www.popeater.com/media/2010/12/wesleysnipes300ap.jpg" align=right vspace=4 border=1>Wesley Snipes began serving a three-year sentence at a federal prison in Pennsylvania on Thursday for failure to file income tax returns. Snipes, 48, arrived shortly before noon at the Federal Correctional Institution McKean in the tiny northwestern Pennsylvania town of Lewis Run, federal prisons spokesman Ed Ross said. He had been ordered to surrender by noon.
The minimum security prison camp is worlds away from the harsh prison fortresses depicted in the Snipes' films 'Undisputed' and 'Brooklyn's Finest.' The minimum-security camp doesn't have fences around its perimeter.
The 300 nonviolent inmates live in barracks that feature two-man rooms, daily showers and double-feature movie showings Friday through Sunday. Alas, no NC-17, R or X ratings allowed, which knocks out much of Snipes' action-heavy repertoire.
The most jarring aspect of the celebrity's stay might be the five daily head counts, three during the overnight hours. And Snipes, who earned a reported $13 million for the 'Blade: Trinity' sequel, will have to adjust to earning just pennies an hour handling kitchen, laundry or other campus chores. He can spend just $290 a month at the prison commissary.
Snipes has appeared in dozens of studio films, from 'White Men Can't Jump' and 'Demolition Man' in the early 1990s to the blockbuster Blade trilogy.
None of which will score him any points at McKean, officials insist.
"We recognize that he is high profile, but we treat all our inmates the same," spokeswoman Shirley White told The Associated Press last week.
According to U.S. prosecutors, the actor failed to file any tax returns for at least a decade, and owed $2.7 million in taxes on $13.8 million in income from 1999 to 2001 alone.
Snipes, a dues-paying member of a tax-protest group that challenges the government's right to collect taxes, described himself at his 2008 sentencing as a naive truth-seeker.
"I am an idealistic, naive, passionate, truth-seeking, spiritually motivated artist, unschooled in the science of law and finance," said Snipes, who had pursued theater and dance from an early age, attending the vaunted High School for the Performing Arts in New York City.
Tuesday night, he told CNN's "Larry King Live" that he was not nervous about reporting to prison.
On Wednesday, he made a last-minute request for a new trial. In the emergency motion, Snipes said that the judge erred by not allowing defense attorneys to interview jurors about misconduct allegations.
At McKean, if he reports as scheduled, he can pursue his spirituality at weekly meetings of nearly any religious group imaginable, from Wiccans to Jehovah's Witnesses to Spanish-speaking Evangelical Catholics.
The martial-arts enthusiast can get his exercise playing sand volleyball or indoor basketball, or work out on an elliptical machine or stair climber. And he can tap into his fun side through badminton, bocci or bridge.
Should he pull a muscle in a pickup game, the infirmary copay is just $2.
But it's not all fun and games.
The daily wake-up call is at 6:35 a.m. The mundane jobs run seven hours a day. There's little fashion flair to the prison-issued khakis. And contact in the visitors room is limited to "a kiss," according to the prison handbook.
Snipes has tried to delay his arrival while he takes his appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. But the trial judge said he had gotten a fair trial.
U.S. District Judge William Terrell Hodges saw in Snipes "a history of contempt" for U.S. tax laws, the judge said at sentencing.
Never mind that the actor, changing course, had delivered $5 million in checks to the IRS that day. Hodges imposed consecutive one-year terms for the three misdemeanor convictions.
"Someday, every fighter loses," says the prison boxer Monroe Hutchens, played by Snipes, in 2002's "Undisputed." "In the end, everybody gets beaten. The most you can hope for is that you stay on top a while."
2010 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
SOKE GRANDMASTER DR IRVING SOTO 10TH DEGREE BLACK BELT AND WORLD CHAMPION / ATEMI AIKI JUJITSU
THE USA WARLORD MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE WELCOME YOU.
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This magazine is open to all martial arts styles from different disciplines, This is a positive martial arts magazine, So we humbly ask all the members to be courteous respectful to all the member in the magazine; follow all rules, regulation and policies regarding soliciting. Members that do not show respect for another member will be banned from the martial arts magazine.
This magazine is for martial artist and everyone that’s interested in the martial arts, Not personal gain or envy, its for those who serious, honorable and have lots of love and passion for the martial arts
We are all here to share our experiences and knowledge while learning from one another the beauty of all martial art
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Welcome To the Official website of the U.S.A & Japan since 1972 Atemi International Ju-jujitsu Federation open to all style of martial arts styles and different disciplines in martial arts science so call today for information #619 961 8350 & become a member.
HEADED BY TAISHO PROF. SOKE GRANDMASTER IRVING SOTO 10 th DEGREE BLACK BELT COVER RED BELT/ Atemi Aiki- Jujitsu.
U.S.A & Japan Atemi International Ju-jujitsu Federation opens to all style of martial arts science is open to all martial arts style of MAA and martial artists from different disciplines in martial arts science. To Submit your paper work send a copy to Soke grandmaster Irving Soto e-mailisoto38@yahoo.com or by mail to PO Box 11052 Pleasanton CA 94588 with a( 8 by 10) photos poof of prior training and certification. with post
HEAD MASTER INSTRUCTOR LICENSE CERTIFICATE FEE - $ 50 USD per each certificate LIFE MEMBERSHIP FEE - $50 USD per each certificate
U.S.A ATEMI KI DO DOJO MARTIAL ARTS PHYSICAL FINTESS CENTER HEADED BY TAISHO PROF. GRANDMASTER IRVING SOTO 9805 PROSPECT AVE STE-D SANTEE CA, 92071 LOCATED IN SAN DIEGO INFORMATION 619 961 9350 ON CLASS WE OFFER
Bill Wallace (martial arts)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Bill Wallace
Born William Louis Wallace
December 1, 1945 (1945-12-01) (age 64)
Portland, IN, US
Other names Superfoot
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 166 lb (75 kg; 11.9 st)
Style Shorin-ryu Karate, Kickboxing, Boxing, Judo, Wrestling
Stance Orthodox
Fighting out of Daytona Beach, Florida
Trainer Jim 'Ronin' Harrison
Years active 1972–1980
Kickboxing record
Total 23
Wins 23
By knockout 0
Losses 0
By knockout 0
Bill "Superfoot" Wallace (born December 1, 1945) is an American martial artist who was a Professional Karate Association world full- contact karate champion. He was the Professional Karate Association (PKA) Middleweight Champion kickboxer for over 15 years.
[edit] Background
Wallace was born in Portland, Indiana, and trained in wrestling during his high school years.[1] He began his study of Judo in 1966 and was forced to discontinue his Judo related activities due to an injury he suffered to his right knee during practice.[1] He then began to study Shorin-ryu Karate under Michael Gneck[2] in February 1967 while serving in the U.S. Air Force. After entering the point fighting tournament scene and achieving success there, he switched to full-contact kickboxing.
With the coaching help of veteran fighter Jim 'Ronin' Harrison, Wallace won 23 consecutive professional fights between 1974 and 1980,[3] becoming the Professional Karate Association middleweight world full-contact karate champion and retiring undefeated.[4][2] He was known for his fast left leg kicks,[5] especially his roundhouse kick and his hook kick, which was clocked at about 60 mph.[4] He focused on his left leg due the Judo-related injury to his right knee, using the right leg primarily as a base. He also suffered the loss of one testicle during a point fighting tournament, when his protective cup was struck at an unfortunate angle. He saved the testicle and showed it to football running back legend, Jim Brown at the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (which also featured commentating from Wallace).[6]
A year later, Wallace turned professional and captured the PKA middleweight karate championship with a second-round knockout. He relinquished the crown in 1980, undefeated. The PKA promoted the sport of full-contact karate. Full-contact karate differed from kickboxing in that leg kicks were allowed in kickboxing and forbidden in full-contact karate.
[edit] Education
Wallace studied at Ball State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1971 in physical education.[5] In 1976, he earned a master's degree in Kinesiology from Memphis State University.[5]
[edit] Accomplishments
Wallace has taught Karate, Judo, Wrestling, and weight lifting at Memphis State University and has also authored a college texbook on Karate and Kinesiology, and continues to give seminars.[5] He has acted, most notably in A Force of One starring Chuck Norris.[7] Wallace was the play-by-play commentator for the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view event in 1993 alongside fellow kickboxer Kathy Long and NFL Hall of famer Jim Brown.[3] Wallace runs the Superfoot organization which are karate schools under his system. He was elected to Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1978 as "Man of the Year."[8] His film credits include A Force of One with Chuck Norris; Kill Point, with Cameron Mitchell; Continental Divide and Neighbors, with John Belushi; The Protector, with Jackie Chan; Los Bravos with Hector Echavarria; A Prayer for the Dying, with Mickey Rourke; Ninja Turf; and Sword of Heaven.[9] Wallace was a trainer and close friend of Elvis Presley and John Belushi and was the personal trainer who found Belushi dead of a drug overdose at the Chateau Marmont on March 5, 1982.[10]
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/></ _____________________ Michael Jai White From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search For other people named Michael White, see Michael White (disambiguation). Michael Jai White White in October 2009 Born November 10, 1967 (1967-11-10) (age 42) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. Occupation Actor Years active 1989–present Michael Jai White (born November 10, 1967) is an American actor and professional martial artist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture,[1] having starred as Al Simmons, the protagonist in the 1997 film Spawn.[2] Contents [hide] 1 Career 2 Personal life 3 Filmography 3.1 Film 3.2 Videoclips 3.3 Television 4 References 5 External links [edit] Career His first major starring role and breakout performance was in the 1995 HBO film Tyson, as heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. He portrayed the eponymous character in the 1997 movie Spawn, making him the first African American to portray a major comic book superhero in a major motion picture. His work in Spawn earned him a nomination for the Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Male Newcomer. White starred opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme in Universal Soldier: The Return. In 2001, he also starred opposite fellow martial artist Steven Seagal in Exit Wounds. In 2003, he starred in Busta Rhymes' and Mariah Carey's music video "I Know What You Want". Since 2003, in addition to his on screen roles, White has been doing voice work, including Static Shock, Justice League, and the upcoming Spawn series. White showcases his martial arts skills in the direct-to-DVD film Undisputed II: Last Man Standing. He also appears in Michelle Yeoh's Silver Hawk in 2004. His film, Why Did I Get Married? opened at number one at the box office on October 12, 2007.
White played the role of the mob boss Gambol in the Batman Begins sequel The Dark Knight. He also starred in the film Blood and Bone and the blaxploitation homage Black Dynamite, both released in 2009. In Black Dynamite and his upcoming 3 Bullets with Bokeem Woodbine, White is writing the scripts as well. This isn't the first time he's written material, but this is the first time the movies have been realized.
On March 30, 2010, White appeared on The Mo'Nique Show to promote his film Why Did I Get Married Too. The two joked about the acclaim that comes with winning an Oscar.
He just appeared in the music video for Toni Braxton's new song "Hands Tied" from her album Pulse, as well as the Nicki Minaj music video for Your Love as Nicki's sensei and love interest.
He also stars in the Kevin Tancharoen directed short film Mortal Kombat: Rebirth.[3]
[edit] Personal life
White was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved as a teen to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he graduated from Central High School in 1988. He is an accomplished martial artist, holding seven legitimate black belts in Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, Kobudo, Goju Ryu, Tang Soo Do, Wushu and Kyokushin,[4][5] with a specific focus in Kyokushin (although his style incorporates aspects of many different martial arts forms).[6] White started martial arts training at the age of seven. In August 2005 he wed his girlfriend of two years, Courtenay Chatman, an OB/GYN who trained in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Senior Kwofie was the best man at their wedding. The couple have a daughter named Morgan Michelle who was born on December 24, 2008. Michael has two sons from a previous relationship.[7]
He is an avid chess player, as seen in his movie Blood and Bone.
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Grandmaster Irving Soto
To all my friends thank you for the support you have given me. For the internet bullies,
Defamations of character to the expression of a negative statement toward me and if I fine out by ways of facts, that my name or character as been slandered. I will hit you with a lawsuit for defamation of character.
I have been training 53 years in martial arts science jujitsu, and I teaching 38 of life in community center and my own martial arts dojo. Again they as been some question? About my or rank or belt's I can assure you all belt are they real. I obtain them through hard work dedication to the martial arts.
(They are does individuals that like to question my integrity or hurt people for profit or gain malicious acts. If some used my name or on the internet radio), and I fine out I well see you in court.
I was issue by belt Dr Darrell smith & US International Grandmaster council for outstanding recognition hard work contribution to the martial arts & Kumite. I am not fighting anymore and for those fools, I am in 50's.
I am willing to get on the floor with anyone if that what its take. I have taught hundreds of students, I am not going to run way from the bullies in the internet. You know who you are.
**strong text**Grandmaster Irving Soto is one of the top a iron palm master in the world he a warlord kumite champion and hold a 10th degree black belt in jujitsu & Aiki jujitsu Atemi waza
SOKE DR. GRANDMASTER IRVING SOTO HANSHI FANK DUX WITH SOKE GRANDMASTER IRVING SOTO
legendary broadcast legend Joe Franklin.
Joe Franklin is an American radio and television personality who is credited with hosting the first television talk show. The show began in 1951 on WJZ-TV and moved to WOR-TV from 1962 to 1993.
Known as "the king of nostalgia", Franklin's highly-rated television and radio shows, especially a cult favorite to cable television viewers and his long-running "Memory Lane" radio programs, focused on old-time show-business personalities.
Franklin has an encyclopedic knowledge of the music, musicians and singers, the Broadway stage shows, the films and entertainment stars of the first half of the 20th Century, and is an acknowledged authority on silent film. He began his entertainment career at 16 as a record picker for Martin Block's popular "Make Believe Ballroom" radio program. Among Franklin's own idols, as he frequently told viewers, were Al Jolson, whom he literally "followed around" as a teenager in New York, and Eddie Cantor, who eventually began buying jokes from the young Franklin and whose Carnegie Hall show Franklin later produced. Franklin would delight his audience with trivia about the most obscure entertainers from past generations and equally unknown up-and-comers from the present. His guests ranged from novelty performers like Tiny Tim, and Morris Katz to popular entertainers like Bill Cosby and Captain Lou Albano to legends like Bing Crosby, Charlie Chaplin, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, but also frequently included (sometimes on the same panel) unknown local New York punk bands, self-published authors, "tribute" impersonator lounge singers, and the like, giving the show a surreal atmosphere that was part of its appeal. Many of today's well known talents such as Woody Allen, Barbra Streisand and Julia Roberts got their first television exposure on The Joe Franklin Show. Others, notoriously shy of live interviews, made frequent appearances on Franklin's programs: Frank Sinatra, for instance, appeared four times. Joe's Franklin's lovable and funny persona even prompted comedian Billy Crystal to imitate him on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" for four years. In addition to his TV Talk Show, Joe appeared regularly with Conan O'Brien. He's also seen on "The David Letterman Show," "Live With Regis And Kathy Lee," and has been mentioned several times on the hit cartoon series "The Simpsons."
Joe played himself in the films "Manhattan," "Ghostbusters," "Twenty Ninth Street," "Broadway Danny Rose," and has been featured in The New York Times, Newsday, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Post, and The Village Voice. He was recently honored by The Museum Of Television and Radio.
We recently created a special Joe Franklin Show YouTube channel and are currently in the process of uploading many of the hundreds of thousands of interviews Joe Franklin has conducted. Enjoy! Joe Franklin's Classic Interviews and videos from "Joe Franklin Remembers ..." are also available on BLIP.TV.
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THE USA WARLORD MARTIAL ARTS MAGAZINE WELCOME YOU
Malick Ndir commented on a photo of you. Malick wrote: "Dubbed "the Muhammad Ali of the broadcast interview," the Larry King was an American journalist, broadcaster and the suspender-wearing host of "Larry King Live" (CNN, 1985 - 2010), one of the longest running and most viewed interview programs on... television. Over the course of his 50 years in broadcasting, King has interviewed more than 40,000 individuals, including every American president since Gerald Ford; a joint interview with PLO chief Yassir Arafat, King Hussein of Jordan, and Yitzhak Rabin of Israel; and a debate between Al Gore and Ross Perot that earned the highest ratings in the history of CNN. Detractors labeled King's style as "softball," but viewers, critics and broadcast organizations, consistently lauded him and he was a consistent contributor to scholarships and charities throughout his long, successful run. Born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger in Brooklyn, NY, on Nov. 13, 1933, King's childhood was marked by tragedy and financial difficulty. His father, Edward, died when King was nine, forcing the family to seek welfare to make ends meet. King, who had dreamed of a career as a radio announcer since the age of five and thus, regularly practiced his vocal technique at home, was forced to put that ambition on hold and go to work to support his mother and brother. He worked in a string of menial jobs, including UPS deliveryman, until a chance encounter with a CBS broadcaster pointed him towards Florida. Opportunities in radio for less experienced broadcasters were available there, so King landed a job cleaning up at WIOD in Miami Beach. When an announcer quit the station, King took over his position, and by 1957, was working as a disc jockey and hosting two newscasts and a sportscast. King also adopted his surname while at WIOD, at the behest of the general manager, who - in a common practice of those conservative times - found Zeiger too ethnic. King ended up borrowing the new handle from an ad for a local liquor store. Eventually, King fell into his true niche of interviewing with a midmorning interview show that broadcast from an area restaurant - conducting interviews with every person willing to sit at his microphone, from local figures to the restaurant's waitress. Bobby Darin became his first celebrity guest after hearing King's show on the radio and heading over to the restaurant before performing at a concert. King's style - comfortable, inquisitive and rarely combative - caught on with Miami listeners, so by 1960, he had moved to television to host a local debate program called "Miami Undercover" on WPST (now WPLG). But a taste for an extravagant lifestyle that sprung up in the wake of his success, led to serious financial difficulties for King. In 1971, he was arrested for grand larceny as part of a much-debated deal between himself and Wall Street financier Louis Wolfson, who had given King money to support New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison, who was investigating the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. According to Wolfson, not all the money lent to King made it to Garrison, and the radio personality was unable to repay the amount. King eventually pled no contest to passing bad checks, but the scandal effectively ended his broadcast career for three years. During that period, King worked as director of public relations for the Louisiana Downs racetrack, as well as penning several articles for Esquire magazine. King made his way back to radio via color commentary for a Louisiana football broadcast, which helped pave his return to WIOD in Florida, and in 1978, inherited a nationally broadcast radio talk show from the late and popular host "Long" John Nebel. The program - now called "The Larry King Show" - which ran live from midnight to 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, was a combination of King's interviews, call-ins from listeners, and King's own op-ed piece, which closed the show. "The Larry King Show" ran until 1994, when King's time slot was shifted to mid-afternoon - a period usually reserved for local programming - and ratings suffered a decline. King began "Larry King Live" in 1985 and viewers outside of the Miami area got to see the man behind the voice for the first time; King's outsized glasses, suspenders, and vintage RCA microphones quickly became established trademarks, as did his staccato delivery and habit of addressing his callers by their hometown instead of by name. But beyond King's personality and approach, the calling card for the program was the sheer name value of his guests. In a given month, King could feature chats with political figures like Bill and Hilary Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, and John F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as sports, music and movie personalities like Audrey Hepburn, Prince, and Mike Tyson. King was frequently accused by critics for lobbing "softball" questions at his major league guests, but for sheer star power, few other talk show hosts could claim King's drawing power. "Live" also enjoyed an additional perk as the first daily television talk show to be simulcast on cable and on radio via the Westwood One network. But King used his program for more than just a promotional platform for celebrities. His ratings numbers (the highest for CNN) frequently allowed him to use the program as a forum for serious political discussion, such as the aforementioned debate between then-Vice President Gore and Perot over the North American Free Trade Agreement (or NAFTA), which netted some 16.3 million viewers. King also broadcast for 37 straight days during the 2000 presidential elections and subsequent voting recount, featuring interviews with candidates George W. Bush and Al Gore. Following the attacks on American on Sept. 11, 2001, King hosted some 700 guests to discuss the tragedy, and in 2003, welcomed Queen Noor of Jordan and top military officials and ambassadors from the Middle East to discuss the invasion of Iraq. King also broadcast for 20 consecutive evenings after Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and Mississippi in 2005, and hosted a three-hour special that instructed viewers on how to donate to relief funds. Of course, King's celebrity guests also netted ratings numbers. His 2003 interview with a corpulent and seemingly addled Marlon Brando - which culminated with a full kiss on King's lips from the actor - sent entertainment reporting into a frenzy. King also hosted a 2001 program dedicated to the surviving members of the Beatles following the death of George Harrison, as well the final interview with Tammy Faye Messner prior to her death from cancer in 2007 - and in one of his more embarrassing scoops - the first post-jail with socialite Paris Hilton in June 2007. More controversial were his shows devoted to the paranormal, which featured such headline-grabbing psychics like James Van Praagh and John Edward, though King occasionally allowed professional debunkers like James Randi to debate these guests on the air." Reply to this email to comment on this photo. To see the comment thread, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?photo.php&fbid=1132809914551&set=o.17870819673&mid=3789dd7G5aca8d85G24431abG11&n_m=mastersoto%40aol.com Thanks, The Facebook Team ___ Find people from your AOL address book on Facebook! Go to: http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/?ref=email This message was intended for mastersoto@aol.com. If you do not wish to receive this type of email from Facebook in the future, please follow the link below to unsubscribe. http://www.facebook.com/o.php?k=d8f5e8&u=1523223941&mid=3789dd7G5aca8d85G24431abG11 Facebook, Inc. P.O. Box 10005, Palo Alto, CA 94303
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At the age of 15, Soto signed with Click Model Management and began modeling during summer vacations. Weeks after being signed, she traveled to Paris where she appeared in a layout for Vogue shot by Bruce Weber. She returned to Northampton after the summer to resume her schooling and would continue to model on occasion until she graduated from high school.[3] She later appeared on the covers of American and British Vogue, British Elle, Mademoiselle, Glamour and Self magazines.[4]
She also appeared in her first music video with former boyfriend Nick Kamen, Madonna's "Each Time You Break My Heart", directed by Tony Viramontes.[3] Soto and Kamen were often used as models by Ray Petri: the late fashion stylist and creator of the 80's London "Buffalo Boy" look.[5]
[edit] Acting
In 1988, when Soto returned to the United States, she auditioned and landed the role of "India" in her feature debut, Spike of Bensonhurst, a comedy which starred Sasha Mitchell and Ernest Borgnine. In 1989, she was cast as Lupe Lamora, in the James Bond movie Licence to Kill starring Timothy Dalton and as Maria Rivera in The Mambo Kings.[6]
Soto has participated in more than twenty movies, among which are: Mortal Kombat (1995) as Kitana; Island of the Dead as Melissa O'Keefe; Piñero (2001) as Sugar, starring Benjamin Bratt; and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002) as Ryne alongside Lucy Liu and Antonio Banderas. Soto also made two guest appearances on the television series C-16: FBI. In 1995, she played the role of Doña Julia, one of Johnny Depp's many love interests in the tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy Don Juan DeMarco, Depp playing the title role. She also made an appearance in Marc Anthony's music video for "I Need to Know". In 1996, Soto played the title role in the campy movie Vampirella based on the comic book character.[6]
[edit] Magazine covers
In 1990, Soto was chosen by People as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.[7] In 1995, she was featured in the Sports Illustrated "Swimsuit Issue".[4] She was ranked #58 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2002.[8]
Talisa Soto Posted by Eva Voorhees on September 12, 2009
Talisa Soto (born March 27, 1967) is an American model and actress of Puerto Rican descent.
Soto was born Miriam Soto in Brooklyn, New York, where her parents moved to from Puerto Rico in the 1950s. Her parents relocated to Northampton, Massachusetts when she was still just a child. Soto’s family was one of the few Puerto Rican families that resided in her neighborhood. She was raised and educated there, but she felt that people were prejudiced against her and she became a loner.
Soto landed her first modeling job in 1982, when she was fifteen years old. In 1985, she tried to sign up with the Ford modeling agency, but was rejected because she looked “too” Latina. Soto then went and signed with Click Model Management and headed for Europe. (On a side note: Frances Grill, who owns Click, thought the name Miriam sounded too old for her. So they decided to call her Lisa, but sometimes when she called the agency she was put on hold. Her booker would say, “tell Lisa I will be right with her,” after this happened a few times; “tell Lisa, tell Lisa,” her name evolved into: Talisa.)
She established herself as one of the top models of the 1980s and was busy modeling in Italy and France. She appeared on the covers of Vogue, British Elle, British Vogue (Photographed by Lord Snowdon) Mademoiselle, Glamour, and Self magazines. She also appeared in her first music video with former boyfriend Nick Kamen, Madonna’s “Each Time You Break My Heart”, directed by Tony Viramontes. Soto and Kamen were often used as modeles by Ray Petri: the late fashion stylist and creator of the 80’s London “Buffalo Boy” look.
In 1988, when Soto returned to the United States, she auditioned and landed the role of “India” in her feature debut, Spike of Bensonhurst, a comedy which starred Sasha Mitchell and Ernest Borgnine. In 1989, she was cast as Lupe Lamora, in the James Bond movie Licence to Kill starring Timothy Dalton and as Maria Rivera in The Mambo Kings.
Soto has participated in more than 20 movies, among which are: Mortal Kombat (1995) as Kitana; Island of the Dead as Melissa O’Keefe; Pinero (2001) as Sugar, starring Benjamin Bratt; and Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (2002) as Ryne alongside Lucy Lui and Antonio Banderas. Soto also made two guest appearances on the television series C-16: FBI. In 1995, she played the role of Doña Julia, one of Johnny Depp’s many love interests in the tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy Don Juan DeMarco, Depp playing the title role. She also made an appearance in Marc Anthony’s music video for I Need to Know. In 1996 Soto played the title role in the campy movie Vampirella based on the comic book character.
In 1990, Soto was chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. In 1995, she was featured in the Sports Illustrated “Swimsuit Issue”. She was ranked #58 on the Maxim Hot 100 Women of 2002.
During the 80s, Soto resided both in London and New York City with Nick Kamen. In 1997, Soto married Costas Mandylor and they were divorced in 2000. She met actor Benjamin Bratt while the two were filming Pinero and they were married on April 13, 2002. The couple has two children: daughter Sophia Rosalinda Bratt, born December 6, 2002, and a son, Mateo Bravery Bratt, born October 3, 2005. They reside in Los Angeles, California.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnWO93kOXcw
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