There is only one Bruce Leroy

As hip-hop master RZA and actor Samuel L. Jackson gear up for a remake to Berry Gordy’s beloved action comedy THE LAST DRAGON, New York-based writer Nigel Clarke sits down with Taimak , star of the original cult hit for a new in-depth interview. The one and only “Bruce Leroy” discusses growing up in New York City, his experiences on the film and his enthusiasm for the remake, which he says he’ll have a role in. This interview is part of an ongoing series of investigative articles from Nigel that explores the martial arts film and cultural scene in New York City that exploded in the late 1970s and early ’80s.

A few months back, when a friend had told me about the remake, I was in a state of shock, a sickening feeling that was replaced by anger.

I relieved some of my frustrations in Harlem. Armed with spray paint, I hit up some walls, making my announcement through urban spoken word saying, “THERE IS ONLY ONE BRUCE LEROY!”

I was still restless and I would be encouraged by a friend to get on my “Sum Dum Goy” and seek out the “85 Dragon,” hoping that I’d reach the final level.

Taimak and I met up in Manhattan, somewhere in between Daddy Green’s pizzeria and 7th Heaven.

We started discussing the old New York City and when I asked him to describe it, he used one word, “violent!” This may have been the impetus for his martial arts training at the early age of six.

Like any other kid in Manhattan, Taimak was a part of the culture. He broke down the origins of hip-hop. “I remember going to hang out with friends from high school,” said Taimak. “We’d go to parties at the community center, and the MC, he’d call out the names of people coming into the party at the same time, there was also the DJ scratching and at that time, he was playing disco and funk. Eventually, the MC became popular and just as important as the music that was playing. That was the beginning of hip-hop.”

There was the other side of Taimak, the curious adventure-seeking teen who hung out with friends and tried to sneak into clubs. Taimak recalls, “As a kid living in Manhattan, it was only natural for me to explore and be interested in things around me. My friends and I would stand outside of clubs, check out the girls and sometimes try to get in. I remember sneaking into Studio 54 and being in there for 15 minutes before being kicked out.”

Taimak’s curiosity would eventually pay off. He was already a part of the martial arts circuit in New York City, which he described as those involved in martial arts who competed in tournaments, organized events and bare-knuckle matches.

Some of the same clubs that Taimak was trying to sneak into had bouncers who were in that fighting circuit. Many of them knew Taimak as a fighter. The doors of clubs opened for Taimak as a patron and eventually as a worker. Taimak was a bouncer at a club called Bonds, at the age of 17, while still in high school.

Working as a bouncer for several years, Taimak had instances where he had to use the glow. “There were instances when guys had knives and razors and I did have physical encounters, but it is nothing I would brag about.”

Despite all of this, Taimak was still in his brother’s shadow. “My brother was always the guy with all the girls, better in martial arts.”

I wondered if his parents had a problem with him working as a bouncer while he was still in school. He explained, “My parents were cool with it. My brother was a DJ. They never had a problem with it.”

This would continue for two years, and eventually Taimak would win the New York City kickboxing championship. For years, Taimak had been developing his skills while training at City Star Boxing, alongside Yoel Judah, who is the father and trainer of champion boxer Zab Judah.

Shortly thereafter, there were rumors in the fighting circuit, a black martial artist was needed to star in a film. Taimak described it saying, “Every martial arts fighter on the East Coast wanted to be in it. It was huge. We knew Vanity was going to be in it, everyone wanted the role.”

Taimak recalled that when he first auditioned, he did a horrible job. Taimak explained why this may have happened. “It was a huge part. I didn’t think I had a chance with so many other competing for the role.”

Like so many of us, Taimak feels that so much of his life was reflected in the movie. His journey almost did not happen. “I remember after the first reading, I went on a trip with my father and my best friend Richie Hernandez. My father would clean roofs in Florida for extra money, I remember my father kept riding me, telling me that I wasn’t reading the lines right. He did that during the entire trip down there.”

“We were down there and I remember being on the hot roof, cursing my dad, my friend said something that I will never forget. He said, ‘If there is a God on this Earth, that part was written for you!’ When he said that, something changed inside of me. I started practicing my lines again and I suddenly had the confidence to go back to the audition again.”

When Taimak went back for the second attempt, he remembers seeing all of the “Laura Charles” hopefuls. Although Vanity had supposedly already had the position, the production company was still auditioning for her role. “You’ve got it, you’re going to get it,” Taimaks recalled many of the girls saying.

When he started reading the lines, Jeremy Ritzer was overwhelmed. Things happened very quickly thereafter. He was told to meet with Rupert Hitzig. His meeting with Rupert would lead to a meeting with the original puff daddy, Berry Gordy.

Gordy flew out from Los Angeles to meet Taimak. Taimak recalls their first encounter. “He was the typical mogul type, two big bouncers, two personal assistants and a woman with hair down to her feet.”

Taimak had been practicing his lines with Michael Schultz’s wife at the time. Gordy stood at the side of the room, studying Taimak while he read his lines.

While sharing this story, Taimak got into character and provided me with an impromptu Berry Gordy impression – one that is absolutely impossible to describe with words.

Taimak had a sense of the movie’s potential. “I knew the movie was going to be a hit. Back then, you had no other black martial arts stars – after Jim Kelly in the ’70s there was nothing for a few years. Sure, you had Denzel on ST. ELSEWHERE but he wasn’t a warrior or fighter type.”

After the movie’s release, Tamaik recalls being Gordy’s protégé for some time. He stayed with Gordy in L.A. for a few months and even visited the Playboy mansion.

According to Taimak, Berry Gordy empowered him by saying, “The people I work with have amazing talent – Michael Jackson, Billy Dee Williams, Stevie Wonder. You have that talent. That’s why I choose you!”

It was a very powerful moment during the interview. Taimak became emotional and his eyes watered. He didn’t cry, but he recalls that being a defining moment. For him, that was when he stepped out of his brother’s shadow.

Despite what he said, I couldn’t help but think that he had revisited a period of life, when he had heard so many false promises, and had so many expectations that were unfulfilled.

Despite the lack of advertising, the movie was a hit and Taimak had been in negotiations with Gordy concerning a sequel in 1986.

Taimak recalls that Gordy and his lawyer were not happy with conditions in the contract and so they wanted to wait things out. Gordy moved on and eventually, would create the television series SIDEKICKS, which starred Ernie Reyes Jr, who starred in THE LAST DRAGON alongside Taimak.

Taimak managed to remain visible with a leading role on an episode up on the show A DIFFERENT WORLD, which happened because of his association with one of the shows producers, Debbie Allen.

There would be an appearance in Janet Jackson’s video “Let’s Wait a While” back in 1990. Taimak then remained off the celebrity radar for years. Subject to the circumstances of many black actors, because he couldn’t get any roles.

In 2004, Taimak would eventually work on the sequel himself. He wrote the story and worked with a friend to create the screenplay. The title was the “The Dragon Awakes.”

Taimak described it saying, “It was a story about the glow and where the glow came from.”

Taimak along with Michale Schultz, presented the new script to Sony, and although there was some interest things did not materialize.

Taimak moved on and recalled not being in the best state of mind thereafter. “In early 2007, I was in a state of depression, but I started following the [presidential] campaign and when the announcement was made about [THE LAST DRAGON] remake with Samuel Jackson, I felt like that was an omen. I knew Obama was going to win.”

“When THE LAST DRAGON came out, this country was not ready for it. Now, things have changed. It’s not about white or black anymore. The country has embraced change and the country is ready for THE LAST DRAGON, so the remake makes sense.”

This led us into an anticipated discussion of the remake produced by Berry Gordy’s son. “Kerry Gordy and the production team have treated me very well and I will have a role in the film.”

Taimak couldn’t provide the details of the script, nor its contents but he did say that the script is still being finalized.

I asked if he had realized how powerful the movie was and if he understood the impact it had on people of all ethnicities and cultures.

“Yeah, I’m approached by people all of the time,” said Taimak, “Football players, wrestlers, all types of people, and they tell me that I was their hero.”

He clearly understands the importance of the role he played saying, “Stars who are heroes have to be responsible.”

These days, in addition to acting and martial arts, Taimak is a mentor for children, helping them work towards and achieving their goals.

During the interview, I have to admit there were times when it was surreal. I don’t get star struck, but I caught glimpses of the “85 Dragon” and I found myself empathizing with him, hoping that the remake would work and be a success.

“Bruce Leroy” is more than some ordinary character. He is a hero for millions of ’80s children. He is a symbol for our hopes and our dreams. This movie has guided so many of us while we have traveled on our own journey, trying to find the master within ourselves.

THE LAST DRAGON itself is a metaphor for 1985 and a forgotten period of time in New York City. The film is a cinematic time capsule. The music, the characters and the story reflect a bygone era, “a time before crack.”

On paper, the remake is sensible and considering the success of hip-hop combined with martial arts, profitable. However, it will be impossible to recreate the elements that made the original the success that it is.

Hopefully, this movie will revamp Taimak’s acting career and provide him the opportunities that have alluded him for years. The talent that was noticed by Gordy, years ago will be on display again.

Taimak didn’t mention who would be the new Bruce Leroy, but I know I’ll be at the premiere when it comes out. The new Bruce Leroy will walk in and he’ll think he has the glow. He won’t see me, but he’ll hear me. From my seat in the theater I’ll say…

“I know who can beat you!”

There is only one Bruce Leroy.

Taimak’s official web site can be found at www.dynasty8.com.

Update: Taimak was a “bouncer” at “Bonds” at the age of “17,” not a bodyguard at Bond at the age of 16. Kerry Gordy is a “leading producer” on THE LAST DRAGON remake, not Berry Gordy.

Tags: Taimak, The Last Dragon (1985)