Daniel was born in 1936 in Stockton and attended
Edison High School. He lettered in four sports in high
school: baseball, basketball, football and track. In
track, he was the conference champion in the 100
yard dash with a time of 10.3. At that time Edison
High School went to grade 10, so Dan graduated
from Stockton High School in 1954.
After high school, Dan enrolled in Whitworth
College in Washington. He participated in track and football. Here he also was the 100
yard dash champion with a record 9.5 seconds. The world record at that time was 9.3.
After graduating from college, he joined the army and was a paratrooper in the 101st
Airborne.
He began studying martial arts at the age of 11. Dan became proficient in Okinawan
karate, Judo and Jujutsu as he grew into adulthood. After his service time, he taught
English and physical education in the Los Angeles area for 20 years and opened his
martial academy.
He became one of three teachers employed by Bruce Lee to teach his system of martial
arts at the Jun Fan Gung Fu institutes where he became the principal spokesperson and
historian for Jeet Kune Do, a form of martial arts shown in films.
Dan was and still is a much sought after martial arts instructor. He was a training
partner of the famous Master and Actor Bruce Lee in his many martial arts films. He was
featured as the Black Belt Magazine’s 1996 “Man of the Year”. Dan is an expert in Karate,
Judo and Jujitsu. He holds instructor or Black Belt level ranks in several martial arts.
He Is the vice-president of Lameco International carrying on the Eskrima of the Filipino
martial arts. Dan has also taught The Art and Philosophy of Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial
Arts, Shoot wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Eskrima, Muay Thai, Silat, mixed martial arts and
other arts at his Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts located in Marina Del Ray, California.
Inosanto also appeared in films with Bruce Lee and taught martial arts to movie stars
such as Denzel Washington, Steven Seagal and Burt Reynolds. He had minor roles in films
including Bruce Lee’s last film, “Game of Death” (1975). Dan was a teacher to Bruce Lee
introducing him to nunchaku. Inosanto taught Lee the basics and some exercises to get
him started on his weapons training. In “Game of Death” he showcases the use of the
nunchaku. Dan completed the film after Bruce Lee’s death.
Many of his family continue in the movie industry as stunt persons, actors and directors.
Today at the age of 87, he continues to teach seminars at his studio in Marina Del Rey.
