John Corcoran was an American actor who is best known for American Samurai, The Squeeze, and Fighting Back. Born on November 27, 1948, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he passed away on May 17, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Personal and Family Life
John Corcoran began his martial arts journey in 1967, training in Shorin-Ryu karate. To afford his lessons, he wrote press releases for his instructor. He became a skilled martial artist and earned his black belt in 1973. Throughout his life, Corcoran formed strong relationships within the martial arts community, notably with heavyweight champion Joe Lewis.
Career
Corcoran had a diverse career that extended beyond acting. He spent three decades editing well-known martial arts magazines like Black Belt and Professional Karate. Additionally, he co-founded the STAR System World Kickboxing Ratings and produced various martial arts-related media. His contributions to the field were recognized with several awards, including the “Living Legends Hall of Fame Award” in 2000.
Death and Legacy
John Corcoran died on May 17, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada, under undisclosed circumstances. He left behind a lasting impact on the martial arts community through his writings, ratings systems, and mentorship. His legacy is honored by fellow martial artists and fans of martial arts cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Out for Blood | 1992-12-16 | Hospital Cop |
| Somebody Killed Her Husband | 1978-09-29 | Macy’s Night Watchman |
| Muggable Mary, Street Cop | 1982-02-25 | Frank Reineke |
| An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn | 1998-02-27 | Self |
| Junket Whore | 1998-10-12 | Self |