Bruce Leroy: Taimak

Taimak - Recent JetMagazine Photo Shoot

Taimak Guarriello – “Bruce” Leroy Green

Taimak was born in Los Angeles, June 27, 1964; raised in New York City and moved to Europe at 7 years old. Eventually, he came back to NYC, around age 14, where he currently resides. His Italian father was a doo-wop singer, while his Black mother worked at the Apollo theater. That job enabled her to introduce Taimak to many celebrities like James Brown, David Bowie, and Sam Cooke.  He has 2 younger sisters and an older brother in addition to several half brothers and sisters.
Taimak's Family
Taimak’s Family
Laura Charles had it right, Taimak is a real life “Kung Fu Master”, in fact, he is the master of several forms of Martial Arts. The 2010 Martial Arts Hall Fame Inductee starting training at age 6.  He recently added a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to his 7th Degree Black Belt. He’s also a skilled practitioner of Shaolin Kung Fu, Chinese Goju, Boxing, MMA, Aikido, Judo, Fencing, and Kickboxing.
Taimak 2013 Brazilian Jiujitsu Blue Belt
His instructors have included world renown martial artist, Kung Fu movie star, and founder of Chinese Goju Grand Master Ron “The Black Dragon” Van Clief, Brazilian Grappler & Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Marcelo Garcia and El Salvadoran, Eddie Encarnacion just to name a few. Under Encarnacion’s tutelage, he won the 1983 New York State Kickboxing Championship at age 18.
Taimak at age 18 after winning NY State Kickboxing Championship
18-year-old Taimak after winning NY State Kickboxing Championship


How Taimak Got The Bruce Leroy Role

In 1984, Taimak was not an actor but there were rumors in the fighting circuit that a young black martial artist was needed to star in a film. In a 2008 interview for Kung Fu Cinema Taimak described it saying, “Every martial arts fighter on the East Coast wanted to be in it. It was huge. We knew Vanity was going to be in it, everyone wanted the role.”

Bruce Leroy - sees Vanity for the First Time - The Last Dragon
Bruce Leroy and Vanity see each for the 1st Time in The Last Dragon

There weren’t any young black martial artist on the acting scene at the time so the film-makers decided on having an open casting call. Hundreds of people from all walks of life came out to audition including a 19-year-old Taimak. Not being trained as an actor, Taimak’s nerves got the best of him; he blew his audition. He was crushed and it seemed as though his quest for the Glow wasn’t going to even get started.

Bruce Leroy!!!

Luckily producers saw some magic in him. They believed he had the looks and magnetism of an actor with the skill and body of a street fighter. Although Taimak felt they thought he still didn’t have a chance they gave him a part of the script to take with him to work on.

Taimak’s father and a close friend, Richie, helped him realized the role was a once in a lifetime opportunity that was seemingly written for him. He worked on the script and with renewed confidence, he went back to the casting director. Determined to get the part he asked for another shot and nailed it.

Life After The Last Dragon

Missing Bruce Leroy if found please contact Sho'nuff

If you are reading this you have probably wondered, like I did for many years, what happened to “Bruce” Leroy Green after The Last Dragon. Why didn’t he do any other major films? Unfortunately in the 80’s (and even now), Hollywood did not have many roles for black men, especially young inexperienced black men, who were primarily martial artist.

On the TV One’s Life After special Taimak said “They (Hollywood) didn’t know what to do with somebody like myself” Look for the full scoop directly from Taimak on why he didn’t sign on for a sequel in his autobiography and watch the VladTV interview below.

In the TVOne special The Last Dragon’s producer Rupert Hitzig said  Taimak held out for a 3 picture deal but in a March 29, 2013,  interview with DJ Ms. Drama on Breakthru Radio,  Taimak suggested that the TVOne special was not accurate as the story was not so clear cut.

Official Karate Special Interview with Taimak Winter 1985

He said in the interview that “it was much more complex than that… it has to do with the dynamics of deal making in Hollywood…it wasn’t that I didn’t want to do it, what 19, 20 year old doesn’t want to continue the fun of making movies… let’s just say part of the people involved in the negotiation tried to muscle me rather than explain to me… the approach… made me put my defenses up.”  He also mentioned that Rupert Hitzig didn’t know what happened because he wasn’t in the room during the negotiation. Whatever the reason, the sad truth is that The Last Dragon 2 never happened…

Taimak on Why The Last Dragon 2 Never Happened

You would expect him to be bitter after the fanfare that came with being The Last Dragon ended but he has moved on and lives a very fulfilled life.  He stated in a heart to hear letter to fans “It was the exception, not the rule, for me to be hired as the lead in The Last Dragon”

Taimak aka "Bruce Leroy" 30 Years Later Still Kicking

What has Taimak been doing since The Last Dragon?

Along with touring the country meeting fans at screenings of The Last Dragon and Comic Cons Taimak has kept busy writing, directing, acting, modeling, fight choreographing, teaching martial arts and helping underprivileged kids. He continues to train religiously and although he is over 50 that glow is keeping his mind, body, and soul young. To this day he looks like he could still beat the Converse off Sho’nuff.

Nov 2019 Update: Taimak talks with Bruce Willow before The Last Dragon’s 35th Anniversary

Taimak 2014 at a ComicCon in NYC promoting The Last Dragon 30th Anniversary Tour

Taimak’s Autobiography

Taimak’s Autobiography: Taimak, The Last Dragon came out in March 2016 and he started a National Last Dragon Screening & Book Tour in April 2016.

Taimak The Last Dragon Autobiography Cover
Photo cred: @ladybughair’s instagram

Taimak’s post-Last Dragon resume includes

Taimak UFC referee

Taimak in 36 Crazyfists Video - Bloodwork
Taimak in 36 Crazyfists Video  “Bloodwork”
  • Cameo’s on several TV shows including
    •  “A Different World”
    •  “Ally McBeal”
    • “3rd Watch”
    • “Beverly Hills 90210”
    • “Malcolm & Eddie”
  • Martial Arts Choreographer and Instructor to the stars including:
    • Gavin Rosedale on Bush’s Video “Chemical Between Us”
    • Madonna as her martial arts coordinator on her 2001 Drowned World Tour
    • Debbie Allen’s 1989 “Special Look” music video

Taimak in Janet Jackson’s “Let’s Wait a While” Video

Taimak in Janet Jackson's Video for "Let's Wait a While"

Taimak’s November 2015 Interview with The Breakfast Club

How to Keep up with Taimak 

Taimak's Facebook Fan Page

Instagram: @iamtaimak

Facebook: /iamtaimak

Twitter: @iamtaimak

Bruce Leroy Art by Julian Reams
Bruce Leroy Art by Julian Reams
More Taimak related content and/or material used as reference for this article:

The Last Dragon is now on Blu-Ray!

Get it on Amazon!

@thelastglow

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10 thoughts on “Bruce Leroy: Taimak

  1. Just found this- I don’t know how often it is updated but just so you know, Taimak will be traveling around the country to various cities where there will be a special screening event of “The Last Dragon” held. The Incorgnito website details all the cities on the tour, and several are already booked and have VIP tickets available for sale, if you wanted to update your page.

    1. Our people only know one way of fighting and need to learn more. crazy karate, it’s not enough anymore. get that glow.

  2. One of my favorite movies, ever. packed with so much music, rap, break dancing, martial arts, different nationalities, etc. You can’t ask for more. 80’s, the best!

  3. I love Taimak. It is great you have this page. Wish there had been a Last Dragon sequel. I hope to hear more about him.

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