Sho Kosugi
Sho Kosugi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 小杉 正一 (Shōichi Kosugi) June 17, 1948 |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, martial artist |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouse |
Shook Gim Chan
(m. 1973; div. 2009) |
| Children | Kane Kosugi, Shane Kosugi, Ayeesha Kosugi |
| Website | shokosugi |
Sho Kosugi (ショー・コスギ, Shō Kosugi, born Shōichi Kosugi (小杉 正一 Kosugi Shōichi) on June 17, 1948) is a Japanese martial artist with extensive training in Shindō jinen-ryū Karate, Kendo, Judo, Iaido, Kobudo, Aikido and Ninjutsu, who gained popularity as an actor during the 1980s, often playing ninja.[2] He was an All Japan Karate Champion.[3][4]
Biography
At the age of 19, he left Japan to study and reside in Los Angeles where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics at CSULA. At the same time, he consistently improved his martial arts skills while learning a wide variety of styles, such as Chinese Xing Yi Quan, Korean Tae Kwon Do, and Japanese Shitō-ryū and Shotokan-ryū Karate.[5]
He is the father of Kane and Shane Kosugi, who are both actors and martial artists; and Ayeesha Kosugi, who is a senior member of the women's golf team at the University of Las Vegas. After taking a hiatus from film, he started a taiko group in California. In Japan, he also ran an internationally oriented group of martial arts acting schools known as the Sho Kosugi Institute. He currently resides in Los Angeles. Films in which Kosugi's sons perform alongside their father include Revenge of the Ninja, Pray for Death, Black Eagle, and Journey of Honor (a.k.a. Kabuto, a.k.a. Shogun Warrior).[6]
In 2009, Sho made a comeback to films playing the lead villain of Ozunu in the action thriller Ninja Assassin opposite K-Pop star and actor Rain.
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Godfather: Part II | Passerby in Coat with Cap Pulled Down | Extra |
| 1975 | Six Killers | ||
| 1976 | Bruce Lee Fights Back from the Grave | Suzuki | Villain |
| 1978 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan | Kata Demonstrator | Extra |
| 1981 | Enter the Ninja | Hasegawa | 3rd Lead and Villain |
| 1983 | Revenge of the Ninja | Cho Osaki | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1984 | Ninja III: The Domination | Goro Yamada | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1985 | 9 Deaths of the Ninja | Spike Shinobi | Lead Role and Hero |
| Pray for Death | Akira Saito | Lead Role and Hero | |
| 1987 | Rage of Honor | Shiro Tanaka | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1988 | Aloha Summer | Yukinaga Konishi | Special Appearance |
| 1988 | Black Eagle | Ken Tani | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1989 | Blind Fury | The Assassin | Special Appearance |
| 1991 | Journey of Honor | Daigoro Mayeda | Lead Role and Hero |
| 1993 | 極東黒社会 Kyokutō Kuroshakai (Drug Connection) | Larry Matsuda | 3rd Lead and Hero |
| 1994 | ザ・格闘王 Za Kakutō Oh (The Fighting King) | Director of film | |
| ザ・格闘王２ Za Kakutō Oh 2 (The Fighting King 2) | Director of film | ||
| 2002 | The Scorpion King | Taiko Choreographer | |
| 2009 | Ninja Assassin | Ozunu | Lead Villain |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Show | Samurai | Is one of the samurai warriors in the 'Samurai Sketch' at the start of Episode 2. Is only seen quickly from the side and the back. |
| 1984 | The Master | Okasa | Lead Villain Okasa (5 episodes) Lee Van Cleef's double (13 episodes) |
| 1986 | Honda Hurricane Commercial | Ninja | TV commercial |
| 1993 | 琉球の風 Ryūkyū no Kaze (Dragon Spirit) | Shintenpu | Co-Star (Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13) |
| Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero | Voice of Ultraman Powered | Guest Star (Episode 1 – Japanese-language version only) | |
| 1994 | 忍者戦隊カクレンジャー Ninja Sentai Kakuranger | Gali | Guest Star (Episodes 28-29) |
| 1996 | 聖龍伝説 Seiryū Densetsu (Legend of St. Dragon) | Shusaku Sendo | Special Appearance (Episode 7) |
| Sho Kosugi Self-Defense & Ninjaerobics | Himself | Host | |
| 2006–2007 | いつでもどこでも!ショー・コスギのタオルエクササイズ Anytime Anywhere! Sho Kosugi's Towel Exercise | Himself | Host |
Other
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Master Class | Himself | Martial Arts Instructional video |
| Ninja Theater Hosted by Sho Kosugi | Himself | VHS Video Host segments (13 in all) | |
| 1998 | Tenchu: Stealth Assassins | Rikimaru | Video game (motion capture portrayal) |
| 2001–2002 | The Ninjas From Hollywood Japan Tour | God of War and Peace | Stage show |
| 2017 | The Art of Hollywood Ninja Action Film Making | Himself | Martial Arts Choreography and Cinematography |
References
- ^ "Sho Kosugi Vs Shook Gim Kosugi - Marriage Dissolution/Divorce Case". Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- ^ "`Ninja` Knockin`` Em Dead". Chicago Tribune. 15 May 1986. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ "'Ninja' Knockin' 'Em Dead". Chicago Tribune. 15 May 1986. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ Beale, Lewis (20 April 1986). "Martial Arts Pics—packing A Hard Punch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
- ^ "`Sho Kosugi Profile". Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ "Interview with Sho Kosugi" ZigZag Asia, 1 January 2001
External links
- 1948 births
- Living people
- 20th-century Japanese male actors
- 21st-century Japanese male actors
- American male actors of Japanese descent
- American male film actors
- American male karateka
- California State University, Los Angeles alumni
- Japanese emigrants to the United States
- Japanese male film actors
- Japanese wushu practitioners
- Japanese male karateka
- Male actors from Tokyo
- Male actors from Los Angeles
- People from Tokyo
- People from Los Angeles