Actresses Who Are Black Belts In Real Life

While many actresses convincingly portray physical roles, few actually have extensive martial arts training. Beyond relying on stunt performers and film editing, a number of well-known actresses have spent years mastering disciplines like Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu, even earning black belts. This dedication not only shapes their career choices but also brings a genuine quality to their action scenes. Here’s a look at the impressive martial arts experience of some of the industry’s leading women.

Katheryn Winnick

Katheryn Winnick is best known for playing Lagertha in the TV series ‘Vikings’. She’s been training in martial arts since she was seven years old and achieved her first black belt by thirteen. She currently holds a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a second-degree black belt in Karate. Before becoming an actress, she even worked as a licensed bodyguard and owned multiple martial arts schools. Because of her strong background in combat, she’s able to do many of her own stunts and fight scenes in her roles.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar is best known for playing Buffy in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’ She trained in martial arts for years to get in shape for the physically challenging role, eventually earning a black belt in Taekwondo. This training was essential for the show’s fight scenes and helped launch her career in action films throughout the late 90s and early 2000s. Gellar has said that martial arts also taught her focus and discipline, which were valuable during long and demanding filming schedules.

Brenda Song

Brenda Song became well-known for her role as London Tipton on the Disney Channel’s ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.’ Though she’s celebrated for her comedic talent, she’s also a talented martial artist. She earned a black belt in Taekwondo through years of training as a young person, and even displayed her skills in the Disney Channel movie ‘Wendy Wu Homecoming Warrior.’ Song says her martial arts background continues to help her feel confident and physically aware when she’s working on set.

Evan Rachel Wood

As a film buff, I’ve always been impressed with Evan Rachel Wood’s range – from the raw emotion in ‘Thirteen’ to the complex character work in ‘Westworld’. But I recently learned she’s a black belt in Taekwondo! She’s talked about how the dedication and discipline she learned through martial arts really helped her deal with the ups and downs of being an actress, which makes total sense. It’s clearly paid off in her action roles too – she’s incredibly convincing! What I really admire is that she champions martial arts for young women, emphasizing the mental strength it builds, and that’s fantastic.

Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba became known for action roles in shows like ‘Dark Angel’ and the ‘Fantastic Four’ movies. To get ready for these physically demanding parts, she started training in Taekwondo and eventually earned a black belt. She discovered the sport helped her build the strength and flexibility needed for performing stunts. Even as she took on different kinds of acting roles, she continued to prioritize fitness and combat training, often practicing daily with professional trainers.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah is a talented entertainer who excels in many areas, including music, acting, and producing. Before becoming a well-known actress – even earning an Oscar nomination – she studied martial arts and eventually earned a black belt in Karate. This training taught her discipline and physical control, skills that proved helpful when she took on action roles in movies like ‘Set It Off’. Today, she remains a powerful and versatile presence in the entertainment industry.

Kristin Kreuk

Kristin Kreuk is famous for playing Lana Lang in the TV show ‘Smallville’. She also starred as Chun Li in the movie ‘Street Fighter The Legend of Chun Li’, and she was able to perform many of the fight scenes herself thanks to her training as a black belt in Karate. Her martial arts skills allowed her to do convincing kicks and fight choreography. Kreuk has said that practicing Karate helped her stay balanced and focused while working on a demanding television set.

Kelly Hu

Kelly Hu is known for her work in popular action films like ‘The Scorpion King’ and ‘X2: X-Men United’. A skilled martial artist with a black belt in Karate, she easily moved into roles requiring physical fighting and weapon skills. She frequently performs her own stunts, making her fight scenes more realistic. Hu is still considered one of Hollywood’s leading female martial artists.

Mackenzie Foy

Mackenzie Foy started acting as a child, appearing in films like ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn’ and ‘Interstellar’. She’s also dedicated years to learning Taekwondo, eventually earning her black belt. She often shares her training with fans, and believes the sport has taught her valuable lessons in patience and persistence, qualities that help her both in life and when preparing for physically demanding roles.

Riki Lindhome

Riki Lindhome is a talented actress and musician, famous for her work in ‘Garfunkel and Oates’ and the movie ‘Knives Out’. Though she’s known for comedy and drama, she has a surprising skill: she’s a martial artist. As a young person, she earned a black belt in Taekwondo, which boosted her self-confidence and physical ability. This training has occasionally been useful in her acting roles, particularly when physical comedy or precise movements were needed. Lindhome is one of many actresses who quietly maintain impressive athletic skills alongside their acting careers.

Cynthia Rothrock

Cynthia Rothrock is a celebrated martial arts movie star who gained fame in both Hong Kong and the United States. She’s a highly skilled martial artist with five black belts in disciplines like Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo. Before becoming an actress, she was a world champion in martial arts forms and weapons. Movies such as ‘China O’Brien’ and ‘Yes Madam’ highlighted her amazing speed and technique. She’s still a role model for female martial artists today, and continues to teach and perform globally.

Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey successfully moved from being a top athlete to an actress, appearing in films like ‘Furious 7’ and ‘The Expendables 3’. Before acting, she was an Olympic medalist and highly skilled judoka with a black belt. Her background in grappling and throwing made her a valuable addition to action movies, and she’s known for bringing a raw, realistic quality to her fight scenes. She’s helped open doors for other athletes looking to pursue careers in entertainment.

Milla Jovovich

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve always been impressed by Milla Jovovich, especially in the ‘Resident Evil’ films where she plays the incredible Alice. What a lot of people don’t realize is just how dedicated she is to her action roles. She put in serious training – Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, eventually earning a black belt in Taekwondo! That’s why she’s able to do so many of her own stunts, and honestly, it makes a huge difference. The fight scenes look so real and polished because of her commitment. She’s definitely one of the most dedicated and hardworking action stars out there, in my opinion.

Olivia Munn

Olivia Munn is known for her roles in films like ‘X-Men Apocalypse’ and ‘The Predator’. Growing up in a military family, she began training in martial arts at a young age and eventually achieved a black belt in Taekwondo. This training was particularly helpful when she played Psylocke, allowing her to do many of her own sword fighting scenes. Munn often discusses how martial arts not only builds self-defense skills, but also strengthens mental toughness. Staying physically fit remains a key part of who she is and influences her work.

Katrina Law

Katrina Law is a popular actress known for her work in action-packed shows like ‘Arrow’ and ‘Spartacus’. Before acting, she was a competitive athlete and became skilled in Taekwondo, eventually earning a black belt. She continues to practice martial arts to stay fit, which proved invaluable when performing the challenging fight scenes for her role as Nyssa al Ghul. Stunt teams consistently commend her for quickly learning and performing complex fight choreography.

Devon Aoki

Devon Aoki is a model and actress known for her roles in films like ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ and ‘Sin City’. Coming from an athletic family, she started martial arts training as a child and eventually earned a black belt in Karate. This skill proved valuable in her acting career, particularly when portraying physically demanding characters, such as a lethal assassin in ‘Sin City’, where she brought authenticity to the role. Aoki stands out as an actress who successfully combines the worlds of high fashion and intense physical training.

Keiko Agena

Keiko Agena is famous for playing Lane Kim in the popular show ‘Gilmore Girls’. Interestingly, while her character loved music, Agena herself is a skilled martial artist. She spent years practicing Taekwondo and eventually earned a black belt, demonstrating her dedication to fitness and personal growth beyond acting. This achievement often surprises people who are only familiar with her gentler roles on television.

Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa, the popular TV host and actress best known for ‘Live with Kelly and Mark,’ has always made fitness a priority. For years, she and her children trained in Taekwondo as a family, and she eventually earned a black belt. Ripa has talked about how the sport helps her stay energized and focused while balancing her demanding career. Her accomplishment shows that martial arts can be enjoyed at any age and fits into any lifestyle.

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay, known for her role in the popular TV show ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,’ practices Shotokan Karate to stay in shape and centered. She’s earned a black belt and says the training helps her embody the strength and determination of her character, Olivia Benson. The martial art has also given her a sense of power that extends to her work supporting survivors of violence, making her an inspiration for women seeking strength in all areas of their lives.

Sarah Shahi

Sarah Shahi is known for her roles in TV shows like ‘Person of Interest’ and ‘The L Word’. Before becoming an actress, she was a cheerleader for the NFL, and she’s carried her athletic skills into her acting career. She’s also a skilled martial artist with a black belt in Karate, which she’s used in many of her action-packed roles. She often does her own stunts, making her a popular choice for producers of action dramas, and she attributes her stamina on set to her martial arts training.

JeeJa Yanin

JeeJa Yanin is a Thai actress who became internationally known for her starring role in the movie ‘Chocolate’. A skilled martial artist with a black belt in Taekwondo, she competed in tournaments and taught martial arts before becoming a film star. Her movies are famous for featuring real stunts and athleticism, avoiding special effects like wires and CGI. Today, she’s considered a top action star in Asian cinema.

Zhang Lanxin

Zhang Lanxin is a Chinese actress known for her incredible martial arts abilities. Jackie Chan discovered her talent, and she previously competed as a top-level Taekwondo athlete for China, even becoming a national champion. Her skills, demonstrated by her black belt and athletic build, allowed her to perform amazing kicks in films like ‘CZ12’. She frequently plays characters who use martial arts to defeat their enemies, and her move from professional athlete to actress has been highlighted by her impressive physical performances.

JuJu Chan

JuJu Chan is an actress and skilled martial artist who has been called the female Bruce Lee by the media. A black belt in Taekwondo, she’s competed internationally representing Hong Kong. She’s also proficient in Wing Chun and Thai boxing, skills she brings to her acting roles. Chan appeared in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny’, demonstrating her weapon skills, and continues to champion greater representation of women in martial arts and action movies.

Cynthia Khan

Cynthia Khan rose to fame in Hong Kong action movies in the late 1980s. She initially trained as a dancer before becoming a skilled martial artist, eventually earning a black belt. After taking over for Michelle Yeoh in the ‘In the Line of Duty’ series, Khan quickly demonstrated her ability to perform challenging fight scenes. Her dance background combined with her martial arts training gave her a distinctive and graceful fighting style, and she continues to be a favorite among fans of classic martial arts films.

Yukari Oshima

Yukari Oshima is a Japanese actress who rose to fame in Hong Kong action films. She started Karate training as a child and eventually achieved a black belt, making her a skilled and physically capable performer. This led to roles as both villains and heroes in many popular cult films, like ‘The Story of Ricky’ and ‘Iron Angels’. Oshima is well-known for her powerful on-screen persona and authentic fighting abilities.

Michiko Nishiwaki

I’m a huge fan of Michiko Nishiwaki! She’s this amazing Japanese actress who really made a name for herself in Hong Kong action films. Before acting, she was a competitive bodybuilder – seriously impressive! Plus, she’s a black belt in Karate. She was a real trailblazer for women in strength sports back in Japan. I remember her from classics like ‘God of Gamblers’ and ‘My Lucky Stars’ – she always played these incredibly strong, tough villains who gave the heroes a real run for their money. Later on, she even took her talents to Hollywood, working as a stunt performer and actress. She’s just a total powerhouse!

Karen Sheperd

Karen Sheperd is a highly accomplished American actress and martial artist. She made history as the first woman to achieve the world’s number one ranking in martial arts forms, and is a black belt in multiple disciplines. Throughout her life, she’s focused on rigorous combat training. As an actress, she’s appeared in films like ‘Above the Law’ and ‘Cyborg 2,’ performing all of her own stunts. Beyond acting, she’s a seasoned stunt coordinator and fight choreographer for both television and film. She continues to be a prominent figure in the martial arts world, actively mentoring up-and-coming female fighters.

Sophia Crawford

Sophia Crawford is a British actress and stunt performer famous for doubling for Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. A skilled martial artist with a black belt in Karate, she began her career in Hong Kong action films before moving to Hollywood. Her expertise in combat allowed her to create some of the most memorable fight scenes on TV. She’s still working in the industry today and is highly regarded by her peers.

Tell us which of these martial arts stars surprised you the most in the comments.

2026-02-09 18:49