Chuck Sullivan Biography 

...big salute to these early pioneers like Master Chuck Sullivan in the US. Thanks for sharing the stories.

Mr. Matsuda ---- thank you so much for making this excellent video of interviewing Mr. Chuck Sullivan. You brought me back to 40 years ago when Chuck was my master at The Karate Connection in Hawthorne. I was just 15 years old and a friend of mine who was a cabinet maker / carpenter and he was doing work for Vic LaReaux at his home and they worked out a trade of cabinet work for becoming a student at Vic and Chucks new school The Karate Connection. I joined soon after and quickly we became hooked and my friend and I were in class a couple times a week and after a year or so and a couple belt promotions we were allowed to be a part of the black belt classes and we would hang out after class in the dojo with Vic and sometimes Crazy George or Chuck or Big T and they would teach us extra things, different techniques and styles. We got to meet Mr. Parker, Dan Inosanto, Steve Sanders, and other famous martial artists. Chuck was always a great instructor. I figured out what an actual bad ass Chuck was when Vic, who was a very bad ass himself, showed so much respect for Chuck and he told stories of the old days and of the LB.Internationals and the real life incidents the instructors got into in the past. Chuck, just like in this interview, is a great story teller and I could listen to him all day. He is such a gentleman, and so gracious and humhle that if you just met him at a party or walked in to get a haircut at his shop and you didn't know anything about him, you would think he is just a really nice man. He isn't a large man, he isn't full of bravado or intimidating upon first meeting him. But.... if and when you get to see that man move, in action, he is absolutely one of the fastest, powerful, martial artists ever. That's why he became Grand Master. It wasn't just because he was Mr. Parker's earliest students or best friend. Chuck is like a black panther, the way he moves. He is scary fast and he knows how to use his training in real life situations. That was the emphasis that he and Vic put on their teaching style of Kenpo, "keep it real" and we were taught proper katas and traditional forms, but then they showed us how to round off the rigid motions to flow smoothly and fluidly, like Kung Fu, and how to adapt the Kenpo system to be street ready. Real life situations so the art would be practical in every day situations. I knew at that time that I was very lucky to be a student of Chuck and Vic and all the instructors and other black belts at The Karate Connection, but it didn't really sink in until years later just how fortunate I was to be taught, and taken in as a friend by Vic, while I was just a teenager not even old enough to drive. To have such amazing icons of the martial arts be my instructors and to be in the presence of some of the best practioners in the world and legends of all time in martial arts. I still have my black ghi with the Karate Connection patch just like the one hanging up behind Chuck during this interview. Thank You again for documenting the amazing Mr. Chuck Sullivan. He deserves even more recognition.

I always liked Kenpo because I like the Chinese arts, Kenpo blends karate and kung Fu styles so well. Great to hear Chuck's biography here, the good and bad, I have him as a friend on Facebook , what great stories. Thank you for sharing.

This interview was awesome 👍👍👍👍👍

I earned my Black Belt in IKCA Chinese KENPO KARATE from GM's Chuck Sullivan & Vic LeRoux. I had an extensive history of Martial Art's experience before I started, that being said I know Good from Bad and I was very impressed with the curriculum and authenticity of the Martial Art I learned from them. I highly recommend the IKCA to everyone. . David Lee 9th Dan

I love American Kenpo. Thank you for the great interview.

What an interesting man! These are great stories from someone who really knows!

That's amazing he is a great man

This is Michael Matsuda from the Martial Arts History Museum. It was an honor doing this interview with Chuck Sullivan. An original student of Mr. Ed Parker, he was also the teacher of Steve Sanders Muhammed. Chuck was not only one of early directors of the Long Beach International Karate Championships, he was a personal friend of Mr. Parker. Chuck was also one of the earliest art designers for martial arts sculptures. He was also a movie producer and director.

Good interview. Good story to share.

Was hoping to hear him re-tell the story about when he met Bruce Lee.

Thank You! What a great interview, "Keep it Real" words to live by!

Love the history

Amazing video. Thank you so much for sharing..

Great interview! So much great information

That was flat out ... EXCELLENT!! OUS

thank you for this video.

Great story

this is a beautiful interview . hope you do one with sijo Steve 'sanders' muhammed

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a year to become black belt?

9:49 If Kenpo is a Chinese Ststem why is it called Karate and not Kung Fu or Wu Shu?

LOL He is such a lugan...

Love the history