Martial Artists In Movies: The Real Deal - Volume 5
"Wait a minute! Haven't I seen this list before?"
In 2009, I used Amazon.com to begin compiling a cumulative list of genuine martial artists who also appeared in movies, accompanied by trivia. About two years later, an IMDb user pasted my entries into this format to create a clone list (he wasn't the first: a user on the Action Fans forum did the same thing).
"Why should I check out this list if I've seen the other one?"
Better and more up-to-date information. I regularly revised the Amazon lists, and as a result have more current entry and trivia information.
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This is a list of legitimate martial artists appearing in movies, accompanied by the styles they practice(d), the recognition they've received for them, and individual trivia.
Qualifications:
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NOTE: a lot of the trivia listed here did originally come from IMDb pages, but I've only included information I was able to verify from other sources as well.
--------------------------------------------------
**Though I have done my utmost to ensure that all information below is factual and up-to-date, I may have made mistakes and therefore make no claims about this list's infallibility**
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Next list here
Previous list here
In 2009, I used Amazon.com to begin compiling a cumulative list of genuine martial artists who also appeared in movies, accompanied by trivia. About two years later, an IMDb user pasted my entries into this format to create a clone list (he wasn't the first: a user on the Action Fans forum did the same thing).
"Why should I check out this list if I've seen the other one?"
Better and more up-to-date information. I regularly revised the Amazon lists, and as a result have more current entry and trivia information.
--------------------------------------------------
This is a list of legitimate martial artists appearing in movies, accompanied by the styles they practice(d), the recognition they've received for them, and individual trivia.
Qualifications:
- the performer must be an actual practitioner of a martial art; simply portraying martial artists in film, no matter how well or how often, is not enough
- the martial art(s) in question must be able to be identified and verified by a source other than hearsay
- individual accomplishments (e.g. tournaments won, belts held) must likewise be verifiable
- Mixed Martial Arts, Tai Chi, and weapons-based styles can only be credited if the person in question practices another style as well (I reserve the right to make exceptions)
- Kickboxing is considered a martial art
- Tae Bo, boxing, wrestling, and gymnastics are not considered martial arts
- styles incorporating firearms usage (e.g. Systema) are not considered
--------------------------------------------------
NOTE: a lot of the trivia listed here did originally come from IMDb pages, but I've only included information I was able to verify from other sources as well.
--------------------------------------------------
**Though I have done my utmost to ensure that all information below is factual and up-to-date, I may have made mistakes and therefore make no claims about this list's infallibility**
--------------------------------------------------
Next list here
Previous list here
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- Actress
- Director
- Producer
Born to immigrants in New York City, Lucy Liu has always tried to balance an interest in her cultural heritage with a desire to move beyond a strictly Asian-American experience. Her mother, Cecilia, a biochemist, is from Beijing & her father, Tom Liu, a civil engineer, is from Shanghai. Once relegated to "ethnic" parts, the energetic actress is finally earning her stripes as an across-the-board leading lady.
She graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1986 & enrolled in NYU. However, she was discouraged by the dark and sarcastic atmosphere, so she transferred to the University of Michigan after her freshman year. She graduated w/ a degree in Asian Languages & Cultures, managing to squeeze in some additional training in dance, voice, fine arts & acting. During her senior year, she auditioned for a small part in a production of Alice in Wonderland and walked away with the lead. Encouraged by the experience, she decided to take the plunge into professional acting. She moved to L.A., splitting her time between auditions & food service day jobs. She eventually scored a guest appearance as a waitress on Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990). That performance led to more walk-on parts in shows like NYPD Blue (1993), ER (1994) & The X-Files (1993). In 1996, she was cast as an ambitious college student on Rhea Perlman's ephemeral sitcom Pearl (1996).
She first appeared on the big screen as an ex-girlfriend in Jerry Maguire (1996) (she had previously filmed a scene in the indie Bang (1995), but it was shelved for 2 years). She then waded through a series of supporting parts in small films before landing her big break on Ally McBeal (1997). She initially auditioned for the role of Nelle Porter, which went to Portia de Rossi. However, writer-producer David E. Kelley was so impressed w/ her that he promised to write a part for her in an upcoming episode. The part turned out to be that of growling, ill-tempered lawyer Ling Woo, which she filled w/ such aplomb that she was signed on as a regular cast member.
The "Ally" win gave her film career a much-needed boost-in 1999, she was cast as a dominatrix in the Mel Gibson action flick Payback (1999) & as a hitchhiker in the ill-received boxing saga Play It to the Bone (1999). The following year brought even larger roles: first as the kidnapped Princess Pei Pei in Jackie Chan's western Shanghai Noon (2000), then as one-third of the comely crime-fighting trio in Charlie's Angels (2000).
When she's not hissing at clients or throwing well-coiffed punches, she keeps busy w/ an eclectic mix of off-screen hobbies. She practices the martial art of Kali-Eskrima-Silat (knife-and-stick fighting), skis, rock climbs, rides horses &plays the accordion. In 1993, she exhibited a collection of multimedia art pieces at the Cast Iron Gallery in SoHo (New York), after which she won a grant to study & create art in China. Her hectic schedule doesn't leave much time for romantic intrigue, but she says she prefers to keep that side of her life uncluttered.Silat, Escrima
Trivia: studied martial arts under Dan Inosanto
Best seen in CHARLIE'S ANGELS- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan Karate (NBL Champion)
Trivia: is also a professional dancer and model
Best seen in BLADE- Actor
- Stunts
- Producer
Marrese Crump was born on January 4th, 1982 in Lakeland, Florida. Grew up as an athlete,participating in the sports of basketball, football, track and martial arts. He started his training at the age of 7 when his brother introduced him to Master Kim-Jae. Marrese has studied Muay Thai, Capoeira, Western boxing, Tae Kwon Do and Filipino Martial Arts.
Marrese is the only American Protege of "Ong Bak" creator Master Panna Rittikrai. For years Crump traveled from America to Bangkok, Thailand to study as a direct student of the late Master Panna. Marrese now lives in Florida as he continues to build his acting career and expand his brand.Karate, Muay Thai, Capoeira, Escrima, Tae Kwon Do, Ninjutsu
Trivia: opened his first martial arts facility at age 18
Best seen in THE PROTECTOR 2- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Michael Clarke Duncan was born on December 10, 1957 in Chicago, Illinois. Raised on Chicago's South Side by his single mother, Jean, a house cleaner, Duncan grew up resisting drugs and alcohol, instead concentrating on school. He wanted to play football in high school, but his mother wouldn't let him, afraid that he would get hurt. He then turned to acting and dreamed of becoming a famous actor.
After graduating from high school and attending community college, he worked digging ditches at People's Gas Company in Chicago. When he quit his job and headed to Hollywood, he landed small roles while working as a bodyguard. Duncan's role in the movie Armageddon (1998) led to his breakthrough performance in The Green Mile (1999), when his Armageddon co-star Bruce Willis called director Frank Darabont, suggesting Duncan for the part of convict John Coffey. He landed the role and won critical acclaim as well as many other Awards and Nominations, including an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
After suffering a heart attack on July 13, 2012, he was taken to a Los Angeles hospital, in which his girlfriend Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth tried to save his life with CPR. Unfortunately, on September 3, 2012, Michael Clarke Duncan died at age 54 from respiratory failure.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Trivia: worked as a bouncer prior to entering show business
Best seen in STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI- Actor
- Stunts
- Writer
Don Ferguson is known for Ultraviolet (2006), Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) and The Protector (2005).Jidokwan & Kukkiwon Tae Kwon Do (5th Dan; Thailand National Open Gold medalist; Can-Am Games Champion)
Trivia: is the founder and chief instructor of the Asia Pacific Taekwondo Academy in Bangkok
Best seen in MUAY THAI FIGHTER- Actor
- Stunts
Donnie Hair fell in love with Karate after reading a book called "Karate for Kids", which marked his beginning in the training in Yoshukai. Hair got interested in Full Contact Karate, now called Kickboxing and had his first bout at the age of 15. Being humble and disciplined he won most fights, but considered the losses more important and memorable. Eventually gaining a 5th degree black belt in Yoshukai Karate he also became the Florida State Kickboxing Champion.
Things got even better when Hair met Don 'The Dragon' Wilson. They started training together and Hair got made Chief Martial Arts Instructor at his studio in Cocoa Beach. In 1989, Hair conceived of the "Super Fights" series of bouts and founded his first promotional company, USA Kickboxing, Inc., through which he promoted over 100 amateur kickboxing events and three Pro World Title events. All this led to Wilson starting Hair's movie career.
Hair's belief in sportsmanship and honor is what earned his organization the impressive distinction of having overseen over 60 bouts without any major injuries. The common thread of safety and respect running through all of Hair's promoted events originated, unsurprisingly, from core Yoshukai tenets. Donnie with his three decades in martial arts experience continued being an IKF and ISCF Fight Promoter and Judge till his passing.Yoshukai Karate (5th Dan; WKA & PKA Champion), Sanshou, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts
Trivia: thwarted a purse-snatching in 1994 with fellow martial artists Russ Fokes and Don Wilson while attending a tournament
Best seen in BLOODFIST 8- Stunts
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Starting martial arts training at age 5 in different styles of Kung Fu, then Judo, Karate, Tang Soo Do, and boxing under several masters in his hometown (Tainan City, Taiwan), only for one single reason: to defend himself from the local bullies' attack.
In 1982 he was all Taiwan Teenage Nunchaku Champ.
In 1983 he became the Taiwan Government selected and trained martial artist for the US Presentation to the Ronald Reagan Government's event in Washington DC and other 13 states.
In 1987, he won the World-Cup's "Middle Weight" title in sparring (Los Angeles Open) before graduating from Blair High School (Pasadena); classmate with Director John Singleton in couple math and English classes there.
Later taught by Dan Lee (Bruce Lee's close disciple in JKD), Steven Chang (Yip Man/Lieon Shon's Wing Chun), Delon Tan (Tae Kwon Do), John Wong (Wu's Tai Chi), and Franco Lung (Yip Man/Wong Tsun-Leon's Wing Chun) in America.- IMDb Mini Biography
Wushu (Los Angeles Open Champion), Judo, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, Krav Maga
Trivia: selected by the Taiwan government to perform a martial arts demonstration for President Ronald Reagan in 1983
Best seen in ENTER THE BLOOD RING- Actor
- Stunts
- Producer
Chuck Johnson is an actor, stuntman and motion-capture artist based in Tokyo, Japan. A native of Michigan, he began martial arts training with Olympic Taekwondo at the age of 15. With a fanatic training schedule, he received his black belt in 2 1/2 years, and 6 days later became the Michigan State Junior Olympic Taekwondo champion for both sparring and forms. He went on to become a US non-Olympic national champion for Taekwondo, and also competed in both Tokyo, Japan, and Hong Kong, becoming the 2001 Inter-collegiate champion of Hong Kong, when he had originally only come to the competition to watch.
After moving to Tokyo, he started off working as a bodyguard for visiting international celebrities working on security teams for everyone from Sylvester Stallone and Orlando Bloom to Jackie Chan and Kim Hee Sun (of Korea).
His action career began in 2004 when he was scouted by a talent agency for his martial arts skill and was cast in Godzilla: Final Wars. While on set, he met Japanese action director, Yuji Shimomura and shortly after began his study of East Asian style fight choreography under his tutelage along with action directors, Go Ohara, and Kiyokazu Tanaka. In 2005, he began to study Method Acting under acting coach Shelley Mitchell, and went on to also study the Meisner method.
In addition to holding a master's rank in Olympic Taekwondo, and Seishindo Karate, Chuck is also ranked in Capoeira, Karate, Kobudo, and Judo, and has studied Wing Chun Kung Fu, Hapkido, Hanmudo, Krav Maga, Boxing, Kickboxing, and Tai Chi.
He has appeared in over 100 dramas, films, commercials and video games in Asia and in the states, and can speak, read, and act in both Korean and Japanese.Tae Kwon Do (Junior Olympics Champion; Hong Kong Intercollegiate Champion; KTAA Champion; State Games Gold medalist), Capoeira, Seishindo Karate, Judo, Kickboxing, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Hapkido, Han Mu Do, Krav Maga
Trivia: is the founder of the Quiet Flame Demonstration Team
Best seen in DUEL IN HELL- Actor
- Stunts
Actor and Martial Arts Champion Anton Kasabov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria. As a child he trained and competed in different sports, but at 8 years old, after seeing the film "The Big Boss" starring Bruce Lee, changed everything for him. He decided to dedicate his life to martial arts and filmmaking. Anton began training Taekwon-do under one of the best North Korean masters, who resided in Bulgaria at the time. He became a member of the Bulgarian National team and won many National and European Championships. At 21 years old, he moved to the United States. In New York he dominated the martial arts tournament scene He became a US National Champion, a member of the US National Taekwondo team and 3 times World Champion. Later Anton moved to Los Angeles and began pursuing his acting career while teaching at the schools of two of the Greatest Korean masters in the US - Master Hee IL Cho and Master Jun Chong. Anton studied acting in the renowned studios of Larry Moss, Michelle Danner, Ivana Chubbuck, Warner Laughlin, Joanne Barron/ D.W.Brown , Diana Castle, Julie Ariola and Jeremiah Comey. He's been featured in many US national and international commercials for Gatorade, American Express, Asics sneakers, Guess, Chevrolet, and IHave - Russia. In 2014, he was invited to star in Dancing With The Stars- Bulgaria, where he went all the way to the finals. His acting and stunt roles include Rush Hour-3, where he fought Jackie Chan. Also, he played Sergei Dragunov in the remake of the famous martial arts video game "Tekken." His latest appearances are in the biggest Bollywood action film of 2022, and in 2023 at the US/Bulgarian co-production "Scent of Linden".Tae Kwon Do (3rd Dan; 5-time Absolute European Champion; 6-time US National Champion; Pan-American Champion; US National Team member), Judo
Trivia: at the time of his training, it was illegal to practice martial arts in his native Bulgaria; he would have to pretend he was practicing Korean folk dances
Best seen in TEKKEN- Stunts
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Siu-Hung Leung is known for Ip Man (2008), The Legend Is Born: Ip Man (2010) and Temptation of a Monk (1993).Karate, Wing Chun, Tae Kwon Do, Judo
Trivia: is the vice chairman of the Hong Kong Stuntman's Association
Best seen in 36 CRAZY FISTS- Actor
- Stunts
- Writer
Philip Kwok began his career as a circus acrobat and worked in the Peking Opera, unlike many others, he had not aspired to work in the film industry. He began working as a stuntman and eventually worked his way into leading roles. His performance in Boxer Rebellion caught Director Chang Cheh's attention and he cast him in Marco Polo as Chung Fung. In 1976 Philip Kwok went to work for Shaw Brothers as an actor. In 1978 he made The Five Venoms as the leading man, and even though he didn't have leading man looks, he did have Charles Bronson tough guy charisma, and this launched him into other Shaw ventures as the male lead and the action choreographer. These films included The Rebel Intruders, The Flag Of Iron, The Sword Stained With Royal Blood and Ode To Gallantry. In 1981, Philip Kwok went back to Taiwan with the support of Chang. There he founded a film company with his Taiwanese colleagues Chiang Sheng and Lu Feng. One of their productions was Ruthless Tactics, in which he starred and directed. Peacock King, Hard Boiled, A Chinese Ghost Story and The Touch were a few of the films where he was Action Director.
In the 1980's the Kung Fu genre became less popular and, like so many Kung Fu actors, Philip Kwok's career eventually slowed down as well. During this period of time he work in the television industry as both an actor and as an action choreographer.
Philip Kwok is a very versatile action actor. He plays comedic as well as straight roles as well as leading man and villain. Some of his best work can be seen in Magnificent Ruffians, Masked Avengers and Hard Boiled, where he played the eye patch wearing Mad Dog.Northern Shaolin
Trivia: enrolled in the Lu Kwan Peking Opera school at age 14
Best seen in 5 DEADLY VENOMS- An American Theatre, Film/TV Actor, Singer, Dancer and Martial Artist. He began studying Judo/Ju-Jutsu, in Hawaii and Japan, Continuing Martial arts in San Diego, he studied Kang's Tae Kwon-Do/Judo, and Aamka-jutsu. Having Achieved Black Belts in Karate, Tae Kwon do, Judo, Japanese ju-jutsu, aiki-jujutsu, Chinese Kempo and Aamkajutsu, he became a Full-Contact Karate & Sambo Champion. Recently setting a Guinness World Record, and having a page in the 2015 "Guinness Book of World Records" under "No Pain No Gain." After high school, he served his country honorably as a Naval Reconnaissance Corpsman "DOC", before attending University studies. During this time, he was inspired by Great Actors such as Anthony Hopkins and immersed himself in the world of theater, as an outlet for his vivid and passionate imagination. With a strong desire to become a dramatic lead actor, he began focusing on Shakespearean and extremely dramatic roles,(over 20 lead stage Credits) winning a best actor award for a very passionate, and unique take on "Hamlet", as well as critical acclaim for lead roles in "MacBeth", "Picnic", "Romeo & Juliet", and "Dracula." The more dimensional and dramatically demanding the part, the greater this actor shines! His first lead role in film, was a film called, "Samurai Avenger:The Blind Wolf", which received wide spread appeal with theatrical release in several countries, winning 9 International Film Festival Awards(including several Best of Festival and Best Feature Film awards)and distribution in nearly every country and language. Since this film, he has landed several roles on TV and Film such as Disney's "The Crusher" ,as the Universe's Strongest Superhero, 6 seasons and voted Kids peer group Favorite Superhero 3 years in a row. Also, appearing in 14 episodes as Sgt Freeman on General Hospital daytime's longest running TV show.. He Currently Tours internationally Singing//performing with the World Famous Band the "Village People" when not appearing on TV or Film.Aamkajutsu, Jujitsu, Sambo (AAU Champion)
Trivia: is also a competitive boxer
Best seen in SAMURAI AVENGER: THE BLIND WOLF - Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Producer
Meng Lo was born on 4 August 1952 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. He is an actor and producer, known for Ip Man 3 (2015), Ip Man 2 (2010) and Hard Boiled (1992).Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Tai Chi
Trivia: was nicknamed "Shaolin Hercules" for his impressive physique
Best seen in THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM- Actor
- Stunts
- Writer
Evan Lurie, Gallery Director, was born in New York, as the fourth, with three other boys. His parents divorced when he was a toddler. His mother remarried a British business man, so he has lived and traveled extensively across Europe. From the time he was five until he was 17, Lurie and his mom made a point of seeking out the cultural treasures wherever they were living. Lurie's father was an ex-Marine who taught his sons boxing. Though he was an ocean away in Europe, Lurie took up martial arts and when he was old enough to think about going to college he returned to the States to reconnect with his dad, his brothers and possibly pursue a martial arts career. He was immediately smitten by New York City, with its feeling of old.
He was also able to land a gig as a martial arts coach and stunt man on a CBS TV series, The Equalizer. In the meantime, he was hanging out with his brothers. One, in particular, Bruce, was in the art business and owned a gallery frequented by Keith Haring and Andy Warhol. Bruce Lurie gave Jean-Michel Basquiat his first show. But he wanted to make movies. He went to Los Angeles to see if he could parlay his martial arts training into a career. He was interviewed by action star Jean Claude Van Damme, but when nothing came of it, Lurie took a job as a bouncer at what at that time was one of L.A.'s hottest clubs, the Roxbury. Meeting the right people landed him a role in a Van Damme movie after all and his movie career as a fight choreographer and stunt man had begun. The movies and martial arts enabled Lurie to travel the world.
An injury from a movie set however, put him through hospital and made him turn his life around. He and his wife, Jennifer, an actress and model, opened a gallery in West Hollywood and, in the process, helped develop a new district, Avenues of Art and Design, that won a California Governor's Award for Best New Business District in 1999. Soon Lurie was collaborating with his brother Bruce on a gallery in Miami, also connected with an art and design district.
Fluent in five languages, Evan has the facility to connect diverse international artists with a network of art collectors across North America. He brings his passion and professional experience from film directing and production into the fine arts business. The result is a fresh look at contemporary art and the founding of a series of galleries from Los Angeles to Miami, celebrated with the most recent opening of his signature space, Evan Lurie Gallery, in Carmel, near Indianapolis.
Evan fosters powerful relationships with artists and galleries worldwide, to provide his collectors the leading edge in discovering new and unique artwork. The Gallery has exclusive representation of numerous artists in Europe, Cuba, Canada, and the United States. Evan Lurie now lives in Carmel, Indiana full time.Tae Kwon Do, Mixed Martial Arts
Trivia: owns and operates the Evan Lurie Gallery in Indiana
Best seen in MARTIAL LAW II- Stunts
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Cass Magda has been conducting seminars for over ten years in the US, Canada, Australia, England, Norway, Scotland, Finland, France, Germany, and other European countries. First known throughout the world as one of Dan Inosanto's top JKD instructors and having trained with many of the top Filipino and Indonesian instructors Magda has carefully built a solid reputation as an instructor of high quality who presents excellent information at his seminars. He is dedicated to the education, preservation and presentation/promotion of authentic Indonesian and Filipino martial arts.Jeet Kune Do, Escrima, Silat
Trivia: was the personal assistant and training partner of Dan Inosanto for six years of touring and teaching
Best seen in HAWKE'S VENGEANCE- Actress
- Producer
- Talent Agent
is a retired American professional wrestler. She is best known under her ring names Madusa (shorthand for Made in the USA) or Alundra Blayze. Her early career was spent in the American Wrestling Association, where she held the AWA World Women's Championship one time. In 1988, Miceli was also the first woman to be awarded Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Rookie of the Year. The following year, she signed a contract with All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, making her the first foreign wrestler to do so. She later joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where she was a member of the Dangerous Alliance, a group of wrestlers managed by Paul E. Dangerously. In 1993, she joined the rival World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the name Alundra Blayze. In the WWF, she feuded with Bull Nakano and Bertha Faye, while holding the WWF Women's Championship a total of three times. Two years after joining the WWF, Miceli returned to WCW, showing up on an episode of Monday Nitro to throw the WWF Women's Championship belt into a trash can. For the next six years, she worked in WCW, where she feuded with Bull Nakano, Oklahoma, and became the first women to hold the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship. After training wrestlers at the WCW Power Plant, she left the company in 2001.
In addition to wrestling, Miceli competes in the world of monster trucks. She drives a truck named Madusa, which was also her ring name for much of her professional wrestling career. She won the 2004 co-championship at the Monster Jam World Finals for freestyle in the first-ever three-way tie. The following year, she was the only female competitor in the Super Bowl of Motorsports, and she won the Racing Championship in the Monster Jam World Finals.Muay Thai
Trivia: is a former pro wrestler and 3-time WWF Women's Champion
Best seen in SHOOTFIGHTER II- Actor
- Director
Keiji Mutô was born on 23 December 1962 in Yamanashi, Japan. He is an actor and director, known for ROH: Final Battle 2003 (2003), WCW Thunder (1998) and All Japan Pro Wrestling 2002 Real World Tag League Gaora TV Special (2002).Judo
Trivia: is also a pro wrestler, having won 30 world championships
Best seen in DRAGON BLUE- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Laura Niles is an actress, stand-up comedian, writer, and director from Los Angeles, California.
Laura made her start in entertainment as a model and actress, and joined Screen Actors Guild in 1997. She has been cast in numerous TV and film roles, notably as the boxing instructor in Californication.
On that set, a serendipitous meeting with comic and boxing enthusiast Garry Shandling led Laura to pursue Stand-up Comedy.
Laura now regularly performs stand-up comedy at major clubs in Los Angeles, including Ice House, Comedy Store, The Improv, and Flappers. She has a Youtube series called "DIY with Laura," which explores philosophy through humor. She produces a Podcast called "Texts from the Crypt."
Behind the scenes, Laura has worked as Video Editor and Program Coordinator to IATSE's principal lobbyist, active in facilitating AB1839, the Film and TV Tax Credit Incentive program.
Laura has a Bachelor's in International Relations and Mandarin Chinese from the University of Southern California.
Laura is an avid boxer. As a martial artist, Laura practiced Shaolin Kung Fu since age 14, and has a 3rd degree black belt.Shaolin Kung Fu
Trivia: is also an amateur boxer
Best seen in TAI CHI WARRIORS- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Aaron Norris was born in Gardena, California, USA. He is a producer and director, known for Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005), Ant-Man (2015) and Not Easily Broken (2009). He has been married to Rebecca since 15 September 1981. They have three children.Chun Kuk Do (9th Dan)
Trivia: is the president of the United Fighting Arts Federation
Best seen in OVERKILL- Hidy Ochiai was born on 26 September 1939 in Japan. He is an actor, known for Hawkeye (1988) and Fight to Win (1987).Washin-Ryu Karate (founder; 5-time PKA Champion; Black Belt & Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame entry), Kendo, Iaido, Kobudo, Judo, Jujitsu
Trivia: is the founder of the S.A.F.E. and E.K.P. martial arts programs for children
Best seen in FIGHT TO WIN - Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
Winston Omega is known for Marked for Death (1990), Fist of the North Star (1995) and Crosscut (1995).Sillum Wong Gar Kune
Trivia: is the martial arts instructor of Gary Daniels
Best seen in KEYS TO FREEDOM- Actor
- Additional Crew
Sonny Onoo was born on 29 July 1962 in Japan. He is an actor, known for WCW Thunder (1998), Fearless Tiger (1991) and In Your Face: The Lost Episodes of the XWF (2005). He has been married to Julie since 12 November 1981. They have four children.Karate, Kickboxing
Trivia: competed in the PKA in the 1970s and 1980s
Best seen in FEARLESS TIGER- Actor
- Director
- Camera and Electrical Department
Ron Pohnel is known for Drifter TKD (2008), No Retreat, No Surrender (1985) and Firecracker (1981). He is married to Charl Pohnel.Tang Soo Do (9th Dan), Karate
Trivia: testified in defense of Jean-Claude Van Damme concerning his injuring of Jackson Pinckney on the set of CYBORG
Best seen in NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER- Actor
- Writer
- Music Department
Mark Salzman was born in 1959 in Connecticut. At the age of seven he started to play the cello because of his mother's musical influence. He also has a small thing for astronomy from his father. He has two younger sibilings, Erich and Rachel. At 13, Mark set out on a quest to become a Kung Fu Zen master after seeing his first Kung Fu film. He has many hilarious stories of his attempts and harsh training in his 1996 memoir "Lost in Place: Growing Up Absurd in Suburbia". At age 16, on a whim to skip senior year, Salzman applied and was accepted to Yale University because of his ambitions to learn Chinese and study Chinese art and culture. Salzman graduated from Yale in 1982 with a degree in Chinese language and literature. From 1982 to 1984 Salzman lived in China and taught English to Chinese students at the Hunan Medical College. In 1986 Mark wrote his first and most acclaimed novel about his two years in China, "Iron and Silk". From 1987 till 1989 Salzman wrote and starred in the movie version filmed in China. Since then Salzman has written four other books, "The Laughing Sutra" (1991), "The Soloist" (1994), "Lost in Place" (1996), and "Lying Awake" (2000). Salzman is married to Oscar winner, film maker Jessica Yu. They live in Los Angeles with two cats, Fog and Smog, birds and fish. They long to move back to San Francisco.Wushu
Trivia: has written an award-winning biography, later adapted into the below-mentioned movie
Best seen in IRON & SILK- Actor
- Producer
- Stunts
Silvio Simac, was born in Croatia. A dedicated martial artist, Silvio trained in Taekwondo and became a world champion during his competitive years. His film career began in 2001 on an episode of Lexx (1996). Silvio's martial arts background served him well for a part in the action film Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (2006). He had the privilege of fighting Scott Adkins in the opening sequences of the film. Silvio also appeared as the fighter Leon from the video game-turned action film DOA: Dead or Alive (2006). His next notable film project was in the high-octane action feature Transporter 3 (2008). Outside of acting, Silvio enjoys training hard, traveling, cooking, and even shopping. Silvio also enjoys Italian food and is a constant adventurer.Tae Kwon Do (4th Dan; 4-time British National Champion; ITF Champion; World Games Gold medalist), Brithai Karate (1st Dan), Kickboxing
Trivia: received a "special dedication" award from the British National Martial Arts Association in 2000
Best seen in UNLEASHED