Ed Parker

From MartialTalk Online Martial Arts Encyclopedia Project

Edmund Kealoha Parker (March 19, 1931 - December 15, 1990) was an American martial artist, most famous as the founder of American Kenpo.

He was born in Hawaii on March 19, 1931, where he was raised a devout Mormon. He began his training in the martial arts at a young age in Judo and later boxing. Sometime in the 1940's, Ed Parker was first introduced to Kenpo by Frank Chow. After some time, Frank Chow introduced Ed Parker to William K. S. Chow. Mr. Parker trained with William Chow while serving in the Coast Guard and attending Brigham Young University, from which he eventually earned a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology. In 1953, he was promoted to the rank of black belt by William K.S. Chow.

By 1956, Mr. Parker had opened his school in Pasadena, California. One of his first black belts was James Ibrao, although there is debate that a Charles Beeder may have been his first black belt. The other black belts in chronological order (up to 1962) were: Rich Montgomery, Rick Flores, Al Tracy, Jim Tracy, Chuck Sullivan, John McSweeney, and Dave Hebler. In 1962, John McSweeney opened a school in Ireland, which enabled Mr. Parker to create the International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA).

Mr. Parker was well known for his skills as an instructor and for his business sense. He helped many martial artists open commercial schools. He also helped train many movie stuntmen and celebrities; most notable was Elvis Presley, who became a high-ranking Kenpo black belt. He also helped Bruce Lee gain national attention by introducing him at his International Karate Championships. He often served as Elvis Presley's bodyguard during the singer's final years, did movie stuntwork and acting, and was the Kenpo instructor of martial arts action movie actor Jeff Speakman. He is most well known to Kenpoists as the founder of American Kenpo and is referred to as Senior Grand Master. The only film he ever starred in was stuntman Russ Dodson's feature "Kill the Golden Goose," although he appeared in other films. His best known appearance may have been as the assassin Mr. Chong in "Revenge of the Pink Panther" (with Peter Sellers). His son Ed Parker Jr. is also a Kenpo practitioner and portrayed his father in the movie "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story".

Edmund K. Parker died in Honolulu of a heart attack on December 15, 1990.

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