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Professor Toru Tanaka (1930–2000)

Built like the proverbial Patton tank, Professor Toru Tanaka was arguably the successor to Harold Sakata as the archetypal Asian henchman who possessed incredible strength, and clobbered those foolish enough to tangle with him. Born Charles Kalani, he was a successful wrestler and served for over ten years in the US Armed Forces attaining the rank of sergeant... See full bio »

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Known For


Filmography

Jump to: Actor | Self
Hide HideActor (38 titles)
1995 Hard Justice (video)
Cookie (uncredited)
 
1992 3 Ninjas
Rushmore (as Toru Tanaka)
 
1991 Life Goes On (TV series)
Sumo Wrestler #1
The Smell of Fear (1991) … Sumo Wrestler #1
 
1991 Deadly Game (TV movie)
Ikiru-Sun
 
1991 Alligator II: The Mutation
Wrestler, Tokyo Joe
 
1991 The Perfect Weapon
Tanaka
 
1990 Dragnet (TV series)
Professor
Queen of Hearts (1990) … Professor
 
1990 Martial Law (video)
Jimmy Kong
 
1990 Darkman
Chinese Warrior #2 (as Prof. Toru Tanaka)
 
1989 Black Rain
Sugai's Man
 
1989 Hyper Space
Android
 
1989 Tax Season
 
1988 Wilder Westen, inclusive (TV mini-series)
Man in Chinatown alley
Teil 3 (1988) … Man in Chinatown alley
 
1988 Police Story: Monster Manor (TV movie)
Sumo Wrestler
 
1988 The Tracey Ullman Show (TV series)
Sumo Wrestler
Episode #3.1 (1988) … Sumo Wrestler
 
1988 Dead Heat
Butcher
 
1987 Spenser: For Hire (TV series)
Phil
Consilum Abditum (1987) … Phil (uncredited)
 
1987 The Running Man
Subzero
 
1987 Catch the Heat
Dozu
 
1984-1987 The New Mike Hammer (TV series)
Carswell / Choy Pang
Body Shot (1987) … Carswell
The Deadly Prey (1984) … Choy Pang
 
1984-1986 The A-Team (TV series)
Fröbe / Ling, the Bodyguard
The Spy Who Mugged Me (1986) … Fröbe
The Maltese Cow (1984) … Ling, the Bodyguard
 
1986 Shanghai Surprise
Yamagani San
 
1986 Bad Guys
Lord Percy's Bodyguard
 
1985 Volunteers
Sumo Guard
 
1985 Pee-wee's Big Adventure
Butler (as prof. Toru Tanaka)
 
1984 Airwolf (TV series)
Bandit King
Once a Hero (1984) … Bandit King
 
1984 Chattanooga Choo Choo
Hashimoto
 
1983 Revenge of the Ninja
Sumo Servant (as Prof. Toru Tanaka)
 
1983 Off the Wall
Banzai Wrestler #1
 
1983 Wizards and Warriors (TV series)
Baaldorf's Aide
The Rescue (1983) … Baaldorf's Aide
 
1982-1983 Tales of the Gold Monkey (TV series)
Hito / Sumo Wrestler #1
Cooked Goose (1983) … Sumo Wrestler #1
The Late Sarah White (1982) … Hito
 
1982 Little House on the Prairie (TV series)
Japanese sumo
Alden's Dilemma (1982) … Japanese sumo
 
1982 Bring 'Em Back Alive (TV series)
Fangtok
Wilmer Bass and the Serengeti Kid (1982) … Fangtok
 
1982 Fantasy Island (TV series)
Magog
Forget Me Not/The Quiz Masters (1982) … Magog
 
1981 The Fall Guy (TV series)
Big Guy
Japanese Connection (1981) … Big Guy
 
1981 An Eye for an Eye
The Professor
 
Show ShowSelf (1 title)
1976 Fight Back with David Horowitz (TV series)
Himself/Product Tester
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

Appears in the David Lee Roth's 80s music video for Just a Gigolo

Alternate Names:

Prof. Toru Tanaka | Toru Tanaka | prof. Toru Tanaka

Height:

6' 2" (1.88 m)
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

Was considered for the role of Master Tatsu in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. See more »

Trademark:

As a wrestler, was notorious for throwing salt into the eyes of his opponents. See more »

Star Sign:

Capricorn