Diana Lee Inosanto Explained

Diana Lee Inosanto
Other Names:D. Lee Inosanto
Spouse:Ron Balicki (m. 1995)
Father:Dan Inosanto
Children:2

Diana Lee Inosanto is an American actress, director, former stunt performer,[1] and martial artist.[2] She also wrote and directed the film The Sensei (2008), and wrote the 2020 children's book The Curious Mind of Sebastian.

Personal life

Inosanto is married to fellow martial artist Ron Balicki. They have two children.[3]

Career

Martial arts

Inosanto grew up surrounded by the martial arts world, studying many forms, including Jeet Kune Do and Eskrima, which she learned from her father, Dan Inosanto, a student of Jeet Kune Do founder Bruce Lee, who was also her godfather.[4] She has appeared on the cover of numerous martial arts magazines, including Black Belt Magazine, Martial Arts, Inside Karate, Self Defense, and Inside Kung Fu. She was named Woman of the Year by Black Belt Magazine in 2009.

Film and television

Apart from doing stunt work and choreography in numerous films and television productions, Inosanto has also acted in a number of movies and series. Her directorial debut, The Sensei, was released in 2008.[5]

In 2020, Inosanto appeared in one episode of the second season of Disney's The Mandalorian, playing the role of Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth.[6] She later reprised the role in Ahsoka and Star Wars: Tales of the Empire.[7]

Theatre

Inosanto is active in Southern California theatre as a member of the Asian American theatre group Lodestone Theatre Ensemble. In 2008, she worked with East West Players, serving as martial arts choreographer on the world premiere of Dan Kwong's play Be Like Water.

Writing

In 2020, Inosanto published her first book, the children's story The Curious Mind of Sebastian.[8] The same year, she also contributed a foreword to the Fiaz Rafiq book Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend.[9]

Selected filmography

Notes and References

  1. News: Ahsoka's Diana Lee Inosanto on her transition from stunt performer to actor . cbc.ca . March 13, 2024 . May 8, 2024.
  2. http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2008/10/director-fights-hatred-with-martial-arts/ "The Sensei" profiled by Jane Mee Wong
  3. News: Director fights hatred with martial arts . nwasianweekly.com . October 25, 2008 . August 22, 2023.
  4. Bruce Lee - Die Faust Hollywoods, documentary by Annette Baumeister in the series Too Young To Die, ZDF / Arte, Germany 2015
  5. Web site: A Different Kind of Martial Arts Film: D. Lee Inosanto's 'The Sensei' battles prejudice and homophobia in 1980s small town in Colorado . asianweek.com . May 2, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160220184050/http://www.asianweek.com/2008/05/02/a-different-kind-of-martial-arts-film-d-lee-inosanto%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98the-sensei%e2%80%99-battles-prejudice-and-homophobia-in-1980s-small-town-in-colorado/ . November 26, 2020. February 20, 2016 .
  6. Web site: Who Plays the Magistrate in The Mandalorian? Bruce Lee Connection Explained . screenrant.com . November 28, 2020 . November 29, 2020.
  7. Web site: Bonomolo . Cameron . July 30, 2023 . Who's Who in Star Wars: Ahsoka . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230731023621/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/star-wars-ahsoka-characters-guide-explained-whos-who/ . July 31, 2023 . August 1, 2023 . ComicBook.com.
  8. Web site: Adventure Theatre honors API Heritage Month with streaming special events . dcmetrotheaterarts.com . May 13, 2020 . November 26, 2020 . November 28, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201128013202/https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2020/05/13/adventure-theatre-honors-api-heritage-month-with-streaming-special-events/ . dead .
  9. Web site: Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend . bookdepository.com . November 26, 2020.
  10. Web site: THE SENSEI—The Evening Class Interview with Diana Lee Inosanto . theeveningclass.blogspot.com . May 24, 2008 . November 26, 2020.
  11. News: Diana Lee Inosanto Signs with Gersh (Exclusive) . Hollywood Reporter . April 19, 2023.
  12. Web site: 'Star Wars: Tales of the Empire' Trailer: Disney+ Unveils Dave Filoni's Animated Follow-Up to 'Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi'. Deadline Hollywood. Valerie. Complex. April 4, 2024. April 12, 2024. April 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240412141454/https://deadline.com/video/star-wars-tales-of-the-empire-trailer-disney-unveils-trailer-david-filonis-animated-follow-up-tales-of-the-jedi/. live.
  13. Web site: Star Wars: Tales of the Empire Trailer Revealed. Star Wars. StarWars.com Team. April 4, 2024. April 12, 2024. April 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240412141441/https://www.starwars.com/news/tales-of-the-empire-trailer. live.

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