just curious but who are some famous fighters, martial artists, or actors youve met?


ive met jet li, jackie chan, jean claude van dam, chuck norris, and jadi tention

just curious but who are some famous fighters, martial artists, or actors youve met?


ive met jet li, jackie chan, jean claude van dam, chuck norris, and jadi tentionWell, you can't just say that and not elaborate on the meetings!:D So for the rest of us who haven't met these people...please tell us, what were they like?

lets see...

jackie chan i met at a shopping center in canada. he was doing autographs and we just spoke briefly because of all of the people asking for his autograph. he was mentioning how he was just bringing some things to donate to charities and all the people recognized him and started coming up to him. he was really friendly.

jet li is actually pretty talkative if you ask him questions that interests him. he doesnt seem to enjoy talking about his personal life but he'll talk about movies he's been in and why he chose to perform in them. he's also really friendly, if there's something he doesn't want to talk about.. he's not blunt, he'll say it in a way that just hints you he doesn't want to talk about it.

jean claude van dam, i only got an autograph and photo with him giving a thumbs up. he didn't say anything and i didn't like him that much.

chuck norris i met a long time ago, i forgot where but we were talking about martial arts and i was asking him about 2 specific movies.. his movie with bruce lee and the movie sidekick. he's also pretty friendly but he was pressed for time by all the people he works with so i only got to talk to him for maybe 5 minutes.

jadi tention i know on a more personal level. i've spoken to him several times online, on the phone, and in person. i actually used to paintball with him and he would invite me to his martial arts school. we would mainly just talk about martial arts and paintball. he's an alright guy but he's a bit arrogant. also he brags about his cash and his son is a whiney lazy kid.

i remember with jadi, i would always make fun of him cuz he would constantly talk about how he left the jean paul mitchell team because he didnt like his team mates and i would ask why would he be sponsored by a hair product company when he has no hair? lol

hmmm...

I trained with Manaka Sensei, head of the Jinenkan, on a very regular basis in Japan for years. Very personable, but frightening in a wonderful way, too. (I'm biased, but he's my favorite). :supcool:

Also trained fairly regularly with Hatsumi Sensei, head of the Bujinkan. The man is the David Copperfield of the martial arts world - "it shouldn't be possible, but I sure just saw him do it!"

Had tea and snacks with Otake Sensei, head of the Katori Shinto Ryu. Very personable, yet formal - an impressive combination! Tremendous knowledge and poise. Lots of details and stories in my ebook about sword training.

Met Mike Tyson a few times near my old office in Beverly Hills. Luckily, doesn't sound like Mickey Mouse in person. Had a small chat, and I wasn't really looking to have a longer discussion with the man.

Trained very briefly under Tom Patire - founder of CDT. Knowledge base is very sound, and he's calm under pressure like few others. Strong business sense, too.

Perhaps my greatest privilege is to have met all of the people I've trained with over the years. I've learned TONS because of everyone, in every dojo/training group, etc.

George Dillman I know and train with this man he is a good man, and has always treated me with the utmost respect.

Dan Severn I have brought him down to do a seminar been to his training hall and house and speak occasionally on the phone with him. He is a good man down to earth and will talk to you about anything.

Frank Shamrock a joker what else can I say.

Ken Shamrock didn't really say much but I have met him a few times.

Rich Franklin he is a good guy, a friend of mine trains with him.

Chuck Norris a very good guy, here is a story for you. A friend of mine that lives in Michigan knows Chuck and his son (at the time his son was about 10 yrs old) did Tae Kwon Do and Chuck Norris was his favorite star, once he found out about this Chuck flew the family down to see him and let the kid be on Walker. That is the story of friend of mine told me, when I met Mr. Norris he was on a time restraint but he talked to me and was very polite.

Steven Seagal he was very arrogant, almost to the point I didn't even want his picture.

WWE wrestlers I used to work for the TSA and met a lot of celebrities but I was not able to get pics with them all but these guys were somehting else never willing to cooperate (with a few exceptions) and thought they were king of the world, maybe if I met them in different circumstances it would have been different

Nick and Jesica Nick was really cool but I wasn't much for Jess.

Ande McDowell not much for her she truelly thinks that she is a queen.

Pete Rose arrogant what else can I say.

I know that I have met more when I think of them I will come back.

I'm sure that meeting all those people will really improve your martial arts skills. Maybe if you put pictures of them on your wall it will improve you even more...

I'm sure that meeting all those people will really improve your martial arts skills. Maybe if you put pictures of them on your wall it will improve you even more...Nothing was even said about either of those quotes, I have no pictures on my walls of the people that I have met other than Dan Severn and George Dillman, George because he is my head instructor and Dan because I consider him a good acquantance. If you do not like the thread don't post ignore it.

Jeff Speakman. Seemed to be pretty down to earth.

Macho Man Randy Savage...in a Burger King....


Beat that....Oh YEAH....

I was introduced to Arnold Schwarzenegger when I worked for an ad agency in San Diego. Heh, they were always trying to match me up, he was single then and a couple of years older. He was in town to promote his new movie "Conan the Barbarian" ...a budding star. My impression of him: very polite, liked to smile, not terribly tall, and of course, built like a square shape especially in a suit.

I also met Lucie Arnaz. She was a prima donna. TW

I had the fortune to meet Kathy Long last year while doing a security training assignment. Really, really interesting person and very friendly. I enjoyed working with her very much. I had always wanted to do martial arts but had been intimidated by all the different styles out there. Kathy took the time to find out what I wanted to accomplish and made suggestions as to what style to take. Then she volunteered to screen any of the schools I was interested in to make sure it was quality material with a good instructor (I live on the East Coast and she lives on the West Coast). If she hadn't made the effort, I probably wouldn't have begun training.

ohh i forgot to mention hulk hogan and ken shamrock. eh id ont know if i should mention hulk hogan though lol but he's pretty nice

i met ken shamrock in some summer training class when i was still in 8th grade. he was pretty quiet :P



as for the person who mentioned mike tyson.. it's sad to see what happened to iron mike :O he was the youngest person to ever get the heavyweight and now it's sad to see the state he's in. i thought it was really said when he said it's time for him to retire because he doesn't want to embarrass the sport of boxing anymore

Macho Man Randy Savage...in a Burger King....


Beat that....Oh YEAH....

I can't beat it personally but I have a good story about him. My roommate in college used to do a great impression of him. His father was chief of police in a town in Florida so my friend always got to be back stage during events. One time during a WWF event (or whatever it was then) The Macho Man was making his way down the back hall getting ready to go to the ring (so he was all pumped up.) My roommate was back there and as Randy passed he said "Oooh Yeah." Randy turned and back-handed him into the wall and kept on walking. After being stunned he picked himself up and said, "Holy ****, I was just decked by Randy Savage, that's awesome!" Well his Dad, the Chief, didn't find it amusing and confronted Savage after the event. Randy was very apologetic and gave my friend a t-shirt and took pictures with him, signed autographs, etc. He said he was so jacked up for his "performance" that he lost it. I love that story, sorry it's so long! :)

I forgot:

I met Mr. T at a Tough Man competition about 15 years ago. He was nice. That's it for fighters. As far as other famous people:

George Jones - I snuck back stage at the Grand Ole Opry when I was younger and almost ran in to him. We talked for a while and then hit the men's room together :o (Hey, he said he had to go, so did I, so we went!)
I also met Randy Travis and LeAnn Rimes back there, along with a bunch of others, but they were the highlights.
Merle Haggard - No comment needed.
My wife's uncle is Michael St. Gerard, he played Elvis on ABC in the early 90's.

Ed Parker, Paul Mills, Chuck Norris, Billy Blanks, Tadashi Yamashita, Tak Kubota.

That'd be about it for well known martial artists that Iv'e met.

Your Brother
John

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace at the Combat Hapkido seminar in Lexington Ky last year..I must have bowed 100 times and was tounge tied when I asked him to please take a picture with me..Needless worries..He is one of the good guys..

Joe Lewis, John Turnage, Dick Willet, Bob White, Bruce Lees wife, Jerry Trimble, Bill Wallace, Chuck Norris, Arlene Limas, Billy Blanks, Danny indian red Lopez, Kathy Longs trainer Frank Trejo, Dave Brock, Jim Muse, Jeff Newton, Oh I forgot (embarrased) Dan Anderson, Bob Hill, Steve Armstrong..Fred King....Thats all I can remember right now...

Updated list...


Ray Park - Soft spoken guy, a bit of a high pitched voice, and not the tallest fellow in the world. Still looked pretty intimidating in Star Wars as Darth Maul. :)

Chuck Norris - Really good guy, he took some time to chat a bit, even though he was really busy.

I feel extremely lucky in that I've met/trained with some of the best, IMO, in the martial arts. And heeeeeeeer they are;
GrandMaster Moc Kan Sent - Hung Ga Kuen
Guro Dan Inosanto - JKD/Silat Serak/Maphilindo Silat
Sensei Gene LeBell - Grappling/Submissions
Maha Guru Victor DeThouars - Pentjak Silat Serak
Sifu Larry Hartsell - JKD/Grappling
Vladimir Vasiliev - Russian Systema
Prof. Garry Dill - JKD/Bushido Kempo
Master Toddy - Muay Thai

The 1st one GM Moc Kan Sent isn't a big name, but he was my 1st Sifu at age 11 and the one who got me started. I'll always hold the utmost respect for my 1st instructor, because I feel if he hadn't have given me a positive experience from the start, I would have never had made the MA's a lifelong pursuit. :asian:

Franco

Gene LeBell, I've been fortunate enough to train with him several times over the last 16 years.
Toshishiro Obato, Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme, Bill Wallace, Oleg Taktarov, Gokar, Hugo Duarte, a couple of the Gracies & Machados (I can't keep their names straight), Wally Jay, Tetsuro Nariyama, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Toshiaki Takikawa, Benny Urquidez, Joe Lewis.

I've trained with most of the folks but some were just handshakes and backslaps.

Mark Barlow

I'm going to train with Saulo Ribeiro this coming Saturday and Rodney "Chico" King is come to my gym July 15-17 for a seminar. I'm very excited about this.

I've met a whole lot of famous MA'ers, but only had a real conversation with one. My instructor is good friends with Tony "Satch" Williams, He's a good guy, He isn't the biggest into the movies that I have met but he is a really big guy.

Ed Parker
Bill Wallace
Koiechi Tohei
Chuck Norris
Ray Ramanno
Wild Bill Bauer
Mick Jagger
george dillman(that was a treat);(
:rolleyes:
Dustin Hoffman
Bob dylan

In the Martial Arts World:

Angi Uezu: I have a great Pic Autographed and he Signed a Uniform. At Kim Murry's Event in Rochester, NY.
David Carradine: Met him in Vagas. He is working with me, Sifu Ming of NYC and Sifu Moore on a Western NY Temple.
Sifu Ming: First Shaolin Monk to make a training temple in NYC.
Frank Dux: In Florida at an seminar
Soke Soto: of San Diego, Ca.

Non Martial Artist.:

I worked Personal Security for Mostly for Weekend Conventions)
Burt Renolds: In Jupiter Beach Fl.
Micheal Dorn: He Signed My Bet'leth he also bought me one of those Phoenix Knives that look like a Klingon Blade as a reminder of our working together.
Nana Visitor: In Rochester, NY
James Doohan: Sat in the Back of his limo for 2 hours waiting for his flight drinking Dewers.. He like Doubles only :-)
Lou Gramm: of Foreigner. I sang with him back stage at a benifit he did for one of my students.

Thats just a few... Hoping to meet more soon.

Hmm....

On the MA side, I'd Tim Hartman, Rick Manglinong, Dan Anderson, Bong Jornelas, Dr. Gyi, Dieter Knuttel and Shishir Inocalia. A few more I can't recall off hand.

Non-MA, Steve Bennett, Walter Koenig, Jason Carter, Patricia Tallman, Peter Jurasik, Stephen First, Bill Mumy, Andreas Katsulas, George Takei, Nana Visitor, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Marc Alaimo, Denise Crosby, John de Lancie, Siddig El Fadil, Richard Hatch, Wil Wheaton, Andrew Robinson, Armin Shimerman, Tim Russ, Robert Picardo, Garrett Wang, René Auberjonois, Anne Lockhart, John Colicos, Anthony Daniels, Herb Jefferson Jr., Christopher Judge, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray,
Anthony Stewart Head, Felix Silla, Tim Choate, Robin Atkin Downes, Max Grodénchik, Robert Beltran, Jeff Conaway, Anthony De Longis and Chase Masterson. Also a couple of Buffalo Bills when I was doing retail and the team was in the SuperBowl. Most were casual meetings at various cons. I shared an elevator with Jason Carter, and shared a dinner table with Peter Jurasik (and sadly didn't realize it at the time).


Bruce, you should hit Toronto Trek. http://www.tcon.icomm.ca/tt19/ Great place to meet and socialize with the actors. Much different than the Creation crap cons we used to get in WNY. I'll be there this July, got a club table and several ads in their program guide.

Wish I could. That week is My Birthday week and I have some Martial Artist joing me for a B-Day Party in Henrietta. I would like to extend the invite to you if you are available. July 17th 2pm Jefferson Rd. Jefferson Plaza (China Buffet) We get a Back room and Fill up. Mr. Koch has been there Last year and depending on his surgery he will be attending this year, Sifu Moore and Sensi Hutch to name a few Martial Artist that should be there. It's small but a lot of fun.
I used to work a lot of the Creation Cons. I got hired Privately to be the Head Security for the Stars at Riverside Convention Center in Rochester. It was great because I got to be one on one with them not just in the crowd. I went to pick them up at the airport or at their room if they were already in house and coordinated the other security. Creation was good to me. :-)
I have worked with 90% of the trek stars and loved it. All except Marina Sirits... (Space Bit*h) and Wil (The Space Brat) :-) so they say...

Can't make it, I won't be back in the states until late Sunday, but thank you for the invite. Hope it's a good one for you. :)

I agree with ya on Marina (definately thinks she's "all that"). Wil's a nice guy, really appreciates the fans, but it took him a while to get away from being the "wiz kid".

just curious but who are some famous fighters, martial artists, or actors youve met?


Back in 2000, I went to a video game expo in LA. I nearly tripped over Gary Coleman there. Not much of a celeb encounter. Same expo, I was at one point, almost in the same room with Nana Visitor. Also walked by a booth with two muscular guys being shown the ropes in the first UFC video game. Watched them playing, commenting on how well it matched up etc for a while. Had no real interest in MA at the time, but those two ended up on stage in the Sega Exhibit demoing a few MMA moves etc. Think it was Frank Shamrock and some other UFC bigwig who's name I can't recall anymore.

(So yes, none of these count as times I actually met a celeb.)

just curious but who are some famous fighters, martial artists, or actors youve met?


ive met jet li, jackie chan, jean claude van dam, chuck norris, and jadi tention
Well... I met Ron Jeremy at a party in Oceanside.. He did some movie martial arts in one of the movies the guys from South Park made, does he count?

Ive met Rich Mooney, nice guy. Non MA people, I met David Prowse(darth Vader) as a kid, Walter Koenig, Claudia Christian and Sylvester Mcoy(Dr who)

i have met the guys from jimmy eat world ,
my wifes brother is the bass player for them there all nice guys.
sorry i know there not martial artiest

Alright Lets see

Meet Alot of wrestlers
Trish Stratus Very Nice And Hot
Rico wrestler and american gladtor- Nice guy good shape hot wife
Rosie Not that tall
Rikishi seemed all right
Brett THE HITMAN Heart HE WAS RUDE
HBK Shawn Michels Nice
Million Dollar Man Nice
Greg the Hammer old lol
Buff Bagwell Nice
Both Road Warriors Hawk and Animal both Ok
Sting Nice guy
Ahemed Johnson Huge arms nice as hell
Gangerl Realy Nice
Rhino OK
Bastita Sweats Alot
Friends with Zack Gowen "the one leg wonder"
Mark Henry Nice Guy
Edge Funny Man
Stone Cold Steve Austin Hell of a nice guy we talk for like 15 till he had to go
D low Brown Kinda cool but odd
Raven
Balls Machoney Smells Bad
New Jack Cool Man
Devon Duddley Realy Nice
Tommy Dreamer Just all right

There is alot more just can't think of them on the top of my head

Now for martial arts
Steve Nasty Anderson Cool as hell me and him told jokes at a tournament
Richard Plowden Nice guy and close friend
Mike Chat from XMA
Erik Lee
Cane Master Mark from Las vegas

Billy Blanks Just a compelte jerk

Alot more AS well just can't think of them

Chuck Norris--he is a very cool guy

Ken Shamrock--nice guy

Jeff Speakman--nice guy

Back in my days when I was a fan of Pro-Wrestling ( I still am, I just dont have the time to watch it anymore), I ran into Hulk Hogan, I did the NWO sign and he
did it right back at me, man that was awesome.

i met Jesus Christ in church when i was 12.

the big JC could whoop any of those wankers :-partyon:

wow, to whoever, thanks for the great comment and bad rep.

lighten up a little.

not a place for religion go to a christian board for that crap

it's obvious someone can't take a joke.

i have also met Master Jinheng Li he was a senior member of the Beijing Wushu Team.Martial arts expert in many styles of Tai Chi, Wushu, Kung Fu.
he also done some movies one that i know of with jet li the story around the school is he trained jet li on the chain whip . but i never asked master li if he did or not . but really nice guy

wasnt there something in the user agreement about not talking about religion? :whip:


cool to see a lot of you have met some famous people but can we keep it more to martial artists, boxers, professional fighters, etc? :P i dunno, maybe it's just me

I just met Bill "superfoot" Wallace at the W.K.A/I.A.S.K.A training camp. He was such a nice guy, taught stretching and continous and had patience for everyone, also incredibly good people skills and made jokes through the hard drills so they weren't like torture! The kept telling him he was out of time and he'd just ignore them and keep answering questions.
Michael Bernardo, Glen Doyle, the Aversa brothers, and Matt Perrins were there also (I think all Canadian, maybe not as big as the others that people have met but i have vast respect for them all)
Aqua

The greatest martial artist I have ever had the pleasure to meet and work out with is Eizo Shimabukuro.

As far as other martial artists not many. I remember watching Billy Blanks at a couple of tournaments years ago.

Other "famous" people I have met:

Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Mick Foley
Johnny Damon
Bronson Arroyo
Mark Bellhorn
Kordell Stewart
Johnny Unitas

Not a long list but was cool to sit and chat with each of them. Kordell Stewart was the least enjoyable of all of them. A real arrogant person.

Rob

Will Higginbotham--Kempo
Ken Smith--Arnis
Dillman--PP

Had fun with all them. Master higginbotham is my instructor. Master Smith is helping me with stick stuff and well dillman with pp. Hint.. When you see a high ranking MA don't just talk about MA. They get tired of the same Questions over and over. once they get to know you ask but don't be so forward at first. Just my thought. Nice to be here alot of cool post.

I think it's a given that everyone has met Chuck Norris. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

just curious but who are some famous fighters, martial artists, or actors youve met?

I met Dan Severn at his gym in Coldwater, MI. I can even make the claim that I got The Beast to tap out.

Personally, I think he may have just been bored with my trying to put the submission in. People don't usually yawn and look at their watch while they are tapping out. LOL!

I have meant a few martial artist that are known rather well in their particular style but the martial artists and/or fighters that I have meant that most would know are Marvin Haggler, Fumio Demura and Yang Jwing Ming… Sorry but I never meant Chuck Norris

Well known Martial artists and / or Actors I have met even if just briefly:
Jeff Speakman
Don "the Dragon" Wilson
Bill "Superfoot" Wallace (actually got to uke for him alot at one seminar since he remembered me from a past seminar and we had shared some stories)
Kathy Long
Gary Dill
Vince Marchetti
George Alexander
Bram Frank
Ernesto Presas
Emil Farkas
John Pelligrini
Stephen Hayes
Wally Jay
Remy Presas
Harris Warren

Famous People outside of martial arts:
MC Hammer
Young MC
Gene Simmons
DJ Irene
Chris Cox (grammy nominee for his dance remixes)
Plus I said hello to many more in a 4 day period than I can remember when I was in LA working the booth for Pioneer ProDJ in 2003.

I've never met Chuck Norris, either.

The only famous people I've ever met(that people OUTSIDE of my area would know) are Penn & Teller.

Teller DOES talk, by the way!;)

Rene Latosa- Stayed with him for a while
Remy Presas- He stayed with me to establish his Michigan Group
GM Leo Gaje- He stayed with me- very intense
Fred Degerberg- what a big man and moves so well
Eric Lee- we did a camp together
Bill Wallace- thought he was a jerk
Jackie Chan in Tokyo at a stand bar- gave him my seat - nice guy
Ron Balicki- Very Nice guy
Dan Inosanto- many times- what a humble man
Pendekar Paul DeThouars- a very funny man
Chai Sirisiute- He has a funny laugh and is quite the IMP
Tim Tackett- very knowledgable man
Larry Hartsell- a Bull in a china shop
Edgar Sulite- so much energy
Mike Bernardo- was into himself
Cynthia Rothrock- we climbed a motel wall together when she was 17
Kieth Harabyashi- very motivated but no time for small talk
Sifu Francis Fong- smiling all the time and a ball of energy- learned a lot from him

Richard Plowden- a co competitor in the Michigan Karate circuit- good guy with a good heart
Graciela Casillas- at a camp in NC she was very friendly and laughing- but was a good teacher
GM Bobby Tabaoda- a funnny man with such a big heart

In the MA World:
The fine fine folks here at MT (ok, ok mebbe not in person but I think it counts!)

Did sign language interpreting for Yip Sing (his son/grandson? did the Chinese to English interpretation and I did the English to Sign Language interpreting) for a Wing Chun Seminar in Utah. Even got hands on instruction from him on how to do Sticky Hands between his talks. Pretty neat and damn, that old man was F-A-S-T whenever I tried to hit him. When it was done for the day he came up to me personally and thank me for my work. Needless to say I was deeply honored. When it came time to sign t-shirts he stood up and bowed to me again. Didn't know what to say to that so I bowed back, lower.

Also interpreted for Ed Parker Jr at a seminar he did in Utah, got to sit down and chat a wee bit just prior to starting. From what I heard about his Dad, Jr. is a chip off the ole' block... a really nice easy going guy.

Non-MA-ist include, Lou Ferrigno, Vito Scotti, Larry Hagman (in Dallas of all places), Gary Wright (Dream Weaver).

Ed Parker Jr
Richard "Huk" Planas
Frank Trejo
All at seminars at my school.
Non MA?
Toby Keith, who bought me a corndog at the Fresno Fair a few years ago.
I was working at the fair, keeping people away from the back stage area, when he and another guy walked out. He said "We'll be right back, we're with the band." When he came back a few minutes later, he brought me a corndog.

I used a urinal next to The Undertaker. Several years ago there was a professional wrestling event in St. Louis. I was at a night club that evening and I guess after the show alot of the wrestlers decided to go to this same night club. I used the restroom and The Undertaker and a few more pro wrestlers (who I don't know) followed in after me. As I was finishing my business I heard the undertaker say to the others that they should do something really disgusting to the rear end of the next guy who walked in the door. Needless to say, I was so freaked out and scared I about crapped my pants. I high tailed out as fast as I could. Those guys were scary huge.

I think it's a given that everyone has met Chuck Norris. http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/images/icons/icon10.gif

No one meets Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris meets you - once...lol



As for brushes with "Martial Arts Greatness" - I really don't equate fame with greatness - more like luck, but off the top of my head I can only say that I have been fortunate enough to train with Dr. Gyi and Sifu Innosanto more than once. Other truly great Martial Artists I have trained with aren't "famous", but they clearly qualified as great.

I met a few "famous" folks in MA.
Bill Wallace-seminar
Kathy Long-seminar
Rick Roufus
Don Wilson
Bob Thurman
Marek Piotrowski-who beat the 3 above.
Chuck Norris
Bridgett Riley-good friend
Blinky Rodriguez
Lily Rodriguez

Having started MA in the 80's, the folks in kickboxing were like icons to me. These are the ones that I've met that I've liked. The ones I didn't like will go unnamed.

To name a few:
Ed Parker
Mike Pick
Skip Hancock
John Sepulveda
Dennis Conatser
Jeff Speakman
Brian Hawkins
Lee Wedlake
Billy Lear

The oriental guy from the "Octagon"
I can't think of anymore right now

To name a few:


The oriental guy from the "Octagon"
I can't think of anymore right now

Tadashi Yamashida is his name. I'm full of trivia like that.:uhohh:

This is by far one of the funniest threads I have read in awhile...

"jerk"
"he was cool"
"arrogant as hell"
"shared a bathroom with the undertaker"

i am enjoying this. I swear I must be the only person who hasn't met Chuck Norris...lol...or rather he hasn't met me.

I've never met Chuck Norris. Doesn't interest me.

Other than maybe Jet Li, who seems interesting based on what I've read about him, I have zero interest in meeting actors, kickboxers, wrestlers, or UFC guys.

Tadashi Yamashida is his name. I'm full of trivia like that.:uhohh:
Thank you, he was the center judge at an internationals tournament I fought in.
Sean

Thank you, he was the center judge at an internationals tournament I fought in.
Sean
That is very cool!

i am enjoying this. I swear I must be the only person who hasn't met Chuck Norris...lol...or rather he hasn't met me.

Consider yourself fortunate! LOL

Other than having some admiration for the youth programs he started, I really couldn't care less about Chuck Norris.

Lets see, when I graduated bootcamp from San Diego, (USMC) I went to Culver City for the night. A guy I know lives there. Anyway, I met the Gracies. They were cordial. I have met Dan Gable, Mike Swain, a number of Pro Bodybuilders, Franco Columbo being my favorite.

At our conventions I met Brad Waller, Jason Hon, and Bill "Superfoot" Wallace. I have met Kurt Angle in Atlanta, etc.

One of the greatest martial art "Rock stars" I personally know and have for a long time is GGM Bong Yul Shin. He is one of the premiere Judoka on the planet. Old school to say the least and a very humble man. The late GGM Lee H. Park was just amazing to watch. My pop is my all time fav. I am in no way shape or form biased at all ;).

But I have always said "The true best are the ones that are least publicized."

One advantage of being in SoCal when I was in the navy, all the MA guys go to the tourny's to promote thier movies.

Met:
Bill Wallace- I thought he was very nice, and quite east to talk to, but I can see how he might come off as a jerk, he is a practical joker and smart aleck

Chuck Norris- met him twice. Nicest guy on the planet. Shorter than you might think.

Steve Seagal- very arrogant.

Kathy Long- really very nice, and much hotter in person. She actually invited me to visit her school in the high desert. Her trainer (they were dating at the time) was a jerk tho

Micheal Dudikoff- not really a martial artist,not very nice, but ok

Jeff Speakman- I loved the guy

Sho Kasugi- decent fellow.

Gene Lebell- funny guy, totally doesnt come off like he is one of the bad asses.

Rickson Gracie- actualy very friendly

Non MA:

Stevie Ray Vaughn- exactly like you would think he was, drunk as Cooter Brown, but when i told him we grew up in the same area, really friendly

Jimmy Vaughn- less friendly, but still cool.

just my instructor Chris Casamassa who was Scorpion in Mortal Combat.

Interesting thread to read through :tup:.

I really can't match some of the enormous list of celebrites people have rubbed shoulders with over the years. I have a few 'encounters' to recite from my decades but nothing really brag-worthy. Let's see:

Musicians:

Judie Tzuke {lovely lady}

Dave Murray {miserable chap;maybe he was just tired?}
Steve Harris
Bruce Dickinson (oh, my missus has been flown by him ... no, not in that way :D)
Adrian Smith
Clive Burr

David Coverdale {just about long enough for an autograph :lol:}

Nik Turner & Dave Griffith {met them in a record shop before one of their gigs and ended up in the pub :D}


Actors:

Bonnie Langford & Sylvester McCoy {they filmed an episode of Dr. Who at my museum}

Drivers:

David Leslie {lovely chap who took the trouble to pass the time of day with a babbling fanboy i.e. me :o. Sadly taken from us not too long ago in a plane crash :(}.

Amanda Stretton & Annie Templeton {world's fastest grannie and very gracious} (they drove a GTS-R Viper in the British GT series)

There are many others on the drivers list but I'm guessing you've never hear of most of them ... other than maybe Shane Lynch (who I know as a driver but others may recall as a member of BoyZone :)).

Martial Artists-wise, I'm betting you've never heard of any of the ones I've met - no film stars or massively-hyped fighters. Just excellent teachers and exemplary practitioners.

hmmm...

I trained with Manaka Sensei, head of the Jinenkan, on a very regular basis in Japan for years. Very personable, but frightening in a wonderful way, too. (I'm biased, but he's my favorite). :supcool:

Also trained fairly regularly with Hatsumi Sensei, head of the Bujinkan. The man is the David Copperfield of the martial arts world - "it shouldn't be possible, but I sure just saw him do it!"

Had tea and snacks with Otake Sensei, head of the Katori Shinto Ryu. Very personable, yet formal - an impressive combination! Tremendous knowledge and poise. Lots of details and stories in my ebook about sword training.

Met Mike Tyson a few times near my old office in Beverly Hills. Luckily, doesn't sound like Mickey Mouse in person. Had a small chat, and I wasn't really looking to have a longer discussion with the man.

Trained very briefly under Tom Patire - founder of CDT. Knowledge base is very sound, and he's calm under pressure like few others. Strong business sense, too.

Perhaps my greatest privilege is to have met all of the people I've trained with over the years. I've learned TONS because of everyone, in every dojo/training group, etc.


Mark O'brien
Sensei Muramatsu
Mrs Stephen Hayes

Martial Arts
Gene LeBell
Chatted for several minutes at a seminar we hosted -- nice guy. '96
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8cf09b3127ccec5ece8ecd16700000040O01AasXDFq5ZMQ e3nwY/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
Oleg Taktarov, '95 or '96
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b6d925b3127ccecedd07f0ff1300000010O01AasXDFq5ZMQ e3nwY/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/
Chatted briefly. His command of English was not strong at the time, but he seemed receptive to talking to MAists and fans.

Tuhon Leo T. Gaje
Quick chat. He's a longtime friend of my son's Kali guro.

Authors
Jonathan Kozol (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Kozol)
Spent quite some time interviewing him for a magazine article. He had been a hero of mine for his work, and I was delighted find him as sincere and passionate as I had believed. I read recently, he has been on a partial fast in protest of NCLB.

Herbert Kohl -- not Senator Herb Kohl (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Kohl_(education (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Kohl_%28education)))
Like Kozol above, he began his career as a teacher in inner-city schools and has written extensively on education. Brief chat. He was fascinating.

Music
Liona Boyd
Classical guitarist. I was in my teens, she in her twenties, already internationally known. I was among the first to arrive at a small reception after a concert she gave. She came up to my little group and engaged us in conversation.

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter
He lives here. I introduced him twice at teaching conferences and we became casually acquainted. He was already very much in demand, but we managed to have a couple of meals together. Very warm, passionate person. This was before the Denzel film came out, and I haven't chatted with him in years.

Politics
I pumped hands with a few politicians when I worked for a national literacy organization years back. Politicians who favourably impressed me...

Senator Joyce Fairbairn (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyce_Fairbairn)
The Canadian senate is actually a patronage appointment, not elected, oft overlooked by the public. Joyce was remarkable in her role. Very smart, former journalist. Spent several hours with her in meetings. She was a hard worker and really talked with people.

Gerard Kennedy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Kennedy)
Former director of Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto, then Member of Provincial Parliament, now a federal MP. Met him several times, chatted at some length. Very quick mind. Friendly and easy going at the same time. This guy could easily the Prime Minister -- no doubt.

MA:
Professor Charles Mattera (Punched in for him at a seminar)
Shihan Paul Taylor (ran my brown belt test)
Master Dave Hopkins, Kung Fu San Soo (took a class with him)
Master Paul Schroeder, Kung Fu San Soo (The person I credit with really getting me interested in formal training)
Hanshi Frank Dux (not as evil as advertised. Actually, a great person)
Shihan Sky Benson (After class, we went out to eat and I watched him break a table knife with one finger. Then the twisted a fork around. We keep having to go to new restaurants because of him.)


Non-MA:
Rebecca St. James, helping backstage at a concert of hers. Very nice girl.
All the members of Tree63 at the same concert
Rick Warren, of Purpose Driven Life fame. He is a very VERY tall man. I felt like a kid talking to him. I had to look almost straight up.
Jenny McCarty: Met her on her way to a book signing on Ft. Lewis. GORGEOUS. Needed a towell as soon as she said hello.