Pat E. Johnson
Encyclopedia
Pat E. Johnson is a 9th degree black belt
in the art of American Tang Soo Do
. He is the president of the National Tang Soo Do Congress, which was originally created by Chuck Norris
in 1973. Johnson is famous for the martial arts choreography in the Karate Kid series, and has been involved in many films, as choreographer and actor including but not limited to Enter The Dragon
, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
, Mortal Kombat, Green Street Hooligans and recently, Punisher: War Zone
. He is the 1995 Black Belt Magazine
Instructor of the Year.
where he grew up in a poor family after being abandoned by his father. It was during his rough childhood that Johnson realized he was a fighter.
Johnson began training in traditional Korean
Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 1963, while stationed in South Korea
as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. While under the tutelage of a Korean master named Kang Do Hee, Johnson would earn his black belt in just thirteen months.
After his army tour Johnson would fall under the influence of Tang Soo Do legend Chuck Norris
. Johnson would soon rise to the rank of chief instructor at Norris' school in Sherman Oaks, California in 1968. That same year he would formulate the penalty-point system used today by karate tournaments. Prior to the point system, martial arts fighters did not wear protective gear, making injuries more likely.
From 1968 to 1973. he would serve as captain of the undefeated Chuck Norris black belt competition team, which won 33 consecutive national and international titles. In 1971, he became the National Tang Soo Do Champion. In both 1975 and 1976, Johnson would be awarded the prestigious Golden Fist Award for best karate referee in the United States.
In 1973, Norris would found the National Tang Soo Do Congress (NTC) naming Johnson as vice-president and chief of instruction. In 1979, Norris would disband the NTC and form his current organization the United Fighting Arts Federation
(UFAF), also naming Johnson as executive vice president.
In 1980, Johnson had a small supporting role in the feature film The Little Dragons
(later known as The Karate Kids U.S.A.
). In the film, Johnson played the karate instructor to a pair of young brothers (portrayed by Chris
and Pat Petersen
) who use their martial arts skills to foil a kidnapping plot.
In 1986, Johnson was promoted to ninth-degree black belt. That same year after a difference of opinion with Norris, he would leave the UFAF and reform the NTC.
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in the art of American Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art promoted by Hwang Kee that has roots in various martial arts, including taekkyeon and Subak.-Etymology:...
. He is the president of the National Tang Soo Do Congress, which was originally created by Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
in 1973. Johnson is famous for the martial arts choreography in the Karate Kid series, and has been involved in many films, as choreographer and actor including but not limited to Enter The Dragon
Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (film)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a 1990 American live-action film adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise directed by Steve Barron. The film was followed by three sequels: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in 1991, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III in 1993, and...
, Mortal Kombat, Green Street Hooligans and recently, Punisher: War Zone
Punisher: War Zone
Punisher: War Zone is a 2008 comic book action film directed by Lexi Alexander; based on the fictional Marvel Comics vigilante/anti-hero the Punisher. It is the third film to depict the Marvel character Frank Castle...
. He is the 1995 Black Belt Magazine
Black Belt Magazine
Black Belt is an American magazine covering martial arts and combat sports founded in 1961 by Mitoshi Uyehara. During the early years of the publication, Uyehara was a hands-on owner and publisher...
Instructor of the Year.
Biography
Pat E. Johnson was born in 1939 in Niagara FallsNiagara Falls
The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...
where he grew up in a poor family after being abandoned by his father. It was during his rough childhood that Johnson realized he was a fighter.
Johnson began training in traditional Korean
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 1963, while stationed in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. While under the tutelage of a Korean master named Kang Do Hee, Johnson would earn his black belt in just thirteen months.
After his army tour Johnson would fall under the influence of Tang Soo Do legend Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris is an American martial artist and actor. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do...
. Johnson would soon rise to the rank of chief instructor at Norris' school in Sherman Oaks, California in 1968. That same year he would formulate the penalty-point system used today by karate tournaments. Prior to the point system, martial arts fighters did not wear protective gear, making injuries more likely.
From 1968 to 1973. he would serve as captain of the undefeated Chuck Norris black belt competition team, which won 33 consecutive national and international titles. In 1971, he became the National Tang Soo Do Champion. In both 1975 and 1976, Johnson would be awarded the prestigious Golden Fist Award for best karate referee in the United States.
In 1973, Norris would found the National Tang Soo Do Congress (NTC) naming Johnson as vice-president and chief of instruction. In 1979, Norris would disband the NTC and form his current organization the United Fighting Arts Federation
United Fighting Arts Federation
The United Fighting Arts Federation is a martial arts organization founded by Chuck Norris in 1979. UFAF is the governing and sanctioning body for the martial art of Chun Kuk Do, providing technical standards for instruction and advancement in the system...
(UFAF), also naming Johnson as executive vice president.
In 1980, Johnson had a small supporting role in the feature film The Little Dragons
The Little Dragons
The Little Dragons is a 1980 American film about two young brothers who use their karate skills to rescue a friend after she is held captive for ransom. Produced and directed by Curtis Hanson...
(later known as The Karate Kids U.S.A.
The Little Dragons
The Little Dragons is a 1980 American film about two young brothers who use their karate skills to rescue a friend after she is held captive for ransom. Produced and directed by Curtis Hanson...
). In the film, Johnson played the karate instructor to a pair of young brothers (portrayed by Chris
Chris Petersen (actor)
Chris Petersen is an American actor. Beginning his career as a child actor at the age of 12, he is best known for his roles in the feature films When Every Day Was the Fourth of July, The Swarm and The Little Dragons...
and Pat Petersen
Patrick Petersen
Patrick Petersen is an American actor best known for his role as Michael Fairgate in the television drama Knots Landing. His character was the son of "Karen Fairgate MacKenzie"...
) who use their martial arts skills to foil a kidnapping plot.
In 1986, Johnson was promoted to ninth-degree black belt. That same year after a difference of opinion with Norris, he would leave the UFAF and reform the NTC.
Achievements
- 1963 Began training in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in South Korea under Kang Do Hee.
- 1965 Received 1st degree black belt in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan.
- 1968 Began training under Chuck Norris and was made chief of instruction for the Chuck Norris Karate Studios.
- 1968 Formulated the penalty point system currently used in karate tournaments.
- 1968–1973 Served as captain of the Chuck Norris Black Belt Competition Team, which won 33 consecutive national and international titles.
- 1971 Began national tang soo do champion
- 1973 Was named vice-president of the National Tang Soo Do Congress, by Chuck Norris.
- 1975–1976 Won the Golden Fist Award for the best karate referee in the United States.
- 1980 Named as executive vice-president of the United Fighting Arts FederationUnited Fighting Arts FederationThe United Fighting Arts Federation is a martial arts organization founded by Chuck Norris in 1979. UFAF is the governing and sanctioning body for the martial art of Chun Kuk Do, providing technical standards for instruction and advancement in the system...
. - 1984 Served as the stunt coordinator for The Karate Kid.
- 1986 Awarded 9th degree black belt by Chuck Norris.
- 1986 Due to philosophical reasons left UFAF, and reformed the National Tang Soo Do Congress.
- 1989 Served as stunt coordinator for Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesThe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists...
. - 1993 Inducted into the North American Sport Karate Association (NASKA) Hall of Fame.
- 1995 Served as stunt coordinator for Mortal Kombat.
- 1996 Inducted into the Black Belt MagazineBlack Belt MagazineBlack Belt is an American magazine covering martial arts and combat sports founded in 1961 by Mitoshi Uyehara. During the early years of the publication, Uyehara was a hands-on owner and publisher...
Black Belt Hall of Fame as Instructor of the Year.