About Tony Jaa
Tony Jaa, whose estimated net worth is $12 million, was born Panom Yeerum on February 5, 1976 in Surin province, Isaan, Thailand. Later, he changed his name to Tatchakorn Yeerum, although in the west and Thailand, he is better known by the aliases Tony Jaa and Jaa Panom.
Martial Arts History
Jaa began taking Muay Thai boxing training at the age of 10 because his father competed in the sport. He began to value the arts so much that
He once made the threat to commit suicide if his father did not take him to Khon Kaen to train in martial arts with choreographer Panna Rithikrai. Panna became his martial arts instructor when he was 15 years old.
Panna suggested that Jaa start attending the University of Mahamarakam when he turned 21. ( Maha Sarakhma Physical Education College). Mahamarakam’s expertise in sports sciences enabled for the introduction of new types to Jaa (judo, aikido, Tae Kwon Do).
Athletic History
Jaa excelled in the long jump, high jump, gymnastics, and sword fighting while attending the National Physical Education College. In fact, he took home their equivalent of gold medals in various competitions, often winning them in back-to-back years.
Early Career in Film
On Panna’s crew, “Muay Thai Stunt.” Jaa began his film career as a stuntman. As so, he made multiple film appearances. As Sammo Hung’s stand-in in a commercial for an energy drink, he made one of his early breakthroughs by somersaulting onto the back of an elephant while holding onto the animal’s tusks.
With the help of Grandmaster Mark Harris, Panna and Jaa put together a short video about Muay Boran, a forerunner of Muay Thai, which drew the attention of producer-director Prachya Pinkaew.
Jaa’s breakout leading role in Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior in 2003 resulted from this.
The Thai warrior Ong Bak
Jaa’s breakout performance was as a young martial artist charged with tracking down a stolen sacred statue in the city. He engaged several underworld figures along the way to get it back. In conclusion, Jaa’s ability to perform the life-threatening acts typically saved for special effects allowed him to become well-known.
More About Jaa’s Filmography
Tom Yum Goong, Jaa’s second film, was released in Asia in August 2005; the following year, it was retitled The Protector in the United States. Jaa has contributed to the Ong Bak series both as a director and an actor.
Buddhist Life
Jaa practices Buddhism and regularly visits the temple. He has two daughters and one boy for siblings. He is the family’s third kid.
Three things about Tony Jaa you might not know:
- Jaa keeps two elephants as pets.
- During a Muay Thai training camp, he allegedly engaged in five ring fights, winning each one.
- With 1,000 participants, he holds the record for the largest Muay Thai training session (Hong Kong, July 2005).
In XXX: Return of Xander Cage, in which Jaa co-starred with Vin Diesel, is who he most recently worked. Tony Jaa’s net worth is projected to be $12 million as of 2023. In 2016, Jaa and Louis Koo once more acted together in Paradox, the third episode of the SPL series.
