Hollywood star Jason Statham has emerged as one of the greatest performers in the industry. Whether it’s facing off a megalodon in The Meg or racing off for his freedom in Death Race, he has done it all and has earned a reputation as an action star. Over his decades-long career, the actor has portrayed several characters on the silver screen and is especially known for his on-screen tough guy persona.

And he once shared the inspiration behind his on-screen persona, revealing that his impulse for such characters stems from real individuals from his early years.

The Inspiration Behind Jason Statham’s Tough Guy PersonaIn a candid conversation, Jason Statham opened up about the roots of his formidable on-screen personality. The action star revealed his portrayal of tough characters has been highly influenced by his real-life encounters. Reflecting on the profound impact some early life experiences had on him, he said,

“Growing up where I did, you met a lot of colorful characters whose business was on the other side of the law, or more likely you didn’t know what they were up to, and you never would.”

Apart from that, Statham also shared that practicing and reading books also help with preparing for such roles. “The rest of it, you can practice or learn from books,” he said, as per IMDb. However, he claimed that his early experiences are the most helpful resources for the authenticity of his on-screen characters.

Jason Statham is Quite Different Off-ScreenWhile fans love Jason Statham’s on-screen tough guy persona, the actor has reportedly intimidated many with his personality. However, he is not as he might seem on the silver screen, and that’s what his partner and the English model, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, shared during an interview with Elle.

Sharing how The Expendables star has come a long way not only as an actor but also as an individual, she said, “He’s got that real groundedness, and I love the fact he will pass that on to our 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 as well.” She also shared that although The Transporter actor is “incredibly headstrong,” he is the type of person “who is very much in control.”

Statham and Huntington-Whiteley have been together for over a decade and share two 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, Jack and Isabella. The couple announced their engagement in 2016 and have shared that they are in no rush to tie the knot.