Morgan BENOIT

No one has heard the name Morgan Benoit. That is until now. A trained expert in Chinese martial arts for 15 years, the Burlington, Vermont native has broken through with his role of gang leader Lupo in THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan.

Born on May 21, 1980 in Burlington, Vermont, Morgan Benoit began studying the martial arts at a young age, with tae kwon do. However,
at the age of 15, Morgan found interest in Shaolin Kung Fu and studied at the Vermont Kung Fu Academy. Determined to continue his passion and respect for the Chinese martial arts, he moved to China at the age of 18. Attending the Beijing Sports Academy, Benoit trained in Long Fist Kung Fu. He would also train in wushu and gymnastics at the Shi Cha Hai Sports Academy, the former training grounds of wushu champions turned actors Jet Li and Wu Jing.

During his time in China, Benoit auditioned for roles in Chinese historical dramas, television commercials, game shows, and more. he also gained success as a male model. He would gain success and as a result, began to work primarily as a stuntman in China. He can be seen doing stunts in the television shows THE EMPEROR’S SECOND UNCLE and THE SWORD STAINED WITH ROYAL BLOOD.

His skills impressed the likes of Jackie Chan, who recommended Morgan for the role of Lupo in THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM. In the film, Lupo is the leader of a youth gang who bullies kung fu film fan Jason, played by Michael Angarano. Morgan even gets some martial arts action in the film courtesy of Yuen Woo-Ping.

Morgan recently appeared and worked as a stunt double on the film THE LAST HOUR. The film reunited Michael Madsen and David Carradine, who played brothers Bill and Budd in the Quentin Tarentino epic KILL BILL. He is also set to work as action director and star of an upcoming project titled OLYMPIC CITY, where he will play an American businessman who learns life lessons through the art of kung fu.

Hopefully, his role and abilities in THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM will get Morgan noticed and eventually work as a martial arts actor in either Hollywood or perhaps make a return to Asia. He has the looks, acting skills, and martial arts skills to become a potential action hero.

SELECT FILMOGRAPHY
2008 – The Forbidden Kingdom

Official Website: Bloody Palms Stunts