Martial Artists In Movies: The Real Deal - Volume 19
by The_Phantom_Projectionist | created - 31 May 2017 | updated - 23 Feb 2019 | PublicThis 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 identifiable and verifiable by a source other than hearsay.
- Individual accomplishments (e.g. championships won, belts held) must likewise be verifiable.
- Mixed Martial Arts, Tai Chi, and weapons-exclusive 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 (e.g. Systema) are not considered.
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I credit stunt performers for doubling others in fight scenes. I justify doing this for cases wherein the stunt performer is executing significant parts of the action themselves and is displayed on the screen as prominently or more than the actor.
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NOTE: A lot of trivia listed here originally came from IMDb pages, but I've only included information I was able to verify from other sources.
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**Though I have done my utmost to ensure that all information below is factual and up-to-date, I may have made mistakes/omissions and make no claims about this list's infallibility**
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Previous list here
1. Gal Gadot
Actress | Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress and model. She was born in Petah Tikva, Israel, to an Ashkenazi Jewish family (from Poland, Austria, Germany, and Czechoslovakia who Hebraized their name from 'Greenstein' to sound less European). She served in the IDF for two years, and won the Miss Israel title in ...
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing
Trivia: is a veteran of the Israeli Defense Forces
Best seen in WONDER WOMAN
2. Christoph Clark
Director | Nasty Intentions 2
Christoph Clark was born on February 9, 1958 in France. He is an actor and director. He was previously married to Debora Wells.
Northern Shaolin (3-time US National Gold medalist; US National Team member), Tai Chi
Trivia: is also a martial arts instructor and owner of the Rocky Mountain Movement facility of Englewood, Colorado
Best seen in MY SAMURAI
3. Alan Bagh
Alan Bagh (born May 30, 1985) is an award winning American actor, producer, and writer. He was born in Sacramento, CA and moved to Los Angeles in 2010 to pursue acting. He is best known for playing the character "Rod" in the cult horror film: Birdemic: Shock and Terror, and its sequel Birdemic 2: ...
Tae Kwon Do
Trivia: also practices wrestling
Best seen in BIRDEMIC 2
4. Brittany N. Pierce
Actress | Birdemic 2: The Resurrection
Brittany N. Pierce is known for Birdemic 2: The Resurrection (2013), Beauty Beware (2013) and Swimsuit Centerfold (2015).
Jujitsu
Trivia: studied the martial arts under Master Bryan Herbert
Best seen in BIRDEMIC 2
5. Wally Jay
Actor | TC 2000
Wally Jay is known for TC 2000 (1993), The Cutoff (1998) and America's Martial Arts Legends: Wally Jay Volume 2 (2005).
Danzan-Ryu & Small Circle Jujitsu (founder; 10th Dan; Black Belt Hall of Fame entry), Kodokan Judo (6th Dan; US National Team captain)
Trivia: was named one of the 100 most influential martial arts personalities of all times by Inside Kung Fu Magazine
Best seen in TC 2000
6. Pamela Sutch
Actress | Trakked
Pamela Sutch was born on January 7, 1962 in Pennsylvania, USA. She is an actress and director, known for Trakked (2015), Soul Traveler (2021) and The Gift (2014).
Goju-Ryu Karate, Northern Shaolin (3-time USOMAC Gold medalist)
Trivia: is also a cardio kickboxing instructor at Peter Kwok's Kung Fu Academy in Westwood, New Jersey
Best seen in SWAMP ZOMBIES
7. Katsumasa Kuroki
Actor | WCW Monday Nitro
Katsumasa Kuroki was born on January 9, 1973 in Tokyo, Japan. He is an actor, known for WCW Monday Nitro (1995), WCW Thunder (1998) and WCW/NWO World War 3 (1998).
HONORARY ENTRY
Daido-Juku Kudo
Trivia: is a former professional wrestler and 4-time champion in three different promotions
8. Meilani Wenska
Actress | 808
Meilani Wenska is known for 808 (2018), Times2 (2020) and We All Fall Down (2014).
Kickboxing, Krav Maga
Trivia: is a former martial arts instructor
Best seen in HOODRATS 2
9. Junie Hoang
Actress | Your Honor
Junie got her start in dance at age 16. She graduated salutatorian of her high school class. Her studies at Texas A&M University earned her a B.S. in Biomedical Science from the College of Veterinary Medicine. She received a teaching certificate in dance and later trained at the American Academy of...
Kuk Sool Won
Trivia: studied the martial arts under Roderick Thornton
Best seen in HOODRATS 2
10. Shogun Okamoto
Self | Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2012
HONORARY ENTRY
Sumo (310-291), Mixed Martial Arts
Trivia: is also a professional wrestler and 3-time tag team champion
11. Katrina Law
Actress | Arrow
Ever since she was a child growing up in South Jersey, Katrina Law had more energy than she knew what to do with. Her mother (being the brilliant mother that she is) recognized this at an early age and enrolled Katrina in a variety of activities ranging from dance and gym classes to karate lessons,...
Tae Kwon Do
Trivia: also practices archery
Best seen in ARROW
12. Clayton Prince
Actor | Dark Justice
Clayton Prince was born on February 17, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor and director, known for Dark Justice (1991), Hairspray (1988) and The Cosby Show (1984).
Shotokan Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Trivia: studied Jiu-Jitsu under Royce Gracie
Best seen in THE BLACK NINJA
13. Troy N. Ashford
Actor | Unkillable
Troy Nikolo Ashford is an American filmmaker, producer, director, actor, stuntman and martial artist. He is a mix of Native American and African American heritage raised near Wauwatosa Wisconsin. His childhood heroes and inspiration were Bruce Lee and Sonny Chiba and at the age of three his father ...
Goju-Ryu Karate
Trivia: is also a martial arts instructor
Best seen in RAZOR SHARPE
14. Gary Wong
Actor | Relic Hunter
Gary Wong is known for Relic Hunter (1999), Tiger Claws (1992) and Kevin Hill (2004).
Kickboxing
Trivia: is also trained in Chinese martial arts weaponry
Best seen in TIGER CLAWS
Wing Chun, Wushu
Trivia: is the leading director and former coach of the Canadian National Wushu Team
Best seen in TIGER CLAWS
16. Tig Fong
Stunts | What We Do in the Shadows
Starting as a stunt performer and actor and then moving on to Stunt Rigging, Fight Coordinating and Stunt Coordinating, Tig has been involved in every aspect of action performance, design & execution in film & television.
Best known for their action design work on such series as Nikita, The Expanse ...
Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kickboxing, Hung Gar, Pikiti Tersia, Capoeira, Muay Boran, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Tai Chi, Kali
Trivia: is a former competitive bodybuilder
Best seen in KHILADIYON KA KHILADI
17. La Trice Harper
Actress | This Is Us
La Trice Harper is known for This Is Us (2016), The Shield (2002) and Artificial (2018).
San Soo
Trivia: is also a pro wrestler
Best seen in GAME OVER
18. Kerry Wong
Stunts | Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Kerry Wong is known for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) and Wild Card (2015).
Kyokushin & Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Wushu, Capoeira
Trivia: is the co-founder of the Zero Gravity Stunt Team
Best seen in GAME OVER
19. Orlando Ortega
Actor | Speed Dating 101
Orlando Ortega was born in Nicaragua and came to the United States when he was only about 8 years old. He came to live in the Bronx with his mother and his older sister. He had always wanted to be an actor but somehow strayed from his path and got into the technology field during the dot com boom. ...
Tae Kwon Do
Trivia: was also a trained computer programmer
Best seen in GAME OVER
20. Nicholas Verdi
Stunts | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Nicholas was born and raised in a small town on the coast of Lake Erie just outside Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up in the Midwest he discovered a love for competitive sports and martial arts, while action in film and television always seemed to captivate Nicholas.
A stuntman was not a practical ...
Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, Judo, Kickboxing, Escrima
Trivia: also practices Greco-Roman wrestling
Best seen in BLINDSIDED: THE GAME
21. Justin Hall
Stunts | Killers of the Flower Moon
Justin Hall is known for Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), Hypnotic (2023) and Fear the Walking Dead (2015).
Jujitsu, Judo, Escrima, Wing Chun, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts
Trivia: also practices boxing and grappling
Best seen in CRUNCH TIME
22. Khalid Ghajji
Stunts | Black Panther
Khalid Ghajji is known for Black Panther (2018), Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023) and Venom (2018).
Karate, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts
Trivia: is also a competitive break dancer and former member of the Fantastik Armada troupe
Best seen in BLACK PANTHER
23. Emanuel Bettencourt
Stunts | Gegen die Wand
Emanuel Bettencourt was born on December 21, 1961. He is an actor, known for Head-On (2004), The Zen Warrior (2004) and Kebab Connection (2004).
Kickboxing, Wun Hop Kuen (7th Dan; Masters Hall of Fame entry)
Trivia: operates the Taiyo Sport Center in Hamburg, Germany
Best seen in SHOWDOWN IN MANILA
24. Mustafa Shakir
Actor | Brawl in Cell Block 99
Mustafa Shakir was born on August 21, 1976 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017), Ghosted (2023) and Luke Cage (2016).
Capoeira
Trivia: also practices yoga
Best seen in LUKE CAGE
25. Lázaro Ramos
Director | Medida Provisória
Lázaro Ramos was born on November 1, 1978 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. He is an actor and director, known for Executive Order (2020), The Man Who Copied (2003) and Snakes & Lizards (2006). He has been married to Taís Araújo since June 9, 2011. They have two children.
Capoeira
Trivia: (?)
Best seen in CAFUNDO
26. Michael Copon
Actor | One Tree Hill
Michael Copon is an American actor known for a variety of film and television roles including that of Lucas Kendall in Power Rangers: Time Force and Felix Taggaro in One Tree Hill.
Kick starting his career in 2001, Copon was chosen by the Fox Kids Network to portray Lucas Kendall in Power Rangers: ...
Capoeira
Trivia: trained in the martial arts under Xingu del Rosario
Best seen in POWER RANGERS TIME FORCE
27. Nathan Jung
Actor | Big Trouble in Little China
Nathan Jung was born on November 29, 1946 in Bakersfield, California, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Big Trouble in Little China (1986), Darkman (1990) and The Shadow (1994). He died on April 24, 2021 in the USA.
Praying Mantis Kung Fu
Trivia: studied the martial arts under Master Leo Wang
Best seen in KUNG FU
28. William Christopher Ford
Producer | 52 Masters
William Christopher Ford aka Christopher Paul Ford played strong but silent Cobra Kai bad boy, "Dennis", in "The Karate Kid Part III". He was made aware of an open casting call for "KKIII" for the part of "Mike Barnes" from a good friend and stood in line with hundreds of other young hopefuls. ...
Shorin-Ryu Karate (5th Dan; Masters Hall of Fame entry), Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Trivia: co-owns and operates the Kaizen Dojo in Torrance, California
Best seen in THE KARATE KID III
29. Samuel Kwok
Stunts | Tribal Get Out Alive
Samuel Kwok was born in Hong Kong, he has spent 45 years training and promoting the art of Wing Chun Kung Fu. Samuel is a disciple of the two sons of the famous IP Man and other students of Grandmaster IP Man - Bruce Lee's teacher's aim was to protect and preserve IP Man Wing Chun . To improve ...
Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Trivia: is the founder of the Samuel Kwok Wing Chun Association
Best seen in ASSASSIN X
Tae Kwon Do (Student World Championships & US Open Bronze medalist)
Trivia: was affiliated with the LA Taekwondo Center
Best seen in DRAGON FIRE
31. Caryn McCann
Writer | Reel Justice
Caryn McCann is known for Reel Justice, There Can Be Only One and Joint Forces.
Tae Kwon Do (2nd Dan), Wushu, Karate
Trivia: trained in stage combat under Laurent Buson
Best seen in THE KUNG FU ROCK CHICK
32. Paco Christian Prieto
Actor | Only the Strong
Paco C. Prieto was born in Mexico City, Mexico, making his first starring role in Only the Strong (1993). In the early 80s Paco instructed martial arts classes at East Los Angeles College. After meeting Deborah Roberts (mother of playboy playmate Layla Roberts) Paco and Deborah lived in Beverly ...
Dux-Ryu Ninjutsu
Trivia: has studied the martial arts since age 6
Best seen in ONLY THE STRONG
33. Rissa Kilar
Actor | Logan
Rissa Kilar began martial arts at the age of 5. With her being a military child, she has constantly moved around every few years with her family until finally settling in Los Angeles, California. In Los Angeles, she further pursued her martial arts career as an instructor and World Champion ...
Tae Kwon Do (4th Dan), Krav Maga, Kickboxing, Escrima, Mixed Martial Arts
Trivia: is the lead instructor at the Xtreme Martial Arts World Headquarters
Best seen in LOGAN
34. Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Actress | Ahsoka
Natasha Liu Bordizzo is an Australian actress.
She was born on the 25th of August 1994 in Sydney. Natasha has an academic background, having deferred a law degree to pursue work in film. She also holds a strong background in sports - particularly martial arts, having achieved a black-belt in ...
Tae Kwon Do (1st Dan), Wudang Quan
Trivia: dropped out of college to accept her role in the below-mentioned film
Best seen in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: SWORD OF DESTINY
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