Chloe Peterson
14 Actresses You Didn’t Know Are Real Black Belts
Hollywood is full of surprises, and some of the most talented actresses have skills that go far beyond their on-screen performances. Many of your favorite stars have spent years training in martial arts, earning authentic black belts in disciplines like karate, taekwondo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, often while balancing demanding filming schedules.
These women aren’t just playing tough characters—they’ve committed to intense practice, discipline, and physical mastery, proving themselves as true martial artists both on and off the screen.
1. Sarah Michelle Gellar
Before she became famous as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar was already kicking serious butt in real life.
She earned her black belt in taekwondo when she was just a teenager, long before she ever stepped onto a Hollywood set.
Her martial arts training helped her perform many of her own stunts on the show, making the fight scenes look incredibly realistic.
Taekwondo focuses on high kicks and fast movements, which perfectly matched Buffy’s fighting style.
Gellar’s dedication to martial arts showed in every episode, as she could execute complex fight choreography without needing a stunt double for many scenes.
Her black belt wasn’t just for show—it was a real achievement that took years of practice and discipline.
Even after Buffy ended, Gellar continued to use her martial arts skills in other action roles throughout her career.
2. Jessica Alba
Jessica Alba started her martial arts journey when she was just twelve years old, training in taekwondo at a local studio in California.
By the time she was fifteen, she had already earned her black belt through years of consistent practice and dedication.
This early training gave her a huge advantage when she landed action-packed roles in movies like Dark Angel and Sin City.
Her black belt skills allowed her to perform many of her own fight scenes, which made her characters more believable and exciting to watch.
Alba has said that martial arts taught her discipline, focus, and confidence—qualities that helped her succeed in Hollywood’s competitive environment.
The physical strength she gained from taekwondo also helped her handle the demanding stunts required in action films.
Today, she still values the lessons she learned from martial arts training during her youth.
3. Mackenzie Foy
Most people know Mackenzie Foy from her role as young Murph in Interstellar or as Clara in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
What many don’t realize is that this talented young actress earned her black belt in taekwondo before she even turned thirteen.
She started training when she was very young, balancing her martial arts practice with her busy acting schedule.
Foy’s dedication to taekwondo demonstrates incredible time management and commitment, especially considering how demanding a child acting career can be.
Her martial arts background has given her the physical skills and mental toughness needed for challenging roles.
The discipline required to earn a black belt at such a young age shows her determination and work ethic.
She continues to train and has mentioned that martial arts helps her stay grounded despite her Hollywood success.
4. Milla Jovovich
When you think of action heroines, Milla Jovovich probably comes to mind immediately thanks to her iconic role in the Resident Evil franchise.
Her impressive fighting skills aren’t just movie magic—she’s trained extensively in multiple martial arts disciplines over the years.
Jovovich holds a black belt and has studied everything from kickboxing to Brazilian jiu-jitsu to prepare for her demanding action roles.
Her commitment to martial arts training means she can perform incredibly complex fight sequences without relying heavily on stunt doubles.
This dedication shows on screen, where her movements look natural and powerful rather than rehearsed or fake.
Jovovich has spent countless hours in the gym and training facilities to maintain her skills and physical fitness.
Her martial arts expertise has made her one of the most respected action stars in Hollywood today.
5. Katrina Law
Katrina Law brought fierce warrior energy to her role as Mira in Spartacus and Nyssa al Ghul in Arrow, and her martial arts background made those performances incredibly authentic.
She earned her black belt in karate after years of dedicated training, which gave her the foundation to excel in action-packed television roles.
Law’s martial arts skills extend beyond just karate—she’s also trained in various weapons combat and fight choreography.
Her background in martial arts means she can handle the intense physical demands of playing warrior characters convincingly.
Law has performed many of her own stunts throughout her career, which adds an extra layer of realism to her fight scenes.
The confidence and strength she gained from martial arts training shine through in every role she takes on.
She continues to train regularly to keep her skills sharp for future action projects.
6. Katheryn Winnick
Katheryn Winnick didn’t just earn one black belt—she earned black belts in both taekwondo and karate, and she started teaching martial arts when she was only thirteen years old!
Her incredible martial arts background made her the perfect choice to play the fierce shield-maiden Lagertha in the hit series Vikings.
Winnick actually owned and operated three martial arts schools before her acting career took off.
Her extensive martial arts experience means she understands fight choreography from both a performer’s and instructor’s perspective, which gives her a unique advantage on set.
She’s performed countless stunts herself throughout Vikings and other projects, bringing authenticity to every battle scene.
Winnick’s dedication to martial arts shaped her entire life, teaching her discipline, leadership, and physical prowess.
Her martial arts expertise continues to influence the strong, powerful characters she portrays on screen.
7. Sophia Crawford
You might not know the name Sophia Crawford, but if you watched Power Rangers in the ’90s, you’ve definitely seen her work as the Pink Ranger’s stunt double.
Crawford, a black belt in taekwondo, has contributed her skills to countless action movies and television shows.
Her mastery of martial arts has earned her a reputation as one of Hollywood’s top stunt performers.
Beyond Power Rangers, Crawford has worked on major productions like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and numerous action movies.
Her taekwondo skills allowed her to perform dangerous stunts safely while making them look spectacular on camera.
Crawford’s career proves that martial arts training can open doors to exciting opportunities beyond acting.
She’s inspired countless young women to pursue martial arts and stunt work as legitimate career paths in entertainment.
8. Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey’s path to Hollywood started in the octagon, where she dominated as a UFC champion and Olympic bronze medalist in judo.
She holds a black belt in judo, which she earned through years of intense training that began when she was just a child.
Rousey’s mother was a judo champion herself, so martial arts were literally in her blood from birth.
After retiring from professional fighting, Rousey transitioned to acting and wrestling, bringing her legitimate combat skills to roles in films like Furious 7 and The Expendables 3.
Unlike actresses who learn stage combat, Rousey’s fighting experience is completely real—she’s actually competed at the highest levels of professional martial arts.
Her presence in action films adds incredible authenticity because audiences know she can actually do everything her character does.
She continues to break barriers for female athletes transitioning into entertainment careers.
9. Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah is known for her incredible talent in music, acting, and comedy, but many fans don’t know she’s also a martial artist with a black belt in karate.
She began training in martial arts during her teenage years, finding that the discipline and focus helped her in all areas of her life.
Her karate background has served her well in action roles throughout her diverse acting career.
Latifah’s martial arts training taught her self-defense skills and boosted her confidence, which shows in the strong, independent characters she often portrays.
She’s performed her own stunts in several films, including action-comedy roles where her karate skills added an extra punch to the humor.
The mental toughness developed through martial arts training has helped her navigate the challenges of the entertainment industry.
She’s proof that martial arts training complements creativity and artistic expression beautifully.
10. Brenda Song
While Brenda Song charmed viewers on The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, few knew she was also training rigorously in taekwondo.
She earned her black belt despite the demands of her acting career, showing remarkable focus and discipline.
That martial arts foundation would later help her excel in more physically demanding, action-oriented roles.
The discipline required to earn a black belt while maintaining a successful child acting career demonstrates Song’s remarkable work ethic and time management abilities.
Her taekwondo background has allowed her to perform physical comedy and action sequences with confidence and precision.
Song has mentioned that martial arts helped her stay focused and grounded despite growing up in the spotlight.
Her black belt achievement shows there’s much more to her than the bubbly characters she played in her youth.
11. Cynthia Khan
Cynthia Khan became a Hong Kong action cinema icon in the 1980s and 1990s, starring in the In the Line of Duty film series.
She holds a black belt in taekwondo and trained extensively in various martial arts styles to prepare for her demanding action roles.
Khan’s fighting skills were so impressive that she was chosen to replace Michelle Yeoh in the popular action franchise.
Her authentic martial arts abilities allowed her to perform incredibly dangerous stunts without doubles, making her one of the most respected action stars of her generation.
Khan’s films featured intense fight choreography that showcased her speed, power, and technical precision.
She worked alongside some of the greatest martial arts choreographers in Hong Kong cinema, constantly pushing herself to improve her skills.
Her contributions to action cinema paved the way for future generations of female martial arts stars.
12. Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn trained intensively in martial arts and swordsmanship to prepare for her role as Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse, ultimately earning recognition for her dedication to the craft.
While her black belt training came later in her career specifically for film roles, she took it extremely seriously, training for months to master the complex fight choreography.
Munn’s commitment to learning authentic martial arts techniques rather than just stage combat impressed both her co-stars and fight coordinators.
She trained in various martial arts disciplines, including sword fighting and hand-to-hand combat, putting in hours of daily practice to perfect her skills.
Munn performed many of her own stunts in X-Men: Apocalypse, including complicated sword sequences that required both strength and precision.
Her dedication to martial arts training showed her willingness to fully commit to physically demanding roles.
She continues to use her martial arts skills in action-oriented projects throughout her career.
13. Evan Rachel Wood
Known for her intense performances in Thirteen and Westworld, Evan Rachel Wood might surprise fans as a trained martial artist.
She immersed herself in martial arts training to prepare for physically challenging roles, mastering techniques far beyond simple choreography.
Her commitment to multiple fighting styles has earned her praise for authenticity and skill.
Wood’s martial arts journey began when she realized that learning real fighting techniques would make her action scenes more believable and powerful.
She’s trained with professional martial artists and stunt coordinators, putting in the hard work required to earn legitimate skills.
Her commitment to martial arts reflects her overall approach to acting—she fully immerses herself in every aspect of her characters.
The confidence and physical strength gained from martial arts training have enhanced her performances across all genres of film and television.
14. Riki Lindhome
Riki Lindhome is best known for her comedy work in the musical duo Garfunkel and Oates and various comedic roles in television and film.
What most fans don’t realize is that she holds a black belt in taekwondo, having trained for years in the martial art.
Lindhome’s martial arts background adds an unexpected dimension to her comedic persona, proving that funny people can also be incredibly tough.
She earned her black belt through consistent training and dedication, balancing her martial arts practice with her busy entertainment career.
While Lindhome doesn’t often play action roles, her taekwondo skills have occasionally been incorporated into comedic scenes in surprising ways.
The discipline and focus required for martial arts training have helped her succeed in the competitive world of comedy and acting.
Her black belt achievement shows that people can have diverse talents that don’t always fit stereotypical expectations.
Comments
Loading…