BJJ Celebrities List: What Jiu Jitsu Belts do the Stars have?
Did you ever wonder which celebrities are good at Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)?
What is it about BJJ celebrities love?
Many celebrities are fascinated by Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and fell in love with the sport. Some of them we did not even expect to make it onto this list and some have trained BJJ for decades and achieved high ranks in the sport.
Check out Part 1, Part 2, Part3, and Part 4 of our YouTube BJJ Celebrities Series:
#1 Tom Hardy
Belt Rank: Blue Belt
Training Status: Active
Tom Hardy probably won’t be a Blue Belt for long anymore after recently winning several Jiu Jitsu competitions. The celebrity has been training since 2011 when he prepared to play an MMA fighter in the movie The Warrior.
He has lately been taking training very seriously, visiting different BJJ schools and coaches like Heath Pedigo at Daisy Fresh and John Danaher at New Wave to get new insights and improve.
The actor is known for his appearances in countless Hollywood blockbusters like The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road and more recently Venom among many others. Throughout his career he has taken on many roles that require great physical condition and martial arts knowledge.
#2 Keanu Reeves
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Inconsistent
Although Keanu Reeves is currently a White Belt in BJJ, he is proficient in several martial arts like Judo, Karate, Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu. He is coached by the legendary Machado brothers who are BJJ world champions and have close ties to the Gracie family.
Keanu Reeves is known for his iconic roles of Neo in The Matrix and John Wick in the same-titled movie series. Throughout his career he has taken on many roles that require great physical condition and martial arts knowledge including BJJ expertise.
#3 Jason Statham
Belt Rank: Purple Belt
Training Status: Active
Jason Statham is a lifelong martial artist and Purple Belt in BJJ that has been training Jiu Jitsu inconsistently for more than 20 years now. One of his training partners is his friend and BJJ Black Belt Guy Ritchie. They both train under Renzo Gracie in New York and Roger Gracie in London
He started training martial arts like kickboxing and karate at a young age. He regularly shows off his athleticism, athletic body, and martial arts skills in his movie roles
The actor is famous for portraying tough characters in countless action movies like the Transporter Trilogy, The Expendables, and the Fast & Furious franchise.
#4 Ed O’Neill
Belt Rank: Black Belt
Training Status: Active
Ed O’Neill aka Al Bundy is a celebrity that takes Jiu Jitsu very seriously and describes his BJJ Black Belt as “the greatest achievement of his life, apart from his children”.
Ed is famous for his iconic role as Al Bundy in the TV series Married… with Children and more recently Jay Prichett in Modern Family.
What most people don’t know is that he was an accomplished football player once signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers and is also a very successful martial artist.
#5 Demi Lovato
Belt Rank: Blue Belt
Training Status: Inactive
Demi Lovato is currently a Blue Belt in BJJ. The celebrity has been training since 2016 and Jiu Jitsu has become a passion for her. Beyond the physical benefits of training, Jiu Jitsu helps her deal with anxiety, depression, and life beyond the sport.
The singer, songwriter and actress had a great career so far with ups and downs in her personal life just like everybody else. She lately trained at Unbreakable Performance Jiu Jitsu under Danielle Martin.
#6 Russell brand
Belt Rank: Purple Belt
Training Status: Active
Russell Brand earned his BJJ Purple Belt in 2021. He started training Jiu Jitsu in 2016 and trains under Chris Cleere today. He is a big advocate of Jiu Jitsu and loves the sport for its physical and mental benefits.
The Englishman rose to fame as a comedian and actor. Today he also runs a successful YouTube Channel where he also shares parts of his Jiu Jitsu journey.
#7 Maynard James Keenan
Belt Rank: Brown Belt
Training Status: Active
Maynard James Keenan is currently a Brown Belt in BJJ. He started training Jiu Jitsu in 1996 under Rickson Gracie. Today he is a co-founder and instructor at Verde Valley Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Arizona and BJJ has become a major part of his life.
MJ Keenan is mainly known as the singer and songwriter of the bands Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer. Beyond his musical career he is also a successful actor and winemaker.
#8 Ashton Kutcher
Belt Rank: Brown Belt
Training Status: Active
Ashton Kutcher is currently a Brown Belt in BJJ under Rigan Machado and has now spent more than 10 years training Jiu Jitsu. Combining his wrestling experience and BJJ skills make the celebrity a well-rounded and dangerous grappler.
The actor is widely known for his roles as Walden Schmidt in Two and a Half Men and Michael Kelso in That 70’s Show among other movie roles.
#9 Guy Ritchie
Belt Rank: Black Belt
Training Status: Active
Guy Ritchie is a legitimate Black Belt in BJJ under Renzo Gracie and has now spent more than 20 years training Jiu Jitsu. Most people don’t know that he is also a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate with over 15 years of experience. Like this wasn’t enough, he also holds a Black Belt in Judo.
The director, producer and screenwriter is known for movies like King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Disney’s Aladdin and the Sherlock Holmes movies.
#10 Jonah Hill
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Inactive
Jonah Hill is another A list celebrity that fell in love with BJJ. Besides being an actor, producer, director, screenwriter, comedian, and public figure, he can now call himself a BJJ athlete. He famously starred in Hollywood movies like The Wolf of Wall Street and Superbad.
Jonah has started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the recent years and already “can’t live without his BJJ GI anymore”. He describes his experience with BJJ as “humbling” and is happy that his friend persuaded him to give it a try.
Only time will tell if the two times Academy Award nominee will be as successful in Jiu Jitsu as he in the entertainment industry.
#11 Joe Rogan
Belt Rank: Black Belt
Training Status: Active
Joe Rogan started training Jiu Jitsu in 1996 under Carlson Gracie. He received Black Belt’s in NoGi Jiu Jitsu and Gi Jiu Jitsu through Eddie Bravo of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and Jean Jacques Machado, respectively.
Today Joe is an accomplished fighter, comedian, commentator, and podcast host. He is arguably one of the most influential people in Jiu Jitsu and responsible for BJJ becoming more popular.
#12 Chuck Norris
Belt Rank: Black Belt
Training Status: Active
Chuck Norris is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) as well as a legendary actor and martial artist who has become a living meme. He holds Black Belts in several martial arts including BJJ, Tang Soo Do (a Korean martial art based on Karate), and Judo.
What many don’t know is that Chuck Norris played a significant role in making Jiu Jitsu popular in the United States and around the world. Because of him, some of the Gracies found their way to the US and the Machado brothers were able to open their first school.
Chuck played countless iconic roles alongside legends like Bruce Lee. In movies like Way of the Dragon and An Eye for an Eye he shined with his Jiu Jitsu and other marital arts knowledge. He later went on to become the Texas Ranger and part of The Expendable 2.
#13 Jason Momoa
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Inconsistent
Jason Momoa started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) back in 2017 under Rigan Machado in Beverly Hills. Unfortunately, Jiu Jitsu is not his main focus and he only trains sporadically.
The actor has always been very athletic with an impressive physique at a height of 6’4″ and a body weight of 220 lbs. Therefore, he is the perfect fit for action roles like “Khal Drogo” in Game of Thrones and Aquaman.
#14 Mario Lopez
Belt Rank: Purple Belt
Training Status: Active
Mario Lopez’ BJJ journey began in 2017 under Professor Robert Hill of Gracie Barra Glendale and he has become a BJJ Purple Belt since. Furthermore, the celebrity was able to win several gold medals in BJJ competitions.
The actor is known to be a proponent of health, fitness, and sports. He trained in wrestling from a very young age and was even introduced into the Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2022. Today, he has close ties to Jiu Jitsu world champions like Gordon Ryan, Keenan Cornelius, and Gordon’s coach John Danaher.
On television, he is most known for his role as A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell and appearances in TV Series like Dancing with the Stars.
#15 Joey “Coco” Diaz
Belt Rank: Blue Belt
Training Status: Active
Joey “Coco” Diaz is a BJJ Blue Belt under Alberto Crane of Legacy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He developed a passion for Jiu Jitsu and the BJJ community has become a family for him.
Although the Cuban-American stand-up comedian, actor, and podcaster was already successful, he became increasingly popular after he appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast countless times.
Joey Diaz’ close ties to Jiu Jitsu ambassadors like Joe Rogan and Eddie Bravo lead to him becoming a household celebrity name in the sport.
#16 Jim Carrey
Belt Rank: Brown Belt ?
Training Status: Inactive ?
Jim Carrey is rumored to be a BJJ Brown Belt under Royce Gracie, but no one knows if it is true. We could imagine Jim enjoying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but unfortunately, there’s no evidence.
The Canadian and American actor, comedian, and artist is famous for iconic roles in The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, The Grinch, and Bruce Almighty
#17 Henry Cavill
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Inconsistent
Henry Cavill’s Jiu Jitsu journey started in 2016 under Stan Beck at Renzo Gracie Academy in Weston. The celebrity continued to train BJJ under Roger Gracie in London and is a White Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The actor is famous for iconic roles like Superman in the Extended DC Universe and Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher TV Series.
#18 Charlie Hunnam
Belt Rank: Blue Belt
Training Status: Inconsistent
Charlie Hunnam started his BJJ journey in 2016 through his friend Guy Ritchie and is now a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Rigan Machado.
The actor has always been very athletic and is best known for movie roles like Jax Teller in Sons of Anarchy and the title role in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.
#19 Millie Bobby Brown
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Inconsistent
Millie Bobby Brown’s Jiu Jitsu Journey began in 2016, and she is most likely still a BJJ White Belt today.
The actress is best known for playing Eleven in the TV series Stranger Things. She has also played roles in movies like Godzilla and the title character in Enola Holmes.
#20 Shaquille O’Neal
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Inactive
Shaq does not train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or any other grappling sport consistently. Therefore, it is even more impressive that he was able to tap out BJJ Black Belts in sparring through pure strength a few years ago.
#21 Dave Bautista
Belt Rank: Purple Belt
Training Status: Active
Dave Bautista is a great athlete, wrestler, MMA fighter and BJJ Purple Belt under Cesar Gracie, who has coached many successful MMA fighters and champions in Jiu Jitsu.
#22 Vin Diesel
Belt Rank: Blue Belt
Training Status: Inconsistent
Vin Diesel has been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on and off for more than 20 years now. He is coached by Hollywood celebrity coach Rigan Machado.
#23 Robert Pattinson
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Inconsistent
Robert Pattinson started training Jiu Jitsu in 2017 under Rigan Machado like most Hollywood celebrities. He mainly uses the art to prepare for his movie roles including his role as The Batman.
#24 Kelly Slater
Belt Rank: Blue Belt
Training Status: Active
Slater is a legendary surfer that promotes Jiu Jitsu wherever he can. After controversy around his Blue Belt it turned out he had rightfully earned it.
#25 Mark Zuckerberg
Belt Rank: White Belt
Training Status: Active
Mark Zuckerberg’s Jiu Jitsu Journey started in 2021 during the pandemic, and he is a BJJ White Belt today. He trains under coach Dave Camarillo of Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu.
The billionaire and founder of Facebook have made the step from casual athlete to BJJ competitor and doesn’t plan on quitting anytime soon, as he calls Jiu Jitsu the best sport.
