Gerald Okamura Explained

Gerald Okamura
Birth Place:Hilo, Hawaii
Occupation:Actor, martial artist, stuntman
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Child:yes
Style:San Soo
Trainer:Jimmy H. Woo
Rank:5th degree black belt in San Soo

Gerald Okamura (born 1940) is an American actor, martial artist, and stuntman.[1]

Early life

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.

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, , Ninja Academy, 9½ Ninjas!, Ring of Fire, Blade, and . 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.

Filmography

Film

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1976Chesty Anderson, USNKarate Expert
1980The OctagonNinja Instructor
1981Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon QueenClub Shanghai Bouncer
1983Angel of H.E.A.T.Hans Zeisel
1984Ninja BustersMaster
1985My Science ProjectVietnamese SoldierUncredited
1985Sword of HeavenThird Monk
1986Big Trouble in Little ChinaWing Kong Hatchet Man
1989Ninja AcademyChiba
1989Time Burst: the Final AllianceMaster
1990AftershockFighter
19919 1/2 Ninjas!Master
1991Showdown in Little TokyoHagata, the Torturer
1991Samurai CopOkamura
1991Capital PunishmentHenchman
1991The Master DemonThe Master Demon
1991Karate WarsNakaso
1992Deadly BetFighter
1992Rapid FireTau's Gunman at LaundryUncredited
1992American StreetfighterOgawa
1992Shadow of the DragonTemple Priest
1993Ring of Fire II: Blood and SteelGarbage Gang
1993Shootfighter: Fight to the DeathShootfighting Ref
1993Hot Shots! Part DeuxCorrupt Kick Boxing Referee
1993Full ImpactJapanese fighter
1993FirepowerFighterUncredited
1993Fit to KillCommando
1994The ShadowTibetan Passenger
1994The Dallas ConnectionFu
1994Cage IIDr. Wo
1995The Power WithinYung
1995Mortal KombatOutworld WarriorUncredited
1996For Life or DeathAncient priest
1996Bloodsport IIIJudge
1996Day of the WarriorFu
1996Carnival of WolvesBodyguard #2
1997Little BigfootCook
1998BladeVampireUncredited
1998Fu
2002The Circuit 2: The Final PunchMing Li
2002RedemptionKwai Lo
2005Confessions of an Action StarAsian Master
2005Vampire AssassinMaster Kao
2009Hard Master
2009HellbindersBuddhist Priest
2015Raizo

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1979A Man Called SloaneHenchman Guarding MariaEpisode: "Samurai"
1984Matt HoustonThugEpisode: "Return to Nam: Part 1"
1985Knight RiderFuji HakitoEpisode: "Knight & Knerd"
1985J.O.E. and the ColonelTrainerTelevision film
1987Falcon CrestMr. ItoEpisode: "Lovers and Friends"
1996VR TroopersChao ChongEpisode: "Despera Strikes Back"
1996Mighty Morphin Alien RangersKai-OgiEpisode: "Along Came a Spider"
2002Power Rangers Wild ForceSenseiEpisode: "A Father's Footsteps"
2012, 2013Kickin' ItGrandmaster Po2 episodes

Video games

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1997Blade RunnerZubenVoice
2004SWAT: Warhead OnePeter Chiang

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Entertainment . Martial Arts . 2015-02-24 . Gerald Okamura . 2021-07-17 . Martial Arts & Action Entertainment . en-US.
  2. Web site: 2018-04-02 . Interview with Gerald Okamura - The Wing Kong Exchange . 2024-05-21 . en-US.