Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most renowned martial arts in the world, more people want to take up a BJJ class to keep up with the trend, and celebrities are no exception.
Celebrities ranging from comedians, actors, surfers, podcasters, and movie directors have taken up BJJ training. Some actors take BJJ classes to help them prepare to perform stunts in movie scenes, while others have been doing it for self-improvement.
Celebrities who train in BJJ have helped further popularize BJJ in present times, as they easily influence fanatics of the younger generation. Celebrity BJJ sensei who have earned the spotlight for mastering martial arts and running successful dojos train most of these celebrities.
Even though these celebrities get the best training, most do not train regularly and stagnate in belt ranks. Below is a list of some celebrities you marvel at on the screen but have no idea they practice BJJ.
#6 – Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves is one of the most acclaimed actors in the present day. He is a massive Hollywood star, popularly known for his incredible action acting skills in the John Wick and Matrix trilogies. Keanu trained in BJJ under the Machado Jiu-jitsu by Rigan Machado, a famous BJJ instructor in Hollywood.
At 50 years old, Keanu received a white belt in BJJ. Keanu has been intermittently training BJJ for a decade. He had to take up martial arts for his role in 1999’s movie ‘The matrix.’
Additionally, Keanu trains in other martial arts, such as boxing, Krav Maga, and judo. He has a black belt in judo. Keanu learned effective and practical fighting skills in BJJ that enabled him to perform single movements perfectly. He knew how to shoot and drive, making his fighting scenes in the John Wick movies flawless.
Keanu has not progressed to higher belt level rankings as he took up BJJ classes for his role in John Wick; however, as he trained, he said that BJJ had influenced him greatly.
#5 – Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan is an American comedian, actor, presenter, podcaster, and UFC color commentator. Joe Rogan gained popularity in 2015 when his podcast ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ was rated one of the most popular podcasts worldwide, getting millions of plays per episode.
He has quite a special relationship with martial arts, as he started training taekwondo when he was 15 and got a black belt in taekwondo at 21 years.
Likewise, Rogan became interested in training in BJJ after witnessing Royce Gracie fighting in the UFC.
At 29 years, Joe started training BJJ at Carlson Gracie’s school in Hollywood. Fifteen years later, he was awarded a black belt under a style of No-Gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the 10th planet jiu-jitsu by Eddie Bravo, and another black belt in Gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu by Jean Jacques Machado.
Although Joe does not participate in Martial art competitions or MMA fights, he is a skilled martial artist with good fighting techniques, as he has trained in various martial arts for nearly 40 years.
Follow the link to learn more about Joe Rogan’s martial arts career.
#4 – Russel Brand
Russel Brand is an English comedian and actor famous for his vibrant style and mannerisms. Russel has received three British comedy awards for his magnificent contribution to comedy.
Russell started training in 2016 at the Roger Gracie Academy and has attended his classes frequently since then.
After training for four years, Russel received a blue belt in July 2019 by Kev Capel and a black belt under Roger Gracie. Two years later, his coach Chris Cleere, who is also a Roger Gracie black belt, promoted Russel to purple belt.
Russel Brand talks about his experience with BJJ at a white belt level, highlighting his struggles while training on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.
Russel is vocal about how BJJ has changed his life after training for six years.
He explains how he has never done the things he does while practicing BJJ and how it has helped him to live in his body. He describes how BJJ has taught him respect, humility, vulnerability, confidence, and acceptance.
#3 – Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian known for his vibrant clownish performances. Jim Carrey became famous in 1990 when he featured in a comedy show called Living Color. He is popular for the films; Bruce Almighty and The Mask.
It has been ten years since Jim Carrey started BJJ training at the Royce Gracie Academy and acquired a brown belt under Royce Gracie.
Earning the brown belt is not a walk in the park, as it is the final stage to getting to the black belt. The brown belt shows an individual’s physical and mental understanding of BJJ. It takes five years to earn a brown belt, and practitioners who earn the brown belt can get to higher levels of martial arts. Brown belt holders have extreme control and defense techniques.
#2 – Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy is an English actor and a BJJ practitioner. He is renowned for his fantastic roles in high-profile films such as Venom and Inception.
Tom Hardy began BJJ training in 2011 as he prepared for his MMA fighter role in the film ‘Warrior.’ He trained under the REORG Foundation.
He acquired a blue belt in 2021, 11 years since he started training in the grappling martial art.
Tom Hardy is the ambassador of REORG Jiu-Jitsu Foundation, a charity foundation for Royal Marines. REORG helps individuals in the UK who want to train in BJJ. REORG’s goal is to help combat soldiers heal mentally and physically by teaching them BJJ. The foundation provides military soldiers with BJJ uniforms, classes, membership, and any other support they may need to excel in the sport.
Additionally, Tom trains in other martial arts such as boxing, jiu-jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts. Tom is dedicated to martial arts training, and it is his way of life.
Tom Hardy competed in the REORG 2022 Jiu-Jitsu Championship and earned gold in GI and No-Gi combat. He is a positive influence in the BJJ community and has a massive impact on spreading the knowledge of BJJ.
If you want to learn more about BJJ vs. boxing – their differences and what makes each unique, follow the link to an article of mine.
#1 – Guy Ritchie
Guy Ritchie is an English film director, businessperson, filmmaker, and producer. He is famous for directing quality films such as Sherlock Holmes, Lock Stock, and Snatch. He was married to renowned singer Madonna for some time before their divorce.
Guy Ritchie started training in BJJ in the early 2000s in the Roger Gracie Academy under Roger Gracie and his father, Mauricao Gomes.
After training BJJ for seven years, Renzo Gracie promoted him to black belt in 2015 after being at brown belt level for seven years.
Guy Richie implemented the teachings of BJJ and made them his way of life. He once said that BJJ affects every aspect of an individual’s actions, how they make decisions, and view things.
Madonna once gave a statement saying that Ritchie is obsessed with BJJ and spent a lot of time rolling on his mats at home. The former shows that Guy Ritchie is a dedicated BJJ practitioner.
Final Words
BJJ is a martial art with numerous benefits, as attested by most celebrities. Almost all stars have stated that BJJ has changed their lives in one way or another.
By practicing BJJ, all of these celebrities have influenced the BJJ community by spreading the knowledge of the martial art everywhere. On the other hand, these celebrities have also increased their popularity by practicing BJJ.
Emulate your favorite celebrity, enrol in a BJJ class today, and experience the life-changing martial art.
If you enjoyed reading this article, I encourage you to follow the link to learn about the best BJJ fighters from around the globe.