Home » News » The Beekeeper’s Jason Statham was an ace diver for 12 years before he became an actor - Did you know?
The Beekeeper’s Jason Statham was an ace diver for 12 years before he became an actor - Did you know?
Over the years, Jason Statham has made a name for himself in the action genre. But there is more to him than his films. Read about his fascinating journey.
Apr 26, 2024
Jason Statham Unknown Facts
The action genre has once again captured the attention of audiences worldwide, with everyone eager to watch heroes take on hordes of adversaries in films that continue to make headlines. Among the actors who have steadfastly committed to the action genre, alongside Keanu Reeves and Sylvester Stallone, is Jason Statham, star of The Beekeeper. Statham, a former athlete-turned-actor, was discovered by the prolific filmmaker Guy Ritchie, who cast him in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. While we now know him as an actor who always seemed destined for the screen, he was not just any athlete before his acting career; he excelled in his sport.
Jason Statham's Diving Career
Yes, you read that correctly. Before Guy Ritchie befriended Jason Statham and introduced him to acting, Statham was a competitive diver at the top of his game. He dedicated over 12 years to the sport and was a member of the British National Squad. This is not an April Fool's joke but actual information that may come as a surprise to many.
The Beekeeper which was released today on Lionsgate Play and is available through your OTTplay Premium subscription, stars Jason Statham. He plays a retired agent who returns to his job to avenge the murder of a neighbour who was like family to him. Before pursuing acting, Statham was a professional diver who represented the British National Squad. Statham even participated in the Commonwealth Games, and there was speculation that he had the potential to compete in the Olympics, but he chose to pursue modelling and then acting instead.
Over a decade ago, footage from the 1990 Commonwealth Games featuring Jason Statham went viral, delighting fans who were thrilled to see their favourite star in the video. This footage continues to resurface, reminding everyone that Statham was originally a sportsman. In many interviews, he fondly recalls his 12 years as a top diver.
The Beekeeper Plot & Cast
A retired special operative, Mr. Clay (Jason Statham), turns his life around with beekeeping, but little does he know life is going to throw him back into the job. When his neighbour, whom he calls his family, commits suicide after falling prey to a scam and losing everything, he seeks revenge and sets out to get it. The brutal nature of the movie is quite alarming. The official synopsis for it reads, “In The Beekeeper one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organisation known as ‘Beekeepers’."
The Beekeeper stars Jason Statham, alongside Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games), Bobby Naderi (Under the Shadow), Emmy Raver-Lampman (The Umbrella Academy), Phylicia Rashad (Creed), Minnie Driver (Chevalier), and Jeremy Irons (The Flash).
The Beekeeper is now streaming on Lionsgate Play. Watch it with your OTTplay Premium subscription. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more information on this and everything else in the world of streaming and films.
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