1. Overview
Tommy Chang is a Korean-Canadian martial artist, stunt performer, film producer, and actor, widely recognized for his extensive career spanning over five decades in martial arts and more than 35 years in the entertainment industry. He holds high-ranking black belt certifications, including an 8th dan in both Taekwondo and Hapkido, and has served in significant leadership and administrative roles within international Taekwondo organizations. As the founder of the ReelStunts Action Team, he has shaped action sequences for numerous major film and television productions, collaborating with renowned figures in Hollywood. Chang's career also includes a notable public incident concerning pit bull legislation in Ontario, highlighting his engagement with public policy and its direct consequences. He continues to influence the martial arts community through his role as Technical Director for Black Belt World Canada Taekwondo schools.
2. Early Life and Martial Arts Background
Tommy Chang's foundational experiences in martial arts began early in his life, shaping a distinguished career in various combat disciplines.
2.1. Birth and Early Training
Born on February 10, 1966, in South Korea, Tommy Chang embarked on his martial arts journey at a young age. His rigorous training and experience in Taekwondo and Hapkido extend over 51 years, forming the bedrock of his expertise.
2.2. Martial Arts Expertise and Ranks
Chang is highly decorated in multiple martial arts, holding an 8th dan black belt in Taekwondo and an 8th dan in Hapkido. His comprehensive training also includes the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) and World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Taekwondo, Moo Duk Kwan, and Judo. He possesses an 8th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido, specializing in advanced techniques such as pressure points, take-downs, and grappling. Furthermore, Chang has mastered several weapons disciplines. He is recognized as a WTF-certified Master Instructor of Taekwondo and holds the distinction of being a Canadian National Referee (1st Class).
3. Career
Tommy Chang's professional career is dual-faceted, encompassing significant contributions to both the martial arts community and the dynamic world of film and television.
3.1. Taekwondo Leadership and Administrative Roles
Chang has held numerous influential positions within Taekwondo organizations, underscoring his commitment to the sport's administration and development. He was elected Vice President Sport of Taekwondo Canada. His leadership extended to managing the Canadian Taekwondo Team for the 2nd Korean Open in 1999 and serving as the Canadian National Team Manager and Coach for the 1999 Taekwondo World Championship held in Turkey. Beyond these roles, he held various offices including vice-chairman of the World Tae Kwon Do Association of Canada's Tournament Committee. On an international scale, he served as the Pan-American Tae Kwon Do Union Tournament Vice-chairman from 2004 to 2006 and as the Pan-American Tae Kwon Do Union Financial Committee Chairman during the same period. At the provincial level, he was the Chairman of the Ontario Taekwondo Association from 2007 to 2008 and previously held the position of 1st Vice-President of the Ontario Taekwondo Association.
3.2. Film and Television Career
With over 35 years of experience, Tommy Chang has established a multifaceted career in the film and television industry, working as an actor, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, and producer.
3.2.1. ReelStunts Action Team
Chang is the founder, manager, and team leader of the ReelStunts Film/Television Action Stunt Team. He personally trains many members of his team, which specializes in a wide range of action disciplines including Martial Arts, High Falls, Stunt Driving, Fireburns, Gymnastics, Acrobatics, Breakdancing, Weapons Training, Motion Capture Acting, Wirework, and Acting. Notable members of his stunt team include Simon Kim, James Kim, Joe Eigo, Emerson Wong, Allen Keng, and Tonya Henry. The ReelStunts team has collaborated with prominent actors and directors such as Steven Seagal, Chow Yun-fat, David Carradine, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Charlie Hunnam, Vin Diesel, and Jackie Chan. During a stunt for the television show Side Factor, Chang sustained a compound fracture after multiple takes involving propulsion by an air ram.
3.2.2. Major Film and Television Projects
In 2012, Chang served as the fight choreographer for the major motion picture Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro and produced by Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment. The film starred actors such as Charlie Hunnam, Charlie Day, Idris Elba, Rinko Kikuchi, and Ron Perlman. In 2013, he took on an associate producer role for the full-feature movie The Hacker alongside Sanzhar Sultanov. He also executive produced the short feature film The Proposal, starring Missy Peregrym and Peter Mooney. In 2014, Chang featured as an actor in the films RoboCop and The Interview, which starred James Franco. He later portrayed Hapkido instructor Master Yang in the television series Kim's Convenience.
4. Ontario Pit Bull Ban Controversy
In mid-October 2021, Tommy Chang and his family became central to a significant public controversy in Ontario regarding the province's pit bull ban. Their 12-week-old puppy, Dwaeji, was seized by Vaughan Animal Services after it had run out of their home through an open door. Animal Services staff suspected the puppy was partly a pit bull, a breed that has been banned in Ontario since 2005 under the Dog Owners' Liability Act.
The case quickly gained substantial public and media attention. Chang sought assistance from animal advocacy groups and his Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Michael Tibollo, who escalated the matter. As a direct result of this public and political pressure, the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, personally intervened. On November 5, 2021, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced an amendment to the regulations related to the province's pit bull ban. This change allowed for seized dogs to be released to their owners during ongoing investigations.
Following its release, Dwaeji was involved in a subsequent incident. Four days after being returned to the Chang family, the dog reportedly mauled 13-year-old Muhammad Almutaz Alzghool, causing the boy's face to swell and requiring stitches. This incident highlighted the complexities and public safety concerns associated with animal control policies and breed-specific legislation.
5. Later Life and Current Activities
Tommy Chang has retired from active roles in the film industry but remains deeply involved in the martial arts community. He currently serves as the Technical Director of Black Belt World Canada Taekwondo schools. These schools have multiple branch locations across Ontario, including Burlington, Kitchener, Vaughan, Waterloo, Woodbridge, and Mississauga, through which he continues to promote and guide Taekwondo education.
6. Legacy and Assessment
Tommy Chang's career has left a notable impact across both the martial arts and entertainment industries.
6.1. Contributions to Martial Arts
Through his extensive training, high-ranking certifications, and dedicated leadership, Chang has made significant contributions to the Taekwondo and Hapkido communities. His administrative roles within Taekwondo Canada and the Pan-American Taekwondo Union have helped shape the sport's direction and promotion at national and international levels. As a WTF-certified Master Instructor and Technical Director of Black Belt World Canada, he has been instrumental in teaching and fostering new generations of martial artists, ensuring the propagation of these disciplines.
6.2. Impact on the Film Industry
Chang's long career in film and television, spanning over 35 years, has had a considerable impact on action and stunt choreography. As the founder of the ReelStunts Action Team, he built a specialized group of performers, contributing innovative and dynamic action sequences to numerous productions. His work as a fight choreographer on major films like Pacific Rim and his roles as a producer have demonstrated his versatility and influence in shaping the visual storytelling of action cinema. He has played a key role in both performing and coordinating complex stunts, helping to elevate the standard of action sequences in the industry.
7. External links
- [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0151840/ Tommy Chang]