Kane Kosugi
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| Kane Kosugi | |
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| Born | Kane Takeshi Kosugi October 11, 1974 Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. |
| Occupation | actor |
| Years active | 1983—present |
| Official website | |
Kane Kosugi (ケイン・コスギ Kein Kosugi?) born Takeshi Kosugi (小杉 健 Kosugi Takeshi?, October 11, 1974–) in Los Angeles, California is an American martial artist and martial arts actor. He is the son of martial arts star Sho Kosugi.
Since 1983, Kosugi has appeared in various roles as a voice actor for video games, stunt actor in movies, and character actor in both English-language and Japanese-language films. His first movie, Revenge of the Ninja, had him playing the son of his real life father, Sho. He even kept his real name in the movie. He has also been in other movies starring his father as well. With the intention of following in his father's footsteps, Kane trained to become a martial arts actor. Kane has an extensive martial arts background in Wushu, Ninjutsu, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Judo, and Kendo.
In 1994, he starred in Ninja Sentai Kakuranger as Jiraiya, "Ninja Black". He was the only member of the KakuRanger who spoke fluent English, and together with Makito Ozu (Yuki Ito), "MagiGreen" from Mahou Sentai Magiranger, are the only Rangers in Sentai history to speak fluent English. Saban would later use footage of the series Ninja Sentai KakuRanger in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Alien Ranger Arc.
In Japan, Kosugi is considered gaijin tarento, even though his father is full-blooded Japanese.
He can be seen regularly on the NHK children's program Karada de Asobo (体で遊ぼ), which is an exercise show. He also does commercial spots for vitamin drinks and regularly appears on a physical challenge show called Kinniku Oukoku (筋肉王国). His most recent project was the action-thriller, War, with Jason Statham and Jet Li in which he played an unnamed Yakuza member.
He has a brother, Shane, who also makes occasional appearances on Kinniku Bansuke (known on G4 as Unbeatable Bansuke). His brother also competed with him on SASUKE.
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[edit] Sasuke
Kane has competed on the Japanese show Sasuke (known in America as Ninja Warrior) for several years. Thus far he is one of only two foreigners, and the only American, to make it to the Final Stage, out of 1,900 total competitors to date and ten different Final Stage competitors. He stopped participating after the 8th competition for unknown reasons. Here is a list of information regarding his participation including competition number, his number out of 100 competitors, as well as the stage and obstacle he was eliminated on.
- 1st competition (89) Third Stage - Pillar Path
- 4th competition (97) Third Stage - Cliff Hanger
- 6th competition (98) Third Stage - Body Prop
- 7th competition (98) Second Stage - Spider Walk
- 8th competition (91) Final Stage - Failed Rope Climb
[edit] Rift with Father
Kosugi and his father are no longer on speaking terms due to Kane choosing a career in Japanese television instead of helping to run some of his schools under the banner of his institute, and even taking some of Sho's staff with him. In reference to Kane, Sho was reported as saying on a television show with fortuneteller Kazuko Hosoki, "My son is a coward!" (息子は卑怯だ).[1]
[edit] Selected Filmography
- Revenge of the Ninja (1983)
- Nine Deaths of the Ninja (1985)
- Pray for Death (1985)
- Journey of Honor(1991) also known as Shogun Mayeda
- Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero(1993)
- Ninja Sentai Kakuranger (1994)
- Who Am I? (1997)
- Street Fighter Alpha (1999) Japanese voice actor for Ryū.
- Muscle Heat (AKA Blood Heat) (2002)
- Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
- DOA: Dead or Alive (2006)
- War (2007)
