Ron Van Clief

Nationality

United States

Born

1943-01-25

Height

5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)

Weight

190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)

Ron Van Clief (born January 25, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American martial artist and an actor in Hollywood and Hong Kong action films. He is best known for starring in 1970s blaxploitation and kung fu films. He is the father of poet Shihan van Clief. He also founded the "Chinese Goju System" in 1973. Early life Ronald Van Clief was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York City on January 25, 1943. He joined the United States Marine Corps, serving at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC from March 30, 1961, to March 21, 1962. He was stationed in Okinawa with the Third Marine Division from June 6, 1962, to June 1, 1963. He returned to Camp Lejeune and served there from August 3, 1963, until April 16, 1964, at which time he was sent on Temporary Additional Duty to the Marine Barracks at U.S. Navy Base Guantanamo, Cuba until September 12 that year. He returned to Camp Lejeune once more, where he remained until his release from Active Duty on April 16, 1965. His military decorations include: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Rifle "Sharpshooter" Badge.