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Taimak Guarriello[1] (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.[2]
Taimak | |
|---|---|
 Taimak at the 2014 Florida Supercon | |
| Born | June 27, 1964 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
Taimak was born on June 27, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, to an Italian father and an African-American mother.[3] He currently lives in New York City.
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.[4]
Since The Last Dragon, Taimak has appeared in a number of TV roles and over a dozen plays.[5]
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.[6]
In 2002, Taimak opened a gym called Fitness Concepts on the East Side of Manhattan.[7] He published a fitness DVD titled Taimak FIT (Find Inner Transformation), intended to be the first of a series.[7]
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.[8]
He officiated the preliminary MMA bouts at UFC 6 and UFC 7.[8]
In 2006 he made a few appearances alongside Jimmy Yang in Ring of Honor.[9] 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.[10]
In March 2016, Incorgnito Publishing Press published Taimak's autobiography, Taimak, The Last Dragon.[1]
In 2018, Taimak starred in Sean Stone's martial arts comedy film Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece.
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- 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
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