He was born on March 10, 1940, in the small town of Ryan, Oklahoma, into a poor family. His father worked as a mechanic and truck driver, but suffered from alcoholism, which caused the family to constantly live in need. The mother, on the contrary, was a caring and strong woman, trying to give the children a better future. From an early age, he felt responsible for his younger brothers and sisters.
Problems in the family led to the parents’ divorce, after which they moved to California in search of a quiet life. At school, he was shy and insecure, and his teachers didn’t see any potential in him. He was teased because of his southern accent and modesty, but it was during those years that he began to dream of heroes and exploits, inspired by films.
His service in the US Air Force changed his life: he became interested in martial arts, began to train others, and later even celebrities. Over time, this led him to the cinema, where he played roles in the films “Breaker! Breaker!”, “Good Guys Wear Black”, “Delta Force” and “The Hitman” brought him worldwide fame. This story is proof that willpower and perseverance can lift a person from the very bottom to the top of success.
