Richard Norton (actor)

Richard Norton
Born (1950-01-06) 6 January 1950 (age 74)
Occupation(s)Actor, martial artist, bodyguard, security consultant, stunt performer, fight choreographer
Years active1980–present
Spouse
Judy Green
(m. 1993)
Style
Teacher(s)
RankSōke (10th dan black belt) in Zen Do Kai, Shihan (5th dan black belt) in Gōjū-ryū, 6th dan black belt in BJJ, 8th dan black belt in Chun Kuk Do, Level 6 in Ukidokan Kickboxing
Websiterichardnortonbjj.com

Richard Norton (born 6 January 1950) is an Australian martial artist, actor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, security consultant, and fight choreographer. He holds a 5th dan black belt in Gōjū-ryū karate, a 6th dan black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an 8th dan black belt in Chun Kuk Do, and a level 6 ranking in American kickboxing. After high school, Norton worked as a bodyguard in the entertainment business before pursuing an acting career.

Richard appeared as a body guard in the 1977 ABBA movie, as they toured his native country, Australia. He had a very minor speaking part.

His first movie screen appearance was in the 1980 Chuck Norris film The Octagon, and he has worked on over 80 feature films and television programs.[1] He appeared in a number of martial arts films, facing off against stars such as Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yasuaki Kurata, Benny Urquidez, Don Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock, and has worked as fight choreographer for titles like The Condemned (2007), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), Suicide Squad (2016), Dark Phoenix (2019) and The Suicide Squad (2021).

With fellow karateka Bob Jones, Norton is the co-creator of Zen Do Kai, a hybrid self-defense martial art intended for the security industry.[2] He is also the head of Richard Norton BJJ.[3]

  1. ^ Jim Coleman (March 1994). "Meet the "Villainous" Richard Norton – Karate's most notorious bad guy has made Norris, Chan and others look good on-screen". Black Belt Magazine. Active Interest Media, Inc.: 24.
  2. ^ "Zen Do Kai History | Bob Jones Martial Arts". 24 October 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Richard Norton Brazilian Jiujitsu". Richard Norton Brazilian Jiujitsu. Retrieved 7 May 2023.