a fighting style Jaa and Rittikrai developed in 2005).[4][5] His Thai films include Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003), which earned him a Star Entertainment Award, Tom-Yum-Goong (2005), which earned him a Suphannahong National Film Award, Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (2008), Ong Bak 3 (2010), and Tom Yum Goong 2 (2013).

After leaving the Thai movie company Sahamongkol Film International in 2013, Jaa signed with Universal Studios, and focused more on an international fan base.[6] He made his Hollywood debut with the action film Furious 7 (2015), and has since appeared in the commercially successful films SPL II: A Time for Consequences (2015), XXX: Return of Xander Cage, Paradox (both 2017), and Detective Chinatown 3 (2021). He continued to appear in martial arts films, such as the martial arts ensemble short film Gong Shou Dao (2017), Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018), and Jiu Jitsu (2020).

Early life

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Tony Jaa was born and raised in a rural area in Surin Province to Rin Saipetch and Thongdee Yeerum.[7] In his youth, he watched films by Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan at temple fairs, which inspired him to learn martial arts. He practiced the techniques in his father's rice paddy.[citation needed] "What they [Lee and Chan] did was so beautiful, so heroic that I wanted to do it too," Jaa told Time in a 2004 interview. "I practiced until I could do the move exactly as I had seen the masters do it."[8][9] Jaa was also inspired by Jet Li.[10]

Tony Jaa began training in Muay Thai at his local temple at age 10. According to Jaa, he fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter when Panna Rittikrai saw him and asked him if he would like to do stunts in one of his films.[11] Panna had instructed Jaa to attend Maha Sarakham College of Physical Education in Maha Sarakham Province from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree.[12][13][14] His early martial arts experience included Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and Krabi-Krabong, with an emphasis on gymnastics and acrobatics.[15][16] His films have showcased various other martial arts styles, such as Kung-fu, Silat, and Jiu-Jitsu.[17]

Career

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Stunt work

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Tony Jaa initially worked as a stuntman for Muay Thai Stunt for 14 years, appearing in many of Rittikrai's films. He doubled for Sammo Hung when the martial-arts movie actor made a commercial for an energy drink that required him to grasp an elephant's tusks and somersault onto the elephant's back.[18] He was also a stunt double in the Thai television series Insee Daeng (Red Eagle).[19]

2003–2008

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Jaa in 2006

Together, Panna and Jaa developed an interest in Muay Boran, the predecessor of muay thai and worked and trained for four years at the art with the intention of developing a film about it. Eventually they were able to put together a short film showing what Jaa could do with the help of instructor Grandmaster Mark Harris. One of the people they showed it to was producer-director Prachya Pinkaew.[citation needed]

This led to Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior in 2003, Jaa's break-out role as a leading man. Jaa did all the stunts without mechanical assistance or computer-generated effects and it showcased his style of extreme acrobatics and speedy, dance-like moves. Injuries suffered in the filming included a ligament injury and a sprained ankle. One scene in the film involved fighting with another actor while his own trousers were on fire. "I actually got burned," he said in a 2005 interview. "I really had to concentrate because once my pants were on fire the flames spread upwards very fast and burnt my eyebrows, my eyelashes and my nose. Then we had to do a couple more takes to get it right."[20]

His second major movie was Tom-Yum-Goong (The Protector in the US), named after tom yum soup, which included a style of Muay Thai that imitates elephants.

In August 2006, he was in New York to promote the US release of The Protector, including an appearance at the Museum of the Moving Image.[21]

Sahamongkol Film International advertised that Tony Jaa's third film would be called Sword or Daab Atamas, about the art of Thai two-sword fighting (daab song mue), with a script by Prapas Chonsalanont.[22] But due to a falling out between Prachya and Jaa, which neither has publicly commented on, Sword was cancelled.[23]

In March 2006, it was reported that there would be a sequel to Ong Bak and Ong Bak 2. Directed by and starring Jaa, it was released in December 2008.[23][24][25][26]

Jaa's films captured the attention of his hero, Jackie Chan, who asked director Brett Ratner to cast Jaa in Rush Hour 3. "I gave the director videos of Jaa because I think he is the most well-rounded of all action stars," Chan told the Associated Press.[27] "The director liked him a lot," Chan said.[27] However, Jaa mentioned that he is unable to participate in the film because of scheduling conflicts with Ong Bak 2.[27][28]

While Jaa and Amogelang were working on Ong Bak 2, director Prachya Pinkaew and action ya choreographer Panna Rittikrai were working on Chocolate, starring a female martial artist, Nicharee Vismistananda and released 6 February 2008.[23] Jaa had been cast in a small role in a third installment of the King Naresuan film series directed by Chatrichalerm Yukol, although the film was ultimately cancelled. Ong Bak 3 was released in 2010 and provides a conclusion to this franchise trilogy.

2010–present

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Tony Jaa (center) at a press conference for Skin Trade in 2015

Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai co-directed Ong Bak 3.

On 28 May 2010, Jaa became a Buddhist monk at a Buddhist temple in Surin, Thailand.[29]

After leaving the monastery, Jaa accepted a deal with Sahamongkol film company. He filmed Tom Yum Goong 2 for them, with Chocolate star Jija Yanin in a major role too, the first time Jaa has shared the big screen with another international martial arts star. Director Prachya Pinkaew and choreographer Panna Rittikrai also returned for this film.[30]

In 2013, Jaa teamed up with Dolph Lundgren in the Thai western-comedy A Man Will Rise (which remains unfinished) and in 2014 in Lundgren's pet project Skin Trade.[31] Jaa then co-starred in the blockbuster action film Furious 7, produced by and starring Vin Diesel and directed by James Wan.[32] Jaa also teamed up with fellow actors Louis Koo and Wu Jing in Hong Kong-Chinese action film SPL II: A Time for Consequences.

Jaa was briefly attached to the remake of Kickboxer: Vengeance.[33] However, in November 2014, it was announced that he had exited the project.[34] Jaa's most recent project was co-starring with Diesel again in XXX: Return of Xander Cage, directed by D. J. Caruso and released in January 2017.[35]

In October 2016, Jaa co-starred with Koo again in Paradox, the third installment of the SPL series.

Personal life

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Jaa married his longtime girlfriend Piyarat Chotiwattananont on 3 May 2012. The couple have two daughters.[36]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1994 Spirited Killer Supporting role
1996 Hard Gun
Mission Hunter 2 (Battle Warrior)
1997 Mortal Kombat Annihilation Stunt double: Robin Shou
2001 Nuk leng klong yao Supporting role
2003 Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior Ting
2004 The Bodyguard Himself Cameo
2005 Tom-Yum-Goong Kham
2007 The Bodyguard 2 Himself Cameo
2008 Ong Bak 2 Tien Action choreographer, director and stunt coordinator
2010 Ong Bak 3
2013 Tom Yum Goong 2 Kham
2014 Skin Trade Tony Vitayakul Direct-to-DVD
2015 Furious 7 Kiet Hollywood debut
SPL II: A Time for Consequences Chatchai
2016 Never Back Down: No Surrender Himself Cameo
2017 XXX: Return of Xander Cage Talon
Paradox Tak
Gong Shou Dao Master Jaa Short film
2018 Master Z: Ip Man Legacy Sadi the Warrior
2019 Triple Threat Payu
2020 Jiu Jitsu Keung
Monster Hunter The Hunter
2021 Detective Chinatown 3 Jack Jaa Thai dubbing in somescene and some part of Thai version
2023 Expend4bles Decha
TBA A Man Will Rise Abandoned; director

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1998 Red Eagle
อินทรีแดง (2541) 		Stunt double: Red Eagle, uncredited
2015 Sze U Tonight With Simon Yam & Wu Jing
2024 Detective Chinatown Jack Jaa Recurring (Season 2), 3 Episodes

Singles

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Year Title Ref
2017 "Lui He Lui"
ลุยเฮลุย (GROUNDBREAKING) 		[37]

Music videos

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Year Artist Title Role
2004 Tragédie (duo) "Je Reste Ghetto" Muay Thai

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Tom Yum Goong: The Game Kham Voice

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Work Outcome
2003 Star Entertainment Awards Actor in Leading Role of the Year Ong-Bak Won
2004 Suphannahong National Film Awards Best Actor Nominated
2005 Honorary Award Tom-Yum-Goong Won
2006 Online Film Critics Society Awards Best Breakthrough Performance Ong-Bak Nominated
2008 Top Awards Motion Picture of the Year Ong Bak 2 Won
2009 Nine Entertain Awards Won
Chalermthai Awards Nominated
Suphannahong National Film Awards Best Actor Nominated
2010 Top Awards Actor in Leading Role of the Year Ong Bak 3 Nominated
2011 Deauville Asian Film Festival Best Actor Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ""จา พนม" เปลี่ยนชื่อเสริมดวง เผย "องค์บาก3" จะไม่ยุ่งเรื่องเงิน". Manager Online (in Thai). 24 February 2009. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  2. ^ https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN02255898/ [bare URL]
  3. ^ "Hall of Fame".
  4. ^ "Why Tony Jaa's Fight Style is So Different in Tom Yum Goong". Screen Rant. 20 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Where to Learn Muay Boran in Thailand".
  6. ^ "5 Best Tony Jaa Movies, Ranked - Visual Cult Magazine". 11 February 2023.
  7. ^ Cavagna, Carlo. "Profile & Interview: Tony Jaa". AboutFilm. Archived from the original on 21 February 2005. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  8. ^ Perrin, Andrew (18 October 2004). "Hitting the big time". Time.
  9. ^ Perrin, Andrew (18 October 2004). "Quotes of the Day"(Dead link) Archive Copy
  10. ^ "Interview: Tony Jaa". 12 February 2005.
  11. ^ "Tony Jaa Interview – Eastern Film Fans".
  12. ^ "10เรื่อง ที่ได้เรียนรู้จาก จา พนม".
  13. ^ "บทสัมภาษณ์ "จาพนม จาก องค์บาก3"".
  14. ^ "Ladda Sangphad".
  15. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "5 Martial Arts Tony Jaa Uses in the Ong Bak Movies". Screen Rant. 4 May 2023.
  18. ^ Pornpitagpan, Nilubol (3 February 2003). "Leap into the limelight".(Dead link) Bangkok Post. Archive Copy
  19. ^ Yusof, Zack (21 November 2003). "Selling a Thai style", The Star (Malaysia) (retrieved from Archive.org on 15 December 2006).
  20. ^ Franklin, Erika. May 2005. "Alive and Kicking: Tony Jaa interviewed" Archived 25 May 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Firecracker Media (retrieved on 15 December 2006)
  21. ^ Hendrix, Grady. 21 August 2006. Tony Jaa in town, kicks people Archived 7 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine, KaijuShakedown.com (retrieved 23 August 2006).
  22. ^ Kaiju Shakedown, "Next Tony Jaa project announced" Archived 11 July 2006 at the Wayback Machine, 27 May 2005.
  23. ^ a b c Payee, Parinyaporn, A hit of 'Chocolate' Archived 16 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Nation (Thailand); retrieved 2007-11-18
  24. ^ Payee, Parinyaporn. 30 November 2006. High-kicking khon Archived 23 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine, The Nation.
  25. ^ The Nation, "Soop Sip", 3 May 2006 (print only).
  26. ^ Frater, Patrick (27 March 2006). "Weinsteins are back with another 'Bak'" Variety (magazine) (subscription-only).
  27. ^ a b c "Jackie Chan says he plugged Thai Tony Jaa for 'Rush Hour 3,' but he didn't sign on". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 28 June 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  28. ^ Grady Hendrix. "Brett Ratner's Asian orgy". Kaiju Shakedown via Internet Archive. Archived from the original on 18 January 2007. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  29. ^ Brown, Todd (29 May 2010). "ONG BAK Star Tony Jaa Joins The Monkhood". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  30. ^ Brown, Todd (26 April 2011). "News: Tony Jaa And Prachya Pinkaew Reunite For TOM YUM GOONG 2". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  31. ^ Brown, Todd (10 April 2013). "Fresh Details On Dolph Lundgren And Tony Jaa's A MAN WILL RISE". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  32. ^ Collura, Scott (23 August 2013). "Ong Bak's Tony Jaa Joins Fast and Furious 7". IGN. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
  33. ^ McNary, Dave (5 August 2014). "'Kickboxer' Reboot Punches Up Cast With Scott Adkins, Tony Jaa". Variety. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  34. ^ Marshall, Rick (12 December 2014). "Jean-Claude Van Damme replaces Tony Jaa in the Kickboxer reboot". Digital Trends. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  35. ^ Brown, Todd (1 January 2016). "Tony Jaa, Jet Li and Deepika Padukone Join Vin Diesel In XXX: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE". Screen Anarchy. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  36. ^ "จา พนม ควง น้องบุ้งกี๋ ฉลองวิวาห์ เฮท้อง 1 เดือน". 26 April 2012.
  37. ^ "New Single ลุยเฮลุย (GROUNDBREAKING)". 26 March 2017. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
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