Gerald Okamura
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gerald Okamura | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1940 (age 85–86) |
| Occupations |
|
| Style | San Soo |
| Trainer | Jimmy H. Woo |
| Rank | 5th degree black belt in San Soo |
| Website | geraldokamura |
Gerald Okamura (born 1940) is an American actor, martial artist, and stuntman,[1] known for appearing in numerous action films. He has acted in both mainstream blockbusters like Big Trouble in Little China (1986) and B-movies such as Samurai Cop (1991).
Okamura was born in Hilo, Hawaii in 1940. He began studying judo at the age of 13. He enlisted in the United States Army after graduating high school, where he was deployed to South Korea and was introduced to taekwondo.[2] After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, where he enrolled in Jimmy H. Woo's San Soo school, eventually earning a 5th-degree black belt.[2]
Okamura has also trained in kendo and aikido, and is a designer of various types of weaponry.
Career
Okamura began doing stunts in 1975, getting his first credited role in 1980. Since then he has appeared in 39 feature films, notably Big Trouble in Little China, Samurai Cop, Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance, Ninja Academy, 9½ Ninjas!, Ring of Fire, Blade, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Other roles he's played are Kai-Ogi in Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, a sensei in Power Rangers Wild Force, and Chao Chong in VR Troopers.