Kelly Brook

Focus On: 100 Most Popular 21St-century English Actresses

Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)

Jason Statham

Hollywood's favourite action hero After an exhilirating ten years, Jason Statham has finally confirmed his place in the Hollywood elite. And starring alongside his childhood heroes Stallone, Schwarznegger, Willis and Jet Li, it is hard to imagine him anywhere else. Born in south London, Jason Statham has always been an action-man. As a boy, Jason chose not to follow in the footsteps of his parents and instead cultivated his thirst for adrenaline in athletics and diving - a skill that took him to the World Championships in 1992. But it was on the athlectics track that he was first discovered by a modelling scout for Tommy Hilfiger and French Connection, which eventually led Jason to the then fledgling director Guy Ritchie. A string of Hollywood blockbusters - Lock Stock, Revolver, Snatch - followed. But perhaps his best known role came in 2002 when Jason was cast as Frank Martin in The Transporter. Statham's background in martial arts defies the norm of the action-hero as he performs his own scenes and stunts in some of Hollywood's most death-defying action scenes. A huge box office hit, The Transporter spawned two sequels and has earned the reputation of a cult classic. Len Brown's biography is an insightful, comprehensive and gripping account of Britain's all-action hero.