Martial Artists In Movies: The Real Deal - Volume 10
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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I have begun crediting stunt performers for doubling others in fight scenes. I justify doing this for cases wherein the stunt performer is performing significant parts of the action themselves and is displayed on the screen as prominently or more than the actor or actress.
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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.
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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 and therefore make no claims about this list's infallibility**
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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
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I have begun crediting stunt performers for doubling others in fight scenes. I justify doing this for cases wherein the stunt performer is performing significant parts of the action themselves and is displayed on the screen as prominently or more than the actor or actress.
--------------------------------------------------
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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- Stunts
- Actress
- Writer
Marissa Labog, nicknamed "Mighty" by her peers, is committed to her strong belief in the transformative power of storytelling. Indicated by her nickname, as an actor, dancer, and stunt woman, Marissa is fearless and powerful in her pursuit for creative adventure earning her awards such as the Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Performer, the Solo Award, and an Ovation Award Nomination.
Unable to sit still she explored multiple avenues of movement from dance, gymnastics, and martial arts to running, jumping, and climbing trees. Dancing nationally and internationally with PCB Ballet and Inland Pacific Ballet, Marissa was urged by her loving mother to take up martial arts to learn to "defend" herself while traveling abroad. Enrolling her in Karate, Marissa excelled and furthered her study with capoeira, and Tae Kwon Do. Curious of her training and its connection to her growing desire to tell stories, Marissa went on to Scripps College where she graduated with a BA in both Dance and English and the coveted Lucille Morrison Scholarship. After graduation, Marissa performed as a principle dancer across the United States, Japan, Ireland, Portugal, Russia, China, Holland, Belgium, and England with the companies John Pennington and the famed LA Philharmonic, Oni Dance, Rosanna Gamson Worldwide, Company of Strangers, and Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre of which she is rehearsal director.
In a wonderful twist of fate, Marissa stumbled upon breaking (aka break dancing). Impressed by its freedom and pursuit of individuality, she went on to found and direct the breaking performance group called "One Step Ahead." Established as a youth advocate organization, OSA is now recognized as a prominent physical theater company.
She worked with such artists as Tina Turner, Christina Aguilera, LL Cool J, and prominent brands such as Nike, iPod, and Coke. Moving onto TV and Film, Marissa had worked on such shows as "The Drew Carey Show,""Fresh Beat Band," "Shake It Up" and films "House Bunny," "Bratz," and " Colombiana," to name a few. Through film work Marissa had the pleasure of working with superstar originator of parkour David Belle, delving her into the world of stunts, a world perfect for a woman of her unique skills.
Currently studying acting with Diana Castle and Steve Tiesort, Marissa can also be seen horrifying viewers as a terrorist in "Act of Valor," seducing lovers in "Hail Satan," and courageously, sometimes drunkenly, coping with the aftermath of a catastrophic flood in the theater production of "Dirty Mean Tricks." A proud member of SAG and Aftra, Marissa looks forward to many creative adventures coming her way.Wushu, Tae Kwon Do, Capoeira, Karate
Trivia: is also a stage actress, having won the Lester Horton Award in 2010
Best seen in RAZE- Stunts
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Tae Kwon Do, Aikijujutsu, Bojutsu
Trivia: also practices gymnastics
Best seen in BUNRAKU- Actress
- Soundtrack
Lisa Howard was born on 24 November 1963 in London, Ontario, Canada. She is an actress, known for Moonstruck (1987), Highlander (1992) and The War of the Roses (1989). She has been married to Daniel Cerone since 17 December 1994. They have two children.Tang Soo Do (3rd Dan)
Trivia: is also an instructor at the PKSA Karate school of Dearborn, Michigan
Best seen in EARTH: FINAL CONFLICT- Stunts
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Stella Angelova is a World & Europe champion Rhythmic Gymnast from Bulgaria. She was given a Political Asylum and immigrated to the USA. Stella began working in Hollywood very soon after her arrival. She's known for her work with Ricky Martin, Madonna, Prince and her modeling campaigns for various companies. Multi-talented professional, action actress and a writer/producer.HONORARY ENTRY
Kendo, Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, Bojutsu
Trivia: has won a total of 265 medals as a member of the Bulgarian National Gymnastics Team
Best seen in METAL GEAR SOLID 4- Stunts
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Aaron Toney is known for Avengers: Endgame (2019), Black Panther (2018) and Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023).Capoeira
Trivia: is a member of the Amax Motion Capture team
Best seen in KAMEN RIDER: DRAGON KNIGHT- Stunts
- Director
- Producer
Chris has been doing martial arts since he was four years old and grew up wanting to be a Ninja Turtle or Jackie Chan. He competed for several years and won 13 world titles and traveled around the world doing martial arts competitions and that brought him into the world of performance.
Chris was doing live shows with a martial arts and gymnastics team called Sideswipe, and they did everything from halftime shows at NBA games to 'America's Got Talent' to corporate events. People started hiring them as martial artists to do commercials and TV shows and they got asked more and more for action performances. Which led to meeting stunt coordinators and that's what brought Chris into the stunt world.
Chris calls himself very lucky and blessed to have worked with the best coordinators and colleagues in the stunt world that brought him up quickly.Tang Soo Do (2nd Dan; Warrior Cup Champion; Team AKA member)
Trivia: is the co-founder of the Sideswipe performance team
Best seen in BLOODFIST 2050- Actor
- Producer
- Art Department
Ben started acting from an early age in theatre and first appeared on the Australian TV Drama Series Water Rats (1996). Seton was born in Sydney, Australia. He was raised in Sydney's Western Suburbs then moved with his family to Wombeyan Caves located in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales where he lived without electricity for a year and a half. Reading and telling stories by candle light with his three brothers sparked his interest in acting. His family moved back to Sydney where he attended St Ignatius College. He immersed himself in the theatre department and discovered a love for the Bard. In 1995 he won the Australian Young Shakespearean Artist of the year award and was presented the College Blue for Drama in 1996. At the same time he was competing in International Tae Kwon Do Tournaments and was the South Pacific Champion in 1995. He combined his loves in a unique sellout show called "Tae Kwon Shakespeare". This gained him recognition and he guest starred in BeastMaster (1999) and The Lost World (2001). He co-starred with Lara Cox in The Dinner Party (2009) and moved to Los Angeles where he appeared on Fox Networks On the Lot (2007) and judges Garry Marshall, Michael Bay and Carrie Fisher commended him on an "excellent performance". He also starred as the lead in two Sci-Fi action films Vanquisher (2011) and Thrillseekers the Indosheen (2013).Tae Kwon Do (3rd Dan), Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Capoeira, Aikibojutsu, Kendo
Trivia: has studied the martial arts for over 25 years
Best seen in THRILLSEEKERS THE INDOSHEEN- Stunts
- Actor
- Producer
Inducted into the "Inside Kung Fu: Hall of Fame" at the age of 14, Travis has been featured in 30+ international ad campaigns, choreographed for artists Jennifer Lopez, Jason Derulo, Chris Brown, Demi Lovato, Camila Cabello, Miley Cyrus, and performed on stages from Universal Studios to the red carpet in Cannes.
Travis recently completed Stunt Coordinating "Back In Action" for Netflix starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz' return to the big screen, as well as the upcoming horror remake of the feature film "Witchboard." In addition to coordinating "Minions: The Rise of Gru. (2022)" and additional photography on "Snake Eyes (2021)," he was the fight coordinator of ABC's "STUMPTOWN, " 2 seasons of Marvel's LEGION on FX, and the assistant fight coordinator to Jeff Imada on "Furious 7." Travis has also choreographed and shot/edited previs on "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile," "The First Purge," "Pacific Rim: Uprising," "Doctor Strange," "The Happytime Murders," and more!
While obtaining a B.A. in Dramatic Arts/Theater & Dance from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Travis was introduced to parkour & freerunning. He was 1 of only 30 international athletes selected to represent the World Freerunning & Parkour Federation (WFPF) pushing the boundaries of this evolving discipline, and was the parkour consultant for Cirque Du Soleil's show "Volta." He was the Co-Host of MTV's Ultimate Parkour Challenge and and utilizing his extreme sports expertise to host Red Bull "Kick It" and multiple years of the Red Bull "Art Of Motion."
Travis is also the co-owner of the world renown Joining All Movement Center - JAM Gym (Van Nuys, CA) previously known as the White Lotus Martial Arts Center (Northridge, CA).Bai Ling Ga (Inside Kung Fu Hall of Fame entry), Wushu, Tai Chi
Trivia: is an instructor at the JAM Facility gym
Best seen in SUPAH NINJAS- Stunts
- Actor
Luang Foo Pai, Kickboxing, Wushu, Hung Gar
Trivia: has appeared in promotional material for Carlsberg Beer and Selma Optique Eyewear
Best seen in FIST OF THE WARRIOR- Stunts
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Efka Kvaraciejus is known for Logan (2017), The Dark Knight Rises (2012) and Captain America: Civil War (2016).Kickboxing
Trivia: immigrated from Lithuania to the United States to pursue a stunt career
Best seen in GAME OF DEATH- Actor
- Stunts
- Executive
Mehdi Merali was born in Miami, Florida, USA. He is an actor and executive, known for Shooter (2016), SEAL Team (2017) and The Night Shift (2014).Tae Kwon Do, Karate
Trivia: is also trained in firearm usage
Best seen in HOUNDZ FROM HELL- Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
Ken was trained in London at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the University of Westminster; also in NYC at the National Shakespeare Conservatory and the London Classic Theatre School. He also has a B.A. in Theatre from St. Lawrence University. He tackled the hardest role of his career, playing "Macbeth" in Las Vegas where he performed in front of more than 3,000 people a night for the very successful, and critically acclaimed month long run. In LA, Ken trained for film and TV under coach, Cameron Thor; and his two favorite screen roles were on TV: the first on "General Hospital", where he played "Greg", a mob accountant for the show's resident gangster, "Sonny Corinthos"; the second on ""Heroes", where he played a notorious super villain known only as "The German". He started studying Martial Arts nearly 40 years ago, and in '98 found himself at Benny "The Jet" Urquidez's "Jet's Gym", and Sensei Benny quickly got him into stunts and action acting. Since then he's been killed and/or beaten up on film, TV, and in video games.Kickboxing
Trivia: joined the Benny Urquidez Stunt Team while training at Urquidez's gym
Best seen in AMBUSHED- Stunts
- Actor
- Producer
Wayne Dalglish was born on 12 September 1990 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), Wonder Woman (2017) and Peacemaker (2022).Tae Kwon Do, Shorei-Ryu Karate, Ninjutsu, Wushu (4-time ISKA Champion; 7-time NASKA Champion; 2-time Diamond Nationals Champion; 2-time Ocean State Grand Nationals Champion; 2-time US Open Champion; 2-time Compete Nationals Champion; NASKA Hall of Fame entry)
Trivia: is the youngest ISKA Champion ever to win the title
Best seen in KICKIN' IT- Stunts
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Former 3x National Champion and 8th in the World trampolinist turned stunt professional Theo Kypri has worked on some of Hollywood's biggest grossing movies and has stunt doubled some of the biggest stars in the world. Now as Stunt Coordinator, Action Designer and Second Unit Action Director he brings realistic, original and creative action sequences to both the big and small screen.Wing Chun, Tae Kwon Do
Trivia: is a former British National Trampoline Champion
Best seen in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN - DEAD MAN'S CHEST- Stunts
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Karate (Sport Karate Hall of Fame entry), Kickboxing, Tang So Do (5th Dan), Kenpo and Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (blue belt), Muay Thai
Trivia: is also a dance choreographer
Best seen in RULES- Actor
- Producer
- Stunts
If talent takes you far in life then Jaylen Moore is a world-class traveler. A true triple threat known for his perilous acrobatic stunts & fighting style, versatile acting chops and comedic timing Moore is the epitome of today's "Action Hero and Renaissance Man" all in one.
Moore currently stars in Season One & Season Two of the scripted series "Six." The contemporary military action drama from A+E Studios on the History Channel. "Six" follows the Navy SEAL Team Six, whose 2014 mission to eliminate a Taliban leader in Afghanistan goes awry when they uncover a U.S. citizen working with the terrorists.
He has amassed an impressive body of work in television and film. He will be seen in the upcoming "Bad Moms," and has appeared in hit films, such as "Hot Pursuit," "Man Down," "Tri," "Aztec Warrior," "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," "Escape Plan," "Sons of Liberty," "Random," "Oblivion," "The Host," among many others. On the TV side, Moore has appeared in hit shows such as, CW's "The Originals," Fox's "Bones" " MTV's comedy film "Ladies Man: A Made Movie," six episodes of Conan's "Wolfboy" spoof of Taylor Lautner, and recurring roles in "Red Band Society" with Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and Showtime's Emmy-winning drama, "Homeland" in the role of Eric Baraz.
A man of healthy living and discipline, he boasts extensive work in fitness training. This training has led to the chiseled physique that he sports and has equipped Moore with the agility and flexibility to perform his own stunts when needed.
Moore started his career in theatre where he studied at Chicago's Second City appearing in Ovation Award-winning musical "City Kid." It was also his where he met his wife, actress/screenwriter Britt Logan. He's the father of a beautiful daughter and speaks Dari and is conversational in Spanish, Arabic, and PashtuKickboxing, Judo, Wushu, Kumite-Ryu & Atemi-Ryu Jujitsu, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Tae Kwon Do, Escrima, Kendo
Trivia: studied tumbling at the Olympic gymnastics facility
Best seen in AZTEC WARRIOR- Stunts
- Actress
- Producer
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Capoeira, Northern Shaolin, Kickboxing, Kobudo
Trivia: is a former competitive swimmer
Best seen in MASK OF THE NINJA- Roberto Gutierrez is known for Manhattan Chase (2000).Wushu
Trivia: also practices boxing
Best seen in MANHATTAN CHASE - Stunts
- Actor
- Special Effects
Paul Anthony Scott is known for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), The Matrix Resurrections (2021) and Ford v Ferrari (2019).Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kune Do, Escrima
Trivia: is Nathan Fillion's personal stunt double
Best seen in CROSS- Aikido (6th Dan)
Trivia: is the leader of the Norwegian Aikido Federation's technical committee
Best seen in SWORN TO JUSTICE - Ronnie Cea is known for Sworn to Justice (1996).Wun Hop Kuen (Masters Hall of Fame entry)
Trivia: is a recipient of the Silver Life Achievement Award
Best seen in SWORN TO JUSTICE - Actor
- Stunts
Scot Conway is known for Sworn to Justice (1996) and Return of the Killer Tomatoes! (1988).Kajukenbo (7th degree black belt), Hoshin-Ryu & Kindai-Ryu Jujitsu (3rd & 2nd Dan), Kenpo (1st Dan), Chuan Shu
Trivia: also works as a business communication agent
Best seen in SWORN TO JUSTICE- Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
John Corcoran was born on 27 November 1948 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for American Samurai (1992), The Squeeze (1987) and Fighting Back (1982). He died on 17 May 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.Shorin-Ryu Karate
Trivia: is also a publicist specializing in martial arts content, and paid for his initial Karate classes by writing advertisements for his instructor
Best seen in BLACKBELT- Writer
- Producer
- Actor
Christopher Robn Meeks was born on November 14, 1964, under the artistic sign of Scorpio in the small logging town of Roseburg, Oregon to his parents, Melanie Draper (Marotta) and Gene Meeks, along with his Brother(s), Everett Gene and Troy Anthony. After his parents divorce, his Mother would move them to the island of Kodiak, Alaska when he was just 1, where his mother worked in the Crabbing Cannery, "Pacific Packers" near the now infamous "Star of Kodiak" beached ship turned into a cannery, before fire would plague the family and force them from their Trailer Home, while claiming the life of his younger Brother, Troy. They moved to Fairbanks in the early Spring of 1968, and later relocated to North Pole, where he would eventually grow up. No one knew the wrecking ball of artistry that he would become as Robn excelled in pretty much in all things art. Singing, Acting, Writing and Graphic Design.
In his hometown(s) of Fairbanks/North Pole, he portrayed such characters as; Oliver Twist in the Hit Musical "Oliver!" (1976), Little Tim, and later Bob Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol" (1977 & 1980), John Proctor in "The Crucible" (1981), Danny Zuko in "Grease" (1982). He would eventually move to Los Angeles in 1991 to tackle an Acting and/or Singing career. In 1991, Robn became the Lead Singer for a rising Rock Band called "Lost Child", who would quickly become one of LA's Top Local Groups in 1993 having 4 original songs on 3 local radio stations, before disbanding in late 1994 due to irreconcilable differences. Songs that are still in rotation today on many internet streaming stations, including i Heart Radio, Spotify, Amazon Music and several others.
Robn is also a 46 year veteran of the Martial Arts (Shudo-Kan, Shudo-Ryu, Shin Ken Ichi Ryu, Tang Soo Do, Krav Maga and American Kenpo (Kenpo 5.0), and 'C.R.A.F.T.' (Close Range Adaptive Fighting Tactics).
Lights, Camera.., ACTION!!Tae Kwon Do (5th Dan), Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Krav Maga, Kendo
Trivia: head instructor of the Meeks Martial Arts school in Kentucky
Best seen in FLIGHT TO DANGER- Actor
- Stunts
- Writer
Hang Ling Do, Wun Hop Kuen (6th Dan), Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Bagua Zhang
Trivia: practices sports medicine, herbalism, and shiatsu massage
Best seen in DEADLY BET