Tripti Joshi (Editor)

Jay T Will

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Style
  
Kenpo Karate

Teacher
  
Ed Parker

Role
  
Television Actor

Name
  
Jay Will


Jay T. Will httpssmediacacheak0pinimgcom736xe62cc8

Born
  
Jay T. Will March 10, 1942 Columbus, Ohio, USA (
1942-03-10
)

Rank
  
8th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate

Died
  
March 15, 1995, Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Education
  
San Jose State University

Jay T. Will (March 10, 1942 - March 15, 1995) was an American martial artist. He trained under Ed Parker and Al Tracy in American Kenpo and was promoted by the latter to the rank of 8th degree black belt.

Jay T. Will taught over 10,000 students, and he was well known as a tournament competitor and especially as a referee (he was PKA Referee of the Year in 1982 and 1983, and Karate International magazine's "Referee of the Decade"), and a media commentator on martial arts competitions. He appeared in over 20 films and also appeared on television many times (including "Kenpo Karate for Self-Defense" on WOSU-TV and Warner QUBE and the syndicated movie matinee show "Black Belt Theater" that he hosted). He also taught martial arts at law enforcement agencies, the Ohio State University, and Wittenberg University.

Some of the honors Mr. Will received include:

  • "Top Ten Karate Competitors" Karate Illustrated, 1972
  • Ohio State Black Belt Open Champion, 1972
  • Tournament of Champions Black Belt Champion, 1972
  • East Coast vs West Coast Black Belt Champion, 1971
  • Kenpo Black Belt Grand Champion, 1973
  • Ohio-Pennsylvania Black Belt Grand Champion, 1972
  • Pro-Am Black Belt Grand Champion, 1972 & 1973
  • PKA Referee of the Year, 1982 & 1983
  • Karate Instructor of the Year, Black Belt, 1976
  • Kenpo Instructor of the Year, Inside Kung-Fu, 1984
  • His numerous film and television appearances made him one of the most recognized martial artists in America.

    Jay T. Will was an active member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and worked as a stuntman in both film and television. Some of his television work included; Knight Rider, Battlestar Galactica, Riptide The Fall Guy, CBS Sports Spectacular and America Goes Bananas. His film credits are; Meteor, Force Five, City on Fire and Jaguar Lives.

    He appeared on the cover of many martial magazines and was included in many more.

    He had 4 daughters, Erin Will, Kim Medley, Shawn Howard, and Haven Bleu, born Shannon Will.

    He studied at San Jose State University.

    He authored two books: Kenpo Karate for Self-Defense and Advanced Kenpo Karate.

    In 1985 he "was convicted on charges of possession of cocaine for sale, after authorities discovered $750,000 worth of the drug in his Columbus, Ohio karate school."

  • TRIVIA* Mr. Will's Best Man in his wedding was Patrick Wayne, son of John Wayne.
  • Filmography

    Actor
    1982
    Knight Rider (TV Series) as
    Brute
    - No Big Thing (1982) - Brute
    1981
    Force: Five (uncredited)
    1979
    Jaguar Lives! as
    Kennedy
    Stunts
    1981
    Circle of Power (stunts)
    Self
    1982
    The Bob Braun Show (TV Series) as
    Self - Karate Expert / Self - Actor
    - Episode dated 24 August 1982 (1982) - Self - Actor
    - Episode dated 28 June 1982 (1982) - Self - Karate Expert (as Jay T. Wills)
    - Episode dated 3 May 1982 (1982) - Self - Karate Expert

    References

    Jay T. Will Wikipedia