Looking at rich celebrities we often want to swap lives by simply considering their fame and fortune, while ignoring their struggles.

But irrespective of how lavish and comfortable their lives might look, there have always been struggles during the initial years. One of Hollywood’s infamous stars, Jason Statham can agree to the same, as he wasn’t always living the high life.


Jason StathamJason Statham
Despite being among the most recognizable names in the industry, Jason Statham has had his fair share of rags-to-riches stories. Coming from a normal household with a billion-dollar dream, just like a commoner, even Statham struggled before reaching the summit of success.

Jason Statham’s Initial Years Of Struggle

It is no secret that many people live in extreme poverty and even come from nothing. But the state of nothingness can at times act as a motivation, and help people turn their dreams into reality. Although the struggle is a deep quagmire filled with lots of difficulties and obstacles, few overcome it to find fortune and glory. Hollywood actor Jason Statham is one among such individuals who struggled through social climbing.

Jason StathamStatham initially started off as a sports model
Originally from Norfolk, England, Jason Statham was a son of a dancer mother and a street seller father. Noticing struggle and misfortune from an early age, Statham inculcated a keen interest in sports. While having a passion for soccer and swimming, the actor was also fascinated by martial arts. Beginning his journey as a swimmer, Statham soon became a sports model and navigated his way into fashion houses like Tommy Hilfiger and brands including Lee, Levi’s, and French Connection.
Jason StathamStatham in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
During his modeling career, Jason Statham even appeared in several music videos, to earn his living. While trying to make ends meet, Statham’s luck suddenly altered after he met director Guy Ritchie while working as a French Connection model. Impressed by his interest in martial arts and his evident skills, the director hired him for Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels in 1998. With an initial salary slip of $6,000 for the role of Bacon, Statham broke into the world of acting.

Jason Statham’s Million Dollar Success 

From trying to overcome his misery to taking the road to success, Jason Statham navigated his way into Hollywood. Starting off with his debut in 1998, with a salary of $6,000, Statham got the opportunity to impress his audience and make his way to the top. Discussing his breakthrough film, the actor stated, “Basically the character I played was loosely based on what I used to do… And that was how I broke into acting.”
Jason StathamJason Statham with Guy Ritchie
The same director Guy Ritchie hired Statham for the second time to appear in the smash hit Snatch in 2000. Appearing alongside renowned faces like Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro, even Jason Statham became a bonafide star with a cool $18,000 salary slip. Following his stepping stones in Hollywood, the actor appeared in massive big-budget movies like The Meg, which made $530.2M worldwide.

Jason StathamStatham made it into the Fast & Furious franchise
Staying loyal to Guy Ritchie, Jason Statham appeared in his 2021 hit Wrath of Man, which made the biggest solo box office successes, grossing $104M on a $40M budget during COVID. Statham eventually appeared in his uber-hit franchise Fast & Furious and made an eye-watering amount of $15M from the latest installment, Fast X. Currently standing with an estimated net worth between $40M and $90M, Statham eventually made his way to the summit of success.

Source: Parade