Michael Chaturantabut (born April 30, 1975) is a

Thai American Thai Americans (; formerly referred to as Siamese Americans) are Americans of Thai people, Thai ancestry. The Thai American population is racially and ethnically diverse, consisting of many Thais who identify as mixed race. History in the Unite ...

actor, martial artist and stuntman, best known for his role as Chad Lee, the Blue Ranger in ''

Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue ''Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue'' is a television series and the eighth season of the ''Power Rangers'' franchise, based on the 23rd ''Super Sentai'' series '' Kyuukyuu Sentai GoGoFive'' (1999). ''Lightspeed Rescue'' had, for the first time, ...

''. He was born in Rayong Province,

Thailand Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and historically known as Siam (the official name until 1939), is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of almost 66 million, it spa ...

Extreme martial arts

''Xtreme Martial Arts'' or ''XMA'' is a brand name owned by Chaturantabut. Chaturantabut's XMA is a combination of elements from

martial arts Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...

acrobatics Acrobatics () is the performance of human feats of balance (ability), balance, agility, and motor coordination. Acrobatic skills are used in performing arts, sports, sporting events, and martial arts. Extensive use of acrobatic skills are most ...

and

gymnastics Gymnastics is a group of sport that includes physical exercises requiring Balance (ability), balance, Strength training, strength, Flexibility (anatomy), flexibility, agility, Motor coordination, coordination, artistry and endurance. The movem ...

, with an emphasis on showmanship. The concept of adding gymnastics-like tumbling moves to elements of traditional martial arts is otherwise known as "

tricking Tricking is a method for indicating the tinctures (colours) used in a coat of arms by means of text abbreviations written directly on the illustration. Tricking and hatching are the two primary methods employed in the system of heraldry to show c ...

". XMA makes these exhibition moves the focus of the sport. Open hand and weapons choreography are often accompanied by dramatic dance or programmatic music. The goal is to command the attention of the audience."XMA News". ''XMA Revolution'' (2006). Retrieved on 10 July 2009

/ref> Currently there are schools of martial arts or similar XMA styles based in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the World Headquarters being in North Hollywood, California. Many of the moves are high-flying aerial acrobatic maneuvers. These stunning movements attain the goal of capturing the crowd, improving physical agility, balance, strength, coordination, and endurance, as well as performing an artistic display of talent. He feels that there are many basic moves that can be specialized to be more acrobatic, flashy and artistic, so as to give the impression of complexity and difficulty for showmanship purposes. It is for this reason that he feels that even the basic athlete or beginner can learn the progression from basic moves to highly complex acrobatic sequences.

Filmography

Personal life

Chaturantabut was trained at Sharkey's Karate Studios located in Naperville, Illinois, Naperville and

Momence, Illinois Momence is a city in Momence Township, Kankakee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 3,171 at the 2000 census, and 3,310 in 2010. It is part of the Kankakee– Bradley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Geography According to ...

. He was formerly married to McKenzie Satterthwaite and is also the founder of Extreme Martial Arts. Chaturantabut is also the father of two sons, Talin and Gaige. Chatrantabut attended Naperville North High School in Naperville, Illinois.

Notable facts

Chaturantabut was also

Taylor Lautner Taylor Daniel Lautner ( ; born February 11, 1992) is an American actor. He is best known for playing werewolf Jacob Black in ''The Twilight Saga (film series), The Twilight Saga'' film series (2008–2012). His accolades include a Scream Awar ...

's martial artist coach and encouraged him to get into acting.

References

External links

*
XMA Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chaturantabut, Michael 1975 births American male film actors American male television actors American male actors of Chinese descent American people of Thai descent Actors of Thai descent Living people Martial arts school founders

Michael Chaturantabut Michael Chaturantabut (born April 30, 1975) is a Thai American actor, martial artist and stuntman, best known for his role as Chad Lee, the Blue Ranger in ''Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue''. He was born in Rayong Province, Thailand. Extreme ...