Taimak

Taimak Guarriello[1] (born June 27, 1964), known mononymously as Taimak (/ˈtaɪmɑːk/), is an American martial artist, actor, and stuntman, known for his lead role as Leroy Green in the 1985 martial arts comedy film The Last Dragon.[2]

Taimak
Taimak at the 2014 Florida Supercon
Born (1964-06-27) June 27, 1964
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation
  • Martial artist
  • actor
  • stuntman
Years active1982-present

Personal life

Taimak was born on June 27, 1964, in Los Angeles, California, to an Italian-American 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 in 2004 called Roadhouse The Comedy, based on the Patrick Swayze film Road House.

In 2002, Taimak opened a gym called Fitness Concepts on the East Side (Manhattan) 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.[3]

He officiated the preliminary MMA bouts at UFC 6 and UFC 7.[3]

In 2006 he made a few appearances alongside Jimmy Yang in Ring of Honor.[4] 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.[5]

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.

Filmography
  • 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. 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.
  4. "Adam's World: Taimak – The Last Dragon Still Has The Glow". Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  5. "2015 Urban Action Showcase International Action Film Festival & Honoree Awards". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
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