Zara Phythian (coming to theaters soon?)

Although we don't see them often enough, there isn't a shortage of athletic actresses; indeed, Hollywood's casting directors don't have to look far to find a convincing action heroine—if only they'd open their eyes. Occasionally this might even be a former world-champion athlete; e.g., Zara Phythian. After winning 13 world titles in martial arts, Phythian decided in 2006 to give acting a try. (Not long after that she was inducted into the International Kickboxing and Karate Hall of Fame, where she joined other martial arts legends like Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.)

A sampling of her work thus far whets the appetite for more: