004: There's No Escaping Hugh Fitzgerald

Fights With Friends Podcast

Hugh Fitzgerald is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer, BJJ Black Belt, and fight trainer at the legendary 87 Eleven Action Design and 87 North. Nearly 20 years ago, a struggling New York-based theater actor, Hugh, had a chance meeting with David Mamet that would literally change his life. That meeting opened doors he never could have imagined and paved the way for a transformative career in the film industry. His foray into this world was Mamet’s love story to BJJ and the Martial Arts—Redbelt—which ushered Hugh into a community of martial artists and filmmakers who would go on to become legends in the industry. We start this episode of Fights With Friends at the opening scene of Redbelt, which offers one of the earliest depictions of BJJ and grappling on the American screen. Sit back and get ready for a thoughtful, philosophical, and genuine discussion on martial arts, film, the struggles of working in the film business, and magic. Yes – Magic!

Guest

Hugh Fitzgerald – Red Belt (2008)

• IG: https://www.instagram.com/hugh_gregoryfitzgerald/
• Website: https://hughfitzgerald.com/
• Fight like a black belt scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhduo0v1kKc
• Film Trailer: https://youtu.be/_LlkIRIQeuc?si=NnDjv2ZadXHc0Pm5

• David Mamet: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000519/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
• Ricky Jay: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/25/obituaries/ricky-jay-dead.html
• Raw Combat: https://www.amazon.com/Raw-Combat-Underground-World-Martial/dp/0806535040
• Cold Weather Tactics with Steve Jimerfeld: https://o3ct.com/the-story-behind-o3ct

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PRODUCERS

Executive Producers:

Stephen Koepfer

Paul Varacchi

Thiago Benedetti

Produced by:

Press Record Studios

-Matthew Kaplowitz

-Richard Butler

-Corey Gumbs

www.pressrecordstudios.com

Associate Producers:

Becca GT

Jared DiCroce

Video Editor

Matthew Kaplowitz

Original music by:

Ahrue Luster

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