Ed Parker Jr.
Exceptional Artist
Kenpo Black Belt
Founder of Paxtial Arts Systems
Edmund Kealoha Parker, Jr., professionally known as Ed Parker, Jr., was born on November 15, 1959, in Glendale, California. Ed is the son of the late Ed Parker, Sr., a Senior Grandmaster and the founder of American Kenpo Karate. Ed Sr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest martial artists of all time. He was recognized by Black Belt Magazine as “the Father of American Karate” and is credited with launching the careers of numerous martial arts movie stars, including Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris. Additionally, he served as the personal karate instructor, bodyguard, and friend to the late King of Rock ’n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. Elvis’s deep involvement with Kenpo and his instructor, Ed Parker, Sr., led him to incorporate the martial arts logo on the side of his guitar.
Ed, Jr., was raised in Southern California. During his early years, he pursued his interests in art and theater, for which he received the Bank of America Art Award. At the age of 19, he relocated to Arizona, where he dedicated two years to social work as a voluntary missionary on various American Indian reservations. Ed worked with the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Southern Ute, Havasupai, White Mountain, and Jicarilla Apache tribes.
Subsequently, he relocated to the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, where he pursued studies in Illustration and the Theatrical Arts at Brigham Young University Hawaii Campus. During his academic journey, he engaged in the production and exhibition of student films, one of which garnered recognition as the Best Student Film of 1982 at the State of Hawaii Film Festival. He also secured an internship with the television series “Magnum P.I.” Additionally, he was awarded 12 University art and theatrical scholarships.
Upon completing his educational pursuits, Ed returned to California and continued his artistic endeavors at the Art Center College of Design. Upon graduating, he established a partnership with his father. From 1983 to 1991, Ed played a pivotal role in producing nine International Karate Championships, annual karate tournaments that attract over 6,000 competitors annually. Notably, “The Internationals” emerged as the world’s largest and most enduring martial arts tournament, spanning over four decades. Ed has also collaborated on the co-publication and design of more than 20 martial arts publications.
In December 1990, Ed’s father passed away. Since then, Ed has maintained his involvement in the martial arts industry and has produced six educational martial arts videos. In June 1992, he published “The Encyclopedia of Kenpo,” a comprehensive reference resource on American Kenpo Karate, based on the teachings of his father, Ed Parker, Sr. In March 1993, Ed organized the inaugural Martial Arts Expo, which attracted over 8,000 participants. The Expo featured the inaugural martial arts talent search, which received support from renowned actors Wesley Snipes, Steven Ho, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Jeff Speakman, and World Kickboxing Champion Benny “The Jet” Urquidez. Additionally, producers Aaron Norris and Rick Nathanson provided support for the event. During this same year, Ed attained his First Degree Black Belt.
Ed has appeared in notable films such as “Seven,” “Magnum P.I.,” “Jake and the Fat Man,” “Inside Edition,” “Hello L.A.,” and “The Curse of the Dragon,” alongside Chuck Norris, James Colburn, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He has also made appearances on E! Entertainment Television, The Biography Channel, and in Universal Pictures’ feature film “Dragon: The Life of Bruce Lee,” where he portrayed his own father. The University Times honored Ed with a cameo award for his performance in “Dragon.”
Additionally, Ed hosted “The Night of the Golden Masters,” a martial arts special scheduled for Showtime, which featured numerous martial arts masters from around the world, including film star Ernie Reyes, Jr. He completed the choreography for the film “Deadly Takeover” (starring Jeff Speakman and veteran actor Ron Silver) and served as the Associate Art Director for the film “Cage II,” starring Lou Ferrigno.
Over the past two decades, Ed has dedicated himself to various martial arts-related endeavors, including teaching, lecturing, producing, publishing, writing, illustrating, designing, choreographing, and acting.
Ed Parker, a freelance illustrator and graphic artist with over three decades of experience, has collaborated on numerous design campaigns and produced over 5,000 pieces of artwork. Notably, two of his creations were commissioned by National Public Radio for a two-part series titled “Jewish Stories from the Old World to the New” and “Jewish Short Stories from Eastern Europe and Beyond.”
For eight years, Ed dedicated his artistic talents to creating a tribute to the legacy of Ed Parker, Sr., through a series of portraits of prominent individuals within the martial arts and Kenpo industries. To date, over 600 portraits have been completed.
Ed has also contributed to the publication “The Journey, The Oral Histories of 25 of the Most Prominent Kenpoists Today,” where he served as the complete designer and layout artist, as well as illustrating 25 portraits and the cover. This book showcases Ed’s tribute to the Kenpo industry.
Furthermore, Ed has established himself as an international lecturer, conducting martial arts workshops and seminars. In 1999, he embarked on a global journey, teaching over 70 seminars in 35 states across the United States and in various countries including Chile, Australia, Sweden, Ireland, Holland, Jersey, England, France, Greece, Denmark, Canada, Venezuela, and Mexico.
Ed’s contributions have earned him recognition as a leading philosopher and historian in the American martial arts field.
Ed Parker also authored a book titled “Memories of Ed Parker,” which has garnered over 10,000 copies to date. He was featured in two consecutive articles in Black Belt Magazine, the world’s most widely distributed martial arts periodical, in the November and December 1999 issues. Additionally, he has been recognized in various publications, including Inside Kung Fu, Karate/Kung-Fu Illustrated, Karate and Fitness International, Budo, Fighters, Kampfkunst (Germany), Artes Marciales (Mexico), Full Contact magazines, and others.
In 2004, Ed Parker founded and established EPAKS, Inc., a company dedicated to the publication and production of high-quality teaching and learning materials for the martial arts industry. He has created over 140 paintings depicting Kenpo techniques, each of which has been transformed into decks of training cards. Furthermore, he recently released his first co-authored book titled “Kenpo Kards,” co-authored and produced with his business partner, Ken Herman.
Ed Parker has also released the inaugural Kenpo-designed martial arts uniform, marking a significant milestone in the history of Kenpo. This uniform has garnered international recognition and is utilized by numerous martial artists globally. In early 2007, Ed launched a custom certificate business for the martial arts industry, offering highly detailed and illustrated certificates with personalized printing. Additionally, in 2007, Ed was commissioned by Extreme Pain Clothing and KaiZen Clothing to design a series of MMA and martial arts-related graphics, which are currently distributed worldwide.
Currently, in collaboration with his wife, Baer Parker, Ed’s primary focus is on the advancement, instruction, and promotion of the Paxtial Arts, a peaceful alternative to martial arts. This movement aims to provide alternative self-defense solutions, often resulting in a win-win outcome, in contrast to the martial arts’ emphasis on a win-lose scenario. After years of research and development, the Paxtial Arts was officially released in 2012 under the title of American Kinetica. It has received overwhelmingly positive feedback and has certified over 50 instructors within the first six months. Given its widespread exposure in over 14 countries, the response to the Paxtial Arts program has been overwhelmingly positive. Consequently, Mr. Parker is now being considered for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for his contributions to the field of education, specifically for his innovative approach to teaching children how to resolve physical conflicts in a positive manner.
Ed is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, Baer Parker. They are the proud parents of six children and nine grandchildren. They reside in the American Swiss Alps on the Elkhorn Mountain range within the Wallowa Forest in the Eastern Oregon town of Sumpter.
In their tranquil and picturesque mountain residence, Ed and his spouse continue to collaborate on numerous projects, resulting in the creation of exquisite art that is both aesthetically pleasing and universally appealing.
The American Institute of Kenpo expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. Parker for his invaluable contributions. His exceptional art training has significantly enhanced Mr. Pilch’s abilities. Additionally, Mr. Parker’s incorporation of advanced body manipulation concepts, logical practical problem-solving formula, and unwavering friendship have been instrumental in the American Institute of Kenpo’s growth and development.
~ Last Updated 3/3/2025