Date of Birth
1 September 1955,
Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
Nickname
Big Bill
Height
6' (1.83 m)
Mini Biography
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 (1990) and Lionheart (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 (1996).
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.
Mini Biography
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.
Spouse
Trivia
Is the 4th born out of 15 children. Born & raised in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Invented Tae-Bo, a popular exercise which is a mix of tae kwon do and Boxing
Brother of actor Michael Blanks.
is dyslexic
Seventh degree black Belt in tae kwon do and fourth degree Black belt in kung fu
Martial Arts stats: 7-Time World Karate champion, Nationally ranked by Karate Illustrated from 1982-1989, Karate Hall of Fame since 1982, 1980 Captain of the US Olympic Karate Team, Member of the US Karate Team, winning 36 gold medals in international competition, 1975 Amateur Athletic Union Champion.
Despite an anomaly in his hip joints, he became a world champion martial artist in the 80s and a famous actor and trainer.
Has two children with Gayle Godrey Blanks: Shellie Blanks, and Billy Blanks, Jr.
Where Are They Now
(2004) Co-host, with Kelly Packard, of an infomercial for 'Billy's BootCamp" fitness exercises. Also appearing are Shellie Blanks, Lou Diamond Phillips, Randall Cunningham, Trista Rehn, Ryan Sutter and Vivica A. Fox.
(2006) Co-host, with Charlotte Ross, of an infomercial for his "Boot Camp Elite" fitness exercises.
Billy Blamks(Taebo Founder)
