D.Y. Sao
D.Y. Sao | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dyra Sao 1979 (age 46–47) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
Dyra Sao (born 1979)[1] also known as D.Y. Sao, is a Cambodian-American actor, martial artist,[2] stunt performer, and producer.[3] His film credits include The Prey (2018), Jailbreak (2017), and Gladiator Underground (2025).[4]
Early life and education
D.Y. Sao was born in Battambang, Cambodia, in 1979. During the Khmer Rouge civil war. His family later moved to Long Beach, California.[1] He became interested in martial arts as a child and practiced by copying Bruce Lee and Donnie Yen. He later trained in Chinese kung fu, American kickboxing and Khmer bokator.[5] In 2003, he represented the United States at the 7th World Wushu Games in Macau.[6]
He studied psychology at the University of California, Irvine, and graduated in 2003.[1]
Career
Sao began his career in film as a stunt performer and fight choreographer. His early credits include stunt work on Break and Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight, as well as fight choreography for Champion Road: Arena. He later worked as a stunt coordinator on Jungle Justice and Tokyo Ghoul: Re - Anime.[7]
Sao started gaining more acting roles in early 2010s. Some of his appearances in short films include Feel the Music in 2014,[8] In 2017 he starred in The Block, and Jack and Jill in 2018.[9]
In 2021 Sao was cast as Shen Long in the action film, Fast Vengeance alongside DMX.[10][11] He also played as Voaen the lead character in the film Shadow Master in 2022.[12][13] Sao continued working with stunts and action departments. He did utility stunts for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings [14] and stunt work for Everything Everywhere All at Once.[15]
In 2024, Sao starred in the action film Bangkok Dog, in which he played Andrew Kang,[16] and also served as the producer and action director.[17]
In 2025 he was cast as Max Yen in Gladiator Underground.[18]
Championships and accomplishments
Wushu
United States Wushu Kung Fu National Team
- 2003–2004: U.S. Wushu Kung Fu National Champion
World Wushu Games
- 2006: 6th place in men's broadsword
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Cradle 2 the Grave | Background extra |
| 2009 | Art of War | Asian warrior |
| 2010 | War Machine | White Ninja |
| Broken Blade | Ryu Hitana | |
| 2013 | How War Ends | Rithy |
| 5th Street | Lee | |
| 2014 | Feel the Music | Michael |
| 2021 | Fast Vengeance | Shen Long |
| 2022 | Shadow Master | An Voaen |
| Everything Everywhere All at Once | Chinese Choir | |
| True American Violence | Richie | |
| 2023 | Til Death Do Us Part | Groomsman 1 |
| 2024 | Bangkok Dog | Andrew Kang |
| Batman Beyond: Year One | Flush Gang Henchman | |
| 2025 | Gladiator Underground | Max Yen |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 1/4 Mermaid | Sy |
| 2021–2024 | Marvel Studios: Assembled | Himself |
Short films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Block | Officer Xiang / Patron |
| Cactus | — | |
| 2018 | Jack and Jill | Officer R. Man |
| The Most Interesting Man in Show Business | Charles Lo | |
| 2025 | Shaolin Avengers | — |
| 2026 | Child of the Rouge | Lieutenant |
| — | Serpentine | Fang |
| Gladstone | Jack Ripper |
Stunt work
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Break | Stunt performer |
| 2009 | On the Edge | Stunt performer; fight choreographer |
| 2009–2010 | Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight | Stunt performer |
| 2010 | Champion Road: Arena | Fight choreographer |
| 2014 | Feel the Music | Fight choreographer |
| 2015 | The Scuttlebutt Assassins | Fight choreographer |
| 2015 | Jungle Justice | Stunt coordinator |
| 2017 | Cactus | Assistant stunt coordinator |
| 2018 | Tokyo Ghoul: Re - Anime | Stunt coordinator |
| 2020 | Breakarate | Additional stunt performer |
| 2021 | Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Utility stunts |
| 2022 | Everything Everywhere All at Once | Additional stunt performer |
| 2022 | Shadow Master | Stunt coordinator |
| 2024 | Bangkok Dog | Action director; fight choreographer |
| — | Serpentine | Stunt performer; action director |
| Gladstone | Stunt coordinator; action coordinator |
Producer
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Vici | Consulting producer |
| 2022 | True American Violence | Executive producer |
| 2024 | Bangkok Dog | Producer |
| — | The Fifth Hour of the Night | Producer |
References
- 1 2 3 "Dy Sao - Actor, Martial Artist, Stuntman, and Filmmaker Cambodian Alliance for the Arts". cambodianallianceforthearts.com. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Raksmey, Hong. "Refugee camp to Hollywood glitz for Khmer martial artist". Asia News Network. Retrieved 2026-08-13.
- ↑ Sreypich, Mao (April 23, 2023). "From Martial Arts Fan to Hollywood". Kiripost. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Vo, David (2025-10-03). "MAAC Interview: Gladiator Underground's D.Y. Sao". M.A.A.C. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Cambodia, Raintree (2023-04-05). "D.Y. Sao: Khmer Martial Artist Making Waves in Hollywood". Raintree Cambodia. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ "Beijingwushuteam.com: US Team 03 Fundraiser". www.beijingwushuteam.com. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ III, Lee B. Golden (2013-03-04). "D.Y. Sao And USURP Proudly Present Their CALLING CARD". Film Combat Syndicate. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Edward Bullard (2013-09-30). Feel The Music Teaser 2. Retrieved 2026-08-11 – via YouTube.
- ↑ III, Lee B. Golden (2018-11-02). "UPHILL: A Word With 'Jack & Jill' Actor And Director Mark Poletti". Film Combat Syndicate. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Naumann, Ryan (2021-04-13). "DMX Shot Last Movie Months Before His Death, Producers Say He Was A 'True Professional'". RadarOnline. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ McGaughey, Alex (2021-07-07). "DMX's Final Film 'Fast Vengeance' Is Now Streaming on TUBI". blackfilm.com. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
- ↑ Felperin, Leslie (2023-01-23). "Shadow Master review – martial arts meet dark arts in ultraviolent horror sci-fi". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ III, Lee B. Golden (2022-10-31). "SHADOW MASTER Review: D.Y. Sao Is Revenge, Resurrected In Pearry Reginald Teo's Stylish Martial Arts Action Horror". Film Combat Syndicate. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ "INTERVIEW - Death Dealer Actor Andy Le from Marvel's 'Shang-Chi' | POC Culture". 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ Martial Club's #BrianLe #AndyLe & DY Sao speaks about working with the legendary Michelle Yeoh 楊紫瓊 in the Oscar winner film Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022). | Martial Arts Action Cinema. Retrieved 2026-08-12 – via www.facebook.com.
- ↑ "Bangkok Dog (2024) Review". The Action Elite. 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ Vo, David (2024-10-19). "Well Go USA Acquires U.S. Rights For Bangkok Dog Starring D.Y. Sao & Brian Le. UPDATE: Trailer". M.A.A.C. Retrieved 2026-08-12.
- ↑ Curran, Brad (2025-10-29). ""Gladiator Underground" – Interview with D.Y. Sao and Director Chaya Supannarat". Kung-fu Kingdom. Retrieved 2026-08-12.