Dojo Tribute: Fred “The Hammer” Williamson
(image originally at http://ecelebrityfacts.com/uploads/pages/1412218175fred%20williamson.jpg)
When thinking of American made martial arts films one name doesn’t come to mind ( but it should) and that’s Fred “The Hammer” Williamson. IMDB.com lists 120 movies that Fred has appeared. The Hammer is also a producer, writer, actor and director of movies and is of course known for his role in Three The Hard Way ( with Jim Brown and Jim Kelly), One Down Two to Go, Bucktown, and That Man Bolt , the Black Cobra series and From Dusk Til Dawn. Fred has played for the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders and boasts a Super Bowl ring. What many do not know about The Hammer is he’s an accomplished martial artist and hold black belt ranks in Kenpo, Shotokan, and Tae Kwon Do. Fred Williamson is still active in the movie industry and has made appearances at the Urban Action Showcase in New York city. Fred Williamson is a pioneer in the film industry and has done much more than can ever be covered in one article or blog post. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Williamson at The Motor City Comic Con in 2010 and he was funny, down to earth, a big guy, and was loads of fun to talk to. I am hoping to get Mr. Williamson for a Dojo Podcast episode in the near future! For more info on what The Hammer is doing check out this great interview from Torontoist.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32uwegG-bLI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25RdRdiw2Uo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zI6qHKMc2s
Selected Filmography (courtesy of IMDB.com)
Hammer (1972)
Hell up in Harlem (1973)
That Man Bolt (1973)
Bucktown (1975)
Adios Amigo (1976)
The Inglorious Bastards (1978)
Original Gangsters (1996)
For a more complete list go here.
Check out Blaxploitation Pride for some cool information on the “Blaxploitation” movie era.