Professor Toru Tanaka
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- January 6, 1930 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- Died
- August 22, 2000
- Active Years
- 1973–1995 (23 Years)
- Total Credits
- 43 credits in database
Biography
Charles J. Kalani, Jr., professionally known as Professor Toru Tanaka or Professor Tanaka, was an American actor, professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football player, soldier, and martial arts instructor. Born on January 6, 1930, in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was recognized in the entertainment industry for his physical strength and roles as an archetypal henchman. Beyond his acting career, which included a credit in Last Action Hero, he taught martial arts in Dallas, Texas, where he instructed young men with potential for football. Kalani maintained 45 known acting credits during his career. He passed away on August 22, 2000, at the age of 70. He is often noted as a successor to Harold Sakata in his screen persona.
Career overview
Charles J. Kalani, Jr., who was known in the entertainment industry as Professor Toru Tanaka, was an American professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football player, soldier, actor, and martial arts instructor. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on January 6, 1930, he was also known as Professor Tanaka in fighting rings. Beyond his career in entertainment, he taught martial arts in Dallas, Texas, where he instructed young men with potential for football.
In his acting career, which included 45 known credits, he was often characterized as an archetypal henchman. He was described as being built like a Patton tank and was noted for possessing incredible strength. He is often cited as a successor to Harold Sakata in these roles. Professor Toru Tanaka passed away on August 22, 2000, at the age of 70.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
43 titles- Hard Justice (1995) as Cookie (uncredited)
- Burke's Law (1994) as Sumo #1
- The Life And Times of Paul Boesch (1994) as Himself (archive footage)
- Last Action Hero (1993) as Tough Asian Man
- 3 Ninjas (1992) as Rushmore
- The Perfect Weapon (1991) as Tanaka
- Alligator 2: The Mutation (1991) as Wrestler
- Deadly Game (1991) as Ikiru-Sun
- Darkman (1990) as Chinese Warrior #2
- Martial Law (1990) as Jimmy Kong
- Secret Agent 00 Soul (1990) as (uncredited)
- Black Rain (1989) as Sugai's Man
- Hyper Space (1989) as Android
- Police Story (1988) as Sumo Wrestler
- Dead Heat (1988) as Butcher
- The Running Man (1987) as Subzero
- Catch the Heat (1987) as Dozu
- Shanghai Surprise (1986) as Yamagani San
- Tag Team Champions (1986) as Professor Toru Tanaka
- Bad Guys (1986) as Lord Percy's Bodyguard
- The Best of the WWF: volume 7 (1986) as Prof. Toru Tanaka
- Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) as Butler
- Missing in Action 2: The Beginning (1985) as Lao
- Volunteers (1985) as Sumo Guard
- Best of the WWF Volume 2 (1985) as Prof. Toru Tanaka
- Airwolf (1984) as Bandit King
- When Death Comes Quickly (1984) as Shimura
- Chattanooga Choo Choo (1984) as Hashimoto
- The A-Team (1983) as Fröbe
- The A-Team (1983) as Ling, the Bodyguard
- Wizards and Warriors (1983)
- Revenge of the Ninja (1983) as Sumo Servant
- Off the Wall (1983) as Banzai Wrestler #1
- Cassie & Co. (1982) as Kiro
- Tales of the Gold Monkey (1982)
- Slapstick of Another Kind (1982) as Sumo (uncredited)
- Modesty Blaise (1982) as Akira
- The Fall Guy (1981)
- An Eye for an Eye (1981) as The Professor
- USWA Championship Wrestling (1977) as Toru Tanaka
- WWF All-Star Wrestling (1975) as Professor Tanaka
- Little House on the Prairie (1974)
- WWE at Madison Square Garden: June 30, 1973 (1973) as Prof. Toru Tanaka
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Professor Toru Tanaka best known for?
Professor Toru Tanaka is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Hard Justice (1995), Burke's Law (1994), Last Action Hero (1993), 3 Ninjas (1992).
When and where was Professor Toru Tanaka born?
Professor Toru Tanaka was born on January 6, 1930 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. They passed away on August 22, 2000.
How many credits does Professor Toru Tanaka have?
Professor Toru Tanaka has accumulated over 43 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1973 to 1995.
What is Professor Toru Tanaka's background in cinema and television?
Charles J. Kalani, Jr., professionally known as Professor Toru Tanaka or Professor Tanaka, was an American actor, professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football player, soldier, and martial arts instructor. Born on January 6, 1930, in Honolulu, Hawaii, he was recognized in the entertainment industry for hi...
Professor Toru Tanaka by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- USWA Championship Wrestling (1977) as Toru Tanaka — aged about 47
- Little House on the Prairie (1974) — aged about 44
- Airwolf (1984) as Bandit King — aged about 54
- The Fall Guy (1981) — aged about 51
- The A-Team (1983) as Fröbe — aged about 53
- The A-Team (1983) as Ling, the Bodyguard — aged about 53
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