Taimak Guarriello (pronounced Tie-Mock) was born on June 27, 1964. He is a martial arts, actor and stuntman. He is best known for his role as Leroy Green in the 1985 martial arts film, The Last Dragon. He was born in New York. His mother is Black and his father is Italian.
His first major break in acting came when he got the lead role in Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon (1985), where he played Leroy Green, a Bruce Lee-inspired martial artist in search of “The Glow”. The film was a financial success and grossed more than $25 million at the box office.
Since The Last Dragon (1985), Taimak has appeared in a number of TV roles and over a dozen plays.
He has appeared in a number of TV roles and music videos including the lead male in Janet Jackson’s “Let’s Wait Awhile” music video,and in Debbie Allen’s “Special Look” video. He played a date rapist on an episode of the TV show A Different World. He appeared in 36 Crazyfists’ music video, “Bloodwork”.
Taimak has worked with a number of celebrities including Madonna and he has starred in the play Cheaters, which toured the United States. He starred in a hit Off-Broadway show in 2004 called Roadhouse The Comedy, based on the Patrick Swayze film Road House.
In addition to his acting career, he operated a gym on the Manhattan’s East Side in New York City called Fitness Concepts, which he opened in 2002. However, due to time constraints, he has since parted ways with the partner but is considering opening another gym in the future. Taimak recently completed Taimak FIT (Find Inner Transformation) the first installment of a series of fitness DVDs.
Taimak is an accomplished martial artist and has received Black Belts in Goju Ryu Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Wing Chun, Hapkido, Jujutsu, and Tae Kwon Do. He studied Chinese Goju under “The Black Dragon”, Ron Van Clief.
Taimak officiated the preliminary MMA bouts at UFC 6 and UFC 7.
Taimak is continuing to perform onstage and has recently packaged a film he has written and directed called “I’ve Seen Things”.
Filmography
They’re Just My Friends (2006) as Captain Taimak
The System Within (2006) as Pastor Ricky
Book of Swords (2005) as Lucky
Third Watch as Spider (1 episode, 2004)
“Family Ties: Part 2” (2004) TV episode (as Taimak Guarriello) as Spider
Night Class (2001) as Kick boxing instructor
Masquerade (2000) (TV)
Beverly Hills, 90210
I Will Be Your Father Figure (2000) TV episode (as Taimak Guarriello) as Barback
That’s the Guy (1999) TV episode (as Taimak Guari) as The Bartender
Dog’s Best Friend (1999) TV episode (as Taimak Guari) as The Bartender
Dreamers (1999) as Sam
Red Shoe Diaries
The Forbidden Zone (1996) TV episode as Zoner
WMAC Masters
“Battle of the Brothers” (1996) TV episode as Striking Eagle
Kickback with Scott Pastore (1994) TV series as Guest
No More Dirty Deals (1993) as Sean Halloway
The White Girl (1990) as Bob
A Different World
“No Means No” (1989) TV episode as Garth Parks
The Last Dragon (1985) as Leroy Green
Stunts
Madonna: Drowned World Tour 2001 (2001) (TV) (martial arts coordinator) (as Taimak Guarriello)
Self
Acapulco Black Film Festival (2000) (TV) as Himself
Singled Out
Episode dated 13 December 1995 (1995) TV episode as Taimuk
Source: Wikipedia
