Robert Wall

For other people named Robert Wall, see Robert Wall (disambiguation).
Robert Alan "Bob" Wall
Born August 22, 1939
San Jose, California
Residence California United States Los Angeles, California
Nationality American
Style Karate, Tang Soo Do
Teacher(s) Chuck Norris, Joe Lewis, Gene LeBell, Machado Brothers
Rank      9th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do
Website http://www.worldblackbelt.com/

Robert Alan "Bob" Wall (born August 22, 1939) is an American actor and martial artist.[1]

Biography

Wall is a former karate champion. He is featured in a number of films, most notably three appearances with martial arts master Bruce Lee. Bob Wall appeared in the film Way of the Dragon with Lee, along with Chuck Norris. Among the martial arts Bob Wall has studied Okinawa-te karate under Gordon Doversola. In 1966, Wall along with karate champion Joe Lewis opened the famous Sherman Oaks Karate Studio in Sherman Oaks, California. In 1968 Lewis sold his share of the studio to Chuck Norris. He also had a supporting role in Lee's most famous film (in the western world) as O'hara in Enter the Dragon.[2] He later appeared in Game of Death, Bruce Lee's incomplete film re-cut in 1978. More recently, in 2009, Wall starred as a bodyguard in the film Blood and Bone.

While portraying the dreaded O'Hara, an urban legend surrounding the making of Enter The Dragon claims that he never quite got along with Bruce Lee and that the fight on the parade ground where he smashed the bottles was more than just a managed fight. However, Wall and others present at the time deny this story, stating the tale was blown out of proportion and that Wall and Lee were actually good friends.[3] Wall has studied several arts under many notable masters. They include Judo under "Judo" Gene LeBell, Okinawan Shorin-Ryu under Joe Lewis, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the Machado Brothers.[4]

Personal

Wall is a 9th degree black belt under Chuck Norris and the co-founder and CEO of a martial arts organization known as World Black Belt Inc.[5] In 1975 Wall authored the book, "Who's Who in the Martial Arts and Directory of Black Belts" Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 75-2280, the first book of its kind for martial artists. Wall has been married to his wife Lillian for 40 years and has two adult daughters: Shana and Kara.[6]

References

  1. "Bob Wall Interview: "Pulling No Punches"". Black Belt. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  2. "Bob Wall Interview: "Pulling No Punches"". Black Belt. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
  3. Bob Wall Interview
  4. World Black Belt Inc >> Bob Wall Bio. URL accessed on April 6, 2010.
  5. "1 on 1 With Bob Wall". Inside Kung Fu. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
  6. World Black Belt Inc >> Shana Wall Bio. URL accessed on April 6, 2010.

External links