TV star Ed O’Neill’s tells about his funny first lesson with BJJ grand master, Rorion Gracie.

At a Gracie Academy Instructor Certification Program, in Torrance, CA, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Ed O’Neill makes a surprise appearance before his weekly private lesson with Rorion Gracie.

Ed O’Neill is a legit black belt in BJJ.

Ed O’Neill is best known for his role as the main character, Al Bundy, on the tv sitcom Married… with Children. Since 2009, O’Neill has played patriarch Jay Pritchett on the award-winning ABC sitcom, Modern Family.

After being introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by his friend writer and director John Milius, Ed has trained in the martial art for 22 years under the mentoring of Rorion Gracie.

In December 2007, he received his black belt. In the TV documentary ‘I Am Bruce Lee’, Ed states that he considers getting his black belt “the greatest achievement of my life, apart from my children.

In the video below, Ed tells the story of his introduction GJJ lesson with Rorion from 16 years prior, as if it happened yesterday. It just goes to show the power of the Gracie Academy “10-Minute Intro Class” (Instructor Certification Program, Lesson 31)

“>

Rorion Gracie is a Gracie Jiu-jitsu Grand Master, a prominent member of the Gracie family, writer, publisher, producer, lecturer, and the co-founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

He is the oldest son of Hélio Gracie and one of the few people in the world to hold a 9th degree red belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, receiving that promotion on October 27, 2003 from his father.

Rorion, who holds a degree in Law, is a best selling writer, publisher, producer, lecturer, and is widely recognized as the man responsible for introducing Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to the United States and the world.

Rorion started doing demonstrations at 2 years old, and spent his youth learning how to teach under the tutelage of his father, Grand Master Helio Gracie, the creator of Gracie/Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. [source : wiki]