Michel Qissi

Michel Qissi (; born Mohammed Qissi on 12 September 1962) is a Moroccan-Belgian actor, filmmaker, and martial artist best known for his action films. Born in Oujda but raised in Brussels, in 1982 Qissi emigrated to Hollywood together with childhood friend Jean-Claude Van Damme in search of becoming an action star. Bloodsport (1988) was their first major film. The two had previously collaborated on Breakin' (1984), and went on to appear in Kickboxer (1989), in which Qissi portrayed the Thai villain Tong Po, Lionheart (1990), and Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016). Qissi also had the role of a fight trainer for Van Damme in the action cyberpunk film Cyborg (1989) and served as choreographer on Kickboxer.

In 1991, Qissi reprised his role as Tong Po in Kickboxer 2 and starred in Bloodmatch. In 1993, he starred in his directorial debut film Terminator Woman, opposite Karen Sheperd and Jerry Trimble. Aside from his American films, Qissi has also worked in Moroccan films and television series.

Qissi is the co-founder of The World Cinema Combat Federation (WCCF), an organization he formed with Grand Master Beom Jhoo Lee which teaches fight choreography in filmmaking. Prior to working in the film industry, Qissi competed as an amateur boxer. He is also trained in the styles of Shotokan, Muay Thai, and kickboxing.

Early life Qissi was born in Oujda, Morocco, and moved to Brussels, Belgium, at the age of 2. He commenced training in boxing at seven years old, and became an amateur champion in his weight class at 17. He also went on to study Shotokan Karate, Muay Thai and Kickboxing. He befriended Jean-Claude Van Damme at an early age and they grew up together with the same love for action films and training in martial arts.

Qissi had the role of a fight trainer for Van Damme in the sci-fi film Cyborg (1989).

Filmography