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 For Diana Lee Inosanto, joining the cast of the new Star Wars series, Ahsoka and becoming part of the iconic Star Wars franchise may seem like a dream, but it is very much the real-life culmination of 30 years of dedication and hard work. Originally, Diana was featured in The Mandalorian for the show's second season as the Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth after doing most every job Hollywood has to offer as a struggling actress caring for a child with Autism, from stunt person to director. But mostly, Diana credits her success to having the good fortune of being raised in a charmed circle of actors, renowned martial artists and stunt-people who paved the way for so much of the excitement in today's action filled media.Diana Lee Inosanto is the daughter of martial arts legend, Dan Inosanto and his wife Sue Inosanto. She is also known as the goddaughter of global icon, the late Bruce Lee (hence, Diana Lee). As an American actress, director, writer, martial artist, stunt woman, and children's book author, Diana paved a way in the Hollywood ecosystem that is unique, modern, and inclusive.During her youth, Diana began learning the Theater Arts under the guidance of her aunt, Asian American actress, Lilia Inosanto, also known by her stage name Lona Nai . Upon graduation, her Aunt Lilia "Lona Nai" guided Diana to study with famed Broadway casting director and acting teacher, the late Michael Shurtleff, (author of the renowned book 'Audition' a bible for aspiring actors.) Years later, she would go on to study with Asian American character actor, Tzi Ma through East West Players' workshops and joined the Lodestone Theater Ensemble, continuing to grow as an actress, participating in everything from Shakespeare to contemporary plays. She furthered her training in the Michael Chekhov method with Lisa Dalton and got the basics of Improv at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Training Center under Johnny Ray Meeks.Diana was also a fight and stunt choreographer for several stage productions. This would pave a road for years to come with Diana becoming a "Sensei to the Stars," preparing the who's who in Hollywood for their action roles. Stars like Melissa McCarthy (Spy), Rosa Salazar (Alita:Battle Angel), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Lucifer), Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters) and Aaron Eckhart & Socratis Otto (I, Frankenstein) were some of the performers under her tutelage.Throughout her professional career in Hollywood, when it came to acting and directing, Diana discovered that the Hollywood system was not particularly inclusive. As a young mother of a son with Autism, the road was not easy. In time Diana met her future husband, Ron Balicki, a former deputy sheriff and renowned martial artist turned stuntman, action coordinator & choreographer in Hollywood. Throughout their years together, they formed MARS Action Group and would teach martial arts across the country and internationally.After being spotted demonstrating a fight scene with Ron Balicki, the producers of the movie 'Barb Wire' asked her to take on a role originally cast for a man. The scene, featuring New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison (known internationally for portraying Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode II and Episode III) gave Diana her first break as a stunt woman. Diana straight away became the martial arts double for actress Sarah Michelle Gellar for the presentation to pitch Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a TV Show, directed by Joss Whedon. This would be the beginning of Diana's years as a stunt woman in Hollywood where she found tremendous success working on popular films and TV shows.Taking inspiration from notable indie filmmakers she got to know over time, Diana decided to seize control to create her own film project. Making the most of her stunt work, Inosanto learned about the filming process by watching and absorbing while on set the craft from such A-list directors, like Ang Lee, John Woo, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Chris Columbus. By 2010, Inosanto's first Indie film, The Sensei, a film she wrote, directed, and starred, would be one of the earliest digitally released films distributed on Netflix and I-Tunes. Filmed on a tiny budget, The Sensei took place in the 1980's and tells the story of a gay teenager, bullied in a rural town during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The film would go on to win awards and accolades at film festivals like the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival where she had her world premiere at the DGA, New York's Newfest, San Francisco's Frameline, Hoboken International Film Festival, Philadelphia Asian American Film Fest, Germany's Verzaubert Film Festival and LA Femme International Film Fest to name a few. The film, supported by the Matthew Shepard Foundation, earned Diana the Asian American Justice Center, 2011 American Courage Award, presented at the time by Tom Perez (DNC Chairman, who was at that time Assistant Attorney General for Civil rights) in Washington, D.C., where several members of Congress and humanitarian activists were present. Shortly thereafter, Diana became the first woman to receive the Maverick Award at the AOF International Film Festival.In later years, she would also participate as an activist for several causes, including the recent participation in the nationwide Wash-the-Hate PSA, a campaign that would address the growing hate incidents against Asian Americans since the outbreak of Covid-19. She was asked to speak with other prominent Asian Americans in the film and fashion industry, speaking in front of a virtual panel for NIKE 's employees worldwide. In 2016, during President Obama's administration, Diana was also a guest at the White House joining Asian American leaders and Influencers for the Filipino History Month, championing the Congressional Gold Medal Bill for WWII Filipino American Veterans.As a woman of many interests, Diana has now released a children's book, teaming up with her adult Autistic son, an illustrator, S.G Inosanto and telling their story in The Curious Mind of Sebastian-an amusing tale about Diana as a young mom, curiously trying to understand the mysteries of Autism through her four-year-old son's quirky behavior. Sebastian's inability to verbally express his love led Inosanto on an incredible journey to find out that love will always find a way to speak.In 2018, Diana joined Oscar winning producer, Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan) and Matt Jackson (Molly's Game) in developing the story on her father Dan Inosanto's work creating a secret training program for the 1977 Dallas Cowboys that helped them to win Super Bowl XII.Diana feels that her personal philosophy of life is best expressed by Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American female astronaut: "Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."
Bio:
For Diana Lee Inosanto, joining the cast of the new Star Wars series, Ahsoka and becoming part of the iconic Star Wars franchise may seem like a dream, but it is very much the real-life culmination of 30 years of dedication and hard work. Originally, Diana was featured in The Mandalorian for the show's second season as the Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth after doing most every job Hollywood has to offer as a struggling actress caring for a child with Autism, from stunt person to director. But mostly, Diana credits her success to having the good fortune of being raised in a charmed circle of actors, renowned martial artists and stunt-people who paved the way for so much of the excitement in today's action filled media.Diana Lee Inosanto is the daughter of martial arts legend, Dan Inosanto and his wife Sue Inosanto. She is also known as the goddaughter of global icon, the late Bruce Lee (hence, Diana Lee). As an American actress, director, writer, martial artist, stunt woman, and children's book author, Diana paved a way in the Hollywood ecosystem that is unique, modern, and inclusive.During her youth, Diana began learning the Theater Arts under the guidance of her aunt, Asian American actress, Lilia Inosanto, also known by her stage name Lona Nai . Upon graduation, her Aunt Lilia "Lona Nai" guided Diana to study with famed Broadway casting director and acting teacher, the late Michael Shurtleff, (author of the renowned book 'Audition' a bible for aspiring actors.) Years later, she would go on to study with Asian American character actor, Tzi Ma through East West Players' workshops and joined the Lodestone Theater Ensemble, continuing to grow as an actress, participating in everything from Shakespeare to contemporary plays. She furthered her training in the Michael Chekhov method with Lisa Dalton and got the basics of Improv at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Training Center under Johnny Ray Meeks.Diana was also a fight and stunt choreographer for several stage productions. This would pave a road for years to come with Diana becoming a "Sensei to the Stars," preparing the who's who in Hollywood for their action roles. Stars like Melissa McCarthy (Spy), Rosa Salazar (Alita:Battle Angel), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Lucifer), Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters) and Aaron Eckhart & Socratis Otto (I, Frankenstein) were some of the performers under her tutelage.Throughout her professional career in Hollywood, when it came to acting and directing, Diana discovered that the Hollywood system was not particularly inclusive. As a young mother of a son with Autism, the road was not easy. In time Diana met her future husband, Ron Balicki, a former deputy sheriff and renowned martial artist turned stuntman, action coordinator & choreographer in Hollywood. Throughout their years together, they formed MARS Action Group and would teach martial arts across the country and internationally.After being spotted demonstrating a fight scene with Ron Balicki, the producers of the movie 'Barb Wire' asked her to take on a role originally cast for a man. The scene, featuring New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison (known internationally for portraying Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode II and Episode III) gave Diana her first break as a stunt woman. Diana straight away became the martial arts double for actress Sarah Michelle Gellar for the presentation to pitch Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a TV Show, directed by Joss Whedon. This would be the beginning of Diana's years as a stunt woman in Hollywood where she found tremendous success working on popular films and TV shows.Taking inspiration from notable indie filmmakers she got to know over time, Diana decided to seize control to create her own film project. Making the most of her stunt work, Inosanto learned about the filming process by watching and absorbing while on set the craft from such A-list directors, like Ang Lee, John Woo, Barry Sonnenfeld, and Chris Columbus. By 2010, Inosanto's first Indie film, The Sensei, a film she wrote, directed, and starred, would be one of the earliest digitally released films distributed on Netflix and I-Tunes. Filmed on a tiny budget, The Sensei took place in the 1980's and tells the story of a gay teenager, bullied in a rural town during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The film would go on to win awards and accolades at film festivals like the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival where she had her world premiere at the DGA, New York's Newfest, San Francisco's Frameline, Hoboken International Film Festival, Philadelphia Asian American Film Fest, Germany's Verzaubert Film Festival and LA Femme International Film Fest to name a few. The film, supported by the Matthew Shepard Foundation, earned Diana the Asian American Justice Center, 2011 American Courage Award, presented at the time by Tom Perez (DNC Chairman, who was at that time Assistant Attorney General for Civil rights) in Washington, D.C., where several members of Congress and humanitarian activists were present. Shortly thereafter, Diana became the first woman to receive the Maverick Award at the AOF International Film Festival.In later years, she would also participate as an activist for several causes, including the recent participation in the nationwide Wash-the-Hate PSA, a campaign that would address the growing hate incidents against Asian Americans since the outbreak of Covid-19. She was asked to speak with other prominent Asian Americans in the film and fashion industry, speaking in front of a virtual panel for NIKE 's employees worldwide. In 2016, during President Obama's administration, Diana was also a guest at the White House joining Asian American leaders and Influencers for the Filipino History Month, championing the Congressional Gold Medal Bill for WWII Filipino American Veterans.As a woman of many interests, Diana has now released a children's book, teaming up with her adult Autistic son, an illustrator, S.G Inosanto and telling their story in The Curious Mind of Sebastian-an amusing tale about Diana as a young mom, curiously trying to understand the mysteries of Autism through her four-year-old son's quirky behavior. Sebastian's inability to verbally express his love led Inosanto on an incredible journey to find out that love will always find a way to speak.In 2018, Diana joined Oscar winning producer, Mark Gordon (Saving Private Ryan) and Matt Jackson (Molly's Game) in developing the story on her father Dan Inosanto's work creating a secret training program for the 1977 Dallas Cowboys that helped them to win Super Bowl XII.Diana feels that her personal philosophy of life is best expressed by Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American female astronaut: "Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations."
Tivia:
Daughter of Dan Inosanto, Filipino American martial arts icon and Bruce Lee's protege and training partner. Dan Inosanto is an authority on Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts including Escrima and Pencak Silat. Advocate for introducing other multiple martial arts styles on the world stage.Diana's paternal grandfather, Sebastian Inosanto was known as the founder of the Filipino Agricultural Laborers Association, the first union for farm workers in California. Before that, Sebastian Inosanto was a scholar sponsored by the Philippine Islands, then a territory of the United States to study agriculture in the 1920's at the University of California at Davis, later to become one of the pioneer Filipino farm labor contractors in Central California who provided jobs to many Filipinos as well as housed on his property several Filipino families during the Great Depression.She is of Filipino, Irish, Chinese, Spanish, and French descent.Named at birth, "Diana Lee", after the legendary Bruce Lee when her father,Dan Inosanto decided to honor his famous close friend and martial arts Mentor & teacher.Father of American Kempo Karate, Ed Parker, played matchmaker to Diana Lee Inosanto's parents, Dan Inosanto and Sue Ann Reveal.Diana Lee Inosanto was named "Woman of the Year" by Black Belt Magazine in 2009, serving as a role model for women martial artists and other athletes, while also gracing the cover of "More" magazine designed to empower women over 40. Other covers she graced were Black Belt Magazine, Martial Arts Illustrated, Inside Karate, Self Defense and Inside Kung Fu.Husband is Ron Balicki, Producer, stuntman, Fight Choreographer and Martial Artist and retired professional fighter.On June 1, 2013, Diana Lee Inosanto would receive on behalf of the Inosanto Family, a certificate by the City of Los Angeles, signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilmember, Jose Huizar for her family's story of achievements and contributions to betterment of their fellowmen and to the preservation and promotion of Philippine cultural heritage and history, so that their story may be an inspiration to people of all cultures and heritage.Diana's paternal grandparents, Sebastian and Mary Arca Inosanto helped found the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Stockton's historic Little Manila, serving as an ordained elder and the church's Clerk of Session for about 25 years, and later authored a book about its history, tracing its roots as the Filipino Christian Fellowship. Sebastian and Mary also helped form a non-profit corporation called the Filipino Oral History Association which chronicled the history of early Filipino immigrants in Stockton, California and published the book "Voices", which became a valuable resource for other books, writers and historians.Diana comes from a family of women warriors from the Inosanto side of her family. Her first cousin, Celeste Ryan served in law enforcement for 20 years in Los Angeles before becoming a Clinical Psychologist. Her other cousin, Captain Susan Sobrepena served in the US military and received the Bronze Star for her service in Afghanistan.Diana's maternal grandfather, Robert Reveal, was a Trappist monk for the Catholic Church.After the death of her honorary uncle and god-father, Bruce Lee, martial artist and original student, Richard Bustillo became her second god-father.Diana's paternal, first cousin, Melody (Howe) McLaren who was the daughter of actress Lona Nai (aka Lilia Inosanto) was a successful speech writer for King Charles III in his earlier years as His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales who was the President of Business in the Community, while her cousin's husband, Ian McLaren, was the Financial Development Director for two charities- NSPCC and the MS Society which Anne, Princess Royal was the patron.Diana's grandmother's side of the family is from Hawaii. Her grandmother Mary Arca was born on the pineapple plantation fields of Kauai, Kaumakani (formally known as Makaweli ) during the early turn of the 20th century. At that time the islands were a commonwealth of the United States of America before entering statehood. |
| Name: |
Diana Lee Inosanto |
Type: |
Actress,Director,Producer (IMDB) |
| Area: |
All World |
Platform: |
IMDB |
| Category: |
|
Business scope: |
Actress,Director,Producer |
| Products for sale: |
Actress,Director,Producer |
| Model rank: |
5948 |
| Last update: |
2024-07-01 04:21:30 |
Diana Lee Inosanto profile
| Height: |
5' 4' (1.63 m) |
| Biography: |
For Diana Lee Inosanto, joining the cast of the new Star Wars series, Ahsoka and becoming part of the iconic Star Wars franchise may seem like a dream, but it is very much the real-life culmination of 30 years of dedication and hard work. Originally, |
| Trivia: |
Daughter of Dan Inosanto, Filipino American martial arts icon and Bruce Lee's protege and training partner. Dan Inosanto is an authority on Jeet Kune Do and Filipino Martial Arts including Escrima and Pencak Silat. Advocate for introducing other multiple martial arts styles on the world stage.Diana's paternal grandfather, Sebastian Inosanto was known as the founder of the Filipino Agricultural Laborers Association, the first union for farm workers in California. Before that, Sebastian Inosanto was a scholar sponsored by the Philippine Islands, then a territory of the United States to study agriculture in the 1920's at the University of California at Davis, later to become one of the pioneer Filipino farm labor contractors in Central California who provided jobs to many Filipinos as well as housed on his property several Filipino families during the Great Depression.She is of Filipino, Irish, Chinese, Spanish, and French descent.Named at birth, "Diana Lee", after the legendary Bruce Lee when her father,Dan Inosanto decided to honor his famous close friend and martial arts Mentor & teacher.Father of American Kempo Karate, Ed Parker, played matchmaker to Diana Lee Inosanto's parents, Dan Inosanto and Sue Ann Reveal.Diana Lee Inosanto was named "Woman of the Year" by Black Belt Magazine in 2009, serving as a role model for women martial artists and other athletes, while also gracing the cover of "More" magazine designed to empower women over 40. Other covers she graced were Black Belt Magazine, Martial Arts Illustrated, Inside Karate, Self Defense and Inside Kung Fu.Husband is Ron Balicki, Producer, stuntman, Fight Choreographer and Martial Artist and retired professional fighter.On June 1, 2013, Diana Lee Inosanto would receive on behalf of the Inosanto Family, a certificate by the City of Los Angeles, signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilmember, Jose Huizar for her family's story of achievements and contributions to betterment of their fellowmen and to the preservation and promotion of Philippine cultural heritage and history, so that their story may be an inspiration to people of all cultures and heritage.Diana's paternal grandparents, Sebastian and Mary Arca Inosanto helped found the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Stockton's historic Little Manila, serving as an ordained elder and the church's Clerk of Session for about 25 years, and later authored a book about its history, tracing its roots as the Filipino Christian Fellowship. Sebastian and Mary also helped form a non-profit corporation called the Filipino Oral History Association which chronicled the history of early Filipino immigrants in Stockton, California and published the book "Voices", which became a valuable resource for other books, writers and historians.Diana comes from a family of women warriors from the Inosanto side of her family. Her first cousin, Celeste Ryan served in law enforcement for 20 years in Los Angeles before becoming a Clinical Psychologist. Her other cousin, Captain Susan Sobrepena served in the US military and received the Bronze Star for her service in Afghanistan.Diana's maternal grandfather, Robert Reveal, was a Trappist monk for the Catholic Church.After the death of her honorary uncle and god-father, Bruce Lee, martial artist and original student, Richard Bustillo became her second god-father.Diana's paternal, first cousin, Melody (Howe) McLaren who was the daughter of actress Lona Nai (aka Lilia Inosanto) was a successful speech writer for King Charles III in his earlier years as His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales who was the President of Business in the Community, while her cousin's husband, Ian McLaren, was the Financial Development Director for two charities- NSPCC and the MS Society which Anne, Princess Royal was the patron.Diana's grandmother's side of the family is from Hawaii. Her grandmother Mary Arca was born on the pineapple plantation fields of Kauai, Kaumakani (formally known as Makaweli ) during the early turn of the 20th century. At that time the islands were a commonwealth of the United States of America before entering statehood. |
| Job title: |
Actress,Director,Producer |
| Others works: |
TV commercial (Hispanic Market) for Clairol Hair Product (1989)
TV Commercial for Subaru (1998)
Appeared in New Edition's "Hit Me Off" music video as the Bond/Ninja Girl.
Stage Actress and Resident Fight/Stunt Choreographer at Lodestone |
| Spouse: |
Ron Balicki (December 6, 1995 - present) (2 children) |
|
