Ernie Reyes Jr. is an actor and martial artist renowned for his dynamic roles in film and television. The son of martial artist Ernie Reyes Sr. and grandson of Filipino immigrants, he began training in martial arts at age three, earning black belts in Taekwondo, Kung Fu, and Karate.
His acting career ignited at 13 with a role in The Last Dragon (1985), showcasing his martial arts prowess. That same year, he starred as Prince Tarn in Red Sonja alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. Reyes was Donatello’s stunt double in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) and as Keno, the pizza delivery boy, in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991). He led the cast of Surf Ninjas (1993) as Johnny, blending humor and action.
His film credits include Rush Hour 2 (2001) as Zing, Poolhall Junkies (2002), The Rundown (2003) with Dwayne Johnson, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) as a cemetery warrior. He also performed motion capture stunts for Avatar and Alice in Wonderland.
On television, Reyes starred in the martial arts series Sidekicks (1986-87) with Gil Gerard, appeared in Highway to Heaven (1986), and guest-starred as Jay Thapa in NCIS: Los Angeles (2013-15). Other TV roles include Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Charmed, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Superstore. A professional fighter with a 3-0 record in Strikeforce, Reyes also hosted Final Fu (2006).