Scott Adkins Biography
Aside from his action-packed films, Scott has showcased his
versatility as an actor. Despite injuries during filming, he adapted
his roles to accommodate his physical condition and excelled in
gunfights and straight acting roles, proving his ability to succeed
in various genres.
And he loves it: “I make films for the 16-year-old in myself
sometimes.”
Scott Adkins' martial arts skills have earned him comparisons to
action heroes of previous generations, and he believes in pushing
the boundaries of what is possible in martial arts cinema. With
his lightning-fast moves and dynamic style, Scott continues to
raise the bar and amaze audiences worldwide.
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall, Scott possesses a
commanding presence on screen, captivating viewers with his
physicality and charisma. In terms of weight, he maintains a
physique between 12.9 to 13.5 stone (82-86 kilograms), a
testament to his dedication to fitness and martial arts training.
Born on June 17th, 1976, in Sutton Coldfield, England, Scott
Edward Adkins is a powerhouse in the world of action films.
Growing up in a family with a butchery business, Scott's childhood
was anything but ordinary. Alongside his brother Craig, under the
care of their loving parents John and Janet Adkins, Scott developed
a passion for sports and athleticism from an early age. Little did
he know that this passion would propel him to become one of the
most acclaimed martial artists in the film industry.
Scott is married to Lisa Adkins and they have two children
together. Their daughter Carmel was born in 2011 and their son
Joshua Jack was born in 2018. About his family Scott said in 2023:
“I love you so much Lisa and our beautiful kids Carmel & Joshua.
This business forces you to spend so much time away from your
loved ones, it can be difficult but I love you guys with all my heart
and couldn’t do it without you!”
““I can pretty much say that because of Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude
Van Damme, that’s why I do what I do today.”
Scott's journey into martial arts began at the age of 10 when he started training in Judo with his father and
brother. Inspired by legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jean-Claude Van Damme: “My bedroom was
plastered with pictures of Van Damme. My mother was worried about me. Most teenage boys have half-naked
women on their walls, and I had Jean-Claude.”
He dedicated himself to daily training, transforming his dad's garage into a personal dojo adorned with a
shrine dedicated to Bruce Lee. As he honed his skills, Scott delved into various disciplines such as Tae Kwon
Do, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Ninjitsu, Judo, Jiujitsu, and Karate, all of which would later influence his on-screen
performances.
While Scott is known for his action-packed roles, his acting career began with appearances on British TV
shows. As a self-proclaimed "film junkie," he felt drawn to the silver screen and enrolled in a drama class.
Although he had to leave a prestigious drama academy due to financial constraints, fate had bigger plans for
him. He was offered a role in a Hong Kong martial arts film called 'Extreme Challenge,' where he worked with
renowned action directors like Yeun Wo Ping, Cory Yeun, Sammo Hung, and Jackie Chan. From there, his
acting career gained momentum, with guest appearances on popular British TV shows and regular roles in
others.
Scott's breakthrough came with his portrayal of the villainous Russian MMA underground fighter 'Boyka' in
the film 'Undisputed II.' The movie was hailed as one of the best American-made martial arts films,
showcasing Scott's awe-inspiring fight scenes and undeniable talent.
For the Undisputed films, Scott trained extensively to get into great shape and build muscle: “Whenever you’re
looking at new ways to get in shape, first yo have to decide what you want. Do you want a more muscular look, or
do you want to slim down and appear more toned and ripped? I adapt my training and diet with each role I do,
depending on the image I want to convey.”
This role opened doors for him, leading to guest-starring roles in bigger-budget films such as 'The Bourne
Ultimatum,' 'The Tournament,' and 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine.' Scott's reputation as a martial arts virtuoso
continued to grow as he secured lead roles in films like 'Ninja' and 'Undisputed III: Redemption,' reprising his
role as Uri Boyka.
Scott's remarkable martial arts prowess sets him apart, and he often performs his own stunts in movies.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with acclaimed action heroes and shared the screen with Jean-
Claude Van Damme in multiple films. Notably, in 'The Expendables II,' he had the opportunity to work
alongside action legends Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, solidifying his status as a rising star
in the genre.
Now that we've mentioned the names Van Damme and Schwarzenegger, who are all action heroes, we can
observe that the style in Scott Adkins' films is much more violent and intense:
“I do find violence entertaining, but that doesn’t make me a bad person. I grew up watching all these action films
when I was a kid. My dad would bring back ‘Rambo’ and whatever, and we’d watch it together. It’s not affected me in
any way other than I just appreciate the entertainment value of violence on film.”
Passionate, driven, and grounded, Scott Adkins has forged a
deep connection with his fans, earning him a reputation as a
modern-day warrior. His extraordinary talent and
unwavering commitment have solidified his status as one of
the best in the industry, leaving audiences eagerly
anticipating his next feat of action and performance.
In recent years, Scott Adkins has continued to make a name
for himself in the action film industry. Notably, he joined the
cast of John Wick Chapter 4. Additionally, Scott has his own
YouTube series called 'Art of Action,' where he shares training
tips, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive content with
his fans. You can find the videos on this site.
With each new project and collaboration, Scott Adkins proves
himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the action film
industry. His talent, dedication, and growing fan base
position him as one of the most exciting and sought-after
performers in the genre. Fans eagerly anticipate his
upcoming projects as he continues to captivate audiences
worldwide.
Scott Adkins World 2017 - 2025
Scott has worked with an impressive list of renowned film actors. We have already mentioned Arnold
Schwarzenegger and Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone. But the list is long and includes names
such as: Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan, Bruce Willis, Kevin Costner, Matt Damon, Michael Jai White,
Jason Statham, Tony Jaa, and Michael Jai White. And recently Keanu Reeves is added to this impressive list.
Scott: “I personally think a fight scene is the most cinematic thing you can witness because all the elements of
filmmaking come together, you know, with the camera speed changes, editing, make up effects and general smoke and
mirrors of trying to make it look like you are hitting someone when you’re not. It’s filmmaking in it’s purest form, I
think.”
Scott with his wife Lisa
and kids in Walt Disney World, 2023