P
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
January 6, 1930
Died
August 22, 2000 (age 70)
Place of Birth
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Also Known As
Charles J. Kalani
Professor Tanaka
Charles J. Kalani Jr.
Prof. Toru Tanaka
Professor Toru Tanaka
Biography
Was an American professional wrestler, professional boxer, college football player, soldier, actor, and martial artist who, in fighting rings, was also known as Professor Toru Tanaka, or simply Professor Tanaka. He also taught martial arts in Dallas,Texas. His skills were taught to young men with potential for football greatness. He was located directly across from Southern Methodist University. His students included many All American football players including David Randle. Randle’s training began on his 5th birthday. Randle went on to become one of the most awarded high school football players in Texas history. After high school he played at SMU for one season in 1981. He then transferred to UCLA, where he was part of 2 Rose Bowl victories in 1983 and 1984. Randle always honored Professor Tanaka with the most important influence in the football techniques he used his entire life. (Wikipedia)
Known For

TV
The A-Team
Fröbe
1983

TV
The A-Team
Ling, the Bodyguard
1983

TV
Little House on the Prairie
1974

TV
Airwolf
Bandit King
1984

TV
The Fall Guy
1981

TV
USWA Championship Wrestling
Toru Tanaka
1977

TV
Burke's Law
Sumo #1
1994

Film
The Running Man
Subzero
1987

TV
Tales of the Gold Monkey
1982

TV
WWF All-Star Wrestling
Professor Tanaka
1975

TV
Cassie & Co.
Kiro
1982

Film
Last Action Hero
Tough Asian Man
1993

Film
3 Ninjas
Rushmore
1992

Film
Darkman
Chinese Warrior #2
1990

Film
Black Rain
Sugai's Man
1989

TV
Wizards and Warriors
1983

Film
Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Butler
1985

Film
An Eye for an Eye
The Professor
1981

Film
Hyper Space
Android
1989

Film
The Perfect Weapon
Tanaka
1991
Filmography
1995FilmHard Justiceas Cookie (uncredited)1994FilmThe Life And Times of Paul Boeschas Himself (archive footage)1994TVBurke's Lawas Sumo #11993FilmLast Action Heroas Tough Asian Man1992Film3 Ninjasas Rushmore1991FilmDeadly Gameas Ikiru-Sun1991FilmAlligator 2: The Mutationas Wrestler1991FilmThe Perfect Weaponas Tanaka1990FilmMartial Lawas Jimmy Kong1990FilmDarkmanas Chinese Warrior #21990FilmSecret Agent 00 Soulas (uncredited)1989FilmBlack Rainas Sugai's Man1989FilmHyper Spaceas Android1988FilmDead Heatas Butcher1987FilmThe Running Manas Subzero1987FilmCatch the Heatas Dozu1986FilmShanghai Surpriseas Yamagani San1986FilmThe Best of the WWF: volume 7as Prof. Toru Tanaka1986FilmBad Guysas Lord Percy's Bodyguard1986FilmTag Team Championsas Professor Toru Tanaka1985FilmVolunteersas Sumo Guard1985FilmPee-wee's Big Adventureas Butler1985FilmMissing in Action 2: The Beginningas Lao1985FilmBest of the WWF Volume 2as Prof. Toru Tanaka1984FilmChattanooga Choo Chooas Hashimoto1984TVAirwolfas Bandit King1983FilmRevenge of the Ninjaas Sumo Servant1983FilmOff the Wallas Banzai Wrestler #11983TVWizards and Warriors1983TVThe A-Teamas Fröbe1982TVTales of the Gold Monkey1982TVCassie & Co.as Kiro1982FilmModesty Blaiseas Akira1981TVThe Fall Guy1981FilmAn Eye for an Eyeas The Professor1977TVUSWA Championship Wrestlingas Toru Tanaka1975TVWWF All-Star Wrestlingas Professor Tanaka1974TVLittle House on the Prairie1973FilmWWE at Madison Square Garden: June 30, 1973as Prof. Toru Tanaka