Dan Inosanto: a Prominent Filipino-American Self-defense Instructor
Dan Inosanto is among the well-known martial artists in the world. He is the foremost authority on JKD, a martial art that Bruce Lee developed. He is a Filipino self-defense instructor who is also known for promoting the martial arts indigenous to the Filipinos to the world.
A self-defense instructor with Filipino heritage but based in California, USA, Dan Inosanto was born on the 24th of July in 1936. He was raised in Stockton, California and a degree in B.A. at Whitworth College, Spokane, Washington.
Before Dan Inosanto became a student of Bruce Lee and learned the Jeet Kune Do, he studied the Okinawan, Japanese and Korean Karate and was studying Kenpo karate under Ed Parker. He also became a martial art and self-defense instructor of Kenpo karate for Ed Parker.
Dan Inosanto became met Bruce Lee in 1964. He became a close companion of Bruce Lee until the latter's death in 1973. After the death of the most popular martial artist in the world, he has become the unofficial spokesperson of Jeet Kune Do and has the authority to teach the martial arts along with other two individuals designated by Bruce Lee.
Dan Inosanto has become well-known for teaching various martial arts. Aside from being the instructor of Jeet Kune Do, he also teaches Filipino Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Penjak Silat, Muay Thai, Malaysian Bersilat, French savate, Japanes Shoot Wrestling and Krabi-Krabong.
Dan Inosanto is also notable for the promotion of Filipino Martial Arts as well as the introduction of Filipino martial artists such as Leo Gaje and Edgar Sulite to the world. He also introduced Indonesian martial artist Pendekar Paul de Thouars and Burmese martial artist Maung Gyi to the world martial arts community.
Aside from being responsible for the introduction of world-class Asian martial artists, Dan Inosanto has also made contributions to the careers of some martial artists known today. His students notably include Brandon Lee, Erik Paulson, Paul Vunak, Greg Nelson, Ron Balicki, Ernest Emerson, larry Hartsell and Burton Richardson.
A self-defense instructor, Dan Inosanto is also responsible for the establishment of Inosanto Acandemy of Martial Arts. The academy is known for producing among the notorious martial organizations in the United States, the Dog Brothers.
Dan Inosanto appeared in several American movies including the movie Game of Death, the last film of Bruce Lee. He was also featured and made appearances in some documentaries mostly about Bruce Lee. He also published books about martial arts particularly the Jeet Kune Do.
Dan Inosanto still currently holds seminars and martial arts training. He is currently regarded among the prominent ambassadors of martial arts in the world.
