Taimak on How He Landed ‘The Last Dragon’ Lead Role (Part 2)

Watch Part 3: • Taimak on Vanity Co-St...
Part 1: • Taimak on Having a Whi...
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Taimak gave insight into how he got into martial arts, saying he began his journey at the age of 6. He said he and his brother began entering contests, but didn’t really get the passion for martial arts until he saw a Bruce Lee commercial. Taimak noted that he started with Karate, but eventually got into Taekwondo, and won a kickboxing title at the age of 18.
The actor also got into how he landed the lead role in the movie ‘The Last Dragon,’ and how he almost didn’t land the role.

[@95alive77]

Maaann to the Young kids that don’t know, when The Last Dragon came out it was the same feeling black ppl had when Black Panther was released. I remember being a kid amazed at seeing a black person doing Karate

[@mikemonroe7990]

Truth

[@raczgreen6053]

Exactly! Me and cousin loved that movie in the 80's

[@mrfantastic9966]

When you got that gloooo

[@95alive77]

Mr Fantastic I remember jumping up and down when that came on 🤦🏾‍♂️😂 “Who’s the Master?”

[@jason-jc9bz]

Hell Yeah bro

[@thelionessqueenwritesdeana2746]

Taimak still comes across as being a pure kind wise soul. Beautiful.

[@thelionessqueenwritesdeana2746]

Beauty comes from within to the outer shell..from the eyes, words, the voice, actions or non actions of one.~ Deana MarieThe Lioness Queen Writes Forever one of my favorites Taimak. Forever beautifully hamdsome. Taimak comes across pure ... honest, wise strong. Blessed. Have no regrets.

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hi

[@thelionessqueenwritesdeana2746]

@@Mind-BlownMoments hi

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

@@thelionessqueenwritesdeana2746 glad all is going great

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hi

[@xDTHECHEMISTx]

Met him twice in person at NY comic con. Very cool brotha

[@Maegymini1317]

D The Chemist Yes, he seems like he would be. Very humble & well spoken also.

[@LifeofShayTV]

This man does not age! How he look so good and that movie was over 30 years ago?!?

[@YoungBlaze]

Being a Democrat?

[@ruddiato]

He looks more mid forties

[@AlSmithCleanUpENT]

He got the glow

[@CityofShamballah]

He looks in his fifties to me. Is he older?

[@myisathletics3433]

What?? He does look aged...look at the scar and definition around his mouth. And biracial people's hair relaxes faster when they age. Just look up Joaquim Cruz, Brazilian 800m champion.

[@buddyraw9778]

No matter how many times I've watched The Last Dragon (and I've watched it well over 100 times)......I get chills the moment Shonuff lifts Bruce Leroy's head out of the water the last time. The confident look on Leroy's face, and him saying "I am" after being asked "Who's the master"? Then the music start playing after he catches the fist.....BRO! I absolutely love that movie. My childhood.

[@Empresslockness]

Taimak was my first big crush. 9 year old me just knew I was supposed to play Vanity's roll in the film. 7th Heaven was supposed to be my club. LOL.

[@trateeshataylor7332]

Me too

[@nikkivankinscott4869]

Girl,me too and I was like 4 or 5!!! But I knew a fine man when I seen one!!!!! Lol

[@carltonbanks2865]

Brother ain't aged, and Im 42, he was the man in 85 along with Mr. T, Jordan, Turbo and O-Zone

[@edeck889]

+Carlton Banks Yes Black pop culture was dope for us Black teenagers in the mid 1980's which eventually gave way to dope Black films of the early 1990's

[@belizegal29]

Carlton Banks , yes! 80s babies.

[@carltonbanks2865]

Growing up in Southside Chicago you remember a lot, come on you acting like I was 8 months old, I have a very good memory homie

[@carltonbanks2865]

What the hell are you talking about, I said what I said, and that was my experience just like you had your own experiences in life, not going back and forth with you about my life homie

[@sabrinastarks7868]

@@carltonbanks2865 Yeah, please don't feed this fool.... jealous azz trolls with no culture can "lol" themselves to hell and back for all I care. That was a wonderful time to be alive and you have every right to embrace your experience.

[@ramonalewis4830]

I'm glad Taimak was chosen to be Bruce Leeroy. I couldn't imagine anyone else in that role

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

he should have been larger than the rock or vin diesel. but he would have to sold his soul to the devil and drink androchrome and eat baby flesh like most satanic pedowood. so the most high blessed him

[@corandoledaniels2912]

He's a very honest guy. God Bless him.

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

he is nice

[@rasungod7257]

This interview makes me wanna watch "The Last Dragon" right now.

[@gild651]

This interview makes me want to smack Vlad every time he says "okay" for some reason.

[@lyricistdestroyerqueensbor8782]

It's a damn shame Hollywood refused to cast him in more movies. He was talented and deserved more than what he got. I was hoping for a last dragon 🐉 2‼️

[@adamgordon2572]

He didn’t sell his soul, hence why he got blackballed 💯

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

Need to reach him i was connected with a project he did

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

they probably wanted him to go to epstein island or a place like that. i heard berry gordy and quincy jones used to make passes at men in the industry especially rappers. he would not drink the andrenochrome and eat baby meat. i consider how they treated him a blessing from the Most High. otherwise he would going to hell like most of the celebrities now. they have BATWINGS from st peter waiting for them when they die.

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

why the rock and not him? i will tell why, they wanted him to do demonic stuff and he would not do that. hollywood is demonic

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

he did not sell his soul to the devil. shoot he should have been larger than the rock and vin diesel

[@joesanchez8852]

I can't imagine anyone else playing Bruce Leroy but Tiamak. Classic Movie just recently watched it again a few weeks ago.

[@livelaughlovelearn7365]

Me too!😁

[@CBrown9758]

Joe Sanchez Berry must have tried because I did see a continued version of The Last Dragon two and sorry it sucked 🤷‍♀️.I would tell Berry being pushy with that skank u used to intimate Tiamak during the meeting for the next contract sign-on of movie two cost you big time, just on it being a franchise.Chemistry is a motha in the movies business and Tiamak, Vanity plus the entire cast had it to make this cult classic happen right Berry🤨?

[@gohanson27]

"Talking bout Bruce Leroy catching bullets with his teeth, NEGRO pleaaaseee" - Sho Nuff

[@ironcrosstrainingltd6482]

"You designate the time and the place and I will gladly designate his ass"

[@sheyenencortez8704]

I would love to find the fountain of youth that this beautiful man drinks from!! My favorite movie was the Last Dragon! Just because of Him. I was a kid then. I'm 43 now and He's just as beautiful now as He was then!! 😱

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

howa re you

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

HI

[@meatwax]

One of the best movies EVER MADE!!! And Taimak seems like a fantastic human being

[@bskrillz522]

last dragon is my favorite movie

[@talesfromthelotuspodcast]

Me too sho nuff is the shit

[@talesfromthelotuspodcast]

Also "kiss my converse go head kiss em"

[@ironcrosstrainingltd6482]

That movie can never be remade it's Legendary!!

[@bruceleroyigottheglow5916]

B skrillz thanks

[@checkmateforever]

Taimak look like he stays on top of his strict diet.

[@ColaJames]

You are the last dragon, you possess the power of the glow🎶🎶🎵🎶🎵

[@everythingbyjohn]

Cola James haha

[@jason-jc9bz]

wat u kno bout all of that 😜

[@slicbuddy6200]

Nah Ms James... it’s you

[@echad6259]

@@slicbuddy6200 yup.

[@ColaJames]

@Carlo Santana when ya got the glow, when you got the glow they all will know if im friend or foe 😂😂😂😂💯

[@treytrey637]

When Taimak mentioned Black Panther 2. I was like......DAMN!! He would kick ass in that movie. Like, if you think Taimak would be dope in BP 2

[@scinnyc]

That nigga's too yellow to be African though. You see how they f*%ked up Storm by using Halle Berry😂

[@sabrinastarks7868]

Why does everyone think/act like every last person indigenous to Africa has to be "blue" black????

[@deniseandrews113]

Ancient Wisdom: How you live shows up on your face

[@quesanabrams9810]

They should give this brother a part.

[@wwekane2468]

King Ramesez nobody cares about that.

[@RogzielTheAntistar]

I paid for Daddy Green's Pizza and fixed his door after Shonuff destroyed it. - TK KirklaND

[@naymonnewbern8158]

Lmao

[@daysoffleadtooffdays1814]

RogzielTheAntistar lmfao

[@elfraz12]

Best TK one I read in this interview

[@jwade4514]

RogzielTheAntistar 😂😂

[@tonywalker2334]

RogzielTheAntistar 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nowavestv333]

I gave him his first hair activator -O.G T.K

[@MonaJ888]

"I told shonuff he got that glow"..- T.K Kirkland

[@dianevrules]

Remember him from the Let's Wait A While video.

[@Boogiesince]

Diane V You’re gorgeous

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

Boogiesince1978 Keep it in your pants creepo.

[@patjohnson9794]

Janet Jackson video?

[@ShogunX11]

@@patjohnson9794 yep. He also guest starred in A Different World as Freddy's boyfriend who almost assaulted her. He was also in that "Ms Laura" skits on BET comicview back in 1996

[@belizegal29]

So fine!😂😊💕

[@vector8310]

I met Taimak at a Bronx dojo in the late eighties. He was a very driven martial artist. Powerful. This may sound obvious but you wouldn't want to get kicked ANYWHERE on your body by him.

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hi

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

he is nice and praise the lord people did not pick a fight with to get. he is sweet as pie

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

he is sweet as pie

[@MarcusDailyMedia]

"Can it be Vanity from Last Dragon" Nas, The Message.

[@justinrichardson598]

The Rap Business shit is grimy

[@Ken-iu2zp]

The Rap Business Yeah dat broad was BAD. Straight gorgeous....

[@richyungsport]

I am 39 and I have seen the last dragon at least 1000 times hands down my favorite movie

[@leomartin5965]

Ive always admired him. And he is a nice guy. And humble.

[@Sethrod8]

Most people don’t know this but I had the glow first - T.K.

[@chasegrant-jackson1051]

Literal LOL 🤣🤣🤣 FUCK MY EYES WATERING

[@RoddyRich305]

😂😂😂

[@DaveSincere]

LOL!!!!

[@HipHopBeatSource]

🤣🤣🤣

[@bunjicarlin1]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@woabeatz9717]

He ate popcorn with chop sticks....😂😂😂😂😂

[@Gametime41300]

Taimak slept on my coach while he was filming Last Dragon- TK Kirkland

[@killking37]

james smith lol

[@cipherP9]

That’s pretty damn gay to sleep on someone’s coach, did the coach at least ask for a timeout?

[@Ae0liann]

cipherP9 lmao

[@cluman1]

This guy even edited his post and still didn't correct his mistake.

[@Gametime41300]

Wow! Egg on my face

[@daevonsibert3735]

Him and Michael Jai White should do a classic martial arts movie together.

[@GORATPHUQ]

Holy Shit add Mario Van Peebles, Billy Blanks and you would have the Black version of the Expendables

[@jordansmith4139]

Karate Kid 1984 The Last Dragon 1985 Happy 80S

[@JokerL1000]

This man was a bouncer in NY in 80s. And he won a tournament. He was bruce leroy forreal.

[@bunjicarlin1]

I'm from Brooklyn born in 1968 and you ain't lying about that!!!!

[@CBrown9758]

Bougie Joker read his book Tiamak The Last Dragon very good read.👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@mogatdula]

That surprised me too

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hope all is going well

[@uncleruckusnorelation6705]

i went to high school with him. we both hung out in the same excusive clubs. area, the saint, paradise garage

[@jonathangary5118]

So proud of this dude . Great movie with the late Vanity.

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hi

[@TheRealest127]

The Last Dragon Is The Greatest Movie Ever. And You Can Watch It on Netflix right now for those of you not in the loop. "WHO'S THE MASTER???" 😎

[@mizzjacquettaxx6974]

He still looked fine. He was my favorite character!❤️💙

[@KingChav3z]

That Movie Is A Banger Glad My Pops Put Me On Game!!

[@YoungBlaze]

You welcome son!

[@isc6065]

YoungBlaze 😂

[@teddrickjohnson792]

My pop took me 2 see it, Great time that day!!

[@tspoon5922]

One of my all time favs. Wish Taimak would have been in more martial arts movies

[@d.felixphoto2260]

Vlad said many people didn't know it was Barry Gordy's movie 😂? What! The title of the movie it literally says "Barry Gordy's Last Dragon" 😂. Who could miss that?

[@gohanson27]

LMAO. Right. I was thinking the same, like I clearly remember on my VHS it says Barry Gordy's LAst Dragon.

[@d.felixphoto2260]

@@gohanson27 I definitely had it on VHS 😂. Definite classic

[@FrontyardJ]

EXACTLY!

[@MonaJ888]

Vlad dum 😂😂😂😂

[@phillysheed01]

Dumb as dog shit! Does no research on nothing he talks about and his memory is trash.

[@evann5553]

I was actually the first dragon - You know who

[@ronniehall3825]

😂😂😂😂 Dude put his name please

[@lathame]

Yeah, you gotta quote TK, lol

[@timthechampmanimtellingu5373]

@@lathame 😂

[@evann5553]

Hamza Faison haven’t we all...

[@seanjean6738]

Best one LMAO!! put his name up there

[@cherokeeconcrete1986]

Taimak was our ChildHood Idol 4Real..80's Baby!!

[@camarogoddess1391]

He was such a great actor & martial artist! Handsome fella

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

howa re you

[@USNMelDaria]

Bruce Leroy can still get it!!!!!! I let my 12 yo and 6 yo watch The Last Dragon now they watch it everyday. I asked my son if he wanted lunch he yelled“ ShoNuff!!!!”” 🤣🤣🤣🤦🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

have great day

[@ladyredd1618]

Yes, girl! 😂

[@shaniqequaparris278]

So he can thank his father/ family for pushing him and helping him rehearse for the role. There's nothin like a loving supportive family, thank God!💕

[@KhalidLane]

Seen the last Dragon as a child. Was glued to the screen loved the story Leroy was exactly how I wanted to be in life humble, wise, will the amazing glowing spirit. I wanted to be just like him years later a Dream came true. Meet him at the Novi expo center in 09 great person so cool

[@Borderjumpmusic]

A childhood favorite 👌🏾

[@wmcroy3306]

I do remember Taimak did have an appearance on an show I used to watched as an kid called WMAC Masters

[@kiduprock04]

wmcroy3306 Yup, 2nd season. I think his name was Striking Eagle

[@wmcroy3306]

@@kiduprock04 Yup yup sucked we didn't seen much of him in that show lol

[@chasegrant-jackson1051]

Damn talk about early 90's. Didn't Shannon Lee host that???

[@wmcroy3306]

@@chasegrant-jackson1051 Yep

[@kiduprock04]

Donald FUnk yessir, the 1st season.

[@ironcrosstrainingltd6482]

I loved this movie and everyone that thinks Black Panther was the first Black superhero you slept on this man, and this classic martial arts movie. Tai much love!! The Last Dragon forever 👊👊

[@vickiehurt2665]

He came to one of my high school events in ~1988 and he spoke to us, signed some autographs, and gave me a kiss on the cheek. He was so humble and funny! ❤❤❤❤

[@CEE3SIXTY]

OMG, the star of my favorite movie. Been following him on social media since 2008. He's awesome.

[@mfar3016]

That’s awesome!! Kids don’t know race! Just love.

[@Diggybytch]

I was suppose to originally play Shonuff in the Last Dragon, but they wanted me to where Converse's, but i'm more of an Adidas type of guy - TK Kirkland

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

*wear

[@KrayzieMurda]

Damn 😂😂 alot of people would not understand this comment lol

[@Diggybytch]

@@KrayzieMurda 😂😂 word up

[@tclay1122]

We are really proud you stood your ground Taimak ♥️

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hi

[@treyfactz7926]

The Last Dragon was my favorite movie as a kid

[@teddavis3526]

I was supposed to be the original Sho nuff ~T.K Kirkland~

[@bunjicarlin1]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Haywerth]

I wrote the script to Last Dragon and was gonna star in it , but at the time I had a sold-out show in Oakland. -TK Kirkland

[@XOneStarX]

I'm watching "The last dragon" right now and I am begging you to please come back and make a sequel. I wish sho nuf was still alive. The "next" dragon can be epic.

[@penagon24]

"Click on the beat,show me where to rhyme at and then the jam will kick like Taimak"-Chubb Rock.

[@EmpireMG]

This a dope ass interview this dude is a legend

[@mistaseeforce]

IM SOOOO HYPE FOR THIS INTERVIEW!!!!

[@johnwilliamson2207]

A 'Cobra Kai'-style Netflix series that follows up on 'The Last Dragon' needs to happen.

[@KOMRADEJAY412]

This Man Will Always Be One Of My Hero's, The Only Greatest Crime Is That They Never Made A Part 2! I Even Wrote A Script For It In High School..... Dreams!

[@crispylineslim5041]

I appreciate you branching out to different personalities Vlad. Great interview. Definitely stepped your game up on the interviewing tip.

[@youngclint409]

"When you need to know you know glow you know that you glow when you know you glow! 👏🏿👏🏿"

[@southsidefroskee]

I thought Taimak how to kick, you didn't know I paid for his first karate lessons. TK Kirkland

[@justinrichardson598]

Shuld I Shoe 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@worldpeacehavethegreatestc3577]

Great interview with Taimak. Just wondering would we, the people get a chance to see a Taimak and a Michael Jai White in a movie together? Let's not forget about Wesley Snipes being in the movie. You can help put that together. I trust you just give me some credit for helping you put together. Lol They all don't have to be villains fighting each other, they can all be 3 brothers fighting other martial arts who try to invade their neighbors. One can be a teacher another one can be lawyer and one can be in the streets. And they all have their own style of fighting. They all do well on their own, but when they together they unbeatable, they can take on any threat in society. Peace bro!

[@pgdpologolddiamonds5409]

Damn I need a ticket to that

[@worldpeacehavethegreatestc3577]

PGD POLOGOLDDIAMONDS I'm with you fam. I probably go to the movies, and I would gave out 6 tickets to people who want to go see the movie. Real talk.

[@LaneD83]

I'd watch it.

[@worldpeacehavethegreatestc3577]

Brenton Diggs Peace fam. We have contact DjVlade he can make that happen. I'm just promoting something right now, that I thing everybody would all come together an appreciate. It would put Wesley Snipes and Taimak back on the map and Michael Jai White been doing his thing. So the 3 together man they can up against the Rock or something. I might have to repost this. Lol, The Rock and Tony Jaa and whoever else they decide.

[@koab1978]

Like a black Expendables then? nice.

[@vaughnlewis1953]

He still has the Glow👍

[@chuckk2fuego76]

"KISS MY CONVERSE"

[@fahmiahmed1269]

I still watch last dragon from time to time, timeless film

[@benyaminyisrael4634]

Now this is good!! great job Vlad on this one!!! you didnt throw him under the bus and try to get him to confess to any crimes!! More great videos like this one please!!

[@namastewellness]

I strongly doubt Taimak and "crime" have ever been in the same sentence worth mentioning.

[@MainEvent_Xay]

I wrote the script initially and chose Taimak After I Decided Not To Do It -TK Kirkland

[@tankbuster72]

1984 Bruce Leroy was supposed to fight Daniel Larruso in a super fight at the All Valley Karate Tournament.

[@nikkivankinscott4869]

Man, I remember bring a really really young girl in the 80s and early 90s and even in my earliest memories, this was a movie I wore out and loved! Bruce Leroy WAS THAT GUY!!!! And Vanity was so gorgeous, it was just a great time and visual for young black kids

[@saonedixon8385]

I have the DVD in my epic movie collection.

[@juice323blue4]

Definitely My number one movie

[@myfriendisaac]

The LEGEND himself 🐉

[@alonzotanner1226]

Taimak reminds me of this guy I went to high school with back in Harlem. Pretty boy but wasn’t a martial artist though. Good guy. He had a black dad and a white mom too unlike Taimak whose dad was white and mom was black. Anyway, I saw him on a trip back home 10 years later, after I moved to LA and he told me I lost my NY accent. I say this cuz Taimak still has his NY accent. Sounds a lot like the guy I know too. He’s so New York!

[@joenisnapje712]

My first crush 😻 Best looking guy ever. “Hey my man, what does it look like “ Was his most adorable line. That little penstripe moustache and your innocent eyes and gorgeous smile 😊 Melted my heart ❤️

[@TombstoneChris]

It's crazy that the last dragon is one of the greatest movies ever and I'm not necessarily on board with remakes but that's one movie I would love to see remade. And of course Leroy should reprise his role and be the master who trains the next young guy. But it amazes me that this guy never took off like Jon Claude Van Damme was the martial arts guy of the '80s. personally for me I think this guy was better and I don't understand why he never really blew up after this movie.

[@nikkinewbie6014]

Same.

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

have great day

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

Taimak is an old friend of mine haven't seen him in quite a few years Denise was also a good friend of mine I'm an international martial artist champion as well as an international recording on us if my brother hear that did the story if you can find a way to contact him and let him know I was reaching out to him I appreciate it.

[@Merchandise88]

My favorite movie growing up! I know @wallo267 hype right now 😂😂

[@terriallen8820]

I was in love with Bruce Leroy. He was my first crush🥰

[@Qoreay]

I almost was the middle Drangon TK Kirk

[@bunjicarlin1]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@La-Toya0488]

Hands down, my favorite movie of all time. I know it verbatim. Bruce Leroy was my very 1st crush 😍😍😍😍😍

[@noellemarie7206]

He looks so good!

[@darrenwashington9842]

May God bless Taimak with many acting roles to play in movies, television programs, advertising commercials, hosting shows in the future to come, and broadway plays in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. More love and support to you, Taimak. Take care and Be safe.

[@ScorpioGurl83]

He such a sweet guy..the last dragon is my favorite film.

[@naymonnewbern8158]

"I actually did the soundtrack for The Last Dragon". TK Kirkland

[@ajgrand]

In 1984 I saw Taimak on KZbin doing Karate and told Berry Gordy to hire him - TK

[@bunjicarlin1]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BlackMusicGenre]

Taimak looking like Ginuwine's hidden brother of the family.

[@belizegal29]

BlackMusicGenre , without that nose.😂

[@johnny2times833]

Yes finally that was a classic 80s movie

[@sabriariley7854]

He was beautiful then and still is❤

[@sampsonstambaugh6671]

Bruce Leroyyyyyy what a dope interview

[@ricardored207]

I couldn’t imagine no one else playing BRUCE LEROY‼️🏆👉🏽👨🏽💪🏽📽🎞🍿🥤🎟🎬

[@jamesrecap7298]

I still watch the last dragon on Netflix

[@michealwillis]

This is the first movie I remember seeing in the theaters.

[@walterclark3198]

Kids aren't born racist. They are taught that at home. When I was a kid color didn't matter everyone was friends with whoever. We liked each other's personalities and company.

[@edwinjones1000]

This is an incredible man !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hi

[@leonbehinddalenz7157]

My favorite Movie 🍿 just watched it last night

[@natiablack7144]

After all these years he's still fine. Taimak aged gracefully.❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Mind-BlownMoments]

hi

[@johnnyharris3962]

I remember seeing it in 85 in Oakland at the Century Theater great movie