# actor martial artisits, NOT martial artist actors **URL:** \ **Category:** Kung Fu Forum\ **Created:** [June 12, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791 "2002-06-12T16:59:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Octavius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f04885/32.png) [@Octavius](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Octavius)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 4:59pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/1 "2002-06-12T16:59:05Z")
Hi guys, do any of you know of any actors who also have background in MA? I don’t mean martial artists who have become actors (like Seagal, Norris, etc). I can only think of Wesley Snipes. He is a well rounded actor (whos been in comedies, dramas, action, etc) and also someone who has a background in karate and Capoaeira. I have a vaguely fuzzy memory of some woman from the old Buck Rogers show who is a Tai Chi expert, but could be wrong. Oh, and there’s of course Sarah Michelle Gellar who supposedly is a Bronw Belt in TKD. Anyone know of any others? ---
**Author:** ![Midnight\_Oil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7993a0/32.png) [@Midnight\_Oil](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Midnight_Oil)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 5:50pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/2 "2002-06-12T17:50:54Z")
Craig T Nelson (from the sitcom “Coach”): Savate (I think). J-Lo: Krav Maga (hahahahahahahahaha!!!).:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ReverendTim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@ReverendTim](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/ReverendTim)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 5:57pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/3 "2002-06-12T17:57:32Z")
Joe Rogan, of News Radio and Fear Factor, was a national tae kwon do champion and currently studies BJJ (with the Machados, I think). Watch out for them comics from Boston… – Rev. Tim ---
**Author:** ![apoweyn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/apoweyn/32/89_2.png) [@apoweyn](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/apoweyn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 7:41pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/4 "2002-06-12T19:41:43Z")
Erin Gray played on Buck Rogers. And yeah, she teaches taiji now. James Caan is an avid karateka under Tak Kubota. Dustin Nguyen (of VIP) was an actor on 21 Jump Street before anyone knew about his martial arts background (taekwondo and jeet kune do, evidently). But how are you distinguishing martial artist/actors from actor/martial artists? what they were known for first? If so, I can think of a few B-grade stars that fit that bill. Lorenzo Lamas leaps to mind. He starred on Falcon Crest (is that right?) long before he started making action movies. Patrick Swayze is another. Randall Batinkoff (I’m really embarrassed that I even pulled that name out, frankly; think he had a small, nonmartial arts role in the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer as her boyfriend). I’m sure there are piles of them. Stuart B. ---
**Author:** ![Chang\_Style\_Novice](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/chang_style_novice/32/110_2.png) [@Chang\_Style\_Novice](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Chang_Style_Novice)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 7:48pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/5 "2002-06-12T19:48:01Z")
It’s too bad most of these people (except for James Caan) are pretty cr@ppy actors. Wasn’t James Cagney a pretty decent judoka? ---
**Author:** ![apoweyn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/apoweyn/32/89_2.png) [@apoweyn](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/apoweyn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 8:03pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/6 "2002-06-12T20:03:08Z")
that’s true. but nobody said they had to be good actors. 🙂 that’s right. cagney was a judoka. how good he was, i don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![KC\_Elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/848f3c/32.png) [@KC\_Elbows](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/KC_Elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 8:03pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/7 "2002-06-12T20:03:30Z")
Yes, Cagney even breaks out some judo in one film, I forget the title. If memory serves me correctly, Jerry Seinfeld does kung fu. Also, I have recurring dreams that Nicole Kidman is grappling with me. She is quite good, in fact, she does this one move, it kinda involves a triangle, if I understand what the grapplers mean by triangle. I have to think about baseball statistics in order to keep from submitting right there on the floor. She is superior. ---
**Author:** ![apoweyn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/apoweyn/32/89_2.png) [@apoweyn](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/apoweyn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 8:07pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/8 "2002-06-12T20:07:11Z")
bryan genesse, thomas ian griffith, and adrian paul all acted in various nonmartial arts productions before using their martial arts on screen as well. again, not exactly oscar winners. ---
**Author:** ![KC\_Elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/848f3c/32.png) [@KC\_Elbows](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/KC_Elbows)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/9 "2002-06-12T20:28:33Z")
Actually, John Cusack has studied with Benny Urquidez for a long time, and is purported to have a vicious jab. Ap, remind me not to ask if you’ve seen any good movies lately. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Willow\_Sword](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/the_willow_sword/32/108_2.png) [@The\_Willow\_Sword](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/The_Willow_Sword)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:24pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/10 "2002-06-12T22:24:21Z")
RALPH MACCIO: pen!$-fu WEBSTER: gung-whopper-do Todd Bridges: cocainejichuan chuck norris: hairclubformentsu pat morita: kolostomybagmaga gil gerrard(buck rogers) : washedupoldactor-fuduk drew carrey: twinkyhohokwondo thats about all i know for now:p ---
**Author:** ![GunnedDownAtrocity](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/gunneddownatrocity/32/52_2.png) [@GunnedDownAtrocity](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/GunnedDownAtrocity)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2002, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/11 "2002-06-12T22:29:25Z")
elvis. ---
**Author:** ![Ky-Fi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@Ky-Fi](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Ky-Fi)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/12 "2002-06-13T01:48:29Z")
I thnk I heard that Dame Judy Dench occasionally competes in those Karate power-breaking competitions on ESPN. ---
**Author:** ![omegapoint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/51bf81/32.png) [@omegapoint](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/omegapoint)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:58am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/13 "2002-06-13T07:58:08Z")
? I forget homey’s real name (Ed something?), but that guy who played Al Bundy on the sitcom “Married With Children” is a purple belt in Gracie Jiujitsu. Who woulda’ thunk it?! ---
**Author:** ![scotty1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/scotty1/32/175_2.png) [@scotty1](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/scotty1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 8:17am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/14 "2002-06-13T08:17:15Z")
“Why is it if a man kills another man in battle, it’s called heroic, yet if he kills a man in the heat of passion it’s called murder?” -Stan ---
**Author:** ![Former\_castleva](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/former_castleva/32/225_2.png) [@Former\_castleva](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Former_castleva)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 8:27am UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/15 "2002-06-13T08:27:04Z")
GDA, Right. Elvis had a blue belt in American kenpo karate. I found that strange but I think that´s true. “Al Bundy” also has a blue belt (or related) in BJJ. Possibly studied with Gracies. Jim Carrey has surprisingly studied with Gracies (is Royce Gracies private student) ---
**Author:** ![apoweyn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/apoweyn/32/89_2.png) [@apoweyn](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/apoweyn)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 1:08pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/16 "2002-06-13T13:08:00Z")
lol @ KC well, what was the last ‘good’ movie i saw? … i don’t remember. billy elliott jumps to mind. that may actually have been the last one. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Octavius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f04885/32.png) [@Octavius](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Octavius)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:24pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/17 "2002-06-13T15:24:25Z")
Thanks for the reply folks. I was making the diffrence between actor MA vs. MA actors in what their primary day job is/was. Guys like Snipes and Lamas were actors first and their MA experience is just a plus, whereas Norris and Seagal were professionally MAists first who becasme actors. I was also thinking of people you normally don’t think of as MAists who are famour, like Ed O’Neil (Al Bundy) or Elvis. How about this one - actors who got into MA through a role and became serious MAists. James Coburn and Caan comes to mind. What about those folks in teh Matrix movies - anyone know if any of the principle characters/actors are realy learning stuff or are they just doing Movie-fu just enuff for the roles? I also heard Matt Damon started doing Kali for the Bourne movie. ---
**Author:** ![apoweyn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/apoweyn/32/89_2.png) [@apoweyn](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/apoweyn)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/18 "2002-06-13T15:28:28Z")
kali, eh? okay, i wanted to see that movie regardless. but now, i’m jonesing. forgot about coburn. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Willow\_Sword](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forum.kungfumagazine.com/the_willow_sword/32/108_2.png) [@The\_Willow\_Sword](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/The_Willow_Sword)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/19 "2002-06-13T19:05:30Z")
more actor martial artists bernie mac: cuss-fu robin williams: heliumcrack-do robert deniro: youlookinatme puntao jack nicholson: 9-iron tao bill bixby: dead michele pfiefer: hubbahubbakwondo president goerge bush jr.: dim mak (death touch) that duck: AAAAFLAACKK!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Budokan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Budokan](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/u/Budokan)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2002, 7:23pm UTC](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791/20 "2002-06-13T19:23:21Z")
kee-rist, some people First of all, that stupid c_nt-stain J-Lo doesn’t know Krav Maga, anymore than that warbling b_tch Britney Spears knows any MA or Emma Peel (what’ her name) knew judo or Carradine knew kung fu. Okay? We got that cleared up…? They’re ACTORS (and even that’s open for debate) not MA. :rolleyes: [Next page](https://forum.kungfumagazine.com/t/actor-martial-artisits-not-martial-artist-actors/12791.md?page=2)