Born in Santiago, Chile on June 10, 1978, Marko Zaror Aguad discovered his passion for martial arts at just six years old. Inspired by icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jean-Claude Van Damme, he began self-training in disciplines such as taekwondo, kickboxing, and karate, his mother, Gina Aguad, had already broken ground as the first Chilean woman to earn a karate black belt. Under her influence, Zaror embraced martial arts not just as sport, but as a lifelong mission.
By his late teens, Zaror accumulated an impressive martial arts résumé: black belts in judo and aikido, a green belt in Shotokan karate, and rigorous training in taekwondo, kickboxing, Wing Chun, and MMA. He even competed on Chile’s national taekwondo team before seeking new horizons.
Early Career: Mexico & the Climb to Stunt Work
In 1997, Zaror relocated to Mexico, combining modeling and local films with focused martial arts training under the legendary José Luis Mosca, a kickboxing champion. He also earned a scholarship at Televisa to study acting, but his heart remained with high‑octane, action‑driven storytelling. Despite opportunities in soap operas, Zaror pursued authentic, martial arts-centered cinema.
By the early 2000s, he had moved again, to Los Angeles working odd jobs to make ends meet while teaching kickboxing and honing his craft. A chance gym encounter with Andy Cheng ,Jackie Chan’s stunt coordinator, opened the door to Hollywood. That led to his first professional break: doubling for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in The Rundown (2003), earning acclaim for his daring stunt work.
Indie Action Icon: Crafting His Niche
After The Rundown, Zaror carved a niche as Latin America’s martial arts hero. He headlined cult favorites like Kiltro (2006), Mirageman (2007), and Mandrill (2009), all directed by longtime collaborator Ernesto Díaz Espinoza. These gritty, low-budget Chilean films affirmed his talents both in front of and behind the camera, as actor, choreographer, producer, and occasionally fight director .
A turning point came in 2010 when he landed his English-speaking debut as Raul “Dolor” Quinones in Undisputed III: Redemption. His visceral performance drew international attention and proved he was ready for Hollywood’s action stages.
Hollywood Breakthroughs & Collaborations
Zaror’s Hollywood stride was steady. He joined Robert Rodriguez’s Machete Kills (2013), who cast him in a role written specifically for Zaror—demonstrating that his explosive screen presence translated beyond genre cinema. He also appeared in Redeemer (2014), the Bollywood-tinted Sultan (2016), and the sci-fi title Alita: Battle Angel (2019), showcasing his ability to adapt to diverse genres and international platforms.
Zaror’s global profile surged with his role as Chidi in John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023), in which he squared off with Keanu Reeves and Donnie Yen. Co-star and action veteran Scott Adkins noted Zaror’s presence helped open doors within Hollywood’s action community.
Creator & Visionary: Fist of the Condor and Diablo
Never content to just fight, Zaror embraced storytelling with The Fist of the Condor (2023). Co-written and co-produced with Espinoza, the film is both homage and innovation: a martial arts journey steeped in Latin American mythos—an adaptation of animal-style kung fu inspired by Chile’s national symbol, the condor. Zaror’s choreography blended kung fu, wing chun, taekwondo, boxing, and MMA to create something rooted in tradition yet distinctly his own.
Following its success, he advanced into heavyweight projects like The Killer’s Game (2024), where he brought flair and finesse, complete with flamenco-inspired assassinations, to his role as “El Botas” alongside Drew McIntyre and Scott Adkins. This fusion of cultural style and brutal combat reflects Zaror’s ongoing evolution.
Now, Diablo (2025), co-starring Adkins and produced by Lionsgate, marks Zaror’s full entry into English-speaking, international action cinema with a narrative and fight designs of his own making.
Legacy: More Than Just Punches and Kicks
Today, Marko Zaror lives between Santiago and Los Angeles, balancing training, choreography, production, and acting. His martial arts background remains central—not just in physicality but in discipline, philosophy, and creativity. Whether launching cinematic martial arts mythology in his own films or appearing as a villain in studio blockbusters, Zaror continues to expand what it means to be a modern martial artist in film.
He’s more than a stuntman: Marko Zaror is a mover , of bodies, of genres, and of cultures. A testament to passion’s power when art and action collide.
