15 Celebrities Who Hold Black Belts in Martial Arts

Every celebrity has a black belt, but one designed by Versace or Louis Vuitton doesn’t count. Only a handful of the world’s most famous celebrities are strong and dedicated enough to hold a black belt in martial arts. It’s the highest level one can reach in the arts, and it’s a prestigious honor that shows the world just how hard you’ve worked and how dedicated you’ve been to the craft. There aren’t many celebrities with a black belt, but the ones who hold them might surprise you. Read on to find out 15 famous celebs with a black belt.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar

Buffy the Vampire Slayer worked hard to defeat those irritating vamps before they should suck the blood right out of all her friends and family, and she has a black belt to prove it. Sarah Michelle Gellar is trained in taekwondo, a form of martial arts that is not only difficult to master, but great for your body. If you’ve ever wondered what she does to stay in such amazing shape throughout the years, now you have your answer. In short, Sarah Michelle Gellar doesn’t rock only onscreen; she does it in real life, too.

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Sean Connery

You know him from some of the most famous movies in the world, including all those great James Bond flicks. Sean Connery always seems to play a big, bad, awesome character that no one wants to mess with in his movies. That’s because he’s like that in real life, too. He’s trained with a black belt in Kyokushin karate, a very difficult form of the sport. It’s not an easy process to obtain a black belt in this form of karate. What it is, however, is great for his health and his body. He’s getting older, but doesn’t seem to have let himself go.

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Prince Albert of Monaco

It might come as a surprise to most people to know that the Prince of Monaco has a black belt in judo, but he does. He doesn’t exactly look like someone strong enough to obtain a black belt, but apparently he is. He’s worked very hard to obtain his black belt, and he’s dedicated to the arts. He allegedly practices regularly, employing this as his primary form of exercise. It’s almost a shame he has so many body guards that we will probably never get to see him actually put his karate skills to good use.

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Jean-Claude Van Damme

He’s one of the most famous action stars in the world, so it really should not surprise anyone to see that he’s a black belt in martial arts. He obtained his black belt through shotokan karate. He’s employed some of the moves in his many action movies, though he makes everything he does physically look effortless. In addition to this particular form of karate, Van Damme is also a fan of kickboxing and several other forms of martial arts. He’s been practicing for decades, which is how he stays in such great shape as he gets older.

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Ed O’Neill

So, okay, he doesn’t exactly look like someone who practices martial arts. However, everyone’s favorite TV dad (and grandfather) is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His famous wife beater and bad attitude from Married with Children and his sarcastic personality on Modern Family make us think he might be more of a golfer, or even just a lazy guy, but he’s not. He’s managed to stay in shape practicing martial arts for decades, and he doesn’t look like he’s going to stop now. The actor has a black belt, and he’s not afraid to use it.

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Forest Whitaker

He’s one of the most famous actors in the world, and he’s got a black belt in karate. He doesn’t always play a kick-butt character, he’s also big into serious roles, but when he does he is good at it. His many years practicing karate has taught him self-discipline. He’s an avid fan of working out, and his favorite way to do that is through karate. It’s a form of release for the star, who loves the feeling of strength and power karate provides him. He’s also in great shape, which is just one of the many benefits of the arts.

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Elvis Presley

He’s no longer with us but when he was alive, Elvis was a big fan of Kenpo Karate. It’s a form of karate at which he was so talented he was able to receive a black belt for his hard work. He practiced often, using it as one of his favorite methods of staying in shape when he was performing. He was always able to withstand his practices and his rehearsals thanks to his ability to keep up his momentum. That’s just one of the things that martial arts teaches you. He also practiced taekwondo, though without a black belt.

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Wesley Snipes

Really, did you think you’d get through this list without seeing one of Hollywood’s strongest actors on the list? If there was one person in Hollywood whose bad side I would not want to get on, it’s Wesley Snipes. He’s strong and he has perfected the “look” that induces fear and intimidation. He’s also got a black belt in shotokan karate, which is not an easy method of martial arts to learn. He’s got many years under his belt (his black belt, to be precise) practicing this form of martial arts, and it shows in his strength.

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James Caan

You know him from a little movie by the name, The Godfather. He’s an actor that’s been in several of the most famous movies in the world, and he’s a black belt in karate. He’s spent most of his life practicing this form of martial arts, and it shows. Not only is he always in good shape, he is a pretty healthy guy. It’s been said that he credits his good health and success to his dedication to karate and all that his practice brings into his life.

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Steven Seagal

Even though we don’t see him as often today as we did in the 80s and 90s doesn’t mean he’s not still around. He’s been in a few different movies since his bigger roles in movies such as Under Siege and Above the Law. When he’s not acting and spending time with his loved ones, however, he’s practicing martial arts. He’s always been an expert in martial arts and he’s practiced most of his life. He holds his black belt in a form of martial arts called aikido, which is an intense form that is not simple to master. His body is still strong because of it.

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Vladimir Putin

As one of the most controversial political figures in the world, there’s a bit of apprehension from many to realize that this Russian politician also holds a black belt in a form of martial arts called judo. It’s a fairly popular form of the art, and it’s one that takes a lot of practice. He took up the art in adulthood, and has mastered his black belt, maintaining his practice and training sessions throughout his rule. While most people cannot agree on whether or not he’s an adequate ruler, most people can agree on the fact that he’s good with martial arts.

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Guy Richie

He holds a black belt in Judo, which is not something most people know. He’s a movie director and screenwriter, and the biggest reason you know his name is because he was once husband to Madonna. He became a household name in conjunction with her name, but that doesn’t mean people bothered to learn much about him during their marriage. He’s been practicing much of his life and he also holds a brown belt in another form of karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I wonder if he and Ed O’Neill practice together?

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Sean Patrick Flannery

An avid martial artist, he’s been practicing most of his life. It’s a way for him to stay in great shape, but it’s also something he’s been known to talk about as a great love of his life. We don’t see him much on television anymore, but if you do want to catch a glimpse of this actor, you should check the gym. He’s there all the time practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he holds a black belt. His love of the art is one he speaks often about, and his dedication has allowed him to progress this far.

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Barack Obama

So the President of the United States holds a black belt in taekwondo. He was given the belt by the president of South Korea, and it’s honorary. The president does have a black belt, so we did include him on the list, even though it was given to him without being earned. However, that’s not to say the Potus doesn’t have any martial arts experience. He actually holds a green belt in taekwondo he actually earned through practice when he was younger. It’s not something the bothers with much anymore, seeing he’s just a little bit busy running our country, but he does enjoy the arts.

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Willie Nelson

The country singer doesn’t exactly look like the kind of guy who practices martial arts, but he does. With such a laid back temperament and music that makes you think he’s anything but angry and willing to fight, it’s difficult to see him as someone who practices this particular art. However, all surprise aside, he’s pretty good at it. At least, we assume he is considering he earned a black belt in taekwondo. It’s something he’s done for many years, and he’s even talked about it to the press more than once.

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