He’s one of the world’s most recognisable action stars and is known for his tough leading-man performances.
But the actor, now 56, looks unrecognisable in two raunchy music videos from the 1990s, where he was spotted half-naked, oiled-up in a speedo and dancing away.
Most of his fans won’t know he appeared in Comin’ On by The Shamen and Run to the Sun by Erasure, before he took Hollywood by storm.
Eagle-eyed social media users found the hilarious clips back in 2015 and they quickly went viral, as people couldn’t believe the actor’s unusual past career choice.
The actor also took a shot at playing for the US football club Hollywood United FC, an A-list footy club based in Los Angeles that was founded by Sex Pistol guitarist Steve Jones – but can you guess who he is?
The actor, 56, looks unrecognisable in two raunchy music videos from the 1990s – can YOU guess who he is?
Most of his fans won’t know he appeared in Comin’ On by The Shamen (pictured above) and Run to the Sun by Erasure, before he took Hollywood by storm
In the video for Run To The Sun, he is head-to-toe in metallic silver body paint as he unleashes his dance moves
That’s right, it’s Jason Statham, who was showing off his moves in the funky music videos.
The actor and martial artist looks a far cry away from his tough guy persona, now being renowned for his gritty roles in blockbuster action flicks.
Making it into the industry is hard, so before the glitz and glamour, it’s no surprise that Jason tried his hand at a few other options away from acting.
The clips of the Hollywood star sporting leopard-print briefs and bopping along to dance music have resurfaced numerous times throughout the years and provided a laugh for viewers.
In the video for Run To The Sun, he is head-to-toe in metallic silver body paint as he unleashes his dance moves.
But, as well as his music video debut, the star nearly took a different career direction entirely.
It wouldn’t be until 1998 that he would make his acting debut in the aforementioned Guy Ritchie project Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Eight years prior to that, the then 23-year-old found himself in Auckland competing at the Commonwealth Games.
That’s right, it’s Jason Statham , who was showing off his moves in the funky music videos
The actor and martial artist looks a far cry away from his tough guy persona, now being renowned for his gritty roles in blockbuster action flicks (pictured in The Beekeeper)
Continuing his love for sport, the actor plays football for Hollywood United F.C (pictured in 2007)
At 23 years old, Jason Statham found himself in Auckland competing at the Commonwealth Games
He would secure a top-10 finish in the one-metre springboard, and followed that up with two 11th places in the three and 10-metre platforms respectively
Representing England, the Death Race star was actually a professional diver.
It was an admirable attempt from the star who actually performed across three separate events.
He would secure a top-10 finish in the one-metre springboard, and followed that up with two 11th places in the three and 10-metre platforms respectively.
Statham has given credit to his career in sports as part of the reason he has been so successful on the big screen telling the BBC in 2008 ‘I think what I didn’t achieve [in sports] helped me focus more and take my acting career more seriously.’
While many may not have known about Statham’s past as a diver, his interest in sport will come as less of a shock.
Showcased in so many of his films, the Derbyshire-born star has practiced martial arts including kickboxing and karate.
Despite appearing in many hits over the course of his acting career including The Expendables, Transformers and the Fast & Furious franchise, the one sore spot that remains was his inability to make it to the Olympic Games.
‘It’s a bit of a sore point that I never got to the Olympics,’ Jason Statham said during one of his movie premieres after Jack Laugher and Chris Mears became the first Brits to win an Olympic gold medal in diving at Rio 2016.
‘They deserve it. The divers now are just terrific,’ Statham added. ‘I started too late. It probably wasn’t my thing. I should have done a different sport.’
Continuing his love for sport, the actor plays football for Hollywood United F.C, with the likes of Robbie Williams and Gordon Ramsay also reportedly giving it a go.
