Hidy Ochiai’s Tryst with Hollywood
Hidy Ochiai master of the ‘Washin-Ryu’ martial arts technique, writer and eminent personality is also a lesser known infact mostly unaccredited actor. His acting career, albeit short, is known to most of his fans who watch his appearances time and again even if for a few moments.
Hidy Ochiai played a number of character roles in some of the best martial art movies of his time that unfortunately went unaccredited but his performances were appreciated nonetheless. He also had the opportunity to share screen space with both American as well as Asian martial art heroes in his short-lived movie and television series career.
The Fist of Fury (1972) marks Hidy Ochiai’s foray into Hollywood with legendary taekewondo expert Bruce Lee. In this movie directed by Wei Lo, Hidy Ochiai plays a Japanese Fighter with extraordinary fight moves that add to the moments of the film. The movie also features a young and infamous Jackie Chan as an unaccredited Jing Wu student.
Enter the Dragon directed by Robert Clous was released in 1973. Hidy Ochiai’s fans swear by his presence in the movie although this fact is unconfirmed in the titles or other sources. All the same Hidy Ochiai is said to be a part of the cast adding signature karate-do techniques in this movie that revolves around a mission to enter the forbidden island of Han.
In 1987, Hidy Ochiai is said to have appeared in another Hollywood martial art block buster “Fight to Win”. In this movie Hidy Ochiai plays Sensei Lauren under the expert direction of Leo Fong. Hidy shares screen space with Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, Bill Wallace, Troy Donahue and Chuck Jeffereys.
Karate Cops known popularly as Hawk Eye released in 1988 stars Hidy Ochiai as one of the main actors even if not the lead. This movie was again directed by Leo Fong and is a modern day martial art mix on a lower budget. Here Hidy Ochiai plays with or against popular martial artists George Chung and others.
Hidy Ochiai has also appeared in Kung Fu a TV series that began in 1972. Unfortunately Hidy goes unaccredited in this as well but numerous fans have spotted him in a few episodes and have uploaded some of the videos for other fans on the internet.
