A Jason Statham impersonator has revealed how he’s often stopped on the street by fans of the celebrity – after spending 27 years working as a financial advisor.
Jason Stanly, 52, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, looks so much like the action star that he has amassed nearly one million followers on TikTok @the_statham_guy.
The former financial advisor – who has since made a career from portraying the A-lister for photos, films and guest appearances at live events – admitted that the best part of the job is helping huge Statham fans get ‘the next best thing’.
He said: ‘Pretty much on a daily basis when out in public I will have someone either tell me how much I look like Statham or they playfully ask if I’m his long lost brother.
‘When the beard stubble is darkened and I’m wearing my hazel coloured contact lenses or sporting the sunglasses, then I really turn some heads.
‘This is really when I get most of the requests to take photos and some do ask if I’m really the action star. I’m always game to make sure folks walk away with a cool photo and a smile.
‘For fun, I usually encourage people who ask for a photo to send it to the biggest Statham fan they know to see how long they can fool them or make them jealous for a bit.’
Jason worked as an insurance broker and financial advisor for 27 years before deciding he wanted to follow his passion and become an actor.
He said: ‘With so many film productions near my hometown, I was fortunate that it was fairly easy to get involved. So, I connected with the local casting companies and started doing background work as an extra.
‘This began in early 2011 and I quickly learned about the film business and made some really great friends in the process.’
However he admitted that every single time he stepped onto a film set, other actors and production crews would ask if he was Jason Statham’s stand-in.
He explained: ‘On one set in particular, a handful of crew members were convinced that Statham must be making a surprise cameo and that I was undoubtedly there as his photo double.
‘Sean Connery’s son, Jason Connery, directed a film in my hometown called The Philly Kid and when I walked on set to shake his hand he looked at me, looked down at the call sheet, and then shook my hand with a big smile so I knew I must have fooled him pretty good.’
Jason (pictured) looks so much like the action star that he has amassed nearly one million followers on TikTok @the_statham_guy and often gets stopped on the street by Statham fans
Actor Jason Statham (pictured) donned a smart grey suit as he attended the Spy New York Premiere in 2015
Jason (pictured left) revealed that every single time he stepped onto a film set, other actors and production crews would ask if he was Jason Statham’s (pictured right) stand-in
However Jason credited his mother as the first person to notice his resemblance to the The Expendables actor.
He said: ‘We were watching The Transporter on DVD at her house on the big screen and she called it on the spot. Obviously, it wasn’t until years later when I decided to listen to mum and run with it.’
Jason admitted when he first started in the film industry he didn’t ‘necessarily want to ride the coattails of a celebrity’ as he wanted to show off his own range and skills as a versatile actor.
However he admitted that he couldn’t turn down the fun opportunities that presented themselves.
The former financial advisor admitted that the best part of the job is helping huge Statham fans get ‘the next best thing’
Jason explained: ‘The doors that have opened for me on all levels of entertainment have been amazing and I continue to shamelessly embrace the opportunities.
‘I continue to receive validation for the skills of impersonating Statham when well-known actors that I’ve met get a kick out of seeing a southern boy from the US turn on a gravely Cockney accent with attitude.’
There is no job too big or small for the impersonator who has starred in films as Statham’s character such as a Hunger Games spoof called The Starving Games.
But there has also been some strange job requests as he previously was hired as the best man at a wedding.
He said: ‘I would have to say that the strangest job I’ve done as an impersonator thus far was booking a gig through a great service called GigSalad.
‘A sweet lady and her husband hired me and my Stallone impersonator pal to be an integral part of their wedding and reception.
Jason was hired as an impersonator along with a Sylvester Stallone impersonator for someone’s wedding
Jason Stanly was pictured with guests at a Hollywood event alongside his pal who is also a Sylvester Stallone impersonator
There is no job too big or small for the impersonator who has starred in films as Statham’s character such as a Hunger Games spoof called The Starving Games
Jason also receives daily requests for video greetings as a Jason Statham impersonator via Cameo and Memmo
‘Sly read the vows and Statham was the best man! It turned out to be a lot of fun but was definitely a unique request.’
Jason admitted he is yet to meet the Wrath of Man actor but he looks forward to crossing paths with him in the future.
‘While doing photo double work for him and his team, I was on set a few times so he did not have to be while they set up wide shots and filmed some B-roll footage.
‘I hope to meet him soon and I have some connections in the industry who are trying to make that happen for me.’
Jason said celebrity impersonators and lookalikes make anywhere from just $1000 [£830] to over $200,000 [£160,000] a year.
He said: ‘As with any craft, it can take years to benefit financially in a meaningful way as an actor or celebrity impersonator.
‘A lot of the ups and downs are dependent upon the status of the celebrity that you are impersonating, your own talent level, and your ability to market yourself and procure the jobs.’
