Stephen Quadros (Stephen Quadros) is a man of many talents. Among the fighters MMA he is better known by his nickname "The Fight Professor". Thanks to his knowledge and experience in martial arts, Quadros is one of the most popular commentators in the world MMA (Pride, K1, EliteXc, Cage Rage). As a journalist, he wrote one of the sports columns called "FightSport" for magazine "BlackBelt", wrote many articles and took part in a large number of shows related to MMA.
Besides everything related to MMA, Stephen Quadros He is also a talented actor, screenwriter and choreographer. He worked with such legends of the genre as Steven Seagal и Jet Li. In addition to all this, he is an experienced drummer, and once almost got into the main lineup of a famous rock band "KISS".
Recently, at one of the events, I was able to talk with the “professor”.
Why did you decide to connect your life with cinema and martial arts?
Stephen Quadros: I started learning martial arts for two reasons: first, I was afraid that I might get my ass kicked, and second, I had a feeling that I would be good at it. At school there is a whole set of rules that children follow. One of these rules is to put pressure on young people to appear tough. Fights often occur between young alpha males. And when you grow up and see your father, grandfather and their friends watching boxing or football and cheering on the players, then in your brain there is a certainty that kicking someone's ass is like “cool” and all that. Having gotten into several scrapes and won, you will feel the taste of victory. And then...you lose. Oh yeah, it's not a pleasant feeling. The fear of losing in battle was one of the main factors that pushed me to study martial arts.
As for working on television and film, it just happened naturally. As a child, my parents dragged me and my brother to the cinema to watch Marlon Brando films. The acting seeds were sown. Decades later, when I developed carpal tunnel syndrome from playing the drums too much, I gave up music and took up acting. And since this was destined to happen since watching Brando’s films, this transition turned out to be easy. But all the time I spent working in television and film, I felt a little guilty that I hadn't been doing it as long as most people in Hollywood. Of course, over time, I overcame this feeling of guilt and could finally, with a clear conscience, accept ridiculous pay for my acting. [laughs]
You have a fighting background. Tell us more about what you studied.
Stephen Quadros: This is going to be a long answer. I hope this isn't too boring... [laughs]
The first style was Taekwondo; I began training under Master Sunho Song in 1973. He had a very positive influence on me. While I was training with Master Song, I read about the exploits of “Jet” Benny Urquidez and Don “The Dragon” Wilson and began to think about taking up kickboxing. But soon he had to choose between playing the drums and becoming a fighter. I chose drums, which moved martial arts to second place on my list of priorities. Why? It's simple: if you play the drums, more girls will follow you, and you will never get beaten up on television. [laughs]
You have starred in various roles in more than 30 films and television shows, worked with such Hollywood celebrities as Steven Seagal, Cuba Gooding Jr., Peter Falk, David Caruso, Blair Underwood, Traci Lords and Angela Lansbury, etc. Who are you with? Did you enjoy working the most?
Stephen Quadros: Cuba Gooding was a lot of fun. He had already won an Oscar for Jerry Maguire, so he was a heavyweight in the film industry. But he's a violent guy. We had fights. His boxing coach is a friend of mine, and from time to time he sends me greetings from Cuba.
Last week I worked on Dexter. Muckle Hall is cool too. I love this series!
And, of course, Chuck Norris! Chuck and his team made me feel right at home. Working on “Cool Walker” and fighting the man who fought Bruce Lee himself (Way of the Dragon) is a real dream come true!
You've worked with Steven Seagal twice. He is a true legend of the genre. I have heard many different stories (both bad and, on the contrary, good) about your work with him. How was it really?
Stephen Quadros: I always liked the ponytail... If you combine it with a break in the brush, it will be memorable for a long time. But seriously, I was very pleased to work with Steven Seagal. Plus he's a good blues musician.
I also remember working with Jet Li on the film “From Cradle to Grave.” He's great.
What do you prefer to do - write, play, commentate or invent fights, and why?
Stephen Quadros: [laughs] Anything as long as they pay. You also forgot to mention the drums...
How often do you get confused with Kevin Bacon?
Stephen Quadros: Ha! How do you know I'm NOT Kevin Bacon? Have you ever seen me and him in the same place? There is something to think about...
Indeed (now I realize I didn't actually see them both at the same time... Hmm, interesting?!!). What are Stephen Quadros' future plans?
Stephen Quadros: I'll be portraying a TV announcer in a small film I'm working on. Then I will comment on the episodes of “ShoXC: Elite Challenger”. I am currently in negotiations to write my first book.
My band, “7th Sun”, recently released their first album called “From The Beginning” and on October 17th we are having a party dedicated to this event. And...things like that...
And, of course, “Dexter”...
You travel all over the world commentating on MMA fights. There's probably only one question left to ask about MMA...which female fighters are more beautiful? English or American?
Stephen Quadros: [laughs] I don't know, there are a couple of hotties in the UK. But, in my opinion, the most beautiful female fighter I have seen in the ring is Edith Laurent from the UFC. She is incredibly beautiful.
Five random questions:
1. What is your favorite action movie?
“Ong-Bak”
2. What is your favorite fight?
Bruce Lee vs. O'Hara in Enter the Dragon
3. Jet Li or Jackie Chan?
Jet Li. He's tougher. But I also really like Jackie Chan.
4. What movie would you most like to star in and why?
In a James Bond movie...you can dress classic, kick ass, drive the fastest cars, get the prettiest girls and never get killed.
5. What is the funniest story involving you and a celebrity?
Eh, I don’t know... Well, okay. Around 1989, I was working on a horror movie (Shock 'Em Dead) with Traci Lords. I tried not to show that I liked her, not to say abstruse things, as I usually do, in general, to be a good girl. On the set, she never stopped looking at me with her penetrating gaze, I turned away and tried to play as best as possible.
In the end, I looked at her and said something supposedly charming. He froze for a second and then punched me in the stomach...
Where can people find out more about Steven Quadros?
Stephen Quadros: My website and Myspace have links to all my musical creations, Facebook has my resume and everything else...
Author: Phil Hobden
Source: fareastfilms
Translation: EvilDollaR
Home » Action star » Choreographers and fight directors »
Tags: Jet Li, Stephen Quadros, Steven Seagal
Tags: Jet Li, Stephen Quadros, Steven Seagal
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