Paulo Tocha

Paulo Tocha is a Hollywood actor and producer living in Los Angeles , California. Tocha grew up internationally all over the world and speaks various languages. From Portuguese-Italian parents, first growing up in Mozambique during the colonial era then South Africa and later living in Hong Kong and Bangkok in Asia before becoming an American. Tocha started his career in Asia doing Ninja Films and acting in action blockbusters, starring with Jet Le , Jean Claude van Damme and many others, Paulo is known for usually doing his own stunts. Paulo is mostly recognized in the Action and Martial Arts genre as the actor and fighter responsible for introducing Muaythai - Thai boxing to the western world audience through his performance as "Paco" a Muaythai fighter in the original Blockbuster classic "Bloodsport", which created a cult following and inspired youth all over the world to practice Muaythai. Tocha continues to work extensively with top actors, directors and producers,including working as an actor with many of Hollywood Oscar winners(8). Behind the camera he continues writing, producing and working as a technical adviser to many Hollywood film companies. In 1999 he was Awarded 4th place at the prestigious NYC New York Film Festival for his PSA "Prisoner" out of 16.000 entries. In 2009 Tocha was inducted into the Martial Arts Masters Hall of Fame as "Trainer of Champions " and received a a Golden life Achievement Award. In the past Tocha received three Siam Awards, a National Muay Thai award for his work related to the Art of Muaythai in the film industry. One of the early pioneers which happened to be both an actor and Professional Muay Thai fighter from Bangkok competiting internationally in China,Hong Kong,and Thailand, Tocha was trained at the famous Sor.Thanikul Muaythai - Thai Boxing camp in Bangkok Thailand. Recognized as the first westerner to be adopted, nicknamed, trained and made a fighter in the Bangkok fight scene. In 1985 he became the first westerner to fight and win in mainland China becoming an International Champion. In the years that followed he was nominated(USMTA)and won for the International Actor's Award, and U.S. Judge and Referee of the year Award in 1999 all related to Martial arts. In 2005, Tocha and Big Vision Entertainment produced "Strong Spirit" for Television. A TV documentary series set in the world of Fighting and Muaythai. In 2005 he also produced and promoted the fist filming inside the Thai Penal system, an documentary based on Prison Fights in Thailand, dealing with addicton . Tocha has worked extensively in national commercials, Honda, ATT,etc and was the face of Verizon in 2007 in their commercial campaign. In 2009 he broke his knee while filming for Oscar winner director Michael Man an ATT commercial. Tocha continues to work as an actor and is the current World Muaythai Council of America Vice President and United States Muaythai Association Vice President. Recently he started promoting Muaythai again, and he's in charge of Sanctioning and organizing the Lion Fight Muaythai Championship Shows in California at Pechanca Casino which have received the highest ratings on AXSTV Network.