Sho Kosugi

is a Japanese actor, martial artist and writer with extensive training in Shindō jinen-ryū Karate, Kendo, Judo, Iaido, Kobudo, Aikido and Ninjutsu. A former All Japan Karate Champion, he gained popularity as an actor during the 1980s, often playing ninjas. He starred in a trilogy of martial arts ninja films produced by Cannon Films (Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination), before starring in the primetime television series The Master. His work helped establish ninjas in popular culture, leading to a "ninja boom" or "ninjamania" during the early-to-mid-1980s.

Life and career At the age of 19, Kosugi left Japan to study and reside in Los Angeles where he earned a bachelor's degree in Economics at CSULA. At the same time, he consistently improved his martial arts skills while learning a wide variety of styles, such as Chinese xingyiquan, Korean taekwondo and Japanese Shitō-ryū and Shotokan-ryū karate.

He is the father of Kane Kosugi and Shane Kosugi, who are both actors and martial artists, and Ayeesha Kosugi, a former senior member of the women's golf team at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. In Japan, he also ran an internationally oriented group of martial arts acting schools known as the Sho Kosugi Institute. He currently resides in Los Angeles. Films in which Kosugi's sons perform alongside their father include Revenge of the Ninja, Pray for Death, Black Eagle and Journey of Honor (A.K.A. Kabuto, Shogun Mayeda and Shogun Warrior).

In 2009, Sho made a comeback to films playing the lead villain of Ozunu in the action thriller Ninja Assassin opposite K-pop star and actor Rain.

Filmography Films

Television Year Title Role Notes 1977 The Richard Pryor Show Samurai Extra 1984 The Master Okasa 13 episodesAlso fight double, stunt coordinator, ninja choreographer and technical advisor 1986 Honda Hurricane Ninja TV commercial: "Hiding Ninja" 1987 Wide Show 11 PM(11PM) Himself Episode: "USA Latest Information! Ninja Boom, Landing in Japan! $1 Million Star Sho Kosugi Visit!!" 1991 Subarashiki Nakama(すばらしき仲間) Himself 1 episode 42nd NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen(第42回NHK紅白歌合戦) Himself TV special 1992 Super Jockey(スーパージョッキー) Himself 1 episode 1993 Dragon Spirit(琉球の風) Shintenpū 10 episodes Itsumitemo Haranbanjō(いつみても波瀾万丈) Himself 1 episode Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero(ウルトラマンパワード) Ultraman (voice) Episode: "On a Mission from M78" (Japanese dub)1994 Sanma no Nandemo Derby(さんまのなんでもダービー) Himself 1 episode Waratte Iitomo! Tokudaigō(笑っていいとも!特大号) Himself 1 episode Oltre i Cinquanta(オルトレ・イ・チンクワンタ) Himself 1 episode Tetsuko's Room(徹子の部屋) Himself 1 episode Ninja Sentai Kakuranger(忍者戦隊カクレンジャー) Gali Episodes: "A Super Big Figure Coming to Japan!!", "History's First Super Battle" 1995 Friday Lively Time(金曜いきいきタイム) Himself 1 episode 1996–1998 Sho Kosugi Self-Defense and Ninjaerobics Himself ProducerInstructor1996 Bang! Bang! Bang!(BANG! BANG! BANG!) Himself 1 episode Legend of St. Dragon(聖龍伝説) Shūsaku Sendō Episode: "Episode 7" 1997 Cooking Banzai!(料理バンザイ!) Himself 1 episode 1999 Madamunmun(マダムんむん) Himself 1 episode2000 Pro Sportsman No. 1(スポーツマンNo. 1決定戦) Himself TV special: "Celebrity Survival Battle XVI" Muscle Elite(筋肉精鋭) Himself 3 episodes Tunnels no Namade Daradara ika sete!!(とんねるずの生でダラダラいかせて!!) Himself 1 episode 2000–2003 Sōzetsu batoru! Hana no geinōkai(壮絶バトル!花の芸能界) Himself 3 episodes2000 Romihii (ろみひー) Himself 1 episode Still, I like Japan!(土曜特集 それでも,ニッポンが好き!) Himself 1 episode2001 Kagai Jugyō Yōkoso Senpai(課外授業 ようこそ先輩) Himself Episode "Hollywood Star: The Way To Realize Your Dreams" Tiger's Gate(虎ノ門) Himself 1 episode Kanbai Gekijō(完売劇場) Himself 2 episodes Channepu(ちゃんネプ) Himself 1 episode Warau Inu(笑う犬の発見 Go with flow!) Himself 1 episode2002 Muscle Battle Preview Special(筋肉バトル直前特集) Himself 1 episode Sunday Big Variety(日曜ビッグバラエティ) Himself Episode "Famous Foreign Talent: Homecoming Trip" Super Friday(スーパーフライデー) Himself 2 episodes2003 Aitai! Onegai Kamisama Mōichido Dake! Special(逢いたい！お願い神様もう一度だけ！SP) Himself 1 episode Quiz $ Millionaire(クイズ$ミリオネア) Himself 1 episode Tokumitsu Kazuo no Jōhō Spirits(徳光和夫の情報スピリッツ) Himself 1 episode 2005 Zenigata Kintaro(銭形金太郎) Himself 1 episode 2005–2007 Seikatsu Hot Morning(生活ほっとモーニング) Himself 2 episodes 2006 Barber Young(バーばーヤング) Himself 1 episode 2006–2007 Anytime Anywhere! Sho Kosugi's Towel Exercise(いつでもどこでも!ショー・コスギのタオルエクササイズ) Himself 2007 Zubari Iuwayo!(ズバリ言うわよ！) Himself 3 episodes

Home videos Year Title Role Notes 1985 Master Class Himself/Ninja Fight choreographer 1986 Ninja Theater Hosted by Sho Kosugi Himself/Ninja 13 segmentsFight choreographer 2000 SKI (Sho Kosugi Institute) Himself Producer 2008Sho Kosugi's Let's Towelcise Himself/Ninja 2017 The Art of Hollywood Ninja Action Film Making Himself/Ninja DirectorProducer

Stage Year Title Roles Notes 2001 The Ninjas From Hollywood Japan Tour 2001 Genbusui, God of War and PeaceKojiro, NY Ninja BossBird-masked Ninja DirectorProducerWriter 2002 The Ninjas From Hollywood Japan Tour 2002 Genbusui, God of War and PeaceKojiro, NY Ninja BossPrior Generation Ninja Leader DirectorProducerWriter

Video games Year Title Role Notes 1998 Tenchu: Stealth Assassins Rikimaru motion capture