Phillip Rhee

Martial arts master, actor, and filmmaker Phillip Rhee began his entertainment career in 1977 as a guard in the spoof film "The Kentucky Fried Movie." With black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Ha Ki Do, and Kendo, and a strong background in Wing Chun Kung Fu, Rhee was easily cast in various B action films in the early '80s. His first starring role was in Woo-Sang Park 's 1985 action film "L.A. Streetfighters," about Los Angeles gangs. Becoming more involved in the filmmaking process, Rhee produced and acted in "Silent Assassins" in 1988. The following year he wrote, produced and starred in the film he would become best known for. "Best of the Best" is the story of an American Tae Kwon Do team who must overcome their differences in order to beat the Korean team, the "best of the best" and the originators of Tae Kwon Do. The film launched three sequels. In 1993 Rhee produced, and starred in "Best of the Best 2," following the character Tommy Lee in his pursuit of revenge for the death of his friend. Focusing further still on Rhee's character, the third sequel marked his directorial debut. The fourth was written by, was directed by, and starred Rhee; released in 1998 and titled "Best of the Best: Without Warning," it involved Rhee fighting counterfeiting Russian mobsters. Like the other films, "The Best of the Best: Without Warning" is a campy action film with extensive martial arts action sequences in the B-movie tradition.