Acting
Robert D. Parham
Robert D. Parham, Jr. (born January 24, 1966) is a distinguished former martial artist, celebrated for his extraordinary achievements in both kickboxing and sport karate. With a professional kickboxing record of 17 wins and only 1 defeat, including 9 knockouts, Parham made a significant impact in the ring, culminating in his final bout against Patrick Barry.
While serving in the Air Force, he showcased his athletic prowess by claiming the Mississippi Silver Gloves championship. His journey in martial arts began in earnest in 1988 when he started collecting karate titles, including the Armed Forces Champion, Mississippi State Champion, and pre-Olympic Taekwondo Champion. From 1991 to 1993, Parham dominated the National Karate Championship circuit, securing the United States Karate Alliance World Karate Champion title in 1991.
He further solidified his reputation by winning multiple regional and world titles, including the National Black Belt League's accolades and the United States Karate Alliance Lightweight Koshiki World Title. His exemplary performance earned him the Air Education and Training Command's Male Athlete of the Year award in 1992.
Parham's remarkable career includes five world kickboxing championships across various weight classes, from middleweight to heavyweight, spanning from 1994 to 2001. In 1999, he gained additional fame as a prominent participant in the inaugural "Toughman World Championship" on FX.
After retiring from competitive martial arts, Parham ventured into acting, landing roles in films such as "Bad Faith," "The Insider," and "Hand to Hand," with a notable lead in "Buster Jones." He also took on the role of co-executive producer for "Jackson Bolt." Recently, his contributions were recognized with a week dedicated to him in Hillside, New Jersey, and a day in Fairfield, California, where he currently resides. Parham has also been inducted into several prestigious martial arts halls of fame, honoring his legacy in the sport
