14. Steven Seagal
Seagal trained extensively in Aikido and became one of the first Americans to operate an Aikido dojo in Japan. Unlike many action stars, he had legitimate martial arts credentials before entering Hollywood, which helped him stand out in movies during the late 1980s and 1990s.
His early films like Above the Law, Hard to Kill, and Under Siege showcased a very different fighting style from the flashy kicks common in action movies at the time. His techniques focused more on joint locks, throws, and close-range control.
That said, Seagal’s real-world fighting reputation is heavily debated. Some martial artists respect his Aikido background, while others criticize exaggerated stories surrounding his abilities and effectiveness in actual combat situations. Unlike people such as Chuck Norris or Jean-Claude Van Damme, Seagal was not known for major competitive fighting accomplishments.