This is the list of the Greatest Male Action Stars of All-Time. The action genre has long dominated the Hollywood landscape and in order to stay in this genre, actors need to be prepared for intense physicality. Some of the most famous men with iconic action stars are Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford
Greatest Male Action Stars of All-Time
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
Movies: The Terminator, Terminator Genisys, Predator, Total Recall, Pumping Iron
Arnold Schwarzenegger was in the American film and television industry for over four decades. He was the most recognizable and successful action movie star in Hollywood history.
- Sylvester Stallone
Movies: Rocky, The Expendables, Rambo, Cliffhanger
He has won countless awards and nominations for his career. Sylvester Stallone is one of the most known action movie actors in Hollywood. With his signature facial hair, he created iconic characters that are now part of our culture. The Rocky franchise has grossed over $1 billion worldwide and spawned six sequels, three stand-alone films, and several television series.
- Bruce Willis
Movies: The Sixth Sense, Die Hard, The Fifth Element, Armageddon
He stars in some of Hollywood’s most popular movies such as Die Hard, The Sixth Sense and Sin City. His performances are also unforgettable because he has managed to create memorable characters for himself through his characters’ eccentricities and charisma.
- Jackie Chan
Movies: Jackie Chan Adventures, Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, Shanghai Knights
Jackie Chan is an action film actor, producer, martial artist, director, and stunt performer. Known for his acrobatic fighting style in the film series The Karate Kid and Rumble in the Bronx. Jackie Chan is considered one of the greatest male action stars ever to appear on screen. His career was launched in China in 1965 with a successful movie called Big and Little Wong Tin Bar. He gained international success with his use of comedy.
- Bruce Lee
Movies: The Big Boss, The Way of the Dragon, The Chinese Connection, Enter the Dragon
Bruce Lee was the first great action movie star of his generation. He was also a martial artist, philosopher, teacher, and humanitarian. He revolutionized his field with his effectiveness and creativity.
- Jason Statham
Movies: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, The Transporter, Crank
Jason Statham has starred in many movies over the course of his career, including The Expendables franchise, The Fate Of The Furious, and more recently, Skyfall. Statham’s roles are always focused on having fun and doing what he loves – escapism. His most recent movie is Skyscraper where he plays an expert structural engineer who must rescue his family from a burning building after it gets set ablaze during the construction process. The film earned $180 million at the global box office within its first four days of release making it one of the top 10 highest grossing movies in 2018 so far.
- Clint Eastwood
Movies: Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, Unforgiven, Rawhide
Clint Eastwood is a legend of the film industry and is known to be one of the greatest actors and directors of all time. Eastwood was born in San Francisco, California in 1930. He started his career as an actor in the 1950s and continued to make films throughout his career, becoming a cultural icon and earning many awards and honors. One such honor he received was his induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
- Keanu Reeves
Movies: The Matrix, Speed, John Wick, The Devil’s Advocate
Keanu Reeves is one of the most popular actors across the globe, but he has largely remained out of the spotlight for much of his career. This is because Reeves wants to focus more on his craft than anything else. Keanu Reeves’ first notable role was playing Ted Logan in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, which was followed by an extensive film career. He has appeared in over 60 films, including Point Break, Speed Racer, The Matrix series, Con Air and John Wick: Chapter 2
- Dwayne Johnson
Movies: San Andreas, Fast & Furious 6, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, The Scorpion King
Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, is by far the greatest male action star of all-time. With his charisma, amazing physique and cleverly written roles in action films, he has won over audiences worldwide.
- Chuck Norris
Movies: The Way of the Dragon, Missing in Action, The Delta Force, The Expendables 2
Chuck Norris is an American martial artist, comedian, film actor and television host. He has appeared in numerous films, mostly in the action genre. He is the only person to win all three titles of “World’s Greatest Fighter” – Heavyweight Champion of the World, Middleweight Champion of the World, and Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.
- Harrison Ford
Movies: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back, Blade Runner
Harrison Ford is an American actor, producer, and screenwriter. His career has spanned six decades, during which time he has appeared in many popular films. Harrison Ford is one of the last remaining stalwarts of Hollywood’s Golden Age. He was born on July 13th 1942 in Chicago, Illinois to Christopher Ford and Lucille Browning. Harrison has 3 siblings: Peter, Kathleen, and Patricia.
- Jean-Claude Van Damme
Movies: Double Impact, Universal Soldier, Kickboxer, Bloodsport
Jean-Claude Van Damme is one of the most famous and successful actors in the world. He has been acting in films since 1973 and holds a Guinness World Records title for appearing in the most films.
- Liam Neeson
Movies: Schindler’s List, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Batman Begins, Taken
Liam Neeson is one of the world’s most celebrated actors, who has starred in many action movies throughout his career. The 50-year-old actor is best known for his roles in action movies such as Schindler’s List, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
- Jet Li
Movies: Hero, Unleashed, The Expendables, The Expendables 2
He has been involved in martial arts and film since the early 1980s. Li has starred in over 100 films – more than any other actor on this list.
- Mel Gibson
Movies: Braveheart, Signs, Lethal Weapon, The Patriot
Mel Gibson is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, and director. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors of all time. As one of the biggest stars in Hollywood’s recent history, Mel Gibson has made an impact on pop culture, film production and society at large.
