As a Star Wars fan, I know you know who Morgan Elsbeth is—the fierce and calculating antagonist from The Mandalorian and Ahsoka.
But did you know about the incredible actress who brings her to life?
If not, here are 5 fascinating facts about Diana Lee Inosanto, the legendary actress and martial artist who made Morgan Elsbeth such a memorable and badass character.
Table of Contents
1. Diana Is the Daughter of Martial Arts Legend Dan Inosanto
Diana Lee Inosanto grew up surrounded by martial arts greatness. She is the daughter of Dan Inosanto, a legendary figure in martial arts and a close confidant of Bruce Lee.
Dan not only trained with Bruce Lee but also became one of the foremost champions of Filipino martial arts, carrying the techniques of eskrima to a global audience.
Diana, growing up in this lineage, had martial arts ingrained in her from a young age.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, Diana reflected on her father’s influence, sharing how he taught her Filipino martial arts, sometimes using a toy lightsaber. Little did she know that those lessons would prepare her for a future in the Star Wars universe
“I am forever grateful to my father, Dan Inosanto,” she said. “Never would I have expected that those childhood years of him teaching me Filipino Martial Arts (ironically at one time with a toy [l]ightsaber!) would foreshadow my battle sequence with a beloved character as Ahsoka Tano (brilliantly played by Rosario Dawson).”
Diana also highlighted an incredible connection: the stunt team for The Mandalorian had trained under her father’s guidance.
“I have to give a shout-out to the stunt team of The Mandalorian, several of whom trained with my father, and made me feel right at home,” she wrote.
2. She Is Also the Goddaughter of the Famous Bruce Lee
Diana Lee Inosanto isn’t just a martial arts prodigy by birth; she’s also the goddaughter of the legendary Bruce Lee.
According to martialartsentertainment, her middle name, “Lee,” was given in honor of her father’s close friend and martial arts mentor, Bruce.
Born in Torrance, California, on May 29, 1966, Diana spent her early years immersed in a world of martial arts and cultural exchange.
After Bruce Lee’s untimely death in 1973, Diana’s family relocated to Harbor City, California, where her father, Dan Inosanto, partnered with Richard Bustillo—her second godfather—to open their first martial arts school.
3. Diana Lee Inosanto Does Her Own Stunts
Diana Lee Inosanto is not only an accomplished actress and martial artist but also a seasoned stunt performer who often executes her own stunts.
Her extensive training in various martial arts disciplines, including Jeet Kune Do and Eskrima under her father, Dan Inosanto, has equipped her with the skills necessary for high-risk stunt work.
Throughout her career, Diana has showcased her stunt abilities in numerous films and television series.
Notably, she performed stunts in productions such as Wild Wild West, Hulk, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Star Trek: Enterprise, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
She brought the same dedication to her role as Morgan Elsbeth in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Ahsoka, where her martial arts expertise played a crucial role in delivering realistic and captivating fight sequences.
4. She Shaped Morgan Elsbeth’s Fight Style
In The Mandalorian, Morgan Elsbeth’s fight choreography was crafted to embody the character’s analytical and methodical approach to combat.
Diana recognized some of the techniques used by the stunt team, many of whom had trained under her legendary father, Dan Inosanto.
However, she believed that Elsbeth’s moves should remain simple and strategic, mirroring the calm yet calculated demeanor of samurai warriors in Akira Kurosawa’s films—a key inspiration for showrunner Dave Filoni.
Diana’s input didn’t stop there. She improvised several moves for Morgan Elsbeth, and to her surprise, these made it into the final cut.
Her expertise brought authenticity to the character, showcasing Elsbeth as a formidable and tactical fighter. Reflecting on Diana’s performance, Filoni remarked:
“I needed the performance from the Magistrate to challenge Ahsoka [Tano] and be someone that could go toe to toe with her instantly. Diana [Lee Inosanto] brings such experience and knowledge about martial arts to her performance. The instant she takes up the Beskar spear you can tell that she is a lethal opponent. For me, as a director, it was a great advantage to have someone of Diana’s skill and experience with fight choreography as one of the main players, especially for the final battle in the courtyard.”
5. Bringing Morgan Elsbeth’s Backstory to Animation Before The Mandalorian
According to StarWars.com, Diana Lee Inosanto brought the same intensity to her animated portrayal of Morgan Elsbeth as she did in The Mandalorian.
Inside the recording booth, she traded her beskar spear for a pen and comfortable clothes, but her commitment to the character didn’t waver. “It’s still the same approach, the same commitment, the same breathing, the same physicality,” Inosanto shared.
Initially, when Dave Filoni hinted that Elsbeth might continue in animation, Inosanto thought he was joking.
While working on Ahsoka, Filoni mentioned how recording for animation could be done in sweatpants. “Then when I got the call, it was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is really happening.’ He wasn’t kidding, you know?” she said.