Biography

Bill Shaw is an American martial artist, stuntman and actor. His interest in filmmaking began in the mid-1970's and he decided to learn everything he could, researching Hollywood and the production business. Bill decided to try his hand at choreographing and performing his own stunts. Bill, a top notch martial artist, created his own short fight clip and used students from his new Casper, Wyoming martial arts school. Bill hired a cinematographer who taught Bill some valuable lessons on editing. Bill was hooked and found a local college and began taking acting classes.

In the 70s, Bill was already a skilled martial artist, teaching a highly advanced freestyle from of combined fighting arts, 23 years before Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) came along. Bill Shaw's exclusive martial arts is known as Han Foo Wa. It combined elements from Jeet Kune Do, the 4 styles of Ju-Jitsu, Wing Chun, Judo, Kenpo, Karate, Boxing, Wrestling, Kali and Escrima, 3 styles of Kung-Fu, fencing (using all 3 weapons), Muay Thai, Kajukenbo, Tae Kwon Do, Pentjak Silat, Silambam, Military and Police Tactics, and good old street fighting, to which he added his own innovations and the mental training aspects of Neuro-Dynamics. In the 1980s came the first hall of fame nominations and inductions, as well as editorial comments on his teachings including this one from Karate Illustrated, "...a martial artists most effective offense - as well as defense!" All of this established Bill as one of the top martial artists in the nation.

Combining his skills in film making and martial arts, by the 1990's Bill was working in the movies, both in martial arts films and other genres. He performed his very first scene in front of the camera in No Place to Hide (1992) with Drew Barrymore, as the stunt double for Martin Landau. He became a stunt fighter, actor, fight choreographer, and assistant director.

After a hiatus in the 2000's to support his mother's business Bill returned to the movie industry in 2015, realizing how much he enjoyed stunt work. During this period he also began competing again at the US Open World Martial Arts Championships and was recruited on the National Team "Executive Edge", a 3 man Team of Black Belts over 60. Bill continues to teach his HiT, Hi-Impact Training program.
- IMDb mini biography by: J.