Don Stroud

Don Stroud is a celebrated character actor, musician, martial artist, and lifelong surfer whose career spans more than five decades. He has appeared in more than 100 films and 200 television shows.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Stroud began surfing at age three and earned a black belt in Kajukenbo at 16. At 17, he won the Mākaha Junior Championship and placed fourth in the prestigious Duke Kahanamoku International competition.

His road to Hollywood began when he was discovered while working as a lifeguard at the Kahala Hilton and hired to double for Troy Donahue on “Hawaiian Eye.” Donahue encouraged him to move to Los Angeles, where Stroud worked as his fight double and bodyguard. A chance meeting with Sidney Poitier led to an introduction to legendary agent Dick Clayton, launching Stroud’s acting career.

Stroud made his film debut in “Games” (1967) and soon became a familiar face in Hollywood, often portraying tough guys and villains. His extensive film credits include “Coogan’s Bluff,” “Joe Kidd,” “Bloody Mama,” “Von Richthofen and Brown,” “Murph the Surf,” “Death Weekend,” “The Buddy Holly Story,” “The Amityville Horror,” “Licence to Kill,” and Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.”

His television credits are equally impressive, including “Hawaii Five-O,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Cannon,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Starsky & Hutch,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Mrs. Columbo,” “Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer,” “Nash Bridges,” “Pensacola: Wings of Gold,” and “Magnum P.I.”

A talented musician, Stroud actually played drums in “The Buddy Holly Story.” He also performed many of his own action and martial arts sequences throughout his career.

After decades in Hollywood, Stroud returned to Hawaii, where he continues to work in film and television. With his unique combination of talent, toughness, and Hawaiian spirit, Don Stroud remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and enduring character actors.