Joe Hyams, novelist, screenwriter, biographer, and Hollywood columist (IMDB entry) and author of the much admired Zen in the Martial Arts passed away in Denver last Saturday at the age of 85.
Hyams was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and attended Harvard. He served in the US Army during WWII, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. After the war, he became a nationally syndicated columnist, writing on Hollywood and the film industry.
He studied the martial arts for 50 years.
Alain Burrese describes Hyams’ MA career.
Joe Hyams took up fencing lessons in the 1950’s and through those classes he met film music composer Bronislau Kaper. In 1958, Kaper introduced him to Ed Parker, who was teaching Kenpo in the weight room in Beverly Hills Health Club. Mr. Hyams became one of Ed Parker’s first private students and also one of Mr. Parker’s first black belts.
Joe Hyams was the first person to introduce Bruce Lee into the Hollywood community. He helped Bruce Lee, with whom he trained privately get a foothold in Hollywood during Bruce’s struggling years. Mr. Hyams trained with Bruce Lee for two years, and when Bruce left for Hong Kong to pursue his film career, he suggested that Joe learn from Jim Lau, who trained him in Wing Chun.
LA Times obituary
MartialArtsInfo.com obituary
Gary Berger
I read Joe Hyames book, Zen in the Martial Arts, when i was in high school over 20 years ago. His book had a profound affect on my martial arts career as well as my life. I currently own and operate one of Baltimore’s most prestigious martial arts school called Baltimore Martial Arts Academy.
When I first read Hymam’s book I was involved in Tae Kwon Do and Ninjitsu. I later went on to study Kung Fu, Judo and brazilian jiu jitsu which is now my specialty. Joe Hyam’s book should be a required read for anyone as his teachings have been integrated into my everyday life.
Densei Gary Berger
Baltimore Martial Arts
Lisa Hyams
Thank you for keeping Joe’s memory and his accomplishments alive.
With Respect, Lisa Hyams
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