Sensei Leo Howard of Disney XD's Kickin' It Visits Kaizen Dojo

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Published 2014-07-11

Torrance, CA (For Immediate Release) -- Sensei William Christopher Ford, owner and chief instructor of Kaizen Dojo martial arts studio in Torrance, Calif., welcomed martial artist and actor Sensei Leo Howard to the dojo. Sensei Howard is well known for his roles as Young Snake Eyes in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) and as Young Conan in Conan the Barbarian (2011). Currently he plays the role of Jack in the Disney XD series Kickin' It. Sensei Ford spoke with Sensei Howard about his experiences in martial arts and acting.

"I credit who I am to martial arts -- focus, dedication, respect -- all that stuff I learned from martial arts." Sensei Leo Howard -- Jack on Disney XD's Kickin' It

Sensei Howard began his martial arts career at age four learning tai kwan do at a Boys and Girls Club, but then moved on to study Shorin Ryu, which became the base for all his future work. While he has gone on to study and practice some of the more extreme martial arts moves, he credits his structure to his base in Shorin Ryu. It was also through the martial arts that he found his second passion of acting, motivated by the work of the great Bruce Lee.

"I was seven years old when I decided I wanted to become an actor," Sensei Howard told Sensei Ford, who appeared in Karate Kid III alongside Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. "I watched Bruce Lee and he totally inspired me to be on screen."

That inspiration took him first to print work, after being "discovered" by a friend of a photographer covering a martial arts tournament he was participating in. Over the next eight years Sensei Howard built up his portfolio, moving to commercial work and eventually to his film and television roles. Through it all, he credits his success to his martial arts training.

"I credit who I am to martial arts -- focus, dedication, respect -- all that stuff I learned from martial arts, and I don't think I would have any of that if I hadn't started in martial arts at a young age," said Sensei Howard. "It's absolutely who I am and I think it will always be a part of my life."

You can follow Sensei Leo Howard on Twitter at twitter.com/iamLeoHoward and visit his website at leo-howard.com/. To learn more about Kaizen Dojo, visit kaizendojo.com/.

All Comments (13)

@kittycats8295 7 years ago

I do karate because of him
@edgarhernandez6816 10 years ago

I'm big fan or leo i just wish i was a actor working with leo
@treyonay 9 years ago

I actually started karate yesterday.I think its fun. My sensei is awesome, and was definitely helping me cuz I had no idea what I was doing.Lol,good thing its a small class.5-6 students. So Yea,I have a feeling like its gonna be something I love.Because I usually don't try new things as often,and if I do I do it for a long time.Like dancing,and singing....tried acting...I wanna try it again... I guess I like to perform talents I have.
@nodirasuvankulova2402 7 years ago

You Leo Howard so coooooooooooool
@kittycats8295 7 years ago

He could date Olivia holt
@CrimsonHoodnerfer 7 years ago

i train with world champion askia allison that actually was on a team with matt mullins which is leos sensei.
@saragandarilla9820 7 years ago

Leo Howard you are a karate teacher because I use to be in karate
@bobbygialaboukis8536 9 years ago

I go to Kia Leung I'm a purple belt my name is Lorenzo I started when I was 6 and now I'm 7!
@angelajackson8520 7 years ago

hi jack i like him
@saragandarilla9820 7 years ago

Leo haword you look so cute as jack I just want to marry jack
@nathancarbajal7785 7 years ago

Jack could you tell Rudy if I can be in his dojo class and tell him if he can text me it's is going to be Nathan
@maxjacob8326 7 years ago

I am a 3rd deegree black belt and I juste started last month and am 13 years old