Japanom Yeerum was born on February 5, 1976, in the northeastern province of Surin, Thailand, where his parents worked as elephant herders. From a young age, Jaa was fascinated by martial arts films and idolized icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, emulating their moves and techniques. He began studying martial arts at the local temple school and later, under a scholarship, at the Physical Education College in Khon Kaen, Thailand, where he honed his skills in various disciplines, including Muay Boran, Muay Thai, Wushu, Judo, and Tae-Kwan-Do.
Jaa's early career took off when he landed a role as a stunt double in a film for Panna Rittikrai, which led to him being noticed and subsequently cast in Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997). His demo reel caught the attention of director Prachya Pinkaew, who went on to create the film Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) specifically for Jaa. Adopting the English name Tony Jaa, he became a household name in the martial arts world.
In 2013, after parting ways with Sahamongkol Film, Jaa signed a contract with Universal Studio's for a role in Fast and Furious 7. Since then, he has taken on starring roles in several international films, with a focus on appealing to a broader, global audience. As his career continues to soar, Jaa remains committed to showcasing his impressive martial arts skills and entertaining fans worldwide.
