Tony Jaa

Tatchakorn Yeerum(, , ; formerly Phanom Yeerum (, )), better known internationally as Tony Jaa  and in Thailand as Jaa Phanom (, , ), is a Thai martial artist, actor, action choreographer, stuntman, director, and traceur. Best known for his martial arts films, he is credited with helping establish the Thai action genre worldwide.

Jaa began training in Muay Thai at age 10, and fought professionally as a Muay Thai fighter when he was discovered by filmmaker Panna Rittikrai.  Prior to becoming a leading actor, Jaa worked as a stuntman for Muay Thai Stunt for 14 years, appearing in many of his mentor Rittikrai's films. His martial arts films are credited with helping to showcase the Thai combat systems of Muay Thai, Muay Boran, and  "Muay Kotchasaan" (a fighting style Jaa and Rittikrai developed in 2005). 

 Career 

Jaa's Thai films include Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior (2003), which earned him a Star Entertainment Award, Tom-Yum-Goong (2005), which earned him a Suphannahong National Film Award, Ong Bak 2: The Beginning (2008), which marked his directorial debut,  Ong Bak 3 (2010), and Tom Yum Goong 2 (2013).

After leaving the Thai movie company Sahamongkol Film International in 2013, Jaa signed with Universal Studios, and focused more on an international fan base. Since then, he has appeared in films such as Furious 7, SPL II: A Time for Consequences (both 2015), Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018), and Expend4bles (2023).

Jaa was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame in 2002.

Personal life
Jaa stands at a height of 5 ft 6 in (168.3 cm).

Jaa married his longtime girlfriend Piyarat Chotiwattananont on 3 May 2012. The couple have two daughters.

References

Category:Thai movie actors
Category:Martial artists
Category:Living people
Category:1976 births
Category:Thai movie directors
Category:Choreographers
Category:Thai television actors
Category:Thai voice actors