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Michael Dudikoff

 
Actor: Michael Dudikoff
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  • Born: Oct 08, 1954 in Redondo Beach, California
  • Occupation: Actor
  • Active: '80s-'90s
  • Major Genres: Action, Thriller
  • Career Highlights: Rescue Me, The Shooter, River of Death
  • First Major Screen Credit: American Ninja (1985)

Biography

Though few familiar with buff skull cracker Michael Dudikoff would be shocked to hear that the handsome action star got his start in modeling, the fact that he previously studied child psychology might come as a surprise to those who think brawn overpowers brain. The Redondo Beach, CA, native was born to a Russian father in early October of 1954, and although Dudikoff isn't fluent in his native tongue, his father did teach him to speak a little Russian. Studies in child psychology preceded work as a model for the handsome young hopeful, and in 1978, he got his big break when cast in a supporting role on the wildly popular television drama Dallas. In the years that followed, Dudikoff appeared in both Happy Days and Gimme a Break!, and in 1980 the young rising star made his feature debut in The Black Marble. Small roles in Tron (1982) and Uncommon Valor (1983) found his action chops developing nicely, and after having a wild time in Bachelor Party (1984), Dudikoff had his breakthrough role in the 1985 martial arts action film American Ninja. Though the part was originally intended for film star Chuck Norris, Dudikoff made the role his own, to the delight of action fans worldwide. Though the requisite sequels came fast and furious, it was roles in such small-scale actioners as Platoon Leader (1988, directed by Chuck Norris' brother Aaron) and Midnight Ride (1990) that kept his name alive in the lucrative low-budget action market. Though Dudikoff's 1993 series Cobra would only hold out for one season, his average of two films per year would find him doling out the punches well into the new millennium. The late '90s found Dudikoff teaming with B-movie maestro Fred Olen Ray for a series of small-scale punishers, and in 2002, Dudikoff appeared opposite Treat Williams in Jim Wynorski's Gale Force. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
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Wikipedia: Michael Dudikoff
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Michael Dudikoff
Born October 8, 1954 (1954-10-08) (age 55)
Redondo Beach, California
Occupation Film, television actor
Official website
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 This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (April 2009)

Michael Joseph Stephen Dudikoff (born October 8, 1954) is an American film actor known for playing martial arts experts. Dudikoff is a native of Redondo Beach, California, and graduated from West Torrance High School. He was a student at Harbor College studying child psychology when he was discovered as a model, which led to acting roles.

Dudikoff is best known as the lead actor in numerous 1980s action films, particularly the American Ninja series. He also starred in the short-lived television series Cobra. Early in his career, Dudikoff played small parts in mainstream films including the Tom Hanks vehicle Bachelor Party and the 1982 science fiction film Tron.

Contents

Filmography

Movies

Television

  • Cobra (1993) TV Series .... Robert "Scandal" Jackson, Jr. (1993-1994)
  • North and South, Book II (1986) (mini) TV Series .... Lt. Rudy Bodford
  • Gimme a Break!
    • Nell Gets Sick (1983) TV Episode .... Greg Hartman
  • Star of the Family (1982) TV Series .... Douggie Krebs (1982)
  • Happy Days
    • Joanie's Dilemma (1980) TV Episode .... Jason
    • Smokin' Ain't Cool (1979) TV Episode .... Jim
  • Out of the Blue
    • The Random Bust (1979)
  • Dallas
    • Triangle (1978) TV Episode .... Joe Newcomb

External links


This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 
Learn More
The Human Shield (1992 Action Film)
Moving Target (1996 Action Film)
American Ninja 4: The Annihilation (1991 Spy Film)

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Actor. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Michael Dudikoff".  Read more

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