Billy Blanks
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- September 1, 1955
- Birthplace
- Erie - Pennsylvania - USA
Muscular African American sports star, actor, media identity and inventor of the phenomenally popular "Tae Bo" fitness system, derived from his extensive martial arts training. Blanks was born in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1955 amongst humble backgrounds and grew up as one of 15 children, battling dyslexia and tendon problems. However that didn't stop him from starting his martial arts training at age 14 and eventually achieving black belts in tae kwon do & several other arts, and winning numerous US martial arts tournaments. Blanks first popped up on movie screens in the mid 1980s in tough guy parts utilizing his athletic background and grim faced looks. Films roles included Tango & Cash (1989), Driving Force (1989) and A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (1990). Things looked up in 1991, when Blanks scored the minor role of drug addicted running back "Billy Cole" in the explosive The Last Boy Scout (1991)....and further work followed often sharing lead billing in low budget - high action fare such as Talons of the Eagle (1992), TC 2000 (1993) and Expect No Mercy (1995). In the late 1990s, Billy's innovative and exciting "Tae Bo" workout routine swept around the world like wildfire, and propelled him into the position of one of the world's most recognizable and biggest selling fitness trainers. The remarkable Blanks continues to refine and promote his unique "Tae Bo" fitness system, and he operates the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, California. 7th Degree Black Belt Billy Blanks had one of the greatest karate fight records in the sport's long history. Blanks was a 7-time world karate champion, the first Amateur Athletic Union Champ in 1975, the 1984 Massachusetts Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, and the Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions. He was the captain of the United States Karate Team and won over 30 gold medals in international competition. He was the number 1 or number 2 rated full-contact karate fighter in the United States for almost seven straight years. His epic battles with "Nasty" Anderson are legends among martial arts fans. He posted over 300 career victories. In 1982, Billy Blanks was honored by being inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame.
Filmography
Billy Blanks Tae Bo 2004 Capture the Power ENERGY TBA
as Himself
Billy's Bootcamp: Cardio Bootcamp TBA
as Himself
Billy Blanks - Tae Bo - Amped Full Throttle TBA
as Himself
Billy Blanks: Bootcamp Cardio Inferno TBA
as Himself
Devotion TBA
as Billy Blanks
American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures 2024
as Self (archive footage)
The Last Kumite 2024
as Master Loren
The Circuit 4: Faith Fighter 2024
as Samson
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks 2019
as Self
The Clapper 2018
as Billy Blanks
Almost Amazing 2017
as Mr. Wilson
- The Ultimate Goal
The Ultimate Goal 2017
Actor
Dark Moon Rising 2015
as Sheriff Tom
The Real Miyagi 2015
as Self
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Platinum Collection 2014
as Self
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Body Shape 2014
as Self
Billy Blanks Tae Bo Express 2012
as Instructor
Jack and Jill 2011
as Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks Tae Bo: Insane Abs 2010
as Self
Billy Blanks: This Is Tae Bo 2010
as Himself
Billy Blanks Tae Bo: Amped Fat Burn Accelerator 2007
as Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks: Ultimate Tae Bo 2007
as Billy Blanks
Billy's Bootcamp Elite: Mission Spot Training - Lower Body 2006
Actor
Billy's BootCamp Elite: 8 Minute Supercharge Cardio 2006
Actor
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Three - Rock Solid Abs 2006
Actor
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Two - Maximum Power 2006
Actor
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission One - Get Started 2006
Actor
Billy's BootCamp: Ultimate BootCamp 2005
as Himself
Billy's BootCamp: Basic Training Bootcamp 2005
as Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Kicks 2005
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Total Body Fat Blaster 2005
as Himself
Billy Blanks Tae Bo 2004 Capture the Power STRENGTH 2004
as Himself
Billy Blanks Tae Bo 2004 Capture the Power POWER 2004
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo Extreme: Push Your Limits 2004
as Himself
Billy Blanks - Tae Bo: Strength Power 2004
as Billy Blanks
Billy's Bootcamp: Cardio Bootcamp Live! 2004
Actor
Billy Blanks' TaeBo Believer's Workout: The Strength Within 2003
as Himself
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Flex 2003
Actor
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Cardio 2003
Actor
Billy's Bootcamp 2: Tae Bo 2003
Actor
Billy's Bootcamp 1: Tae Bo 2003
Actor
The Best of TaeBo: Ultimate Upper Body 2002
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Basic 1 Workout 2001
Actor
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - 8-Minute Workout 2001
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Advanced 2 Workout 2001
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Advanced 1 Workout 2001
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Gold 2000
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Instructional 1999
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Basic Workout 1999
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Advanced Workout 1999
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: 8-Minute Workout 1999
as Himself, Director, Producer, Writer
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes 1998
as Self
Assault on Devil's Island 1997
as Craegan
Kiss the Girls 1997
as Instructor
Kazaam 1996
Stunts
Balance of Power 1996
as Niko
- Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities 1995
as Self
Expect No Mercy 1995
as Justin Vanier
Tough and Deadly 1995
as John Portland
Back in Action 1994
as Billy
Showdown 1993
as Billy Grant
TC 2000 1993
as Jason Storm
Invincible 1992
as Billy
Talons of the Eagle 1992
as Tyler Wilson
The Master 1992
as Hawks Gang Member
The Last Boy Scout 1991
as Billy Cole
Timebomb 1991
as Mr. Brown
The King of the Kickboxers 1990
as Khan
Lionheart 1990
as African Legionnaire
China O'Brien II 1990
as Baskin's Fighter #1 (uncredited), Stunts
Driving Force 1990
as Pool
Tango & Cash 1989
as Prison Thug (uncredited)
Bloodfist 1989
as Black Rose
Low Blow 1986
as Guard
Credits from TMDB.