Daniel Bernhardt

Also known for playing villainous characters, he appeared opposite Chuck Norris in The Cutter (2005), Jean-Claude Van Damme in Kill 'Em All (2017), Sylvester Stallone in Escape Plan: The Extractors (2019), and Keanu Reeves in The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and John Wick (2014). He also starred as Siro in the television series Mortal Kombat: Conquest (1998–1999). Bernhardt is a black belt in Taekwondo under Black Belt Hall of Fame member Hee-il Cho (the two also starred together in Bloodsport II). He also studied Kyokushin karate under South Korean master Mas Oyama.

• Born — 31 August 1965 • Years Active — 1996–present • Birthplace — Ittigen, Canton of Bern, Switzerland • Occupation — Actor, stunt performer, model, fight choreographer • Spouse — Lisa Stothard • Children — 1

Bernhardt was born in Ittigen, Canton of Bern, in 1965, to Heidi and Horst Bernhardt. He began studying martial arts at the age of 15, learning what called “something cobbled together out of kung fu and kickboxing." He later earned black belts in Taekwondo under Hee-il Cho and Kyokushin Karate under Mas Oyama. In Paris, he was a pupil of Dominique Valera. He has also studied boxing, judo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Prior to his acting career, Bernhardt worked at an architecture firm and was a top model in Paris and New York City, working for the likes of Claude Montana, Thierry Mugler, Hugo Boss, and Versace. His first exposure to the film world was in 1992, when he was featured in a martial arts-themed Versace ad campaign, featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme. He subsequently moved to Los Angeles to pursue a film career.

Bernhardt made his acting debut in the leading role in Bloodsport II: The Next Kumite (1996), a sequel to the 1988 Jean-Claude Van Damme film. He also appeared in two of its sequels and starred in Future War (1997), True Vengeance (1997), Perfect Target (1997), G2 – Mortal Conquest (1999), Black Sea Raid (2000) and Global Effect (2002). From 1998 to 1999, he starred in the TV series Mortal Kombat: Conquest. In 2003, he appeared as Agent Johnson in The Matrix Reloaded (2003), and in 2005 he appeared with Chuck Norris in The Cutter. In 2013, he returned to acting with Jason Statham in Parker (2013) and in a cameo in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) as the male tribute from District 9. He trained with the 87Eleven Stunt Team and played Russian henchmen in John Wick and Atomic Blonde. In 2015, he made his Bollywood debut as mixed martial arts fighter Max Potter in the remake of Warrior, titled Brothers. He co-starred in a particularly acclaimed episode of HBO's Barry as Ronny Proxin. In September 2020, it was announced that Bernhardt would be reprising his Matrix role as Agent Johnson in The Matrix Resurrections; however, his scenes were cut from the final film. Bernhardt played the title character in Deathstalker, a remake of the 1983 cult film of the same.

Bernhardt's credits as a stunt performer include A Good Day to Die Hard (2013), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Deadpool 2 (2018), Alita: Battle Angel (2019), Hobbs & Shaw (also 2019), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). He was the principal fight trainer and fight choreographer for Creed II (2018) and Nobody (2021), for which he trained Bob Odenkirk in fighting for two years, and The Equalizer television series.

Bernhardt has two brothers, Cliff and Dirk. He is married to actress Lisa Stothard, whom he met on the set of Bloodsport: The Dark Kumite. They have a daughter together.

• Year(s) — Title — Role — Notes • 1998–1999 — Mortal Kombat: Conquest — Siro — 22 episodes • 2006 — Desire — Vincent — 4 episodes • 2016 — Castle — Vincent — Episode: "XX" • 2018 — Altered Carbon — Jaeger — 5 episodes • 2019 — Barry — Ronny Proxin — Episode: "ronny/lily"

Daniel Bernhardt is recorded with the occupation martial artist. Recorded with the occupation film producer. Recorded as actor, martial artist, model and film producer.