Sonny Chiba, a Japanese actor who has also been a martial arts icon across the world, started off his career in the entertainment industry after taking up television projects in the early 1960s. Ever since then, Chiba gained popularity in Japan that slowly spread around the world.

Chiba, who was known to often associate himself with crime thriller projects produced by Kinji Fukasaku, never put a lid on his love for martial arts. In the 1970s, the artist started a training school for those actors who wished to mix their talent with martial arts and move into stunt performing. The school was known as the Japanese Action Club.

However, Chiba’s career experienced a major boost after the release of the classic movie ‘The Street Fighter’. The film, which was first released in 1974, was dubbed in English for the western audience. ‘The Street Fighter’, which also had multiple sequels and spinoff projects, was loved by fans of Chiba all over the world, further increasing his popularity.

Chiba’s journey into western cinema had just begun after his success in Japan. The actor went on to work with renowned directors like Quentin Tarintino, who made ‘Kill Bill: Volume 1’ with the Chiba.

In a career spanning five decades, Sonny Chiba appeared in some popular Japanese and American action films. He played Oyama in a trilogy of films, ‘Champion of Death’, ‘Karate Bearfighter’ and ‘Karate for Life’ in the late 1970s. A fourth-degree black belt, Chiba also held black belts in ninjutsu, shorinji kempo, judo, kendo and goju-ryu karate.

On Thursday, Sonny Chiba died due to COVID-19 complications at the age of 82. He tested positive for the coronavirus in July this year, however, due to other underlying conditions, the actor’s health deteriorated.