THE STACHE BELONGS TO…
By Rock Mayock 9:00 a.m. | Mr. Fuji’s tag team partner and accomplished television/film actor Charles Kalani Jr. Who is Charles Kalani Jr.? He is better known as Mr. Fuji’s tag team partner Professor Toru Tanaka or by his most recognizable movie role as the infamous Sub Zero in The Running .
Like Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara), Charles Kalani Jr. is Hawaiian born. Like Norm The Guru Chow, Kalani played college football at Utah. However unlike Fuji or Chow, Kalani enlisted in the US Army and served his country for 11 years.
After leaving the armed forces Kalani moved to Monterey, CA, and subsequently joined the San Francisco wrestling circuit. During his wrestling career Kalani adopted the moniker Professor Toru Tanaka. He enjoyed the bulk of his success as the tag team partner of fellow Hawaiian, Mr. Fuji.
Kalani’s post wrestling acting career was every bit successful, if not more so, than his wrestling career. Kalani made appearances in films such as Revenge of the Ninja, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Missing in Action 2: The Beginning, The Running Man, Black Rain, Darkman, and Last Action Hero. Kalani also enjoyed television success by making cameo/supporting appearances in The A-Tea, Little House on the Prairie, Airwolf, The Fall Guy and Spencer: For Hire. Kalani passed away August 22, 2000, at the age of 70.
Apparently Kalani’s pencil stache was a bit too obscure because neither Cousin Felipe nor Rock Mayock received a correct answer. Not to worry because Sunday will present another opportunity to name a famous Asian Pacific Islander body part. To tide you over here is a sample of Kalani’s best work.
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May 18th, 2012 - 12:06
Running Man was a CLASSIC no way they should remake it.