Iko Uwais transitioned from his role as an operational driver for the Indonesian telecommunications company Esia to become a central figure in international martial arts cinema. After meeting director Gareth Evans in 2007 at his family's silat training hall, he secured a five-year contract that launched his acting and stunt performance career within the global film industry.
Early Background and Silat Training
Born in Jakarta in 1983 to Musthafa and Maisyaroh Kamaluddin, he is known by his birth name, Qorny. His grandfather, H. Achmad Bunawar, established a school dedicated to silat, a traditional martial art. This upbringing provided the technical foundation for his future cinematic work. He takes his name from the 7th-century Islamic figure Owais al-Qarani.
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The 2009 film Merantau marked his acting debut, requiring him to master the Minang style of silat harimau under the guidance of Master Edwel Datuk Rajo Gampo Alam. The project established a successful creative partnership with director Gareth Evans. Following this debut, their subsequent collaboration, The Raid, released in 2012, received widespread international acclaim and helped elevate his profile in the action genre.
International Expansion and Television
His career expanded to include international productions, such as Man of Tai Chi and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In 2018, he secured the lead role of Kai Jin in the Netflix series Wu Assassins, which debuted in 2019. His diverse project list includes Stuber, Headshot, Triple Threat, and the role of Hard Master in Snake Eyes. More recently, he appeared in the 2023 film Expend4bles and joined the cast of the science fiction thriller Ash.
Directing and Production
In January 2025, Uwais launched a production company titled Uwais Pictures. The company focuses on an initial slate of projects that includes Timur, a film based on the Mapenduma hostage crisis. Uwais serves as director and lead actor for this production, representing his first effort in directing.
Fast facts
- Born: 1983, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Notable Works: Merantau, The Raid, The Raid 2
- Television roles: Wu Assassins
- Spouse: Audy Item
- Production company: Uwais Pictures
- Religious affiliation: Islam
Questions readers ask
What martial arts style is he known for?
He is an expert in silat, specifically the Minang style known as silat harimau or tiger style.
Is Iko Uwais still active in the film industry?
Yes, he continues to act and recently established his own film production company, Uwais Pictures, in 2025.
Achievements
- Notable work: Merantau
- Notable work: The Raid
- Notable work: The Raid 2
- Notable work: Wu Assassins
- Worked as actor, film actor and choreographer
