384. Jeff Imada on stunts, martial arts, and the AAPI experience

The Sifu Mimi Chan Show

Jeff Imada began his journey in the stunt world in the 1970s— a time when stunts were performed without CGI and relied heavily on the physical prowess and creativity of the performers.

Jeff shares fascinating anecdotes about the risks taken, the camaraderie among stunt performers, and the evolution of film. He also shares his vision and experience as a fight stunt coordinator on the Bourne Series.

Jeff’s story is also one of personal resilience and cultural pride. Growing up in California, he faced his share of challenges and discrimination. However, these experiences also shaped his identity and fueled his passion for his craft and martial arts.

It was such an honor meeting Jeff and grateful to him for setting up our interview at the historic Inosanto Academy in Los Angeles.

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Discussed in this episode:

Bourne Series

Inosanto Academy

About Jeff Imada

Jeff Imada (born June 17, 1955) is an American martial artist, stuntman, and actor. He has performed stunts in over 100 films and television programs and authored one of the first books published in the US about the balisong. Jeff Imada is trained in Jeet Kune Do, Eskrima, Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu, Kendo, Systema and Boxing.

Jeff Imada has been the technical advisor on numerous films, including Dutch (1991), Tango & Cash (1989), Jumpin’ Jack Flash (1986), Dreamscape (1984) and Streets of Fire (1984), and such television series as Magnum, P.I. (1980), Remington Steele (1982), Dynasty(1981), Matt Houston (1982), Airwolf (1984), Stingray (1986), Hart to Hart (1979) and Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982).

He was a close friend to Brandon Lee with whom he studied Jeet Kune Do under the tutelage of Dan Inosanto. He was the primary fight choreographer on Lee’s final film, The Crow.

Imada has authored two books on the history and use of the balisong and designed a particular grind known as the “Imada High Hollow” for Pacific Cutlery that was ground by knifemaker Jody Samson.[3][4] The Balisong Manual was one of the first books published in the US about this unusual knife.

Jeff Imada has recently come to further attention by being the chief fight coordinator in the Matt Damon action films The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum,[5] as well as participating as the motion capture artist for the Xbox and PlayStation game The Bourne Conspiracy.[6]

In 2015, Imada was recognized by East West Players (EWP) with the Visionary Award for raising “the visibility of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through [his] craft.”[7] He had been involved with EWP “off and on” for many years due to his personal connection to Mako, one of the founders of the theatre company.[8]

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