When an eager and enthusiastic four year old Chris Casamassa told his Dad that he wanted to start
learning the Martial Arts there would be no turning back until he got his black belt… because his Dad
said so and when your Dad is Louis D. Casamassa, Grand Master and founder of the hugely successful
chain of Red Dragon Karate Schools, you just don’t say no. It looks like Father knows best because
today Chris is well on his way to becoming one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood, and his
Martial Arts training has helped get him there.
“It took me six years to reach my goal of black belt and the lessons it taught me about the importance
of discipline, dedication and perseverance have stayed with me forever,” recalls Chris, who has applied
these principles to his acting career. The star of "Mortal Kombat" (Scorpion) and "W.M.A.C. Masters"
(“Red Dragon”) holds no hard feelings against his Dad for his tough love approach, quite to the contrary
as Chris quickly identifies his father as his number one influence. Chris also mentions the legendary
Bruce Lee, along with his coach and good friend, fighting legend Steve Fisher as his other biggest
influences.
World Black Belt Founding member Pat Johnson, "Mr. J" gave Chris his first big break in the acting
business with a small role in a movie called "Shootfighter", after he was recommended for the part by
Master Joe Corley, who is also the promoter of the prestigious Battle of Atlanta Tournament”.Chris
says. “Mr. J. also gave me the best advice I ever received in show business when he told me “Chris my
son, they can take a great actor and make him look like a great Martial Artist, but they cannot take a
great Martial Artist and make him look like a great actor…take acting lessons.”
Despite his success in landing roles in "The Red Canvas", "Food Fight","Batman & Robin",and "Blade"
Chris is continuing to improve on his acting craft by studying with well-known Hollywood acting
coach, Joel Asher.
Of course, Chris is much more than an actor, he is the President of the very popular and successful
Red Dragon Karate Schools, which were founded by his father. The 2,000 Red Dragon students at 15
locations in southern California are learning from one of the best. As a national competitor on the North
American Karate Association circuit (N.A.S.K.A) Chris was the #1 forms competitor in the country for
four consecutive years. During his time on the competition circuit, he won 18 Forms Grand
Championship titles, 12 Weapons Grand Championships as well as being at top 10 ranked middleweight
fighter. After he retired from active competition Chris was voted into the American Karate Kung fu
Federation, (A.K.K.F.) Hall of Fame, then soon after he was selected as a member of the prestigious
USA international Hall of Fame for two separate categories “Top Competitor of the decade” and
“Instructor of the Year.”
Chris and his beautiful wife Michelle, have two wonderful children Emily age 8 and Adam age 5. “I am
excited about training my kids in the Martial arts” says Chris. "They were already following me with
their kicks and punches at home. Now that they are in class at the studio its even more fun to watch
them grow and learn in the Martial Arts". Chris still trains at least 3 days a week,” said Chris. “The
Martial Arts is my passion, it is in my blood."
In addition to his feature acting roles, Chris is also regularly working as a stunt man, having worked on
the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, V.I.P. and Walker Texas Ranger. One of Chris’ biggest thrills
came when he actually got to do a fight scene with World Black Belt champion Chuck Norris. “At first
Chuck was going to have a stunt man do the scene, but then we got to talking and he decided to test me
out, it was really quite an honor,” remembers Chris.
Next up for Chris is playing the leader of the Wind family in a futuristic television series that he
describes as “Mad Max meets Matrix.” The show is about four families and each one controls one of
the four elements, wind, fire, water and air. In addition, Chris is set to be the host for a new Martial
Arts reality show called “The Next Martial Arts Superstar” they have just filmed the pilot and are
shopping it around to the networks. Chris has some wise words for those that wish to follow in his
footsteps which are rooted in his Martial Arts training, “Remember in film and television you may hear a
1,000 people say no, but it only takes one "yes" to make it happen.”
Biography
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