Career

Blanks was hired as a bodyguard for lead actress Catherine Bach during the filming of 1988's Driving Force, which was filmed in Manila during a time of political unrest. Blanks impressed the producers and was written into the script in a supporting role.[8] This led to Blanks' work in several martial arts films, including King of the Kickboxers and the first Bloodfist. Perhaps his most recognizable role to mainstream audiences is in the opening scene of Tony Scott's The Last Boy Scout, where he plays a doomed pro-football player. Blanks also appeared as the kickboxing instructor to Ashley Judd's character in Kiss the Girls.

In the late 1980s, Blanks developed the Tae Bo workout, while running a karate studio in Quincy, Massachusetts. He used components of his martial arts and Boxing training.[9] The name is derived from taekwondo and boxing.[10] Blanks opened a fitness center in Los Angeles to teach his new workout. He later attracted some celebrity clients such as Paula Abdul, and the popularity of the workout quickly grew, becoming a pop culture phenomenon after Blanks began releasing mass-marketed videos. He sold over 1.5 million VHS tapes in his first year,[11] and is reported to have grossed between $80 million and $130 million in sales.[11][12]

Personal life

Blanks is a Christian and released a special line of Tae Bo workouts called the "Believer's" series that includes motivational prayers and other Christian components. He has appeared on the Christian television network TBN.[13]

In 1974 Blanks married Gayle H. Godfrey, whom he met in karate class. Shortly after the marriage, he adopted Gayle's daughter, Shellie, who had been born in 1973. Shellie Blanks Cimarosti, a martial artist, is prominently featured in many Tae Bo videos. Shellie has also produced her own video called Tae Bo Postnatal Power, as well as hosted her father's new infomercial Tae Bo T3 (Total Transformation Training). Gayle and Blanks also have a son, Billy Blanks, Jr., who works as a dancer, singer and fitness instructor. Blanks Jr. produced several best-selling DVDs,[14] including Cardioke and Fat Burning Hip Hop Mix. He has also starred in a touring production of the musical Fame, and has worked as a dancer in music videos with Madonna, Quincy Jones and Paula Abdul.[14][15][16][17][18]

Blanks and Godfrey were divorced in 2008 after 33 years of marriage. Godfrey filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.[19]

In November 2008, Blanks became the father of a new daughter, named Angelika. The mother is Tomoko Sato, whom Blanks met in 2007 and who worked as his Japanese interpreter.[1] Blanks and Sato's marriage was formally registered in January 2009 and their wedding ceremony was held on June 20, 2009. He relocated to Japan in 2009. He has also adopted Sato's two daughters, Marriett and Erika Peterson.[citation needed]

Filmography

Film

Blanks on board USS La Salle in January 2002 Blanks in US Military Base in Yokosuka, Japan in April 2006

Year	Film	Role	Notes
2017	The Clapper	himself
2011	Jack & Jill	himself
2007	Dance Club: The Movie	dance club dancer	(short)
1997	Kiss the Girls	kickboxing instructor
	Assault on Devil's Island	Creagan
1996	Balance of Power	Niko	aka Hidden Tiger
1995	Expect no Mercy	Justin Vanier
	Tough and Deadly	John Portland
1994	A Dangerous Place	Billy
1993	Showdown	Billy Grant
	TC 2000	Jason Storm
	Back in Action	Billy
1992	Zhan long zai ye	Billy
	Talons of the Eagle	Tyler Wilson
	The Master	black thug	(uncredited)
1991	The Last Boy Scout	Billy Cole
	Timebomb	Mr. Brown
1990	The King of the Kickboxers	Khan
	China O'Brien II	Baskin's fighter #1	(uncredited)
	Lionheart	African Legionnaire
1989	Tango & Cash	prison thug	(uncredited)
	Bloodfist	Black Rose
1988	Driving Force	Pool
1986	Low Blow	guard

Television

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1999	The Parkers	Himself	Episode: "Taking Tae-bo with my Beau" Special guest star
2003	The Fairly OddParents		Special guest star Episode: "Kung Timmy"

[ Source: Wikipedia ]