Since Hollywood's birth, action has remained one of the most popular genres. A major reason for this is that action movies are easier for casual audiences to chew on than other genres. Consequently, actors that star in the movies tend to be recognized all around the globe.
However, there are a couple of talented action stars that remain underrated. These actors either aren’t as prominent as they should be or are never offered the leading roles they deserve. Whether the fortunes of these actors eventually change remains to be seen, but fans will be hoping that they do.
10 Luke Goss
Death Race, Interview With A Hitman
Consistency is key in the movies business, and British actor Luke Goss has embodied it by starring in at least two movies every year since the turn of the century. The actor has crossed over to the mainstream a couple of times, too but is known chiefly for his B-movie work.
Whether driving post-apocalyptic vehicles as Frankenstein in the Death Race franchise or carrying out mob hits in Interview With A Hitman, Goss has always been good at portraying lean-looking characters that can still beat up everywhere. Most of the actor's movies are characterized by great romance subplots, but his efforts as both a lover and fighter remain unrecognized in the mainstream.
9 Maggie Q
Nikita, Designated Survivor,
Maggie Q is known by many thanks to her lead roles in TV shows such as Nikita and Designated Survivor, as well as Mission: Impossible III. Given her strong resume, many would expect her to appear in big-budget projects regularly, but that hasn’t been the case.
Whether her career trajectory is self-controlled or tied to industry forces isn’t clear, but fans would love to see her obliterate baddies as frequently as she did in her former TV shows and movies. After all, there’s still a major shortage of A-list female action stars, a problem Hollywood has had for decades.
8 Michelle Rodriguez
Fast & Furious, Resident Evil
For many actors, it’s a dream to become part of one of Hollywood’s most popular franchises, but for Michelle Rodriguez, this has somehow limited her. The actor’s fame stems from her performances in the Fast & Furious end Resident Evil franchises, where she has mostly been overshadowed by the bigger names that get the lead roles.
Because she only takes up supporting roles in the franchises, Rodriguez rarely gets to have solo interviews or magazine cover appearances. However, she has consistently proven she can kick ass, especially through her character, Letty. Additionally, she is one of the few actors who are great drivers, which is a plus in action movies.
7 John Woon
Carter
Woon is one of the few actors who started out in other genres before graduating into action. Initially known for his work in some of the best K-dramas, the actor recently switched to ass-kicking roles, where he has received some praise, especially for his recent performance in Carter.
Woon’s recent project has more action sequences and stunts than any other action movie in the last few decades. This proves he has enough gas in the tank to handle heavy workloads. Unfortunately, the Korena actor hasn’t received enough global recognition for his incredible performance in Carter. However, this will change if the actor keeps appearing in similar high-octane films.
6 Frank Grillo
Lamborghini, Billions
Many action stars are accused of lacking proper acting skills, but Grillo can pull off a great performance. In an attempt to gain mainstream recognition, the actor keeps trying everything, from playing a Vincent van Gogh type of artist in Billions to starring in biographical dramas like Lamborghini. Still, the bulk of his work is in B-movies in the action genre.
Grillo not only deserves to be lauded for his ability to punch but also for his prolific nature. For example, he appeared in 8 films in 2022 alone, a figure that some actors take up to a decade to match. Judging him by his high output level, coupled with the fact that he isn’t choosy about roles, it’s clear that he will keep throwing until something sticks.
5 Iko Uwais
The Raid, Snake Eyes, Wu Assassins
Since he starred in The Raid and its sequel in the early 2010s, Indonesian actor Iko Uwais was touted as the next big thing. It wasn’t hard to see why, as some of the fight sequences he was involved in were way more impressive than anything done by the greatest-ever action stars.
Unfortunately, the big Hollywood break never came since projects he was cast in, such as Wu Assassins and Snake Eyes, ended up flopping. Still, all hope is not lost for Uwais as the actor is set to appear in Expendables 4. Working alongside Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham might be what he needs to catapult himself to superstardom.
4 Michael Jai White
Spawn, Arrow
Movie fights tend to be more believable when the actors actually have martial arts skills, and that’s something that Michael Jai White can boast of. The actor is an expert in 9 different martial arts disciplines and also serves as an instructor.
To casual fans, White is more known as the mobster who got his cheeks sliced by the Joker as he asked one of the most iconic movie questions: “Why so serious?” But the actor has been the one who gets to beat baddies most of the time. He has starred in other superhero projects, notably Spawn and Arrow.
3 Danny Trejo
Predators, Machete
Trejo’s case is baffling because he has starred in hundreds of movies and is unlikely to go unrecognized in the streets but is rarely considered an A-list star like Keanu Reeves or Tom Cruise. It presumably doesn’t bother the actor, and in 2022 alone, he appeared in a whopping 17 direct-to-video movies.
Such a level of hard work is truly inspiring, and fans will hope he keeps at it for years to come. Still, it could be argued that his decision to take up so many B-movies is what has prevented him from being thought of as an A-list star. Despite that, no one should question his preference to keep earning in whatever way is available.
2 Scott Adkins
Avengement, Accident Man, Undisputed
To genre fans, Scott Adkins is no strange face. Despite not being an A-lister, he is generally considered one of the greatest in the action space. Like Michael J White, he is also a real-life martial arts expert, making him a worthy hire in movies with limited budgets for stunt performers.
Adkins’ performances as the kickboxer Yuri Boyka in the Undisputed franchise remain legendary. The actor has had numerous supporting roles in major movies and is set to appear in John Wick: Chapter 4. Still, fans wonder why he has never been chosen as the leading man in a Holywood action blockbuster.
1 Gerard Butler
300, Greenland, Olympus Has Fallen
Butler has little to complain about except that critics seem to hate whatever project he makes. The action star has had a seesaw of a career, appearing in both blockbusters and forgettable B-movies. Despite his vast body of work, he is always left out of the “greatest actors” conversation.
Luckily, like many other actors on the list, Butler never sits around and waits for recognition. Most importantly, he produces most of his own movies, ensuring creative control. This has allowed him to be consistent with his output, too, and as such, his fans never miss out on a couple of projects to enjoy every year.