Top 10 Action Movie Stars Who Don't Get Enough Credit

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is chock full of tough guys and gals, but Karen Gillan’s performance as Nebula feels particularly lived-in and believable. This is thanks not only to the work Gillan’s put in with the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, but also some of the expanded character arcs explored in other Marvel shows, such as “What If…?” Gillan has also kicked ass apart from the MCU, notably as Amy Pond in the “Doctor Who” franchise, as well as in 2019’s “Stuber” and “Gunpowder Milkshake” from 2021. She’s always a welcome on-screen presence in our book.

That old saying about “never forgetting a face” certainly seems to ring true when it comes to Mark Dacascos. Many viewers probably recognize Dacascos’ handsome features from a variety of different places. Some may point to the action star’s hosting duties on “Iron Chef America,” but old school fans know full well the extent of Dacascos’ ass-kicking abilities. The man’s cinematic career dates back to the early nineties, where Dacascos was discovered in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood. Appearances in cult action films like “Only the Strong” and the big-screen adaptation of the “Double Dragon” video game franchise would follow. Through it all, Mark Dacascos has remained a reliable and charismatic genre film presence.

There’s usually a short list of immediately recognizable names when it comes to the world of action movies. Van Damme and Seagal immediately come to mind, and Dolph Lundgren does too, yet this Swedish star’s public profile never seemed to reach the same heights. Granted, Lundgren will probably always be known for his character of Ivan Drago in the “Rocky” franchise, but the man’s solo vehicles like “Red Scorpion” and “I Come in Peace” remain somewhat underrated. Additionally, Lundgren’s turn as Frank Castle in 1989’s “The Punisher” was a fabulous representation of that character, and we’re always stoked to catch any film featuring this Swedish powerhouse.

The success of 2011’s “The Raid” and its 2014 sequel is due to a lot of moving parts coming together in brilliant fashion. At the center of all that hard work, however, lies the underrated action star Iko Uwais. The man’s movements and on-screen choreography made him a modern legend in both of those “Raid” films, but Uwais refuses to be complacent, and keeps on delivering bangers. The Indonesian native works for both streaming services like Netflix, as well as genre feature productions, delivering the high-octane action goods for anyone smart enough to be paying attention.

Many think of the action movie world as being dominated by male stars, but quite a few women shine here as well. Michelle Rodriguez serves as a true testament to this notion. She’s been a reliable on-screen performer for years, eternally coming across as a true, unflinching badass. Granted, fans have almost come to comic terms with the fact that her characters always seem to suffer a tragic fate. This was even gently needled in the 2023 film “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” Ultimately, however, it doesn’t matter if Michelle Rodriguez’s characters always die, because her badass performances will always live rent-free in our hearts.

Believability and authenticity can often be key when it comes to constructing a proper action movie star. Thankfully, Frank Grillo possesses no difficulty in these departments. This reliable tough guy has rough, handsome features that look carved from stone. He can back up his striking looks with action chops and physicality, to boot. This real-life toughness has assisted Grillo in everything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (where he played Crossbones) to work in the “Purge” franchise and “Zero Dark Thirty.” There’s just no other way to say it: we totally think Frank Grillo can kick our ass, and that’s exactly what we want to see in an action star.

Some of the most underrated action movie stars around are still searching for their definitive character. This doesn’t really apply to the case of Michael Jai White, however, since this NYC native has delivered not one, but two career-defining performances. White first showed up on our collective radar back when he brought Todd McFarlane’s “Spawn” to life on the big screen. That movie may not be perfect, but White was absolutely wonderful in the role. He also brought his enviable charisma to the character of “Black Dynamite” in 2009, a larger-than-life parody of classic Blaxploitation cinema of the 1970s. Michael Jai White never feels pigeonholed beyond these roles, however, and we’re always glad to see him any way we can get him.

The era of the direct-to-video action flick never really went away. It just headed over to streaming. Scott Adkins feels cut from this sort of exploitation cloth, but this isn’t intended as a slight. Instead, we welcome the fact that a Scott Adkins vehicle always hits us in that soft, nostalgic center of our rental store days. We realize that many of his films rely on simple premises, such as revenge, to get us in the door. It’s the Scott Adkins Show from that point on, providing visceral and physical performance that make us wince with every bone-breaking punch or groan-inducing kick. It's a base-level, fudge-for-breakfast sort of enjoyment that always hits the spot.

It’s frankly dizzying how much cinematic gold there is to be mined within the filmography of Cynthia Rothrock. This award-winning martial artist has been working in the genre for decades, earning worldwide acclaim while appearing in Hong Kong productions alongside the likes of Michelle Yeoh. The ‘90s would see Rothrock’s stock rise in insanely enjoyable fare like “Sworn to Justice,” “Undefeatable” and the “China O’Brien” series. She’s still working today, as well, wrapping up production in 2024 for the “dystopian western” film “Black Creek.” Her action performances are always jaw-dropping, while her acting also possesses a warm intimacy that endears her to legions of diehard admirers.

The life story of Danny Trejo is one of international success that was achieved years after overcoming a startling amount of personal adversity. Trejo’s troubled upbringing would eventually land him a stint in jail, after which the actor fell into bit parts and background work. Eventually, however, Trejo’s striking looks and natural charisma would be impossible to deny, and he would go on to earn bigger roles in films like “Marked For Death,” “Blood In Blood Out” and “Heat.” Today, we all know Danny Trejo from “Con Air” or the “Machete” franchise, but it ultimately doesn’t really matter when or where he shows up: audiences are ALWAYS guaranteed a memorable performance.