Boxing, Blockbusters, and Bruce Lee: Lee Charles Shares His Journey

PUBLISHED 3 OCT 2025

Lee Charles on Fighting, Film, and Never Giving Up

At the South West Martial Arts Show, Inside Ninjutsu sat down with actor and martial artist Lee Charles for an inspiring conversation about life on and off the screen. Known for his fight work in major films alongside Hollywood legends, Lee shared insights into his intense training regime, his experiences working with action icons, and the values that keep him grounded — especially the importance of family. Between the buzz of the event, where he also delivered a dynamic movie fighting workshop, Lee opened up about the mindset that took him from the ring to the big screen.

Inside Ninjutsu (IN): How does it feel to be at the South West Martial Arts Show?

Lee Charles (LC): Yeah, it's great. I mean, obviously, I've known Claire and Ollie for many years now, and we're close friends, and I'll always support this event, and it's good to see so many people in the martial arts community come out and share their experience and get involved with each other. And it's good to see the younger generation coming through as well.

I think over the last few years martial arts has been rehighlighted back into society and more people are starting to get involved. It's good they can see some of the older guys that have been around for many, many years, learn about the history of martial arts in Britain, really, with these guys — Steve Rowe, Master Sken — and I think it's important that they know the heritage behind the martial arts and why we're here, really.

IN: What does your martial arts training look like at the moment?

LC: Martial arts wise, well, for me, I still do my boxing, my kickboxing, I do jiu-jitsu. Obviously, working in the movie industry now, I probably train harder now than I did when I was competing. When I was fighting, it was a different type of training. It's not as focused on wanting to go out and win a belt or get in there. So yeah, I mean, I'm up at half 3 every day.

I get in the gym for 4, train, I go boxing at 10:00, I do jiu-jitsu at 1:00 p.m. So yeah, I'm a busy guy even on my days off. When you're competing, you're having to train for a duration of time where it's so many rounds and so many things over a period of time. Whereas when you're on film, it's like all day, every day. It's non-stop. You have to be physically fit, depending on the role. You have to be either in shape or out of shape, depending on what type of character they want you to play.

In Gangs of London, I had to put two stone on for that role. We filmed that scene for seven days, 12 hours a day. The intensity for that is completely different. But it's the mindset. The mindset's different. I prepare myself to go on screen exactly the same way I used to when I used to fight. I have the same build up, the same thing to get my head switched on.

They're both very similar but very different at the same time. I'm very fortunate to do what I do now. I'm very fortunate for the journey that martial arts has took me on — from being a young kid that was obsessed with Bruce Lee to go on to work in Hollywood and to be working with the likes of Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, and Sylvester Stallone is beyond your dreams.

IN: What's it like working on Hollywood movies?

LC: Yeah. I mean, for me, I am a massive film nerd. I'm a big nerd. I say this all the time. I'm really into films. I've been into films since I was a young boy. I worked in a video shop when I was 13. It was probably illegal, but back in the 80s, early 90s, we got away with those things.

I was fortunate enough to now go on to do that. And when I met Stallone, I was like a kid in a sweet shop. It was like Christmas Eve. It was like Santa had come. This guy, whose movies had such a big influence and effect on my life, gave me inspiration and attributed to who I’ve become today, just like Bruce Lee did, just like Jackie Chan did, just like Arnold Schwarzenegger did.

Getting to work with these guys and see the whole process — it's the best job in the world. It really is the best job in the world. And getting to see that finished product up on the big screen — I've been fortunate enough now that I've done a couple of movies. I've been able to take my son to see them without telling him I'm in them. When he sees his dad come on the screen, whenever I was in Fast 10 with John Cena and Jason Momoa, it blows his mind.

It's nice to think that long after I'm gone, there's still going to be that there for people to say, “That was my dad or that was my granddad.” I think leaving that legacy behind will always be something I'll be grateful for.

IN: What is it like being a role model?

LC: Since my little boy came into my life, all I've ever wanted to do was do him proud. As hard as it is being away and doing the things I do, it makes me fortunate enough to be able to give him these experiences and for him to take from me that — I grew up on a council estate and there's nothing that's not achievable if you put your mind to it.

I'm a firm believer that anyone can do anything they want, but you have to work for it. You have to put in that effort. You have to put in that desire. You have to have that hard work. If you're willing to do those things day after day, if you're willing to take losses day after day, and you're willing to readapt and change that mindset, eventually you're going to go on to win.

There's only so many times you can lose before eventually that page turns and you start getting those wins and things start to become positive for you. I was like that with my fighting. I wasn't the greatest fighter. I just got good at not getting beat. And I have that attitude. You get good at not doing the bad things, then you start doing the good things, and you become successful. You start getting things.