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Billy Blanks

Billy Blanks

Actor · Born September 1, 1955 (71) · Erie - Pennsylvania - USA

Muscular African American sports star, actor, media identity and inventor of the phenomenally popular "Tae Bo" fitness system, derived from his extensive martial arts training. Blanks was born in Eerie, Pennsylvania in 1955 amongst humble backgrounds and grew up as one of 15 children, battling dyslexia and tendon problems. However that didn't stop him from starting his martial arts training at age 14 and eventually achieving black belts in tae kwon do & several other arts, and winning numerous US martial arts tournaments. Blanks first popped up on movie screens in the mid 1980s in tough guy parts utilizing his athletic background and grim faced looks. Films roles included Tango & Cash (1989), Driving Force (1989) and A.W.O.L.: Absent Without Leave (1990). Things looked up in 1991, when Blanks scored the minor role of drug addicted running back "Billy Cole" in the explosive The Last Boy Scout (1991)....and further work followed often sharing lead billing in low budget - high action fare such as Talons of the Eagle (1992), TC 2000 (1993) and Expect No Mercy (1995). In the late 1990s, Billy's innovative and exciting "Tae Bo" workout routine swept around the world like wildfire, and propelled him into the position of one of the world's most recognizable and biggest selling fitness trainers. The remarkable Blanks continues to refine and promote his unique "Tae Bo" fitness system, and he operates the Billy Blanks World Training Center in Sherman Oaks, California. 7th Degree Black Belt Billy Blanks had one of the greatest karate fight records in the sport's long history. Blanks was a 7-time world karate champion, the first Amateur Athletic Union Champ in 1975, the 1984 Massachusetts Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, and the Tri-State Golden Gloves Champion of Champions. He was the captain of the United States Karate Team and won over 30 gold medals in international competition. He was the number 1 or number 2 rated full-contact karate fighter in the United States for almost seven straight years. His epic battles with "Nasty" Anderson are legends among martial arts fans. He posted over 300 career victories. In 1982, Billy Blanks was honored by being inducted into the Karate Hall of Fame.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 1, 1955 (71)
From
Erie - Pennsylvania - USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
26 on MovieCove · 53 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 24% in 30 days

What are Billy Blanks' films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
45%
Self
15%
Bonds
14%
Survival
12%
Society
9%
Power
3%
Ideas
3%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 10 · Serious 3 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 8
Mentor
3 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Thrilling
9
Tense
7
Absurd
4
Hopeful
4
Triumphant
3
Other
5

How their films linger

Fun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Billy Blanks' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 26 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Billy Blanks' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

53 credits, 26 with a MovieCove page; 31 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Last Kumite(2024)

    as Master Loren

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Circuit 4: Faith Fighter(2024)

    as Samson

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Clapper(2017)

    as Billy Blanks

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Almost Amazing(2017)

    as Mr. Wilson

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Ultimate Goal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Dark Moon Rising(2015)

    as Sheriff Tom

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Billy Blanks Tae Bo Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Instructor

  • Jack and Jill(2011)

    as Billy Blanks

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Billy Blanks Tae Bo: Amped Fat Burn Accelerator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Billy Blanks

  • Billy Blanks: Ultimate Tae Bo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Billy Blanks

  • Billy's BootCamp Elite: 8 Minute Supercharge Cardio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission One - Get Started (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Billy's Bootcamp Elite: Mission Spot Training - Lower Body (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Three - Rock Solid Abs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Billy's BootCamp Elite: Mission Two - Maximum Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Billy's BootCamp: Basic Training Bootcamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Billy Blanks

  • Billy Blanks - Tae Bo: Strength Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Billy Blanks

  • Billy's Bootcamp: Cardio Bootcamp Live! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Cardio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Billy Blanks: Tae Bo Flex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Billy's Bootcamp 1: Tae Bo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Billy's Bootcamp 2: Tae Bo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • TaeBo II: Get Ripped - Basic 1 Workout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • The Fairly OddParents(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Billy Blanks (voice)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Billy Blanks' Tae Bo: 8-Minute Workout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Himself

  • The Parkers(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Martial Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Travis King

  • Assault on Devil's Island(1997)

    as Craegan

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Kiss the Girls(1997)

    as Instructor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Billy Blanks

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Kazaam(1996)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Balance of Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Niko

  • Expect No Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Justin Vanier

  • Tough and Deadly(1995)

    as John Portland

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Parent 'Hood(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Tae-Bo Instructor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Back in Action (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Billy

  • Showdown(1993)

    as Billy Grant

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • TC 2000 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Jason Storm

  • Invincible (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Billy

  • Talons of the Eagle(1992)

    as Tyler Wilson

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Melrose Place(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • The Master(1992)

    as Hawks Gang Member

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Last Boy Scout(1991)

    as Billy Cole

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Timebomb(1991)

    as Mr. Brown

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The King of the Kickboxers(1990)

    as Khan

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Lionheart(1990)

    as African Legionnaire

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • China O'Brien II(1990)

    Stunts · as Baskin's Fighter #1 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Driving Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Pool

  • Tango & Cash(1989)

    as Prison Thug (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Bloodfist(1989)

    as Black Rose

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Low Blow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Guard

  • Devotion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Billy Blanks

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 53 titles, 52 of them dated from 1986 to 2024; peak year 1994.

Biggest box office

Lionheart (1990)

$24M worldwide

Highest rated

The King of the Kickboxers (1990)

Midcredits 51st

Most popular right now

Lionheart (1990)

Film career

19862024

Peak 1994 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1989Screen debut· Bloodfist
  • 1993First top-billed film· Showdown
  • 1993Career best· Showdown

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting51 of 53: 50 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score40thDirecting1 of 53: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting1 of 53: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 53: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew2 of 53: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s3 · acting1990s25 · 23 acting · 3 crew2000s16 · acting2010s6 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 22% of 18 roles
8994

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Billy Blanks' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 30th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 25th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

25thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

18thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 26 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up2
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 26 titles are Mixed.

  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Dark Moon Rising (2015)

98th percentile spread · 41% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Last Boy Scout (1991)

Midcredits 78th · 70% liked

Reviewers score the acting 35/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 55, detractors 19. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Billy Blanks work with?

People who share at least 2 of Billy Blanks' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Matthias Hues shares the most, 3.

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers