iko-uwais

Get ready to dive into the electrifying world of Iko Uwais, the Indonesian powerhouse who has redefined action cinema with his jaw-dropping martial arts skills, intense performances, and dedication to fight choreography. From the streets of Jakarta to the biggest Hollywood blockbusters, Iko Uwais has carved a unique path, becoming a global icon for action enthusiasts.

Quick Facts: Iko Uwais

Bio/Wiki
Name Uwais Qorny
Nick-name Iko Uwais
Sex Male
Date Of Birth 12 February 1983
Age (as of 2024) 41 Years
Ethnicity Betawi (Indonesian)
Profession / Occupation Actor, Stuntman, Martial Artist, Fight Choreographer
Mother Tongue Indonesian
Religion Islam
Nationality Indonesian
Zodiac Sign Aquarius
Family and Relatives
Father Mustofa Kamaluddin
Mother Maisyaroh Kamaluddin
Brothers Not Publicly Known
Sisters Not Publicly Known
Personal Life
Marital Status Married
Wife Audy Item (Singer, m. 2012)
Daughters Atreya Syahla Putri Uwais, Aneska Layla Putri Uwais
Sons None
Girlfriend N/A
Affairs None Known
Physical Stats & More
Height in Centimeters 168 cm
Height in Meters 1.68 m
Height in Feet Inches 5' 6"
Weight Approx. 68 kg (150 lbs)
Body Measurement (Approx.) Chest: 40 inches, Waist: 32 inches, Biceps: 14 inches
Chest Size 40 inches
Waist Size 32 inches
Biceps Size 14 inches
Body Type Athletic, Lean Muscular
Eye Color Dark Brown
Hair Color Black
Education School and Colleges
Education Qualification High School Graduate (Details not widely publicized)
School Not Publicly Known
College N/A
University N/A
Career
Debut TV (List till 2024) Wu Assassins (2019) - Main Role
Fistful of Vengeance (2022) - TV Film (Netflix)
Debut Movie (List till 2024) Merantau (2009)
The Raid (2011)
The Raid 2 (2014)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Headshot (2016)
Beyond Skyline (2017)
Mile 22 (2018)
The Night Comes for Us (2018)
Stuber (2019)
Triple Threat (2019)
Snake Eyes (2021)
Expend4bles (2023)
Awards Various Indonesian Movie Awards (e.g., for The Raid, Headshot)
International recognition for action choreography and performance.
Achievements Pioneered global recognition for Indonesian action cinema and Pencak Silat.
Successfully transitioned to Hollywood productions.
Favorite Things and Hobby
Color Blue, Black
Food Indonesian cuisine (e.g., Nasi Goreng, Sate)
Movie Action films, Martial arts classics (e.g., Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan movies)
Actor Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen
Actress Not Widely Publicized
Director Gareth Evans
Sport Pencak Silat, Football (Soccer)
Hobby Practicing Pencak Silat, Spending time with family, Gaming
Animal Not Widely Publicized
Money Factor
Net Worth (Approx. as of 2024) $4 - $5 Million USD
Salary Varies per project
Social Media
Instagram @iko.uwais
Facebook Iko Uwais Official Page (or similar official presence)
Twitter (X) @iko_uwais

Who is Iko Uwais?

Born Uwais Qorny on February 12, 1983, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Iko Uwais is an actor, stuntman, fight choreographer, and master of the traditional Indonesian martial art, Pencak Silat. His professional name, Iko Uwais, is how the world has come to know this dynamic performer. Named after the 7th-century Islamic figure Owais al-Qarani, Iko's connection to martial arts runs deep – his grandfather, H. Achmad Bunawar, was a Silat master and founded his own Silat school.

The Journey to Stardom: From Driver to Action Hero

Iko-uwais-the-journey-to-stardom-from-driver-to-action-hero

Iko's life took a dramatic turn in 2007. While working as an operational driver for an Indonesian telecom company, he was discovered by Welsh director Gareth Evans. Evans was filming a documentary about Silat at Iko's training hall and was immediately struck by Uwais's natural charisma and undeniable screen presence.

This fateful meeting led to Iko being cast in the lead role of Evans' first martial arts film, Merantau (2009). To prepare for the role of a young Minang man, Uwais learned the Minang style of Silat Harimau (tiger style). Merantau was a critical success, winning Best Film at ActionFest 2010 and putting Iko Uwais on the map.

The Raid: A Game-Changer

The collaboration between Iko Uwais and Gareth Evans reached new heights with The Raid (2011) (released as The Raid: Redemption in the US). This brutal, relentless action film was hailed by critics and audiences worldwide as one of the best martial arts movies in years. Iko's portrayal of rookie cop Rama, fighting his way through a high-rise full of criminals, showcased his incredible fighting prowess and acting ability.

He reprised his role in the equally acclaimed sequel, The Raid 2 (2014), further cementing his status as a premier action star.

Hollywood and International Recognition

Iko-uwais-hollywood-and-international-recognition

Iko's talent didn't go unnoticed by Hollywood. He made his Hollywood debut with a role in Keanu Reeves' directorial venture, Man of Tai Chi (2013). Fans were thrilled to see him make a cameo appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) alongside his The Raid 2 co-stars Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman. Interestingly, director J.J. Abrams also asked him to choreograph a lightsaber fight, though it was ultimately deemed too violent for the film.

His international career continued to flourish with roles in:

  • Headshot (2016)
  • Beyond Skyline (2017) (also action choreographer)
  • Mile 22 (2018) (also co-fight choreographer) alongside Mark Wahlberg
  • The Night Comes for Us (2018) (also action coordinator), a brutal and celebrated Netflix action film
  • Triple Threat (2019), teaming up with other martial arts stars like Tony Jaa and Scott Adkins
  • The action-comedy Stuber (2019) alongside Kumail Nanjiani and Dave Bautista
  • The Netflix series Wu Assassins (2019–22), where he played the lead role of Kai Jin, also serving as a producer and lead fight choreographer. He reprised this role in the follow-up film Fistful of Vengeance (2022).
  • Snake Eyes (2021) as Hard Master in the G.I. Joe spin-off.
  • Expend4bles (2023) as the primary antagonist.

What's Next for Iko Uwais?

The action doesn't stop for Iko Uwais. He's set to appear in the sci-fi thriller Ash, directed by Flying Lotus, and will star in Skyline: Warpath. Excitingly, in January 2025, Iko announced the launch of his own film production company, Uwais Pictures. The company's first project will be Iko's directorial debut, Timur, a film dramatizing the Mapenduma hostage crisis, in which he will also star. Other announced projects include The Bellhop and Chinatown Express.

Personal Life

Iko-uwais-personal-life

Off-screen, Iko Uwais married Indonesian singer Audy Item on June 25, 2012. The couple has two daughters, Atreya Syahla Putri Uwais and Aneska Layla Putri Uwais.

Iko Uwais: A True Martial Arts Cinematic Force

Iko Uwais has brought a raw intensity and authenticity to the action genre, popularizing Pencak Silat on a global scale. His dedication to his craft, both in front of and behind the camera as a choreographer, ensures that audiences are always in for a thrilling experience.

Key Filmography Highlights:

  • Merantau (2009) - Yuda
  • The Raid (2011) - Rama (also action choreographer)
  • Man of Tai Chi (2013) - Gilang Sanjaya
  • The Raid 2 (2014) - Rama/Yuda (also fight choreographer)
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) - Razoo Qin-Fee (Cameo)
  • Headshot (2016) - Ishmael/Abdi
  • Mile 22 (2018) - Li Noor (also co-fight choreographer)
  • The Night Comes for Us (2018) - Arian (also action coordinator)
  • Stuber (2019) - Oka Tedjo (also action choreographer)
  • Wu Assassins (2019, TV Series) - Kai Jin (Main role, producer, lead fight choreographer)
  • Snake Eyes (2021) - Hard Master
  • Fistful of Vengeance (2022) - Kai Jin
  • Expend4bles (2023) - Suarto Rahmat

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Iko Uwais:

Q1: What is Iko Uwais's real name?

A: Iko Uwais's birth name is Uwais Qorny.

Q2: What martial art does Iko Uwais practice?

A: Iko Uwais is a master of Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art. His grandfather was also a Silat master.

Q3: What was Iko Uwais's breakout film?

A: While Merantau (2009) introduced him to audiences, his role as Rama in The Raid (2011) is widely considered his breakout performance that garnered international acclaim.

Q4: Has Iko Uwais been in any Hollywood movies?

A: Yes, Iko Uwais has appeared in several Hollywood and international films, including Man of Tai Chi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Mile 22, Stuber, Snake Eyes, and Expend4bles.

Q5: Is Iko Uwais involved in fight choreography?

A: Absolutely! Iko Uwais is not only a talented actor and martial artist but also a skilled fight choreographer. He has choreographed or co-choreographed fight scenes in many of his films, including The Raid series, Mile 22, and Wu Assassins.

Q6: What are some of Iko Uwais's upcoming projects?

A: Iko Uwais is set to star in the sci-fi thriller Ash and Skyline: Warpath. He has also launched his own production company, Uwais Pictures, and will direct and star in its first film, Timur.

Q7: Is Iko Uwais married?
A: Yes, Iko Uwais married Indonesian singer Audy Item in 2012, and they have two daughters.

We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the career of the incredible Iko Uwais! What's your favorite Iko Uwais movie or fight scene? Let us know in the comments below! full-width

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