Dan Inosanto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dan Inosanto
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| Born | July 24, 1936 Stockton, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Martial arts instructor, actor |
| Style | Jeet Kune Do, Eskrima, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kenpo Karate, Muay Thai, Pencak Silat, Tai Chi, Shooto, Judo |
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| Children | 3, including Diana Lee Inosanto |
Dan Inosanto was born on July 24, 1936. He is a famous American martial arts teacher and actor. He has earned high-level ranks, like black belts, in many different martial arts styles.
Mr. Inosanto has studied traditional forms such as Karate, Judo, Jujutsu, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Tai Chi. He also learned Kali and Jeet Kune Do. He was one of only three people chosen by Bruce Lee to teach at his special martial arts schools, called Jun Fan Gung Fu institutes. The other two teachers were Taky Kimura and James Yimm Lee. After Bruce Lee passed away, Dan Inosanto became the main person to talk about and share the history of Jeet Kune Do.
Dan Inosanto is known for training many Hollywood actors in martial arts. These actors include Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. He also had small acting parts in several movies. These include Bruce Lee's last film, Game of Death (1972), and Steven Seagal's movie, Out for Justice (1991).
Contents
Early Life and Martial Arts Training
Dan Inosanto started learning martial arts when he was 11 years old. His uncle first taught him traditional Okinawan Karate. Later, his uncle also taught him Judo and Jujutsu. Dan Inosanto also learned from Ed Parker, who gave him a high rank (called a shodan) in American Kenpo.
From 1959 to 1961, Dan served in the military as a paratrooper. He was part of the 101st Airborne Division. During this time, he continued to improve his martial arts skills. He trained under Henry Slomanski at Fort Campbell.
Teaching and Spreading Martial Arts
Dan Inosanto was one of only three people chosen to teach at Bruce Lee's Jun Fan Gung Fu Institutes. The other two were Taky Kimura and James Yimm Lee. Mr. Inosanto also traveled to learn from many other martial arts masters. He studied in the United States, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Some of his teachers included Johnny Lacoste and Chai Sirisute.
After Bruce Lee's death, Dan Inosanto became the main person to explain and share the history of Jeet Kune Do. He also had small roles in movies, like Bruce Lee's unfinished film Game of Death (1972). From 1964 to 1975, he taught physical education at Malaga Cove Intermediate School in Palos Verdes Estates, California. In 1977, the Dallas Cowboys football team asked Dan to teach martial arts as part of their training.
The film I Am Bruce Lee shared an interesting fact about Dan Inosanto and Bruce Lee's friendship. Dan Inosanto actually taught Bruce Lee how to use nunchaku. He showed Lee the basics and some exercises to help him start his weapons training. The movie Game of Death is famous for showing Bruce Lee and Dan Inosanto using nunchaku. In 1996, Black Belt magazine named him their "Man of the Year."
Dan Inosanto holds many instructor and black belt ranks in different martial arts. He is well-known for helping to make Filipino Martial Arts popular. He also introduced many less-known martial arts from Southeast Asia to the public. One example is Silat, a fighting style from countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. He has also earned a fifth-degree black belt in the Machado family style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He trained in Shoot wrestling with Yorinaga Nakamura. Today, he is the vice-president of Lameco International. He helps continue the Eskrima style of the late Filipino martial artist Edgar Sulite. Dan Inosanto has also appeared in online videos discussing his training in Systema.
Notable Students and Academy
Dan Inosanto teaches many martial arts at his school in Marina del Rey, California. His school is called the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts. He teaches The Art and Philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Shoot Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Eskrima, Muay Thai, and Silat.
Some of his well-known students include:
- Diana Lee Inosanto
- Bruce Lee (Dan Inosanto taught him Nunchaku and staff)
- Brandon Lee
- Denzel Washington
- Ricky Nelson
- Ron Balicki
- Edgar Sulite
- Jeff Imada
- Erik Paulson
- Graciela Casillas-Tortorelli
- Ernest Emerson
- Jerry Poteet
- Salem Assli
- Arndt Mallepree
Film Appearances
Dan Inosanto has appeared in several films, both as an actor and a stunt performer.
As an Actor
- 2008 Redbelt as Master Joāo "The Professor" Moro
- 2007 Big Stan as Knife fighting Cook
- 2003 Brazilian Brawl as Ruben
- 1991 Out for Justice as "Sticks"
- 1986 Big Trouble in Little China (as Daniel Inosanto)
- 1981 Sharky's Machine as Chin #1
- 1981 Long de ying zi (as Danny Inosanto)
- 1981 Skirmish
- 1981 The Chinese Stuntman as Filipino Fighter
- 1978 Game of Death as Pasquale, Filipino Fighter
- 1975 The Killer Elite as Japanese Killer
- 1972 The Game of Death as 3rd Floor Guardian
- 1966 The Green Hornet (episode title: "Praying Mantis") (Stuntman for Mako)
In Documentaries
- 2012 I Am Bruce Lee
- 2008 The Legend of Bruce Lee
- 2006 Fight Science
- 2002 Modern Warriors
- 2002 Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon
- 2000 Bruce Lee in G.O.D.: Shibôteki yûgi
- 2000 Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey
- 1999 Famous Families (The Lees: Action Speaks Louder)
- 1998 The Path of the Dragon
- 1997 E! True Hollywood Story (Brandon Lee)
- 1993 Bruce Lee: The Curse of the Dragon
- 1993 Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story
- 1977 Bruce Lee, the Legend
- 1976 The Warrior Within
- 1976 Bruce Lee's Secret
- 1973 Life and Legend of Bruce Lee
Stunt Work
- 1996 Escape from L.A. (stunts)
- 1966 The Green Hornet (1 episode) (fight double)
See also
In Spanish: Dan Inosanto para niños
