Manel Soler, a multifaceted individual from Barcelona, Spain, is an actor, martial artist, and writer with a rich background in various disciplines. Holding a first-dan black belt in Hapkido, TaeKwonDo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Mixed Martial Arts, Manel's passion for martial arts began at the tender age of 11.
For nearly a decade, Manel's skills led him to work alongside influential figures, taking on various roles as a bouncer and personal bodyguard. However, he eventually sold his car and flew to Thailand to pursue a career in competitive fighting, a decision that would have yielded significant financial rewards had it not been for a near-fatal incident in 2009 involving a machete-wielding cab driver. Although Manel survived the ordeal, his injuries forced him to retire from fighting.
As he recovered from his injuries, Manel's path crossed with Jaika Stunts founder, Kaecha Kampakdee, a veteran stunt performer and stunt coordinator with an impressive credits list. This chance encounter led to Manel working on several films, including stunt work and small acting roles in Iddaramayilatho and The Hangover 2.
Currently, Manel is working on his first feature lead role, based on the previously-shot shortfilm, Portrait Of An Angry Man, directed by Joe Petrosino and shot by cinematographer Kimbo Kim. Manel considers this project a "lovely experience" that solidified his love for acting and filmmaking. He was involved in the project from start to finish, which made him realize the beauty of bringing a story to life.
Manel has also worked on the upcoming film, A Man Will Rise, and has collaborated with notable actors and stunt coordinators, including Nicholas Cage, Hayden Christensen, Crystial Liu, Tony Jaa, Dolph Lundgren, Michel Jai White, and Ron Perlman in the 2015 action thriller, Skin Trade.
On a personal note, Manel reflects on his life with a sense of resolve, believing that every experience, from body-guarding and security to the incident that nearly took his life, has happened for a reason.
