Billy Blanks
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.
Acted in
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
2017
Dark Moon Rising
2015
as Sheriff Tom
The Real Miyagi
2015
as Self
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Platinum Collection
2014
as Self
Billy Blanks TaeBo Express
2012
as Instructor
Jack and Jill
2011
as Billy Blanks
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 One - Get Started
2006
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Two - Maximum Power
2006
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Three - Rock Solid Abs
2006
Billy's Bootcamp Elite: Mission Spot Training - Lower Body
2006
Billy's BootCamp Elite: 8 Minute Supercharge Cardio
2006
Billy's BootCamp: Basic Training Bootcamp
2005
as Billy Blanks
Billy's BootCamp: Ultimate BootCamp
2005
as Himself
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Kicks
2005
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Total Body Fat Blaster
2005
as Himself
Billy's Bootcamp: Cardio Bootcamp Live!
2004
Billy Blanks - Tae Bo: Strength Power
2004
as Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Cardio
2003
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Flex
2003
Billy Blanks' TaeBo Believer's Workout: The Strength Within
2003
as Himself
Billy's Bootcamp 2: Tae Bo
2003
Billy's Bootcamp 1: Tae Bo
2003
The Best of TaeBo: Ultimate Upper Body
2002
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Advanced 1 Workout
2001
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Advanced 2 Workout
2001
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - 8-Minute Workout
2001
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Basic 1 Workout
2001
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Gold
2000
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Advanced Workout
1999
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Basic Workout
1999
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Instructional
1999
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: 8-Minute Workout
1999
as Himself
The Parkers
1999
V.I.P.
1998
as Self
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
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
1996
as Billy Blanks
Balance of Power
1996
as Niko
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
1995
as Self
Expect No Mercy
1995
as Justin Vanier
Tough and Deadly
1995
as John Portland
The Parent 'Hood
1995
ER
1994
as Tae-Bo Instructor
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
Melrose Place
1992
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)
Driving Force
1990
as Pool
Tango & Cash
1989
as Prison Thug (uncredited)
Bloodfist
1989
as Black Rose
Low Blow
1986
as Guard
Devotion
as Billy Blanks