Darren Shahlavi

Darren Majian Shahlavi (5 August 1972 – 14 January 2015) was an English actor, martial artist and stuntman.

Shahlavi was known primarily for in martial arts films such as Bloodmoon, Tai Chi Boxer, the 2010 film Ip Man 2, Beyond the Limits, 300, Watchmen, The Final Cut, BloodRayne, and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale.

Early life Shahlavi was born to Iranian immigrant parents at Stockport, Cheshire, England, on 5 August 1972. At the age of 7, he started studying Judo in a rented acting theatre, where he would arrive early to peek at the actors performing. After discovering the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, he dreamed of appearing in action films. He began training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 14 under Sensei Dave Morris and Horace Harvey; and later boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai at Master Toddy's gym in Manchester.

At 16, Shahlavi started to pursue a career in film and got the attention of Hong Kong action cinema expert Bey Logan in the early 1990s. According to Logan's commentary on the Tai Chi Boxer DVD, Shahlavi spent time at Logan's home watching, studying and copying martial art films from Logan's personal collection. In an interview with the Persian Mirror, Shahlavi mentioned that Logan wrote a script for him to star in, and off he went to Malaysia. On arrival, however, it became apparent that no money was in place, and Logan's partner Mark Houghton put Shahlavi to work as a stuntman. Shahlavi later moved to Hong Kong to pursue his acting career.

In 2010, Shahlavi landed a major role in the film Ip Man 2 starring Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Lynn Hung and Huang Xiaoming, as the villain Taylor "The Twister" Milos. Although he appeared only in the latter part of the film, he served as the film's main antagonist, his boxing fight with Hung and eventual defeat by Yen forming the film's climax.

Shahlavi appeared in the psychological dark thriller film Red Riding Hood, and appeared in Mortal Kombat: Legacy as Kano. from a heart attack caused by atherosclerosis.

Filmography

Movies The Turbulent Affair (1991) Hero's Blood (1991) Guns & Roses (1993) All New Human Skin Lanterns (1993) as Baggio Tai Chi Master (1993) Deadly Target (1994) Angel on Fire (1995) Only the Strong Survive (1995) Sixty Million Dollar Man (1995) as Bodyguard Guardian Angels (1995) as Gangster 2 Tai Chi Boxer (1996) as Smith Bloodmoon (1997) as The Killer Techno Warriors (1998) as Twister Lethal Combat (1999) as Twister Hostile Environment (1999) as Rocky G.O.D. (2001) as Hitman No. 3 Le6ion of the Dead (2001) as Peter Xtreme Warriors (2001) I Spy (2002) as Cedric Mills Tai Chi Master (2003) Sometimes a Hero (2003) as Russ Fortus Beyond the Limits (2003) as Dennis Jiminy Glick in Lalawood (2004) as Johnny Stompanato Summer Storm (2004) as Jimmy Ward Alone in the Dark (2005) as John Dillon BloodRayne (2005) as Priest Slither (2006) as Brenda's Husband 300 (2006) as Persian In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007) as Gatekeeper Alien Agent (2007) as Kaylor Watchmen (2009) as NY SWAT Ip Man 2 (2010) as Taylor "The Twister" Miller Born to Raise Hell (2010) as Costel Red Riding Hood (2011) as Sabre Man Tactical Force (2011) as Storato The Package (2013) as Devon The Marine 3: Homefront (2013) as Cazel Pound of Flesh (2015) as Goran Tomorrowland (2015) as Tough Guard Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016) as Eric Sloane

Television The Final Cut (2004) as Karim The Survivors Club (2004) as Eddie Como 1-800-Missing as Intelligence Officer in the episode We Are Coming Home in 2005 Merlin's Apprentice as Chester in 2006 Reaper as Dash Ariell in Magic in 2007 Bionic Woman as Machete in the episode Faceoff in 2007 Intelligence as Sam in 2 episodes in 2007 Sanctuary as Ennis Camden in the episode Warriors in 2008 and Jason in the episode Pavor Nocturnus in 2009 Smallville (2009) as Mexican thug in the episode Echo Human Target as Eladio Lopez in the episode A Problem Like Maria Metal Hurlant Chronicles (2011) as Adam in the episode King's Crown Mortal Kombat: Legacy (2011) as Kano Aladdin and the Death Lamp (2012) as Aladdin True Justice (2012) as Bohan Popovich (3 episodes) Arrow (2012) as Constantine Drakon in Pilot Borealis (2013) as Sergei Big Thunder (2013) as Clyde Survival Code (2013) as Sergei High Moon (2014) as Indian Assassin

Video games Medal of Honor (2010) as Tier 1 Operator

Stunt work The Turbulent Affair (1991) Hero's Blood (1991) Angel on Fire (1995) Sometimes a Hero (2003) as stunt co-ordinator Beyond the Limits (2003) as stunt co-ordinator The Chronicles of Riddick (2004) as stunt double for Colm Feore Blade: Trinity (2004) 300 (2006) as utility stunts Night at the Museum (2007) as a Roman Stunt actor In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale (2007) as stunt double for Ray Liotta Postal (2007) as a stunt player Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) as a Roman Centurion stunt actor Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball (2010) Repo Men (2010) The Stranger (2010) as a Stunt actor for Mexican Cop No. 3 Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Miscellaneous crew Guns & Roses (1993) as an assistant to producer Hostile Environment (1999) as a fight choreographer in his own scenes Le6ion of the Dead (2001) as a fight choreographer G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) as a motion capture actor Dragon Age: Origins (2009) as a motion capture actor EA Sports MMA (2010) as a motion capture actor