Honestly, if you grew up in the eighties, you didn't just watch movies; you lived them. And for a specific generation of martial arts nerds and Motown fans, nothing—and I mean nothing—hits quite like Berry Gordy’s 1985 cult masterpiece. It was a weird, neon-soaked fever dream that somehow blended Bruce Lee worship with high-fashion music videos. But the secret sauce? It wasn't just the glowing hands or the "7th Heaven" soundtrack. It was the The Last Dragon cast.
They weren't just actors. They were icons in the making, some of whom were literally discovered on the streets or in dance studios. Taimak, the guy playing Leroy Green, wasn't even an actor when he got the part. He was a nineteen-year-old karate champion with a face that looked like it belonged on a Wheaties box. That raw, slightly awkward sincerity he brought to "Bruce" Leroy is exactly why the movie works. If they’d cast a polished Hollywood veteran, the whole thing would have felt like a parody. Instead, we got a naive hero we actually rooted for.
The Hero We Didn't Know We Needed: Taimak as Leroy Green
Taimak Guarriello—just Taimak to the fans—became the face of Black martial arts cinema overnight. It’s wild to think about. He beat out hundreds of hopefuls because he had the physical chops and that quiet, disciplined "glow."
✨ Don't miss: Where Is the Cast of Atlético San Pancho Now? Life After the Movie
But what happened after the glow faded?
Taimak didn't become the next Jean-Claude Van Damme, and surprisingly, he was okay with that. He turned down a lot of roles that felt like caricatures. He spent years teaching martial arts, writing his autobiography, Taimak: The Last Dragon, and even doing some choreography for rock stars like Madonna. He’s one of those rare guys who seems genuinely grateful for the cult status rather than bitter about the "what ifs." You can still catch him at conventions today, and honestly, the guy barely looks like he’s aged a day since 1985. It must be the meditation. Or maybe the diet. Leroy Green wouldn't touch junk food, after all.
The Shogun of Harlem: Julius Carry’s Masterclass in Villany
We have to talk about Sho’nuff. Seriously.
Julius Carry gave us one of the greatest cinematic villains of all time. Period. "Am I the meanest? Am I the prettiest? Am I the baddest mofo low down around this town?" Every time he walked on screen with those ridiculous red oversized shoulder pads and that shogun haircut, he stole the damn movie.
Carry wasn't actually a martial artist. That’s the crazy part. He had to work his tail off with the film’s fight choreographers, Ernie Reyes Jr. and Torrance Holley, to look like he could actually go toe-to-toe with Taimak. Sadly, Julius Carry passed away in 2008 from pancreatic cancer, leaving a massive hole in the hearts of the fan base. He was known as a gentle giant in real life—completely the opposite of the ego-maniacal Shogun. People who worked with him always mentioned his booming laugh and how he’d go out of his way to help younger actors on set.
Vanity and the Prince Connection
Then there was Laura Charles.
Denise Matthews, better known as Vanity, was already a star in the Prince-adjacent universe before she joined The Last Dragon cast. She brought a specific kind of 80s magnetism to the role of the VJ/singer. Her chemistry with Taimak was... well, it was adorable. You had this street-smart, glamorous woman falling for a guy who ate popcorn with chopsticks and didn't know how to kiss.
🔗 Read more: Finding the Best Mr Beast Coloring Pages That Actually Look Like Jimmy
Vanity’s life after the movie was a rollercoaster. She struggled with heavy addiction—something she was incredibly open about later in life—before becoming a born-again Christian and a preacher. She completely walked away from the "Vanity" persona, even asking fans not to call her that anymore. When she passed away in 2016, Taimak posted a heartbreaking tribute. It felt like the end of an era.
The Incredible Supporting Players
You can't talk about this movie without mentioning the kids and the henchmen.
- Leo O'Brien (Richie Green): Leroy’s fast-talking, breakdancing younger brother was the heart of the movie’s comedy. "C'mon, Leroy, you know the moves!" Leo had so much charisma, but his life took some dark turns after the fame. He survived a shooting in 2011 and unfortunately passed away in 2012 at only 41.
- Ernie Reyes Jr. (Tai): Only 12 years old when he filmed this! He was a martial arts prodigy who went on to star in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II and Surf Ninjas. He’s basically royalty in the stunt world now.
- Faith Prince (Angela Viracco): She played the "it’s a real funky song" girlfriend of the villain Eddie Arkadian. She went on to become a huge Tony-winning Broadway star. Most people watching her on stage in Guys and Dolls had no clue she was once part of the Sho’nuff crew.
- William H. Macy (JJ): Yes, that William H. Macy. He has a tiny role as a guy in the production office. It’s one of those "blink and you’ll miss it" moments that makes re-watching the movie so much fun.
Why the Chemistry Worked (And Why Remakes Struggle)
People keep trying to remake this. They’ve been talking about it for twenty years. But how do you replace that specific 1980s New York grit? You can't.
The movie worked because it was a collision of cultures. You had Berry Gordy’s Motown sensibilities meeting a genuine love for Shaw Brothers kung fu flicks. The cast didn't treat it like a B-movie. They played it straight. When Taimak looks into the camera and says he’s looking for "The Master," he isn't winking at the audience. He believes it.
The production was actually a bit of a mess behind the scenes. They were shooting in real NYC locations—Seventh Avenue, the Harlem streets—and the budget wasn't exactly Star Wars level. But that lack of polish is exactly what gives it soul. The cast had to improvise. The fight scenes were choreographed by people who actually knew how to fight, not just people who knew how to use CGI.
The Lasting Legacy of the Glow
If you go to a screening of The Last Dragon today—and they still happen in theaters across the country—the crowd knows every line. They scream "SHO'NUFF!" when the Shogun enters. They cheer when the gold glow finally hits Leroy's hands in the water tank.
It’s a movie about finding your own power. It sounds cheesy, but the cast sold that message. Taimak’s journey from a kid who got bullied for being "different" to a man who owns his identity resonated deeply, especially with Black and Brown audiences who rarely saw themselves as the "chosen one" in a hero’s journey narrative.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to truly appreciate the legacy of this crew, don't just stop at a Wikipedia search. There are better ways to dive in.
- Watch the 35th Anniversary Reunion: There are several panels available on YouTube featuring Taimak, Ernie Reyes Jr., and Glen Eaton (who played Johnny Yu). Hearing them talk about the "water tank" scene and the actual injuries they sustained during the final fight adds a whole new layer of respect for the work.
- Read Taimak's Autobiography: If you want the real, unvarnished story of what it was like to be a 19-year-old superstar who didn't know how to handle fame, his book is surprisingly honest.
- Check out the Soundtrack on Vinyl: You can’t separate the cast from the music. DeBarge’s "Rhythm of the Night" and Willie Hutch’s "The Glow" are the heartbeat of the film.
- Support the "The Last Dragon" Documentary: There have been long-standing efforts by fans and some original cast members to put together a definitive documentary. Keep an eye on crowdfunding sites or film festival listings for "The Glow" related projects.
The magic of The Last Dragon cast isn't just in the 1985 performances. It’s in how those actors represented a moment in time where martial arts, soul music, and urban mythology combined into something that will never be replicated. Keep the glow.