Bruce Malmuth (February 4, 1934 – June 29, 2005) was an American film director,[1] best known for his work in the action and thriller genres and for his acting role in The Karate Kid film franchise.

Bruce Malmuth
Born(1934-02-04)February 4, 1934
DiedJune 29, 2005(2005-06-29) (aged 71)
Occupation(s)Film director, actor

Biography

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Early life

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Malmuth was the brother of aeronautical engineer Norman Malmuth and Daniel S. Malmuth,[2] an executive for Columbia Pictures and second unit director. Malmuth began making documentaries while serving with the U.S. Army Signal Corps, where he met baseball announcer Walter Red Barber. After his military career, Malmuth directed the New York Yankee games at WPIX radio before entering the film and television industry.

Film and television career

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Malmuth's directoral debut was Fore Play, an anthology comedy film which he co-directed with John G. Avildsen. He was best known for directing Sylvester Stallone in the 1981 thriller Nighthawks and Steven Seagal in the 1990 political action film Hard to Kill and The Man Who Wasn't There, starring Steve Guttenberg.

An avid sports and martial arts fan, Malmuth played the role of ring announcer in 1984's The Karate Kid, among other small film roles. He also worked on the television series Beauty and the Beast and the Emmy-winning ABC Afterschool Special A Boy's Dream, which featured Darryl Strawberry.

Death

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On June 29, 2005, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Malmuth died at the age of 71 of esophageal cancer. His son, Evan Malmuth, whom he raised as a single father, is an actor and writer.

Filmography

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Year Title Director Actor Role Notes
1975 Fore Play Yes No Directorial debut

Segment: "Vortex"

1981 Nighthawks Yes No
1983 The Man Who Wasn't There Yes Yes Fireplug Crusher
1984 The Karate Kid No Yes Ring Announcer
1986 The Karate Kid Part II No Yes
1986 Where Are the Children? Yes Yes Restaurant Owner
1987 Happy New Year No Yes Police Lieutenant Second unit director
1989 Lean on Me No Yes Burger Joint Manager
1990 Hard to Kill Yes No
1994 Pentathlon Yes Yes Erhardt Co-story writer (with William Stadiem)
Very final and last feature film

References

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  1. ^ "Bruce Malmuth, 71; Directed Thrillers and Documentaries, Acted in 'The Karate Kid'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  2. ^ "Norman Malmuth". Los Angeles Times. July 25–26, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
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