10 more celebrities who train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
A few years ago we published a list of celebrities who train jiu-jitsu, either for the love of the sport or in preparation for an upcoming Hollywood movie. The list included:
Joe Rogan
Ed O’Neill
Demi Lovato
Guy Ritchie
Ashton Kutcher
Tom Hardy
Keanu Reeves
Maynard James Keenan
Margot Robbie
Nicholas Cage
Jim Carrey
Jason Statham
Scarlett Johansson
Mel Gibson
Henry Cavill
Kelly Slater
Wesley Snipes
…but there are so many more we need an extra article!
Here are more famous people who have realised the power of jiu-jitsu, not just for their physical fitness, agility and strength, but for the positive mental health benefits too.
1.Robert Pattinson
To transform this Hollywood actor into the ripped physique of Batman, Pattinson trained with Rigan Machado, an 8th degree red and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who is widely regarded as one of the top competitors in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu history. Training Jiu-Jitsu gave Pattinson some real world experience in combat sports, helping him not only to become a better fighter but a better actor because of it. Image credit: BJJ World
2. Russell Brand
Actor, author, podcaster and comedian Russell Brand is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He spoke to fellow BJJ practitioner (and black belt) Joe Rogan in March 2023 about the lessons he’s learned along the way. Have a listen here. Image credit: Russell Brand Instagram
3. Chuck Norris
Of course Chuck Norris does Jiu-Jitsu! In fact, in 2015 he was promoted to 3rd Degree Black Belt under the Machado brothers, after 30 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. He was also partly responsible for bringing over some Gracies and the Machado brothers to the USA, and therefore contributed to the growth and popularity of the sport. Image credit: Chuck Norris Facebook
4. Dave Bautista
Actor and former pro-wrestler Dave Bautista was awarded his purple belt in BJJ under Cesar Gracie. He is also trained in Muay Thai, Kali (a Filipino martial art), and boxing, and loves the challenge of always being able to find something new and fresh with martial arts. Bautista is most well known for his role in Guardians of the Galaxy, and was in the recent hit, Glass Onion - Knives Out. Image credit: bjjee.com
5. Jason Momoa
Actor and model Jason Momoa began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2017, to help him maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay in shape for his acting roles including Aquaman and Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones. His costar Henry Cavill, who plays Superman in “the 2016 superhero film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as Aquaman”, also trains BJJ under the legendary Roger Gracie. Image credit: Jiu-Jitsu Motivation on Facebook
6. Vin Diesel
Fast & Furious actor Vin Diesel has trained BJJ sporadically since the early 2000’s, and holds a blue belt. When one of his mates who he originally started training with, Valentino Morales, earned his black belt, Vin Diesel spoke at the ceremony: “I started training with him years ago… But your commitment and the commitment of my brother has shown that these very mats have made him prove to the world that he’s achieved a mastery of something so beautiful. A mastery of something like Jiu-Jitsu. And I can’t tell you how proud I am of it.” Image credit: BJJ Tribes
7. Anthony Bourdain
The late celebrity chef and travel host Anthony Bourdain was very vocal in his love for Jiu-Jitsu. He discovered the sport in 2014, and through daily training sessions and a hard core obsession with the sport, he earned his blue belt in 2015. He even went onto compete, and won a gold medal at the IBJJF New York Spring International Open Championship in 2016. Image credit: ESPN
8. Ronda Rousey
It’s obvious that Ronda Rousey trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, being one of the most famous female martial artists on the planet. The former UFC bantamweight champion holds a black belt in BJJ, and has competed in both BJJ and MMA tournaments. We’ve included her on this list of celebrities who train BJJ thanks to her appearances on screen in Entourage, Furious 7 and Mile 22 to name a few. Image credit: bjjee.com
9. Jonah Hill
The actor/filmmaker started training BJJ in late 2018 at the age of 35, to help him deal with bullying issues he faced as a teenager. He trains out of both LA and New York depending on where he’s working, and has at least 2 stripes on a white belt. Image Credit: Aces Jiu-Jitsu Club
10. Wagner Moura
It’s no surprise that Pablo Escobar would train Jiu-Jitsu! Well, the actor who plays him in the Netflix hit Narcos does, anyway. Brazilian Wagner Moura is a purple belt in BJJ, and has trained with Master Royler Gracie. Image credit: Jiu-Jitsu Times.
11. Edit to add one more - Joey Diaz
Joey Diaz is a stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster who is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He earned it years ago, however he demoted himself back to white belt after taking a break from training during the pandemic. He’s now back training and was given his blue belt from 5th degree black belt, Rolles Gracie in early 2023. Image Credit: Essentially Sports.
