In 1971, Keith Vitali began his martial arts career at the University of South Carolina. It took only two years for Mr. Vitali to earn his 1st degree Black Belt. He began competing in regional tournaments, but soon moved up to major events throughout the United States and the world. Before retiring, Keith was named World Karate Champion one time and US National Karate point Champion for 3 consecutive years, from 1978-1980. According to Black Belt Magazine, Keith is considered one of the 10 Best Fighters of all time. He has appeared on more than a dozen national martial arts magazine covers along with Black Belt Magazine.
Keith has received numerous Lifetime Achievement Awards. He has been inducted into the official Karate’s Legion of Honor, into the Diamond Nationals Hall of Fame, the Blue Grass Nationals Hall of Fame, and as a Centurion in Joe Corley’s Battle of Atlanta. Keith was also inducted into the prestigious Black Belt Hall of Fame as ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 1981 and into South Carolina’s Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame and into the Fighter International Hall of Fame.
Keith Vitali is also a successful author of instructional karate books. His first book, “Beginning Karate”, sold over 30,000 copies in its first run and is currently used as a textbook at the University of South Carolina. He has gone on to write “Karate Kicking” and “Winning Karate Techniques” for Contemporary Books as well as “Winning Tournament Karate” for Unique Publications. Keith Vitali has written a comprehensive book on the issues of bullying entitled, “Bully-Proof Your Child” published by Skyhorse Publishers. This book covers all elements of bullying and can be used as a teaching aid for parents who desire to teach their kids basic self-defense techniques and strategies.
Keith Vitali made national Headlines with his video production company, K.V. Video Productions. Keith’s first video, Self Defense For Kids was an instant hit and made headlines across the country with articles running in 
major newspapers such as: The USA Today, the Gannett chain, the Atlanta Journal, Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Post, just to name a few. Because of the success of the video and his self defense background, Keith appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show as a guest expert on kid’s safety.
Keith Vitali began his career in films as a featured player in “Force Five” and then landed the role in “Revenge of the Ninja” for Cannon Film Group which became an instant hit. Next, Keith co-starred with the famous Jackie Chan in “Meals on Wheels” for Golden Harvest.
Keith went on to star in Seasonal Film’s “No Retreat, No Surrender 3” and then starred in “American Kickboxer 1” for Distant Horizons. Keith starred as the villain in Seasonal’s “Superfights” as well as working as the Associate Producer. Keith Co-Produced another Seasonal production entitled, “Bloodmoon,” starring Gary Daniels.
Keith Produced “Your Money Or Your Life” for Strandberg Productions and recently starred in “The Cut Off” for Screen Action Productions. Keith also acted in two Nash Bridges episodes.
Keith was a featured instructor at the Screen Action Productions “Action Film Camp” several times per year teaching new talent the motion picture business. NBC’s “Extra” featured a behind the scenes of action film making at the “Action Film Camp” in a television special.
Keith’s film production company, Trajen Films, Inc. is slated to film the frontier movie, “Boone” in the Fall 2011.
- REVENGE OF THE NINJA – Canon Films – 1982
- WHEELS ON MEALS – Golden Harvest – 1984
- AMERICAN KICKBOXER 1 – Distant Horizon – 1989
- NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER 3 – Seasonal Films – 1989
- SUPERFIGHTS Seasonal Film Corp – 1995
- BLOODMOON – Seasonal Film – 1996
- THE CUTOFF – Action Films – 1998
