Brian Ricci is an American martial artist, special effects coordinator, stunt coordinator and film producer. He began Karate training in 1965, starting with the Shotokan style under Peter Ventresca and was awarded a black belt in 1972. Ricci sought out instruction from O’Sensei Richard Kim, eventually becoming his senior student and, in 2000, promoting to 7th Dan, the highest rank Kim ever awarded and the only time he ever bestowed it upon anyone. Ricci continues to teach and propagate martial arts, including Shōrinji-ryū Karate, Okinawan Kobudō, Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu and Tai Chi, at his main dojo in Massachusetts, at students’ dojos, via hosting tournaments, and at seminars throughout North America. In 2001, when Kim was unable to attend his Zen Bei Butoku Kai annual summer camp in Guelph, Canada due to poor health, he asked Ricci to lead the training camp in his stead and Ricci has led it—along with many of Kim's and Ricci's senior students—ever since. After Kim passed away, Ricci became the President of the Zen Bei Butoku Kai International, which carries on Kim's teachings for thousands of students in dozens of dojos across North America and the Caribbean.