Sho Kosugi

Sho Kosugi
Born 小杉 正一 (Shōichi Kosugi)
(1948-06-17) June 17, 1948
Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Occupation Actor, martial artist
Years active 1974–present
Spouse(s)
Shook Gim Chan
(m. 1973; div. 2009)
[1]
Children Kane Kosugi, Shane Kosugi, Ayeesha Kosugi
Website shokosugi.net/shopro

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

YearTitleRoleNote
1974The Godfather: Part IIPasserby in Coat with Cap Pulled DownExtra
1975Six Killers
1976Bruce Lee Fights Back from the GraveSuzukiVillain
1978The Bad News Bears Go to JapanKata DemonstratorExtra
1981Enter the NinjaHasegawa3rd Lead and Villain
1983Revenge of the NinjaCho OsakiLead Role and Hero
1984Ninja III: The DominationGoro YamadaLead Role and Hero
19859 Deaths of the NinjaSpike ShinobiLead Role and Hero
Pray for DeathAkira SaitoLead Role and Hero
1987Rage of HonorShiro TanakaLead Role and Hero
1988Aloha SummerYukinaga KonishiSpecial Appearance
1988Black EagleKen TaniLead Role and Hero
1989Blind FuryThe AssassinSpecial Appearance
1991Journey of HonorDaigoro MayedaLead Role and Hero
1993極東黒社会 Kyokutō Kuroshakai (Drug Connection)Larry Matsuda3rd 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
2002The Scorpion KingTaiko Choreographer
2009Ninja AssassinOzunuLead Villain

Television

YearTitleRoleNote
1977The Richard Pryor ShowSamuraiIs 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.
1984The MasterOkasaLead Villain Okasa (5 episodes)
Lee Van Cleef's double (13 episodes)
1986Honda Hurricane CommercialNinjaTV commercial
1993琉球の風 Ryūkyū no Kaze (Dragon Spirit)ShintenpuCo-Star (Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13)
Ultraman: The Ultimate HeroVoice of Ultraman PoweredGuest Star (Episode 1 – Japanese-language version only)
1994忍者戦隊カクレンジャー Ninja Sentai KakurangerGaliGuest Star (Episodes 28-29)
1996聖龍伝説 Seiryū Densetsu (Legend of St. Dragon)Shusaku SendoSpecial Appearance (Episode 7)
Sho Kosugi Self-Defense & Ninjaerobics HimselfHost
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 ExerciseHimselfHost

Other

YearTitleRoleNote
1986Master ClassHimselfMartial Arts Instructional video
Ninja Theater Hosted by Sho KosugiHimselfVHS Video Host segments (13 in all)
1998Tenchu: Stealth AssassinsRikimaruVideo game (motion capture portrayal)
2001–2002The Ninjas From Hollywood Japan TourGod of War and PeaceStage show
2017The Art of Hollywood Ninja Action Film MakingHimselfMartial Arts Choreography and Cinematography

References

  1. ↑ "Sho Kosugi Vs Shook Gim Kosugi - Marriage Dissolution/Divorce Case". Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "`Ninja` Knockin`` Em Dead". Chicago Tribune. 15 May 1986. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  3. ↑ "'Ninja' Knockin' 'Em Dead". Chicago Tribune. 15 May 1986. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  4. ↑ Beale, Lewis (20 April 1986). "Martial Arts Pics—packing A Hard Punch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  5. ↑ "`Sho Kosugi Profile". Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Interview with Sho Kosugi" ZigZag Asia, 1 January 2001
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