The action film genre is not dead, but it has transformed. Whereas in the 1980s and 1990s, the main focus was on the central character, their ability to fight on screen or flex their muscles, now technology and skilled directing have taken over. An actor may not have serious martial arts skills, but on screen he will fight dozens of enemies. He may not have military training, but he will look as convincing as possible in the role of a special forces soldier. In the past, we saw real world karate champions in the lead roles, but now it could be someone who has had two weeks of training with an instructor. This is neither good nor bad in itself — it’s just that times are changing, as Bob Dylan sang.
But today we will remember that golden generation of old-school action stars from the 80s and 90s. Of course, not all of the fifty actors presented here were professional fighters or bodybuilders, but in those harsh times, you had to look very convincing on screen, otherwise the audience simply wouldn’t go to see you. Some of the actors are still active, while others have long since retired. Let’s remember the former legends of the action film industry and see what they look like now, and at the same time try to find out what they have been doing lately. Not all of the ‘now’ photos are the most recent — some may be two or five years old — but we will still try to reconstruct the picture of “then” and ‘now’ as much as possible. We invite you to ride the waves of sweet nostalgia for times thirty or even forty years ago.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
The top ten is much more obvious — these people are still in the game. There is no need to remind you what Iron Arnie looks like — we still go to the cinema to see his films.
Jackie Chan
Jackie is indestructible, both creatively and in terms of performing the most difficult stunts himself. Despite his advanced age, Chan is still active and manages to participate in truly interesting projects, such as the relatively recent action/thriller The Foreigner with Pierce Brosnan.
Sylvester Stallone
Sly will only leave the screen when his ashes are scattered over the ocean. The Rocky, Rambo, and Expendables franchises will live forever — with Stallone himself at the centre of the narrative. And the best part is that, from time to time, these are still very intelligent films.
Chuck Norris
An icon and an indestructible internet meme who is unaffected by the passage of time or changes in the industry. His appearances in films in recent years have been cameos and wonderfully self-deprecating, as befits a true legend with a rational mind and a healthy sense of humour.
Dolph Lundgren
The Swedish giant periodically finds a second wind, whether it’s a new reincarnation of the Rocky saga (and Ivan Drago) or new achievements in the form of Aquaman. Lundgren’s physique is enviable (which is what we’re all busy doing).
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Despite all his problems with drugs, alcohol, fame and accepting his new reality, Jean-Claude is still relevant — both in nostalgic projects like The Expendables and in old-school trash like the Kickboxer remake.
Bruce Willis
Bruce has lost his status as a top-tier star, but he has no intention of leaving the screen. What’s more, from time to time, worthwhile projects still come along.
Wesley Snipes
The star of Passenger 57, Demolition Man, Blade and The Expendables, has experienced every imaginable high and low, including a prison sentence for tax evasion, but it seems that Wesley Snipes is not so easily broken.
Bolo Yeung
One of the main villains of action films, not even from the 80s and 90s, but from the 70s (he starred alongside Bruce Lee, among others), no longer acts (after all, he is too old). But his legacy is so impressive that it seems as if he never left.
Don ‘Dragon’ Wilson
Dragon is still active, albeit in fairly low-budget films (such as Alexander Nevsky’s Manila Showdown). On the other hand, in the 80s and 90s, he also starred in films that were not exactly timeless classics. Nevertheless, all fans of kickboxing and good old B-grade trash remember and love this actor, who has a real serious background (which helps him still look convincing on screen).