Dan Inosanto
Encyclopedia
Daniel Arca Inosanto is a Filipino-American martial arts instructor from California
who is best known as a student of the late Bruce Lee
and authority on Jeet Kune Do
Concepts.
, Filipino martial arts
, Shoot wrestling
, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai
, Silat
, mixed martial arts
and other arts at his Marina del Rey, California
school, the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts. He received a shodan
from and was an instructor for Ed Parker
in American Kenpo
Karate
before becoming a student of Bruce Lee. Inosanto is one of three people allowed by Bruce Lee to teach his Martial Arts system (Taky Kimura and James Yimm Lee
being the other two), and the only one to be given Instructorship in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do
of the third level. Inosanto also studied with dozens of martial arts masters elsewhere in the United States
, Southeast Asia
, and Europe, including Johny Lacoste (Kali, or Kamot Lihok, lit. "Hand Movement"), and Chai Sirisute (Muay Thai). After Bruce Lee's death, he has become the principal spokesperson and historian for Jeet Kune Do. He has had minor roles in a number of movies
, including Bruce Lee's uncompleted last film Game of Death
(1972). During this time period (1967–75), he also taught physical education at Malaga Cove Intermediate School in Palos Verdes Estates, California
.
Always a student himself, he continues to train with many highly regarded martial artists. Consequently, he holds Instructor or black belt
level ranks in numerous, different martial arts. In addition, he is well known for promoting the Filipino Martial Arts
. He is responsible for bringing several obscure forms of the South East Asia Martial Arts into the public eye such as Silat, a hybrid combative form existing in countries as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. He has recently acquired his black belt in the Machado
Family style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He trained Shoot wrestling
under Yorinaga Nakamura
. Currently he is the vice-president of Lameco International, a recently formed version of Eskrima.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
who is best known as a student of the late Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
and authority on Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
Concepts.
Martial arts
Dan Inosanto teaches The Art and Philosophy of Jeet Kune DoJeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
, Filipino martial arts
Filipino martial arts
Filipino Martial Arts refers to ancient and newer fighting methods devised in the Philippines, the most popular of which are known as Arnis/Eskrima/Kali. The intrinsic need for self-preservation was the genesis of these systems. Throughout the ages, invaders and evolving local conflict imposed new...
, Shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling is a combat sport that has its origins in Japan's professional wrestling circuit of the 1970s. Professional wrestlers of that era attempted to utilize more realistic or "full contact" moves in their matches to increase their excitement...
, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...
, Silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
, mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
and other arts at his Marina del Rey, California
Marina del Rey, California
-Demographics:-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Marina del Rey had a population of 8,866. The population density was 6,094.6 people per square mile...
school, the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts. He received a shodan
Shodan
, literally meaning "beginning degree," is the lowest black belt rank in Japanese martial arts and the game of Go. The 2nd dan is higher than Shodan, but the 1st dan is called Shodan traditionally and the 1st dan is not called "Ichidan"...
from and was an instructor for Ed Parker
Ed Parker
Edmund Kealoha "Ed" Parker was an American martial artist, promoter, teacher, and author.-Life:Parker was born in Hawaii, and raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in judo and later boxing...
in American Kenpo
American Kenpo
American Kenpo or Kenpo Karate is a system of martial arts created by Ed Parker, characterized by the use of quick moves in rapid-fire succession intended to overwhelm an opponent...
Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
before becoming a student of Bruce Lee. Inosanto is one of three people allowed by Bruce Lee to teach his Martial Arts system (Taky Kimura and James Yimm Lee
James Yimm Lee
James Yimm Lee was an American martial arts pioneer, teacher, author, publisher, and a welder by profession. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was one of Bruce Lee's three personally certified 3rd rank instructors and went on to teach in his absence in Oakland...
being the other two), and the only one to be given Instructorship in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do is a hybrid martial arts system and life philosophy founded by martial artist Bruce Lee with direct, non classical and straightforward movements. Due to the way his style works they believe in minimal movement with maximum effect and extreme speed. The system works on the use of...
of the third level. Inosanto also studied with dozens of martial arts masters elsewhere in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, and Europe, including Johny Lacoste (Kali, or Kamot Lihok, lit. "Hand Movement"), and Chai Sirisute (Muay Thai). After Bruce Lee's death, he has become the principal spokesperson and historian for Jeet Kune Do. He has had minor roles in a number of movies
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, including Bruce Lee's uncompleted last film Game of Death
Game of Death
The Game of Death is a 1972 film starring Bruce Lee. It was almost the last film Bruce Lee had planned to be the demonstration piece of his martial art Jeet Kune Do. Over 100 minutes of footage was shot before his death, some of which was later misplaced in the Golden Harvest archives...
(1972). During this time period (1967–75), he also taught physical education at Malaga Cove Intermediate School in Palos Verdes Estates, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Always a student himself, he continues to train with many highly regarded martial artists. Consequently, he holds Instructor or black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
level ranks in numerous, different martial arts. In addition, he is well known for promoting the Filipino Martial Arts
Filipino martial arts
Filipino Martial Arts refers to ancient and newer fighting methods devised in the Philippines, the most popular of which are known as Arnis/Eskrima/Kali. The intrinsic need for self-preservation was the genesis of these systems. Throughout the ages, invaders and evolving local conflict imposed new...
. He is responsible for bringing several obscure forms of the South East Asia Martial Arts into the public eye such as Silat, a hybrid combative form existing in countries as Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. He has recently acquired his black belt in the Machado
Machado
-People:*Alicia Machado, Venezuelan Miss Universe*Staney Machado, RN Podar Physical Education Teacher*Anderson Machado, United States baseball player*Antonio Machado, Spanish poet*Bernardino Machado, Portuguese statesman...
Family style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He trained Shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling
Shoot wrestling is a combat sport that has its origins in Japan's professional wrestling circuit of the 1970s. Professional wrestlers of that era attempted to utilize more realistic or "full contact" moves in their matches to increase their excitement...
under Yorinaga Nakamura
Yorinaga Nakamura
, also known as Yori Nakamura, is a retired Japanese shoot wrestler and an instructor in shoot wrestling and Jeet Kune Do.-Life and career:Nakamura had trained in various martial arts until February 1984 when he enrolled at the Tiger Gym of Satoru Sayama. In November 1985, he became a full-time...
. Currently he is the vice-president of Lameco International, a recently formed version of Eskrima.
Notable students
Dan Inosanto's notable students include:- Dwight Woods: "The Jeet Kune Do Rebel"
- Chai SirisuteChai SirisuteAjarn Surachai Sirisute , commonly known as Chai Sirisute, is a martial arts Instructor who is the founder and President of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA and responsible for introducing Muay Thai to the United States...
: founder of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA - Todd Corvin : creator of TK Combat Techknowledgy . Expert in Savat, Jiu Jitsu, Kali, and Kickboxing. Teaches out of the "Boxing Works" gym in Hermosa Beach, CA. Is also known for training professional mixed martial artist Sean LoefflerSean LoefflerSean Loeffler is an American mixed martial artist from Hermosa Beach, California.-Mixed martial arts career:Sean Loeffler, a father of 1 Amber is currently signed to Bellator Fighting Championships and specifically their Middleweight Tournament...
. - Richard BustilloRichard BustilloRichard S Bustillo is an Filipino-American martial arts instructor from Hawaii who was a student of the late Bruce Lee and an authority on Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Filipino Martial Arts.-Martial arts:...
: martial arts instructor and founder of the IMB Academy in Torrance, CA - Denzel WashingtonDenzel WashingtonDenzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He first rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the medical drama, St. Elsewhere, playing Dr...
: Academy Award-winning actor, director, producer - Chuck NorrisChuck NorrisCarlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
: actor - Edgar SuliteEdgar SuliteEdgar Sulite was a teacher of Filipino martial arts. He was the creator of Lameco Eskrima and trained such notables as: Dan Inosanto, Ron Balicki, Larry Hartsell, Fred Degerberg and Diana Lee Inosanto....
: founder and creator of Lameco EskrimaLameco EskrimaLameco Eskrima is the system of Filipino martial arts founded by the late Edgar Sulite based on his training and experience with various Philippine Martial Arts masters, with heavy influence from Jose Caballero and Antonio Ilustrisimo.... - Larry HartsellLarry HartsellLarry Hartsell was a martial arts teacher and author, best known for his involvement with Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do.- Biography :...
: deceased martial arts teacher and author - Ron Kosakowski : Long time JKD, Kali and Kuntao instructor. owner of http://TraditionalFilipinoWeapons.com
- Jeff ImadaJeff ImadaJeff Imada is an American marital artist, stuntman, actor and director. He has performed stunts in over 100 films and television programs and authored one of the first books published in the US about the balisong knife.-Life and career:...
: stuntman, actor, fight choreographer - Brandon LeeBrandon LeeBrandon Bruce Lee was an American actor and martial artist. He was the son of martial arts film star Bruce Lee...
: deceased son of the late great Bruce LeeBruce LeeBruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement... - Forest WhitakerForest WhitakerForest Steven Whitaker is an American actor, producer, and director. He has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and for his recurring role as ex-LAPD Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh on the gritty, award-winning television...
: Academy Award-winning actor, producer, director, writer - Salem Assli : Author, Professor and Technical director of French Savate in the USA. Full Instructor in Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Kali under Sifu/Guro Dan Inosanto.
- Paul Vunak : founder and creator of Progressive Fighting Systems (PFS)
- Daniel Sullivan : martial arts instructor and founder of OC Kickboxing & Mixed Martial Arts in Irvine, CA
- Burton RichardsonBurton Richardson (martial artist)Burton "Lucky Dog" Richardson is an American martial artist, author, instructor, and fight choreographer. Richardson focuses primarily on functional street self-defense, but also coaches MMA to some of the top UFC fighters in the industry, including UFC middleweight contender Chris Leben...
: actor, stuntman, writer, and founder of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) Unlimited - Erik Paulson : Shooto champion, trainer to UFC fighters and founder of Combat Submission Wrestling (CSW)
- Cass Magda : martial arts instructor and founder of the Magda Institute in Reseda, CA
- Damon Caro : actor, stunt coordinator, fight choreographer
- Chris KentChris KentChris Kent may refer to:* Stephen Clarke , real name Chris Kent, British journalist and novelist* Christopher Kent , real name Alf Kjellin* Chris Kent , Kryptonian boy featured in the comic book Action Comics...
: author, stunt coordinator, JKD instructor http://www.chriskentjkd.com - Cliff Lenderman: actor, martial arts instructor
- Ron BalickiRon BalickiRon Balicki is an actor and stuntman for various films and television series. He is also a well known martial arts practitioner, teacher and author. He is a student and the son-in-law of Dan Inosanto.-Biography:...
: stuntman, actor, producer - Diana Lee InosantoDiana Lee InosantoDiana Lee Inosanto is a Filipino American actress, stuntwoman, martial artist and film director, sometimes credited as D. Lee Inosanto.-Personal:...
: actress, stuntwoman, writer and producer - Graciela Casillas-Tortorelli
- Paul de Thouars : creator of Pentjak Silat Bukti Negara
- Ernest EmersonErnest EmersonErnest R. Emerson is an American custom knifemaker, martial artist, and edged-weapons expert. Originally an engineer and machinist in the aerospace industry, Emerson became a knifemaker known for making decorative knives but later became better known for his combat knives, eventually founding a...
- Ricky NelsonRicky NelsonEric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
- Jerry PoteetJerry PoteetJerry Poteet is an American martial arts instructor, recognized for his teachings in the art of Jeet Kune Do as an original Bruce Lee student. Since his teacher’s premature passing, Jerry has stood firm, refusing to water down the art that had such an enormous impact in his life...
- Tim TackettTim TackettTim Tackett is a martial arts instructor and author from Redlands, California who runs a non-profit group dedicated to preserving Bruce Lee's art of Jeet Kune Do.-Martial arts history:...
- Walt Missingham
- Kevin Seaman
- Rick Tucci
- Ricky Rillera deceased
- Dan AndersonDan Anderson (sifu)Sifu/Guro Dan Anderson is the founder / director and head instructor of Andersons Martial Arts Academy. Sifu Anderson was born in 1975, in Arkansas. He began studying martial arts from a very young age. After fighting in Muay Thai for several years, Sifu began to focus on the practice of the...
- Nick Sacoulas
- Yorinaga NakamuraYorinaga Nakamura, also known as Yori Nakamura, is a retired Japanese shoot wrestler and an instructor in shoot wrestling and Jeet Kune Do.-Life and career:Nakamura had trained in various martial arts until February 1984 when he enrolled at the Tiger Gym of Satoru Sayama. In November 1985, he became a full-time...
: Shoot Wrestling - Maxwell Moore (martial arts instructor, Orange County, California)
Publications
- "Filipino Martial Arts as Taught by Dan Inosanto" by Dan Inosanto ISBN 0-938676-01-6
- "Absorb What Is Useful (Jeet Kune Do Guidebook Vol 2)" by Dan Inosanto ISBN 0-938676-03-2
- "Jeet kune do" by Salem Assli and Dan Inosanto ISBN 2-7027-0693-2
- "Guide to Martial Arts Training With Equipment" by Dan Inosanto ISBN 0-938676-02-4
- "Jeet Kune Do: The Art & Philosophy of Bruce Lee" by Dan Inosanto ISBN 0-938676-00-8
- "Jeet Kune Do: Conditioning and Grappling Methods" Intro by Dan Inosanto ISBN 0-9531766-5-7
Actor
- Big StanBig StanBig Stan is a 2007 American comedy film produced, directed by and starring Rob Schneider. It is his directorial debut. Although released in some overseas markets during the fall of 2008, it was released straight to DVD in the U.S. on March 24, 2009. It debuted at number 17 on the DVD rental charts...
(2008) .... Knife Guy - RedbeltRedbeltRedbelt is a 2008 martial arts film written and directed by David Mamet and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. The film opened in wide release in the United States and Canada on May 9, 2008.-Plot:...
(2008) .... Joao Moro - Brazilian Brawl (2003) (V) .... Ruben
- Out for JusticeOut for JusticeOut for Justice is a 1991 action film directed by John Flynn and starring Steven Seagal.- Plot :Gino Felino is an NYPD detective from Brooklyn who has strong ties within his neighborhood...
(1991) .... Sticks - Big Trouble in Little ChinaBig Trouble in Little ChinaBig Trouble in Little China is a 1986 American martial arts comedy film directed by John Carpenter. It stars Kurt Russell as truck driver Jack Burton, who helps his friend Wang Chi rescue Wang's green-eyed fiancee from bandits in San Francisco's Chinatown...
(1986) (as Daniel Inosanto) - Sharky's MachineSharky's Machine (film)Sharky's Machine is a 1981 motion picture directed by Burt Reynolds, who stars in the title role. The movie is an adaptation of William Diehl's first novel Sharky's Machine , with a screenplay by Gerald Di Pego....
(1981) .... Chin No. 1 - Long de ying zi (1981) (as Danny Inosanto)
- Skirmish (1981)
- Chinese stuntman (Filipino fighter)
- Game of DeathGame of DeathThe Game of Death is a 1972 film starring Bruce Lee. It was almost the last film Bruce Lee had planned to be the demonstration piece of his martial art Jeet Kune Do. Over 100 minutes of footage was shot before his death, some of which was later misplaced in the Golden Harvest archives...
(1972) (Filipino fighter) ....
Documentaries
- Fight ScienceFight ScienceFight Science is a television program shown on the National Geographic Channel in which scientists and martial arts masters work together to analyze the world's fighting techniques, to compare the disciplines and to find out which one has the strongest hits, kicks and deadliest weapons...
(2006) - Modern Warriors (2002)
- Bruce Lee: The Immortal Dragon (2002)
- Bruce Lee in G.O.D.: Shibôteki yûgi (2000)
- Bruce Lee: A Warrior's JourneyBruce Lee: A Warrior's JourneyBruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey is a documentary on the martial artist Bruce Lee and Jeet Kune Do. It was released on VHS and DVD by Warner Home Video. The documentary includes rare footage of Bruce Lee's incomplete film "Game of Death", which has been released with Bruce Lee's original English and...
(2000) - Famous Families (1999) (The Lees: Action Speaks Louder)
- The Path of the Dragon (1998)
- E! True Hollywood StoryE! True Hollywood StoryE! True Hollywood Story is an American documentary series on E! that deals with famous Hollywood celebrities, movies, TV shows and well-known public figures...
(Brandon Lee) (1997) - Curse of the Dragon (1993)
- Bruce Lee, the Legend (1977)
- The Warrior Within (1976)
- Life and Legend of Bruce Lee (1973)
Stunts
- Escape from L.A.Escape from L.A.Escape From L.A. is a 1996 film directed by John Carpenter. The sequel to the action film Escape from New York, the film follows former war hero Snake Plissken, played by Kurt Russell...
(1996) (stunts) - The Green HornetThe Green Hornet (TV series)The Green Hornet is a television show on the ABC US television network. It aired for the 1966–1967 TV season, and starred Van Williams as the Green Hornet/Britt Reid and Bruce Lee as Kato.- Episodes:...
(1 episode, 1966) (fight double)
Further reading
- Kelly, Perry (2000). Dan Inosanto: The Man, The Teacher, The Artist, Paladin PressPaladin PressPaladin Press is a book publishing firm founded in 1970 by Peder Lund and Robert K. Brown.The company publishes non-fiction books and videos covering a wide range of specialty topics, including personal and financial freedom, survivalism and preparedness, firearms and shooting, various martial...
. ISBN 1-58160-079-8. - Balicki, Ron. Gold, Steven (2007). Jeet Kune Do: The Principles of a Complete Fighter, HNL Publishing. ISBN 9-531766-3-0
- Seaman, Kevin (1999), Jun Fan Gung Fu Seeking The Path Of Jeet Kune Do, S.l.: Health 'N' Life, ISBN 0-9531766-2-2