You see stars like Bruce Willis and Jason Statham kick butt on the big screen all the time. But have you ever wondered if they could throw down in real life? We do. So we did a little research and assembled a list of 5 actors who can kick butt in real life.

Before we get started, we have to explain our selection process. Any actor who was a boxer/martial artist before he/she became a movie star is disqualified. (i.e.: Chuck Norris, Steven Segal, etc.) Any actor who played a boxer on screen is also DQed. Why? Because we want actors who learned to kick butt on their own and not for a role. (Sorry, Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Denzel, Stallone and DeNiro.)

That being said we probably missed a bunch of actors who can throw down in real life. If you think of any leave a comment and let us know!

1. Ed O’Neill
Today he’s known as the lovable family patriarch on “Modern Family”. Before that he was the one and only Al Bundy. But did you know Ed O’Neill is also quite good at jiu-jitsu? It’s true! In fact, he was awarded his black belt in BJJ by Rorion Gracie back in 1997. If that wasn’t enough, O’Neill also played football at Youngstown State and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. So he knows how to lay people out as well. Check out video of Ed O’Neill receiving his black belt below.

2. Adam Carolla
Before he had the #1 podcast in all the land and way before he was the co-host of The “Man Show” and “Loveline”, Carolla was a certified boxing instructor. In fact, he first met Jimmy Kimmel when Kimmel needed boxing lessons for a radio stunt. Carolla boxed some Golden Gloves as a teen and made a semi-autobiographical movie titled “The Hammer”. (Check out the trailer below.) Recently, Carolla gave Mayhem Miller some boxing pointers. Afterwards, Mayhem said Carolla is a beast of a boxer. Like O’Neill, Carolla was also a good football player and was offered several college scholarships.

3. John Cusack
Remember that scene in “Say Anything…” where Lloyd Dobbler calls kickboxing “the spot of the future”? Well, it seems Cusack really meant it. He’s been kickboxing and sparring since he played Dobbler in 1989! In fact, he often trains with world-champion kickboxer Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. Check out this video of Cusack fighting Urquidez on screen in “Grosse Pointe Blank”.

4. Kevin James
Kevin has been a huge fan of MMA for some time now. In fact, he’s been training with Randy Couture and has become quite good. Not that he needs it. Kevin was a star football player in high school and college. He also was on the same wrestling team as the WWE’s Mick Foley!

5. Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke has been boxing before his movie career even started. So, you may say we’re violating our own selection rules here. But not many people realize he was a boxer, so we’re letting slide. Anyway, from 1964 to 1972 he compiled an amateur record of 20 wins, 17 by knockout and 6 defeats, which included wins over Ron Carter, Charles Gathers and Joe Riles. He also holds a professional record of 6 wins, 0 losses and 2 draws. That’s nothing to sneeze at! There are a bunch of videos of Mickey in action on YouTube. Check ‘em out!

Disagree with out choices? Know someone else who should be on the list? Leave a comment and let us know!