Rich Manley
Encyclopedia
Rich Manley is an American actor. He has played roles in several movies, including A.J. Carson in the indie comedy film BoyBand (2010) with Michael Copon
; Nathan Anderson in the Wild West style drama Gem of the West (2011); and Danny in the action-comedy blockbuster Knight and Day (2010), starring Tom Cruise
and Cameron Diaz
.
In addition to acting, Manley is a full-time model in Massachusetts, with representation in Boston and Los Angeles, and a martial artist, trained by the esteemed Shaolin Monks and Anthony De Longis
.
On June 16, 1986, Manley was born in Concord, Massachusetts to Diane Maria and Richard Donald Manley, a police officer. Along with his brothers, Robert Andrew Manley (born 1988) and Ryan Michael Luke Manley (born 1994), Rich Manley was raised in Stow as a Catholic Christian.
As a child in Stow
, Manley was reserved, yet artistically expressive. In addition to writing, he enjoyed “making all sorts of art.” He loved to dress up, create characters and situations around the house.
At the age of thirteen, Manley started training in Kenpo Karate, earning a black belt
in four years, along with a teaching status at his school
. After his initial exposure to martial arts
through action films, he developed a passion to perform his skills for the public. Manley eventually traveled to New York City to train in the styles of Shaolin Kung Fu
, Wing Chun Kung Fu, and a variety of weapons work under the tutelage of the.
By the time Manley was in his mid-teens, he attended Nashoba Regional High School
in the neighboring town of Bolton, Mass. While studying, he focused on martial arts and running. In addition, he spent much of his time researching Buddhism
, and other Eastern and Western philosophies. At age nineteen, Manley, after receiving black belts in both styles of kung fu, and competing in L.A., was declared to be “one of the top sixty best young martial arts performers in North America.” (After his new title, Manley even started to write a book on all that he had learned of martial arts and his trip to Los Angeles.)
Once he graduated from high school, Manley enrolled in the College at Radford University
in Virginia in 2005, studying Acting/Media and Sports studies, focusing on Martial Arts. While at Radford, Manley traveled to independent film shoots to learn the craft of film making.
At age twenty, Manley began his modeling career. Since 2006, he has modeled for: Puma
, Reebok
, Nordstrom
, Life is Good, New Balance
, Saucony
, Abercrombie & Fitch
, and Neiman Marcus
.
By the time it was time to graduate, while Manley saw his friends searching for standard jobs, Manley was determined to pursue Hollywood. After college, Manley traveled to Los Angeles again, as part of a film crew for the reality show pilot “Stars Stunts Action”. There, he met and trained with esteemed professional stuntmen, fight choreographers and coaches. One of the many professionals Manley met was Anthony De Longis
, the notable martial artist/actor who trained Michelle Phifer (in Batman) and Harrison Ford
(in the Indian Jones series), and fought against Jet Li
(in Fearless). To date, Manley and De Longis are friends, and continue to train together.
After returning home to Boston, Rich continued to further his career in acting. He recently played Danny in the Vanilla Sky duo blockbuster Knight and Day, with Tom Cruise
and Cameron Diaz
. He played a supporting role in the Indie comedy film BoyBand, starring Robert Hoffman
and Michael Copon
. He recently returned from California, shooting a short Wild West style drama titled Gem of the West, in which he plays a rugged Nathan Anderson; and finishing production on a short film titled Hell, in which he plays a rookie cop caught up in vengeance after the murder of his wife.
Currently, Manley is a full time Model and Actor in the Boston area with representation in both Los Angeles and Boston. As for the future, Manley is in the midst of creating a full feature Sci-fi thriller Hollow Town, in which he plays the lead character Jimmy Blades. Other projects include, the dark dramady “Let Me Out,” a teen comedy in the spirit of “American Pie” “Lover´s Leap,” and a reality-based street magic pilot “The Craft,” in which Manley displays his Street magic illusions.
Michael Copon
Michael Sowell Copon is an American actor, model, producer, and singer. He is known for his role of Felix Taggaro in the television series One Tree Hill, playing Vin Keahi in the television series Beyond the Break, and starring in Power Rangers: Time Force.-Early life:Copon was born in Chesapeake,...
; Nathan Anderson in the Wild West style drama Gem of the West (2011); and Danny in the action-comedy blockbuster Knight and Day (2010), starring Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
and Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
.
In addition to acting, Manley is a full-time model in Massachusetts, with representation in Boston and Los Angeles, and a martial artist, trained by the esteemed Shaolin Monks and Anthony De Longis
Anthony De Longis
Anthony Charles De Longis is an American actor, stuntman, and choreographer.-Career:*De Longis is well known for his recurring role during the first two seasons of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, as First Maje Jal Culluh, leader of the Kazon-Nistrim.*A very experienced swordsman, he is also...
.
On June 16, 1986, Manley was born in Concord, Massachusetts to Diane Maria and Richard Donald Manley, a police officer. Along with his brothers, Robert Andrew Manley (born 1988) and Ryan Michael Luke Manley (born 1994), Rich Manley was raised in Stow as a Catholic Christian.
As a child in Stow
Stow, Massachusetts
Stow is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 6,590 at the 2010 census.- History :Stow was first settled c. 1660 by Matthew Boon and John Kettell...
, Manley was reserved, yet artistically expressive. In addition to writing, he enjoyed “making all sorts of art.” He loved to dress up, create characters and situations around the house.
At the age of thirteen, Manley started training in Kenpo Karate, earning a black belt
Black Belt
Black Belt may refer to:*Black belt , an indication of attainment of a high rank of skill in martial arts**Black Belt Magazine, a magazine covering martial arts news, technique, and notable individuals*Black Belt Black Belt may refer to:*Black belt (martial arts), an indication of attainment of a...
in four years, along with a teaching status at his school
. After his initial exposure to martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
through action films, he developed a passion to perform his skills for the public. Manley eventually traveled to New York City to train in the styles of Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin kung fu
Shaolin Kung Fu refers to a collection of Chinese martial arts that claim affiliation with the Shaolin Monastery.Of the multitude styles of kung fu and wushu, only some are actually related to Shaolin...
, Wing Chun Kung Fu, and a variety of weapons work under the tutelage of the.
By the time Manley was in his mid-teens, he attended Nashoba Regional High School
Nashoba Regional High School
Nashoba Regional High School is a high school that is part of the Nashoba Regional School District. It is located in Bolton, Massachusetts and also serves the towns of Lancaster and Stow. As of 2010, it had a student population of just under 1000. The interim school principal for the 2011-12...
in the neighboring town of Bolton, Mass. While studying, he focused on martial arts and running. In addition, he spent much of his time researching Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, and other Eastern and Western philosophies. At age nineteen, Manley, after receiving black belts in both styles of kung fu, and competing in L.A., was declared to be “one of the top sixty best young martial arts performers in North America.” (After his new title, Manley even started to write a book on all that he had learned of martial arts and his trip to Los Angeles.)
Once he graduated from high school, Manley enrolled in the College at Radford University
Radford University
Radford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
in Virginia in 2005, studying Acting/Media and Sports studies, focusing on Martial Arts. While at Radford, Manley traveled to independent film shoots to learn the craft of film making.
At age twenty, Manley began his modeling career. Since 2006, he has modeled for: Puma
PUMA AG
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
, Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
, Nordstrom
Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is an upscale department store chain in the United States, founded by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin. Initially a shoe retailer, the company today also sells clothing, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, fragrances, and in some locations, home furnishings...
, Life is Good, New Balance
New Balance
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. , best known as simply New Balance, is a footwear manufacturer based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. It was founded in 1906 as the New Balance Arch Support Company...
, Saucony
Saucony
Saucony is an American manufacturer of athletic shoes, best-known today for its premium running shoes and men's and women's apparel.-History:...
, Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch
Abercrombie & Fitch is an American retailer that focuses on casual wear for consumers aged 18 to 22. It has over 300 locations in the United States, and is expanding internationally....
, and Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus
Neiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...
.
By the time it was time to graduate, while Manley saw his friends searching for standard jobs, Manley was determined to pursue Hollywood. After college, Manley traveled to Los Angeles again, as part of a film crew for the reality show pilot “Stars Stunts Action”. There, he met and trained with esteemed professional stuntmen, fight choreographers and coaches. One of the many professionals Manley met was Anthony De Longis
Anthony De Longis
Anthony Charles De Longis is an American actor, stuntman, and choreographer.-Career:*De Longis is well known for his recurring role during the first two seasons of the TV series Star Trek: Voyager, as First Maje Jal Culluh, leader of the Kazon-Nistrim.*A very experienced swordsman, he is also...
, the notable martial artist/actor who trained Michelle Phifer (in Batman) and Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
(in the Indian Jones series), and fought against Jet Li
Jet Li
The fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
(in Fearless). To date, Manley and De Longis are friends, and continue to train together.
After returning home to Boston, Rich continued to further his career in acting. He recently played Danny in the Vanilla Sky duo blockbuster Knight and Day, with Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
and Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Michelle Diaz is an American actress and former model. She became famous during the 1990s with roles in the movies The Mask, My Best Friend's Wedding, and There's Something About Mary. Other high-profile credits include the two Charlie's Angels films, voicing the character Princess Fiona...
. He played a supporting role in the Indie comedy film BoyBand, starring Robert Hoffman
Robert Hoffman
Robert K. Hoffman was an American businessperson and philanthropist, most notable for co-founding the influential humor magazine National Lampoon.Born in Dallas, Texas, Hoffman graduated from the St. Mark's School of Texas in 1965...
and Michael Copon
Michael Copon
Michael Sowell Copon is an American actor, model, producer, and singer. He is known for his role of Felix Taggaro in the television series One Tree Hill, playing Vin Keahi in the television series Beyond the Break, and starring in Power Rangers: Time Force.-Early life:Copon was born in Chesapeake,...
. He recently returned from California, shooting a short Wild West style drama titled Gem of the West, in which he plays a rugged Nathan Anderson; and finishing production on a short film titled Hell, in which he plays a rookie cop caught up in vengeance after the murder of his wife.
Currently, Manley is a full time Model and Actor in the Boston area with representation in both Los Angeles and Boston. As for the future, Manley is in the midst of creating a full feature Sci-fi thriller Hollow Town, in which he plays the lead character Jimmy Blades. Other projects include, the dark dramady “Let Me Out,” a teen comedy in the spirit of “American Pie” “Lover´s Leap,” and a reality-based street magic pilot “The Craft,” in which Manley displays his Street magic illusions.