Misplaced Pages

Taimak: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 21:34, 5 May 2009 editFreemee (talk | contribs)58 editsNo edit summary← Previous edit Latest revision as of 19:27, 22 December 2024 edit undoSporkBot (talk | contribs)Bots1,244,970 editsm Remove template per TfD outcome 
(332 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American actor (born 1964)}}
'''Taimak''' (born '''Taimak Guarriello''' on {{birth date|1964|6|27}}) is an ] ] and ]. He is best known for his portrayal of "Bruce" Leroy Green in ]'s 1985 martial arts film '']''.
{{Infobox person
| image = Taimak Supercon 2014.jpg
| caption = Taimak at the 2014 Florida Supercon
| name = Taimak
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|6|27}}
| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|Martial artist||Stuntman}}
| years_active = 1982–present
| spouse =
}}


'''Taimak Guarriello'''<ref name="Guarriello2016"/> (born June 27, 1964), known ] as '''Taimak''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|aɪ|m|ɑː|k}}), is an American actor, martial artist and stuntman, known for his lead role as Leroy Green ("Bruce Leroy") in the 1985 martial arts film '']''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Janet Maslin |author-link=Janet Maslin |date=1985-03-22 |title=The Last Dragon (1985) FILM: SCHULTZ DIRECTS 'LAST DRAGON' |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D0DE6DF1738F931A15750C0A963948260 |work=]}}</ref>
==Early life==
Taimak (pronounced "Tie-Mok") studied Chinese goju, ], ], and ] before being discovered by a casting director at age 19.


==Acting career== ==Personal life==
Taimak was born on June 27, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, to an Italian father and an ] mother.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iamtaimak.com/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426201132/http://www.iamtaimak.com/ | archive-date=2015-04-26 | title=I am Taimak &#124; Living a life of excellence }}</ref> He currently lives in New York City.
Taimak's first film role was that of "Bruce" Leroy Green in the hit ] film '']''. A financial success. . In 1986, he starred as ]'s boyfriend in the video for her song '']''. He dropped from the hollywood scene and made appearances here and there on television, none of which are noteworthy.


==Career==
His latest film, an action movie entitled '']'', is scheduled for a 2009 release. The film's producers are looking for a studio to back the project, hence it may never see the light of day.
Taimak's leading role in ]'s '']'', in which he played Leroy Green, a ]-inspired martial artist in search of "The Glow," was his first major break in acting. The film was a financial success and grossed more than $25 million at the box office.<ref>{{Citation |last=Schultz |first=Michael |title=The Last Dragon |date=1985-03-22 |type=Action, Comedy, Drama |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089461/?ref_=ttqu_ov |access-date=2024-03-20 |others=Taimak, Vanity, Christopher Murney |publisher=Delphi III Productions, Motown Productions, TriStar Pictures}}</ref>


Since ''The Last Dragon'', Taimak has appeared in a number of TV roles and over a dozen plays.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-13 |title=31 Years After His Movie Debut, "The Last Dragon" Heads To Detroit - CBS Detroit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/31-years-after-his-movie-debut-the-last-dragon-heads-to-detroit/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Taimak has also appeared in over a dozen stage plays, including a comedic version of '']'' in 2004 at the ] in ], and '']'' in 2006. Taimak was tapped by uber producer/director/actor/screenwriter Tyler Perry to have a part in the play "The Marriage Consuelor". How Tyler found him beats me. Anyway, Taimak turned down the role because the basketball player was a homewrecker. Taimak felt that this was demeaning and refuse to take part in this play. The weird trhing about him turning down the role was the fact he had played a rapist and a drug dealer. An insider was quoted as saying the play was "too black" for him.


Taimak later appeared in a number of TV roles and music videos including the lead male in ]'s "]" music video and Debbie Allen's "Special Look" video. He played a date rapist in an episode of the TV show '']''. He appeared in ]' music video "Bloodwork."
==Fitness career==
Taimak is also a fitness and physical trainer, hosting the DVD ''''.


Taimak has worked with a number of celebrities, including ], and starred in the play ''Cheaters'', which toured the United States. He starred in a hit ] show called ''Roadhouse The Comedy'', based on the ] film '']'', from December 9, 2003, to February 1, 2004, at the Barrow Street Theatre in New York.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eljallartsannex.com/Road%20House.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122092642/http://www.eljallartsannex.com/Road%20House.htm | archive-date=2012-11-22 | url-status=usurped | title=Road House }}</ref>
==Last Dragon remake==

A remake of "The Last Dragon" (1985) is currently in production. ] will portray the character Sho'Nuff, made famous by the late ]. Taimak says he does not wish to participate in this film, although he plastered old Last Dragon posters on his myspace page to remind all of us pee ons that he was in the original.
In 2002, Taimak opened a gym called Fitness Concepts on the ] of Manhattan.<ref name="Entertainment">{{Cite web |last=Entertainment |first=Martial Arts |date=2014-09-09 |title=Taimak |url=https://www.martialartsentertainment.com/taimak/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=Martial Arts & Action Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref> He published a fitness DVD titled ''Taimak FIT (Find Inner Transformation)'', intended to be the first of a series.<ref name="Entertainment"/>

He is an accomplished ] and has received black belts in ] ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. He studied Chinese Goju under "The Black Dragon", ].<ref name="McCarthy2011">{{cite book|last=McCarthy|first="Big" John|title=Let's Get It On!: The Making of MMA and Its Ultimate Referee |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FVFPAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA190 |date=2011 |publisher=Medallion Press |isbn=978-1-60542-200-8 |page=190}}</ref>

He officiated the preliminary MMA bouts at ] and ].<ref name="McCarthy2011"/>

In 2006 he made a few appearances alongside ] in ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://adambernard.blogspot.com/2006/10/taimak-last-dragon-still-has-glow.html|title=Adam's World: Taimak – The Last Dragon Still Has The Glow|access-date=2020-03-15}}</ref> Yang's character at the time had adopted some of Leroy Green's traits as his own.

In November 2015, Taimak and ] were honorees for the Fists of Legends Legacy Award at the Urban Action Showcase & Expo at HBO.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = 2015 Urban Action Showcase International Action Film Festival & Honoree Awards|url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHVK0HEfxXc&feature|website = YouTube| date=14 December 2015 |access-date = 2015-12-14}}</ref>

In March 2016, Incorgnito Publishing Press published Taimak's autobiography, ''Taimak, The Last Dragon''.<ref name="Guarriello2016">{{cite book |title=Taimak, The Last Dragon |author=Taimak Guarriello |date=2016-03-19 |isbn=978-1944589110 |publisher=Incorgnito Publishing Press}}</ref>

In 2018, Taimak starred in ]'s martial arts comedy film '']''.

==Filmography==
*Double Cross (2023- 2024) as Cade Cross
*''Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece'' (2018) as Dragon
*''They're Just My Friends'' (2006) as Captain Taimak
*''The System Within'' (2006) as Pastor Ricky
*''Book of Swords'' (2005) as Lucky
*'']'' as Spider (1 episode, 2004)
**"Family Ties: Part 2" (2004) TV episode (as Taimak Guarriello) as Spider
*''Night Class'' (2001) as Kick boxing instructor
*''Masquerade'' (2000) (TV)
*'']''
**''I Will Be Your Father Figure'' (2000) TV episode (as Taimak Guarriello) as Barback
**''That's the Guy'' (1999) TV episode (as Taimak Guari) as The Bartender
**''Dog's Best Friend'' (1999) TV episode (as Taimak Guari) as The Bartender
*''Dreamers'' (1999) as Sam
*'']''
**''The Forbidden Zone'' (1996) TV episode as Zoner
* ''WMAC Masters''
**"Battle of the Brothers" (1996) TV episode as Striking Eagle
*''Kickback with Scott Pastore'' (1994) TV series as Guest
*''No More Dirty Deals'' (1993) as Sean Halloway
*'']'' (1990) as Bob
*'']''
**"No Means No" (1989) TV episode as Garth Parks
*'']'' (1985) as Leroy Green

===Stunts===
*Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001 (2001) (TV) (martial arts coordinator) (as Taimak Guarriello)

===Self===
*Acapulco Black Film Festival (2000) (TV) as Himself
*''Singled Out''
** Episode dated 13 December 1995 (1995) TV episode as Taimuk


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{commons category}}
*
*
*{{imdb name|0846818}}
*{{IMDb name|0846818}}
*


{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taimak}}
] ]
]
]
]
]
] ]
]

]
{{US-film-actor-1960s-stub}}
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 19:27, 22 December 2024

American actor (born 1964)
Taimak
Taimak at the 2014 Florida Supercon
Born (1964-06-27) June 27, 1964 (age 60)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Martial artist
  • Stuntman
Years active1982–present

Taimak Guarriello (born June 27, 1964), known mononymously as Taimak (/ˈtaɪmɑːk/), is an American actor, martial artist and stuntman, known for his lead role as Leroy Green ("Bruce Leroy") in the 1985 martial arts film The Last Dragon.

Personal life

Taimak was born on June 27, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, to an Italian father and an African-American mother. He currently lives in New York City.

Career

Taimak's leading role in Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon, in which he played Leroy Green, a Bruce Lee-inspired martial artist in search of "The Glow," was his first major break in acting. The film was a financial success and grossed more than $25 million at the box office.

Since The Last Dragon, Taimak has appeared in a number of TV roles and over a dozen plays.

Taimak later appeared in a number of TV roles and music videos including the lead male in Janet Jackson's "Let's Wait Awhile" music video and Debbie Allen's "Special Look" video. He played a date rapist in an episode of the TV show A Different World. He appeared in 36 Crazyfists' music video "Bloodwork."

Taimak has worked with a number of celebrities, including Madonna, and starred in the play Cheaters, which toured the United States. He starred in a hit Off-Broadway show called Roadhouse The Comedy, based on the Patrick Swayze film Road House, from December 9, 2003, to February 1, 2004, at the Barrow Street Theatre in New York.

In 2002, Taimak opened a gym called Fitness Concepts on the East Side of Manhattan. He published a fitness DVD titled Taimak FIT (Find Inner Transformation), intended to be the first of a series.

He is an accomplished martial artist and has received black belts in Goju Ryu Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, Hapkido, Jujutsu, Taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He studied Chinese Goju under "The Black Dragon", Ron Van Clief.

He officiated the preliminary MMA bouts at UFC 6 and UFC 7.

In 2006 he made a few appearances alongside Jimmy Yang in Ring of Honor. Yang's character at the time had adopted some of Leroy Green's traits as his own.

In November 2015, Taimak and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa were honorees for the Fists of Legends Legacy Award at the Urban Action Showcase & Expo at HBO.

In March 2016, Incorgnito Publishing Press published Taimak's autobiography, Taimak, The Last Dragon.

In 2018, Taimak starred in Sean Stone's martial arts comedy film Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece.

Filmography

  • Double Cross (2023- 2024) as Cade Cross
  • Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece (2018) as Dragon
  • They're Just My Friends (2006) as Captain Taimak
  • The System Within (2006) as Pastor Ricky
  • Book of Swords (2005) as Lucky
  • Third Watch as Spider (1 episode, 2004)
    • "Family Ties: Part 2" (2004) TV episode (as Taimak Guarriello) as Spider
  • Night Class (2001) as Kick boxing instructor
  • Masquerade (2000) (TV)
  • Beverly Hills, 90210
    • I Will Be Your Father Figure (2000) TV episode (as Taimak Guarriello) as Barback
    • That's the Guy (1999) TV episode (as Taimak Guari) as The Bartender
    • Dog's Best Friend (1999) TV episode (as Taimak Guari) as The Bartender
  • Dreamers (1999) as Sam
  • Red Shoe Diaries
    • The Forbidden Zone (1996) TV episode as Zoner
  • WMAC Masters
    • "Battle of the Brothers" (1996) TV episode as Striking Eagle
  • Kickback with Scott Pastore (1994) TV series as Guest
  • No More Dirty Deals (1993) as Sean Halloway
  • The White Girl (1990) as Bob
  • A Different World
    • "No Means No" (1989) TV episode as Garth Parks
  • The Last Dragon (1985) as Leroy Green

Stunts

  • Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001 (2001) (TV) (martial arts coordinator) (as Taimak Guarriello)

Self

  • Acapulco Black Film Festival (2000) (TV) as Himself
  • Singled Out
    • Episode dated 13 December 1995 (1995) TV episode as Taimuk

References

  1. ^ Taimak Guarriello (2016-03-19). Taimak, The Last Dragon. Incorgnito Publishing Press. ISBN 978-1944589110.
  2. Janet Maslin (1985-03-22). "The Last Dragon (1985) FILM: SCHULTZ DIRECTS 'LAST DRAGON'". The New York Times.
  3. "I am Taimak | Living a life of excellence". Archived from the original on 2015-04-26.
  4. Schultz, Michael (1985-03-22), The Last Dragon (Action, Comedy, Drama), Taimak, Vanity, Christopher Murney, Delphi III Productions, Motown Productions, TriStar Pictures, retrieved 2024-03-20
  5. "31 Years After His Movie Debut, "The Last Dragon" Heads To Detroit - CBS Detroit". www.cbsnews.com. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  6. "Road House". Archived from the original on 2012-11-22.
  7. ^ Entertainment, Martial Arts (2014-09-09). "Taimak". Martial Arts & Action Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  8. ^ McCarthy, "Big" John (2011). Let's Get It On!: The Making of MMA and Its Ultimate Referee. Medallion Press. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-60542-200-8.
  9. "Adam's World: Taimak – The Last Dragon Still Has The Glow". Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  10. "2015 Urban Action Showcase International Action Film Festival & Honoree Awards". YouTube. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-14.

External links

Categories: