Richard Norton
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Richard Norton (born January 6, 1950, in Australia) is a martial artist, action film star, and stuntman. Norton worked as a bodyguard in the entertainment business before pursuing an acting career. He worked as a personal bodyguard for the likes of The Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, David Bowie, ABBA, John Belushi, Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks. His first screen appearance was in the 1980 Chuck Norris film The Octagon, and to date he has worked on over 70 feature films and television programs.
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[edit] Movie career
He is particularly known for his appearances in Hong Kong action films, being one of few Western stars that can handle the fast pace of HK-style action[citation needed]. Norton's Hong Kong credits include The Magic Crystal, Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars, City Hunter,(a live action remake of the comic book), Millionaire's Express, and Mr. Nice Guy. A signature catchphrase of Norton's characters is "Painful?", usually asked after striking a decisive blow. The most comical example is in Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars, where he faces Sammo Hung and in the movie Millionaire's Express against Yasuaki Kurata.
Over his career, Norton has faced off with many top Martial arts action stars, including Jackie Chan (in three films), Sammo Hung, Yasuaki Kurata, Benny "the Jet" Urquidez (in Kick Fighter), Don "The Dragon" Wilson (in Cyber Tracker), and Cynthia Rothrock (in Lady Dragon and others).
More recently, Norton served as fight coordinator on the 2007 film The Condemned (starring "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Vinnie Jones), doubling for Jones and creating a few notable combat scenes that offer several better moments to an otherwise by-the-numbers action film. His latest starring role is in the soon to be released contemporary drama, 'Under the Red Moon', which is now in post production.
[edit] Martial Arts experience
Richard Norton has mastered many aspects of the Martial Arts in his 45 years of training, including Judo, Karate, Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, Thai boxing and several Japanese weapons systems. He has a 5th degree Shihan rank Black Belt in Goju Ryu, 5th degree Masters rank in Chun Kuk Do (Chuck Norris system),1st Degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a 5th Dgree Black Belt in Zen Do Kai Karate. He has trained extensively with such Martial Arts legends as Tino Ceberano, Tadashi Yamashita, Fumio Demura, Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace, Pete 'Sugar Foot' Cunningham, the Machado brothers and Chuck Norris.
Norton is in constant demand for seminars all over the world[citation needed], covering such topics as street defense, martial arts weapons drills, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. His 15 years experience as a Personal Body Guard for some of Rock and Roll's greats finds Richard in particular demand for teaching the realities of real life street defence, focusing on aspects such as adrenal dump, stress control and pre-emptive strikes.
In Sept 2007, Norton released a two-disc DVD set on Black Belt Digital Video called 'Black Belt training Complexes'. The DVDs show Norton executing some very fast and accurate examples of his skill, and some great added seminar footage is also included. The 3 plus hours of training drills and information focus on the development of explosive speed, power and continuity of movement, with in depth explanation of the various principles one needs to understand to develop incredible speed, regardless of their particular style or discipline. The DVDs are now available at Norton's website at www.richardnorton.net.
[edit] Personal Quotes
"In 1979 I was offered a job doing security on a U.S. tour with Linda Ronstadt as her personal bodyguard and trainer. So I went out to Southern California. I told everybody in Australia I'd be back in a month and twenty years later I'm still here."
"I realized long ago that life is all about the journey and not about the destination. The moment you think you know it all you stagnate and die. Life and the arts are all about bodies in motion."
"I will always strive to be a student of the arts and of life in general and just keep searching."
"Many of the friends I've made through my training have turned out to be some of the most influential people in my life and are just like family to me. Because when you get right down to it, when you really think about it, the only thing that really matters in life is your honor and integrity and the relationship and love of your wife, family and friends."
"Everything great that has happened in my life, like traveling the world as a rock and roll bodyguard and doing martial arts movies, has come as a result of just wanting to be the best martial artist possible."
[edit] Spouse
Judy Green (1993 - present)
