Richard Norton

Richard Norton is an esteemed martial artist, holding a 10th Dan Black Belt in Zendokai Karate and a 5th-degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His martial arts journey began at the age of 11 when he embarked on training in Goju Karate, which ignited his lifelong exploration of various martial arts disciplines. With over 28 years of dedicated training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Richard has become renowned as one of the most versatile martial artists in the world.

As one of Australia's most accomplished career martial artists, Richard Norton has earned a reputation as an exceptional coach and a compassionate individual who understands how to bring out the best in his students. His expertise extends beyond the dojo, as he gained recognition in the early years for his skill as a bodyguard, providing protection to numerous renowned celebrities such as The Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, David Bowie, ABBA, John Belushi, Fleetwood Mac, and Stevie Nicks. This experience opened doors to the movie industry, where Richard made his screen debut in the 1980 film "The Octagon" alongside Chuck Norris. Since then, he has worked on over 80 feature films and television programs, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Richard Norton's remarkable achievements have been recognized by various martial arts magazines, including being featured on the cover of Black Belt twice. He has also been showcased in Australasian Fighting Arts, Blitz Magazine, Impact, Inside Kung Fu, MA Training, Martial Arts & Combat Sports, and many others. In 2014, he was rightfully inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame. Additionally, Richard serves as the Head Instructor of the Richard Norton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organization.

Throughout his career, Richard Norton has showcased his martial arts skills in Hong Kong action films, working alongside iconic stars such as Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yasuaki Kurata, Benny "the Jet" Urquidez, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, and Cynthia Rothrock. His memorable catchphrase, "Painful?", has become synonymous with his characters, leaving an impact on audiences worldwide.

Beyond his extensive on-screen presence, Richard has trained in various martial arts disciplines, including Judo, Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Thai boxing, and Japanese weapons systems. Combining his wealth of experience, he co-created the hybrid martial art known as Zen Do Kai with fellow security guard Bob Jones. Richard holds impressive ranks, including a 5th-Degree Shihan Black Belt in Goju Ryu, an 8th-Degree Masters rank in Chun Kuk Do (Chuck Norris system), a 5th-Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a 10th-degree Black Belt in Zen Do Kai Karate, leading an organization with over 5,000 members.

As a respected instructor, Richard Norton conducts seminars covering a range of topics, including street defense, martial arts weapons drills, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and mixed martial arts. In 2007, he released a comprehensive two-disc DVD set titled "Black Belt Training Complexes," showcasing his exemplary skills and providing valuable insights into principles of speed, power, and continuity of movement.

Richard's talents extend beyond his martial arts expertise, as he served as the fight coordinator on the hit series "Walker, Texas Ranger" and made notable appearances in several episodes. He also showcased his acting skills in various roles, including the villainous businessman Frank Scanlon in "The Avenging Angel" and as part of criminal gangs in the series' finale.

Fighting Stars Magazine recognized Richard Norton's climactic fight with Chuck Norris in "The Octagon" as one of the 25 greatest fight scenes of all time