Billy Blanks
Known for Acting · 81 credits
- Born
- 1955-09-01 (age 70)
- Place of birth
- Erie - Pennsylvania - USA
- Also known as
- William Wayne "Billy" Blanks
Biography
Muscular African American sports star, actor, media identity and inventor of the phenomenally popular "Tae Bo" fitness system, derived from his extensive martial arts training. Blanks was born in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1955 amongst humble backgrounds and grew up as one of 15 children, battling dyslexia and tendon problems. However that didn't stop him from starting his martial arts training at age 14 and eventually achieving black belts in tae kwon do & several other arts, and winning numerous US martial arts tournaments.
Blanks first popped up on movie screens in the mid 1980s in tough guy parts utilizing his athletic background and grim faced looks. Films roles included Tango & Cash (1989), Driving Force (1989) and A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (1990). Things looked up in 1991, when Blanks scored the minor role of drug addicted running back "Billy Cole" in the explosive The Last Boy Scout (1991)....and further work followed often sharing lead billing in low budget - high action fare such as Talons of the Eagle (1992), TC 2000 (1993) and Expect No Mercy (1995).
In the late 1990s, Billy's innovative and exciting "Tae Bo" workout routine swept around the world like wildfire, and propelled him into the position of one of the world's most recognizable and biggest selling fitness trainers. The remarkable Blanks continues to refine and promote his unique "Tae Bo" fitness system, and he operates the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, California.
7th Degree Black Belt Billy Blanks had one of the greatest karate fight records in the sport's long history. Blanks was a 7-time world karate champion, the first Amateur Athletic Union Champ in 1975, the 1984 Massachusetts Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, and the Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions. He was the captain of the United States Karate Team and won over 30 gold medals in international competition. He was the number 1 or number 2 rated full-contact karate fighter in the United States for almost seven straight years. His epic battles with "Nasty" Anderson are legends among martial arts fans. He posted over 300 career victories. In 1982, Billy Blanks was honored by being inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame.
Known For
TV Shows (10)
ER
1994
as Tae-Bo Instructor
Melrose Place
1992
The Fairly OddParents
2001
as Billy Blanks (voice)
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
1996
as Billy Blanks
V.I.P.
1998
as Self
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003
as Self
The Tony Danza Show
2004
as Self
Martial Law
1998
as Travis King
The Parkers
1999
The Parent 'Hood
1995
Movies (71)
The Last Boy Scout
1991
as Billy Cole
Lionheart
1990
as African Legionnaire
Kiss the Girls
1997
as Instructor
Tango & Cash
1989
as Prison Thug (uncredited)
Jack and Jill
2011
as Billy Blanks
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes
1998
as Self
Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks
2019
as Self
The Master
1992
as Hawks Gang Member
The Last Kumite
2024
as Master Loren
The King of the Kickboxers
1990
as Khan
The Clapper
2018
as Billy Blanks
Timebomb
1991
as Mr. Brown
Invincible
1992
as Billy
Showdown
1993
as Billy Grant
China O'Brien II
1990
as Baskin's Fighter #1 (uncredited)
Tough and Deadly
1995
as John Portland
Encyclopedia of Martial Arts: Hollywood Celebrities
1995
as Self
TC 2000
1993
as Jason Storm
Expect No Mercy
1995
as Justin Vanier
Assault on Devil's Island
1997
as Craegan
Bloodfist
1989
as Black Rose
Devotion
as Billy Blanks
Low Blow
1986
as Guard
Back in Action
1994
as Billy
Balance of Power
1996
as Niko
The Real Miyagi
2015
as Self
Driving Force
1990
as Pool
Talons of the Eagle
1992
as Tyler Wilson
The Circuit 4: Faith Fighter
2024
as Samson
Dark Moon Rising
2015
as Sheriff Tom
American Expendables: The Films of North American Pictures
2024
as Self (archive footage)
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Cardio
2003
Almost Amazing
2017
as Mr. Wilson
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Kicks
2005
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Total Body Fat Blaster
2005
as Himself
Billy Blanks Tae Bo Express
2012
as Instructor
Billy's BootCamp: Ultimate BootCamp
2005
as Himself
Billy Blanks: Ultimate Tae Bo
2007
as Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks Tae Bo: Amped Fat Burn Accelerator
2007
as Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks: This Is Tae Bo
2010
as Himself
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Platinum Collection
2014
as Self
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: 8-Minute Workout
1999
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Advanced 1 Workout
2001
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Basic 1 Workout
2001
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Advanced Workout
1999
as Himself
The Ultimate Goal
2017
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Advanced 2 Workout
2001
as Himself
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Gold
2000
as Himself
Billy's BootCamp: Basic Training Bootcamp
2005
as Billy Blanks
Billy Blanks' TaeBo Believer's Workout: The Strength Within
2003
as Himself
Billy's Bootcamp: Cardio Bootcamp Live!
2004
Billy's Bootcamp 2: Tae Bo
2003
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Basic Workout
1999
as Himself
Billy's Bootcamp 1: Tae Bo
2003
Billy Blanks - Tae Bo: Strength Power
2004
as Billy Blanks
The Best of TaeBo: Ultimate Upper Body
2002
as Himself
TaeBo II: Get Ripped - 8-Minute Workout
2001
as Himself
Billy Blanks - Tae Bo - Amped Full Throttle
as Himself
Billy Blanks: Bootcamp Cardio Inferno
as Himself
Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Flex
2003
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Three - Rock Solid Abs
2006
Billy's Bootcamp Elite: Mission Spot Training - Lower Body
2006
Tae Bo Extreme: Push Your Limits
as Himself
Billy Blanks Tae Bo 2004 Capture the Power ENERGY
as Himself
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Two - Maximum Power
2006
Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: Instructional
1999
as Himself
Billy's BootCamp Elite: 8 Minute Supercharge Cardio
2006
Billy Blanks Tae Bo 2004 Capture the Power POWER
2004
as Himself
Billy's Bootcamp: Cardio Bootcamp
as Himself
Billy Blanks Tae Bo 2004 Capture the Power STRENGTH
2004
as Himself
Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission One - Get Started
2006
About Billy Blanks
Muscular African American sports star, actor, media identity and inventor of the phenomenally popular "Tae Bo" fitness system, derived from his extensive martial arts training. Blanks was born in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1955 amongst humble backgrounds and grew up as one of 15 children, battling dyslexia and tendon problems. However that didn't stop him from starting his martial arts training at age 14 and eventually achieving black belts in tae kwon do & several other arts, and winning numerous US martial arts tournaments. Blanks first popped u… With 81 credits spanning from 1986 to 2024, Billy Blanks has appeared in 71 films and 10 TV shows.
Fans searching for Billy Blanks movies, Billy Blanks filmography, or the latest projects starring Billy Blanks can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Billy Blanks Movies
- The Last Boy Scout (1991) — as Billy Cole
- Lionheart (1990) — as African Legionnaire
- Kiss the Girls (1997) — as Instructor
- Tango & Cash (1989) — as Prison Thug (uncredited)
- Jack and Jill (2011) — as Billy Blanks
Where to Watch Billy Blanks Films
Most Billy Blanks movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Billy Blanks, check our movies catalogue and browse page.