Michael Dudikoff
{{short description|American actor}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Michael Dudikoff 2013.jpg
| caption = Dudikoff in 2013
| birth_name = Michael Joseph Stephen Dudikoff Jr.{{cite web |url=http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/michael_j_dudikoff_born_1953_5194515 |title=Michael J Dudikoff, Born 10/08/1954 in California |publisher=CaliforniaBirthIndex.org |date=1954-10-08 |access-date=2015-07-15 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1954|10|8}}
| birth_place = Redondo Beach, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Actor, martial artist
| years_active = 1978–2004, 2013–present
| spouse = Belle Dudikoff (m. 2004)
| children = 3
|alma_mater = Los Angeles Harbor College
}}
Michael Joseph Stephen Dudikoff Jr., ({{langx|ru|Михаил Михайлович Дудиков}}; born October 8, 1954) is an American actor, model and martial artist. Born in New York City, his family later moved to Los Angeles. Dudikoff did different jobs to pay for his education, during this time he became a model. This led him to do acting auditions. He played supporting roles in films and television shows, until he got his break as the lead in the martial arts action film American Ninja (1985).
Dudikoff became an action film leading man and followed up with American Ninja 2: The Confrontation (1986), Avenging Force (1986), Platoon Leader (1988), River of Death (1989), Soldier Boyz (1996), Bounty Hunters (1996), Bounty Hunters 2: Hardball (1997), etc.
In the 2000s, Dudikoff started to work in real estate, and made film appearances in the 2010s.
Early life
Dudikoff's father, Michael Sr., was Eastern Orthodox Christian. Born in New York to Russian immigrants Mary Bogdanova and John Dudikoff, Michael Sr. served in the Army before marrying Dudikoff's mother, Rita T. Girardin, a French-Canadian piano player from Quebec. The couple moved to California and had five children; the fourth, Michael Jr., was diagnosed with dyslexia.{{cite web |last1=Mendoza |first1=N.F. |title=With An Eye On... : Michael Dudikoff rides the fast lane with 'Cobra' series |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-30-tv-16814-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=8 September 2018 |date=30 January 1994}} Michael Dudikoff Jr. graduated from West High School in Torrance, California, and went on to study child psychology at Harbor College.{{cite web |last=King|first= Susan |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-16-ca-1345-story.html |title= Now That He's Had His Kicks|work= Los Angeles Times |date=1991-11-16 |access-date=2018-11-29}}
Career
=Mid 1970s to 1985: Modeling and early roles=
To pay for his education, Dudikoff worked at a rehabilitation center for abused youth called Cedar House and waited tables at Beachbum Burt's in Redondo Beach, California. He was eventually approached to do some modelling, and did a catwalk at a shopping mall. During lunch one day, Dudikoff served Max Evans, a fashion editor with Esquire magazine, who had come in with some models. Evans asked Dudikoff to walk in a Newport Beach fashion show, and his mother encouraged him to try it out. After a couple of successful runways, Dudikoff retained an agent at the Mary Webb Davis Agency in Los Angeles. Dudikoff soon entered the high fashion world and counted Calvin Klein and GQ among his clients. He moved quickly to international print modeling and traveled between New York, Los Angeles, and Milan by his late 20s. Dudikoff soon began acting, and he starred in several commercials for companies, including Coppertone, Coca-Cola for Japan, Army Reserve and Stridex.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
File:Michael Dudikoff 1982.jpg in 1982]]
Dudikoff's first television role took place after a meeting with theatrical agent Sid Craig.{{cite web|title=Michael Dudikoff|url=https://www.martialartsentertainment.com/michael-dudikoff/|access-date=May 30, 2015|year=2015}} He went for some readings, and in 1978 he landed a supporting role in one episode of the hit TV show Dallas, and shortly after the part as Joanie's first boyfriend in the American sitcom Happy Days. Dudikoff said the president of Paramount Studio happened to be sitting in the audience while they were filming and gave him a contract.{{cite interview|title=Avenging Force (DVD or Bluray)|chapter=On-camera Interview with Star Michael Dudikoff|publisher=Kino Lorber|date=2014}}
= Early 1980s to 1985: Subsequent roles and breakthrough =
In 1980, Dudikoff acted in The Black Marble.{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56371-THE-BLACK-MARBLE?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}} In 1981, Dudikoff acted in Bloody Birthday,{{Cite web|title=Bloody Birthday|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/bloody-birthday/2030116646/|access-date=2021-08-02|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}} and The Best Little Girl in the World.{{Cite web|title=The Best Little Girl in the World|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-best-little-girl-in-the-world/2000279381/|access-date=2021-08-02|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}} In 1982, Dudikoff acted in Neil Simon's I Ought to Be in Pictures,{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56796-NEIL-SIMONS-I-OUGHT-TO-BE-IN-PICTURES?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}} Making Love,{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/56843-MAKING-LOVE?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}} and Tron.{{Cite web|title=Tron|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/tron/2000277740/|access-date=2021-08-02|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}} Also that year he was one of the leads in the sitcom Star of the Family. In 1983, he acted in Uncommon Valor,{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58156-UNCOMMON-VALOR?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}} one episode of Gimme a Break!, and played Huckleberry Finn in a Columbia Pictures movie-of-the-week called Sawyer & Finn directed by Peter H. Hunt. In 1984, Dudikoff acted in the comedy film Bachelor Party.{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/57005-BACHELOR-PARTY?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}}
In 1985, The Cannon Group, an independent film company with a streak of successful action films, were looking to produce an action film starring Chuck Norris called American Ninja, which Norris turned down. Shortly after, Cannon went on a worldwide search to find who would play Private Joe Armstrong, the American ninja. Over 400 candidates went on to audition for the part. The producer and owner of Cannon, Menahem Golan, and director Sam Firstenberg thought Dudikoff was the obvious choice for the part. Golan even went on to say that he would be the next James Dean. It was a surprise for Dudikoff, who at the time was mostly known for supporting roles in comedies.{{cite web|last=Hartley|first= Mark|title=Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films|website= YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=044YzqaWtx0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/044YzqaWtx0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=5 June 2015|year=2015|location= Australia}}{{cbignore}} It was Dudikoff's first collaboration with actor Steve James, who was hired to play the partner of the American ninja, a role he maintained for the first three installments. On a $1 million budget, it went on to gross over $10 million domestically in the US and did extremely well in foreign markets.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=americanninja.htm|title=American Ninja|website=Box Office Mojo}} This success would establish the start of the American Ninja film franchise, with Dudikoff becoming a regular action star for The Cannon Group. That same year, Dudikoff and John Stockwell were co-leads in Albert Pyun's post-apocalyptic film Radioactive Dreams.
= 1986 to mid-2000s: Action film leading man =
In 1986, Dudikoff returned to the title role of Joe Armstrong in American Ninja 2: The Confrontation, with Firstenberg directing. The film grossed $4 million domestically in the U.S.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=americanninja2.htm|title=American Ninja 2|website=Box Office Mojo}} That same year, Dudikoff starred as retired secret service agent in Avenging Force, with Steve James, directed by Sam Firstenberg. Also, Dudikoff played the role of Lt. Rudy Bodford in the mini-series North and South, Book II.{{Cite web|title=North and South: Book II|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/north-and-south-book-ii/1000204378/|access-date=2021-07-18|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}
In 1987, he had signed an agreement with Cannon Films to star and produce seven films.{{Cite news |date=1987-05-20 |title=Cannon inks Dudikoff to 7-pic pact; sequel to 'Cobra' planned |page=37 |work=Variety}}
In 1988, Dudikoff played the lead in Vietnam war film Platoon Leader, directed by Aaron Norris.{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59036-PLATOON-LEADER?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-07-18|website=catalog.afi.com}}
In 1989, Dudikoff starred as an adventurer in Steve Carver's River of Death.{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58255-RIVER-OF-DEATH?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-07-18|website=catalog.afi.com}}
In 1989, Dudikoff turned down American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt because he didn't want to get type cast in martial arts movies and didn't want to go back to South Africa as he was firmly against the Apartheid movement.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096804/trivia?ref_=tt_trv_trv|title=American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt Trivia|website=Imdb}}{{cite web|last=Erickson|first=Glenn|url=https://trailersfromhell.com/american-ninja-3-blood-hunt/|title=American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt|website=Trailers From Hell|date=August 30, 2016}}
In 1990, he starred in the action-horror film Midnight Ride opposite Mark Hamill.{{Cite web|title=Midnight Ride|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/midnight-ride/2000072765/|access-date=2021-08-19|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}}
In 1991, Dudikoff acted in the television film The Woman Who Sinned.{{Cite web|title=The Woman Who Sinned|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-woman-who-sinned/2000346986/|access-date=2021-08-02|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}} That year in American Ninja{{'s}} fourth instalment American Ninja 4: The Annihilation, he returned to the role of Joe Armstrong.{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/58751-AMERICAN-NINJA-4-THE-ANNIHILATION?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}}
In 1992, Dudikoff starred in The Human Shield directed by Ted Post.{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59276-THE-HUMAN-SHIELD?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}}
In 1993, Dudikoff co-starred with Ami Dolenz and Stephen Dorff in Arthur Allan Seidelman's Rescue Me.{{Cite web|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59639-RESCUE-ME?cxt=filmography|access-date=2021-08-02|website=catalog.afi.com}} Also that year, Dudikoff was the lead role in the action TV series Cobra. The hour-long show ran for 22 episodes from 1993 to 1994.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105973/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm|title=Cobra Cast & Crew|website=Imdb}}
In 1994, Dudikoff did his final film with The Cannon Group, called Chain of Command directed by David Worth.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112655/companycredits?ref_=tt_dt_co|title=Chain of Command (1994) Company Credits|website=Imdb}}
In 1995, Dudikoff starred in Cyberjack,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112763/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_27|title=Cyberjack|website=Imdb}} and Soldier Boyz.
In 1996, Dudikoff starred Bounty Hunters, Moving Target, and Crash Dive.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115965/|title=Crash Dive|website=Imdb}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115737/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_25|title=Bounty Hunters|website=Imdb}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117096/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_24|title=Moving Target|website=Imdb}}
In 1997, Dudikoff starred in Strategic Command, Bounty Hunters 2: Hardball, and The Shooter.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120224/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_22|title=Strategic Command|website=Imdb}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119258/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_21|title=Bounty Hunters 2: Hardball|website=Imdb}}{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120121/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_19|title=The Shooter|website=Imdb}}
In 1998, Dudikoff starred in Black Thunder, Freedom Strike, Musketeers Forever , and Counter Measures a sequel to Crash Dive.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115965/movieconnections/?tab=mc&ref_=tt_trv_cnn|title=Crash Dive Connections|website=Imdb}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119153/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_18|title=Freedom Strike|website=Imdb}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118732/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_16|title=Black Thunder|website=Imdb}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0150209/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_17|title=Counter Measure|website=Imdb}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190577/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_14|title=Musketeers Forever|website=Imdb}} He also played acted in the Ringmaster starring Jerry Springer.{{cite web|title=Ringmaster|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165494/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_15|website=Imdb}}
In 1999, Dudikoff acted in Sidney J. Furie's In Her Defense,{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/in_her_defense/|title=In Her Defense (1998)|website=Rotten Tomatoes}} Fred Olen Ray's Fugitive Mind,{{Cite web|title=Fugitive Mind|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/fugitive-mind/2000126773/|access-date=2021-08-19|website=TVGuide.com|language=en}} and The Silencer.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262002/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_11|title=The Silencer|website=Imdb}}
In 2001, Dudikoff acted in Ablaze.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217979/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_10|title=Ablaze|website=Imdb}}
In 2002, Dudikoff played the main villain in Gale Force, starring Treat Williams. He also starred in Sam Firstenberg's Quicksand, and Fred Olen Ray's Stranded.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0282883/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_8|title=Quicksand|website=Imdb}}{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274905/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_7|title=Stranded|website=Imdb}}
= 2003 to present day: Current works =
Moving forward, Dudikoff worked in real estate.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3KVIXQ9q9Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/P3KVIXQ9q9Y |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=YouTube|title=Leinwandreporter: Michael Dudikoff Interview vom Hollywood Event|publisher=Leinwandreporter TV|date=2012}}{{cbignore}}
In 2014, Dudikoff was interviewed for The Go-Go Boys: The Inside Story of Cannon Films and Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films, both highly publicized dueling documentaries about The Cannon Group.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/festivals/toronto-film-review-electric-boogaloo-the-wild-untold-story-of-cannon-films-1201301271/|title=Toronto Film Review: 'Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films'|last=Foundas|first=Scott|date=9 September 2014 |publisher=variety}} In 2015, Dudikoff played a supporting role in Navy Seals vs. Zombies, released by Anchor Bay Entertainment.{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Navy-Seals-vs-Zombies-Blu-ray/138862/|title=Navy Seals vs. Zombies Blu-ray|website=Blu-ray.com|date=2015}} In 2018, Dudikoff acted in Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece.{{Citation|title=Fury of the Fist and The Golden Fleece|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fury_of_the_fist_and_the_golden_fleece/|language=en|access-date=2018-11-09}}
Personal life
Dudikoff and his wife Belle have been married since 2004; they have three children.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
Martial arts and fitness
Dudikoff had no martial arts training before making the first American Ninja movie, but he was already very athletic. Fight choreographer Mike Stone, an accomplished martial arts expert, assured the producers that Dudikoff would pick up the moves.{{cite web |url=http://www.kungfumagazine.com/index.php?p=article&article=1128|title=American Ninja Retrospective|last=Moore|first=David J.|website=KungFuMagazine}}
Dudikoff has since trained in karate, aikido, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and attained a black belt in Karate , Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and judo. He began his training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with Rorion Gracie and stays connected with the Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighting circuit, including Rigan Machado, an eighth degree red and black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and former world champion.{{cite web |url=https://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-news/brazilian-jiu-jitsu|title=Brazilian Jiu Jitsu|website=BJJ Heroes|date=26 June 2011 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.martialartsentertainment.com/michael-dudikoff/|title=Michael Dudikoff|website=Martial Arts Entertainment|date=31 May 2015 }}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Black Marble | Millie's Houseboy | |
| 1981 | Bloody Birthday | Willard | |
| rowspan="3" | 1982 | Making Love | Young Man In Bar #2 | |
| I Ought to Be in Pictures | Boy On Bus | ||
| Tron | Conscript #2 | as Michael J. Dudikoff II | |
| 1983 | Uncommon Valor | Blaster's Assistant | |
| 1984 | Bachelor Party | Ryko | |
| rowspan="2" | 1985 | Radioactive Dreams | Marlowe Hammer | |
| American Ninja | Private Joe Armstrong | ||
| 1986 | Avenging Force | Captain Matt Hunter | |
| 1987 | American Ninja 2: The Confrontation | Sergeant Joe Armstrong | |
| 1988 | Platoon Leader | Lieutenant Jeff Knight | |
| 1989 | River of Death | John Hamilton | |
| rowspan="2" | 1990 | Midnight Ride | Lawson | |
| American Ninja 4: The Annihilation | Agent Joe Armstrong | ||
| rowspan="2" | 1992 | The Human Shield | Colonel Doug Matthews | |
| Rescue Me | Daniel 'Mac' MacDonald | ||
| 1994 | Chain of Command | Merrill Ross | |
| rowspan="2" | 1995 | Cyberjack | Nick James | |
| Soldier Boyz | Major Howard Toliver | ||
| 1996 | Bounty Hunters | Jersey Bellini | Direct-to-video |
| rowspan="5" | 1997 | Moving Target | Sonny | |
| Strategic Command | Dr. Rick Harding | ||
| Crash Dive | James Carter | Direct-to-video | |
| Bounty Hunters 2: Hardball | Jersey Bellini | Direct-to-video | |
| The Shooter | Michael Atherton | ||
| rowspan="5" | 1998 | Freedom Strike | Tom Dickson | |
| Black Thunder | Vince Conners | ||
| Counter Measures | Captain Jake Fuller | Direct-to-video | |
| Ringmaster | Rusty | ||
| Musketeers Forever | D'Artagnan | ||
| rowspan="2" | 1999 | In Her Defense | Andrew Garfield | |
| Fugitive Mind | Robert Dean | Direct-to-video | |
| 2000 | The Silencer | Quinn Simmons | |
| 2001 | Ablaze | Gary Daniels | Direct-to-video |
| rowspan="3" | 2002 | Gale Force | Jared | Direct-to-video |
| Quicksand | Bill Turner | Direct-to-video | |
| Stranded | Ed Carpenter | Direct-to-video His last film before a ten-year hiatus | |
| rowspan="2" | 2015 | Navy Seals vs. Zombies | Lieutenant Commander Sheer | |
| The Bouncer | Samuel James | ||
| 2018 | Fury of the Fist and the Golden Fleece | Superboss | |
| 2023 | Landfill | Mr. Lindbergh | |
| rowspan="1" | TBA | Left Turn | Senator |
=TV=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Dallas | Joe Newcomb | 1 Episode |
| 1979 | Out of the Blue | Lenny | 1 Episode |
| 1979–1980 | Happy Days | Jason / Jim | 2 Episodes |
| 1981 | The Best Little Girl in the World | Chuck | TV movie |
| 1982 | Star of the Family | Douggie Krebs | 10 Episodes |
| 1983 | Gimme a Break! | Greg Hartman | 1 Episodes |
| 1986 | North and South, Book II | Lieutenant Rudy Bodford | 6 Episodes |
| 1991 | The Woman Who Sinned | Evan Ganns | TV movie |
| 1994 | Historias de la puta mili | Special Appearance | 1 Episodes |
| 1993–1994 | Cobra | Robert 'Scandal' Jackson Jr. | 22 Episodes |
| 2013 | Zombie Break Room | 'Tank' Dempsey | also executive producer |
| 2019 | Green Valley | Uncle Rik |
= Video games =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !Notes |
|---|
| 1997
| Major Howard Toliver | Voice role |
| 2018
| B-Team | General Dudikoff | Voice role |
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0001154}}
- [https://www.facebook.com/#!/MichaelDudikoff.official Michael Dudikoff on Facebook]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dudikoff, Michael}}
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American people of Russian descent
Category:American people of French-Canadian descent
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Category:Actors from Redondo Beach, California