Billy Blanks
Acting
Muscular African American sports star, actor, media identity and inventor of the phenomenally popular "Tae Bo" fitness system, derived from his extensive martial arts training. Blanks was born in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1955 amongst humble backgrounds and grew up as one of 15 children, battling dyslexia and tendon problems. However that didn't stop him from starting his martial arts training at age 14 and eventually achieving black belts in tae kwon do & several other arts, and winning numerous US martial arts tournaments.
Blanks first popped up on movie screens in the mid 1980s in tough guy parts utilizing his athletic background and grim faced looks. Films roles included Tango & Cash (1989), Driving Force (1989) and A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (1990). Things looked up in 1991, when Blanks scored the minor role of drug addicted running back "Billy Cole" in the explosive The Last Boy Scout (1991)....and further work followed often sharing lead billing in low budget - high action fare such as Talons of the Eagle (1992), TC 2000 (1993) and Expect No Mercy (1995).
In the late 1990s, Billy's innovative and exciting "Tae Bo" workout routine swept around the world like wildfire, and propelled him into the position of one of the world's most recognizable and biggest selling fitness trainers. The remarkable Blanks continues to refine and promote his unique "Tae Bo" fitness system, and he operates the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, California.
7th Degree Black Belt Billy Blanks had one of the greatest karate fight records in the sport's long history. Blanks was a 7-time world karate champion, the first Amateur Athletic Union Champ in 1975, the 1984 Massachusetts Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, and the Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions. He was the captain of the United States Karate Team and won over 30 gold medals in international competition. He was the number 1 or number 2 rated full-contact karate fighter in the United States for almost seven straight years. His epic battles with "Nasty" Anderson are legends among martial arts fans. He posted over 300 career victories. In 1982, Billy Blanks was honored by being inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame.
Media of
Billy Blanks
Photos (21)
Filmography of
Billy Blanks
Loren
... 2024
Samson
... 2024
... 2019
Billy Blanks
... 2018
Mr. Wilson
... 2017
... 2017
Sheriff Tom
... 2015
Self
... 2015
... 2014
Instructor
... 2012
Billy Blanks
... 2011
Himself
... 2010
Billy Blanks
... 2007
Billy Blanks
... 2007
Billy Blanks
... 2005
... 2005
Himself
... 2005
... 2005
Billy Blanks
... 2004
... 2003
... 2003
... 2003
... 2003
... 2003
... 2002
... 2001
... 2001
... 2001
Himself
... 2000
... 1999
... 1999
... 1999
... 1999
... 1998
Craegan
... 1997
Instructor
... 1997
Niko
... 1996
... 1995
Justin Vanier
... 1995
John Portland
... 1995
Billy
... 1994
Billy Grant
... 1993
Jason Storm
... 1993
Billy
... 1992
Tyler Wilson
... 1992
Hawks Gang Member
... 1992
Billy Cole
... 1991
Mr. Brown
... 1991
... 1990
African Legionnaire
... 1990
Baskin's Fighter #1 (uncredited)
... 1990
Pool
... 1990
Prison Thug (uncredited)
... 1989
Black Rose
... 1989
Guard
... 1986
Billy Blanks