Actor Ashton Kutcher is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), having been promoted in late 2025 after years of training under legendary instructor Rigan Machado, progressing from purple belt in 2014 and brown belt in 2019. He discovered the martial art in 2012 and embraces it for personal growth and discipline rather than fame.
Ashton Kutcher just earned his BJJ black belt — not for the spotlight, but for years of quiet dedication, sweat, and commitment on the mats. 
This honor has been bestowed only on the pioneers of this martial art, and is probably unlikely to be given out again. Those with the 9th-degree red belt include names such as Rorion Gracie, who co-created Ultimate Fighting Championship and brought Gracie-Barra Jiu-Jitsu to the United States.
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist and actor. He is a black belt in Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and judo. After serving in the United States Air Force, Norris won many martial arts championships and later founded his own discipline, Chun Kuk Do.
Keanu “John Wick” Reeves is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu white belt.
Elon Musk trains with the 6th-degree BJJ black belt, John Danaher whereas Zukerberg trains with the multiple times IBJJF World Champion, Mikey Musumeci and MIT researcher and podcastor, Lex Freidman.
Jim Carrey is a natural-born comedian – known for his humor, his ridiculous facial expressions, and his funky personality on screen. But, he's also an extremely skilled martial arts athlete and has achieved his brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Earning a brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu is no small task.
From his background in martial arts to the praise of stunt coordinators, Cruise's dedication to his craft is evident in his movies. While he may not be a black belt master, his commitment to authenticity in his action scenes showcases his determination to deliver believable and thrilling performances on screen.
A little-known fact is that Nicolas Cage is a 'black belt' and he trains with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the Ufc champ Royce Gracie.
Barack Obama trained in Taekwondo while still in Chicago, IL when he was working as a professor and part-time state senator. His instructor was David Posner, who remembers him as a very diligent and disciplined student. President Obama eventually earned a green belt for this discipline of the martial arts.
Mark Zuckerberg currently holds the rank of Blue Belt in Jiu Jitsu.
Norris holds an 8th-degree black belt in Taekwondo, a 9th-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, and a 10th-degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, among others. These accolades reflect not only his competitive success but also his deep commitment to martial arts philosophy and pedagogy.
While some arts hand out belts like candy on Halloween, BJJ holds its black belt behind ten to fifteen years of sweat, setbacks, and silent battles. It's not just rare—it's elite. In the United States, only about 0.001% to 0.01% of the population ever reach that level.
Scarlett Johansson trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for her role as Black Widow, earning a White Belt from renowned instructor Rigan Machado. While she trained extensively for the role, sources indicate she holds a white belt, often noted among many celebrities who train BJJ for movies, with her training focused on the fundamentals for the character.
Did you know Jason Statham—the action star known for films like The Transporter, The Expendables, and Fast & Furious—is also a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner? 🥋 Currently a purple belt, he's been training for years behind the scenes while performing his epic fight scenes on screen.
Bourdain practiced the martial art Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning a blue belt in August 2015. He won gold at the IBJJF New York Spring International Open Championship in 2016, in the Middleweight Master 5 (age 51 and older) division.
Elon Musk is reportedly a white belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), though he's trained with BJJ black belts like Lex Fridman and legendary figures like GSP and John Danaher, who praised his strength and quick learning, but emphasized his relative inexperience compared to trained competitors like Zuckerberg. Despite the buzz around a potential fight, Musk is still early in his BJJ journey, focusing on gaining foundational skills in the martial art he's trained in and discussed since the first UFC.
He's currently a white belt and recently told Joe Rogan on his podcast, "Jiu-Jitsu is the Best Sport."
Steve Irwin wasn't just the Crocodile Hunter — he was a grappler at heart. He trained in BJJ because it reminded him of handling crocs: timing, leverage, and total respect for power. “You gotta know when to hold on, when to let go, and when to ride it out.” That's Jiu-Jitsu.
Keanu Reeves is shown training in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) gi with a white belt. For the John Wick films, Reeves underwent extensive training in various martial arts and combat styles.
Personal life
Their son was born in June 2017. Their daughter was born on 2 February 2022. They lived in Beverly Hills for a number of years before moving back to London in 2020. Statham holds a black belt in karate.
After entering the film industry, Chan along with Sammo Hung got the opportunity to train in hapkido under the grand master Jin Pal Kim, and Chan eventually attained a black belt. As a martial artist, Chan is also skilled in multiple forms of Kung fu.
You're curious if Liam Neeson holds any martial arts belts or certifications. While he's trained for various roles, he doesn't hold official belts. His training focuses on practical skills needed for film rather than formal rankings.
Kevin is a dedicated Martial Artist, with a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Karate, and a Brown Belt in Jiu-Jitsu.
Michael Jackson was the most famous Matt Fiddes martial arts Black Belt? He was a Black Belt before he met Matt Fiddes.