why is it that a large number of modern martial arts stars? do not pay respect to there former teachers?

Very good question. There are others too. I guess they are to busy making money foo the martial arts to be bothered. OR perhaps they are embarrassed and the longer they wait the less comfortable they feel. You mention Dillman, For years he was telling people that he learned Kyusho & Tuite from Hohan Soken. He did not bother to mention that the only time he ever even saw Hohan Soken was at a seminar he went to. I'm not sure who his original instructor was, but I do know he was affiliated with Seiyu Oyata for a short time. They parted on bad terms. Oyata does good karate as opposed to the junk Dillman teaches now. Oyata says that he gets letters from Dillman asking as Oyata states, "Stupid questions".

Joe Lewis also has not been in contact with his Sensei in Okinawa in many years. I'm told by a close Friend that Lewis is only a low ranking black belt in Okinawa. As good as he is he was getting his butt handed to him in Okinawa.

My guess is that a good number of them do when interviewed or asked but those segments end up on the cutting room floor. The modern martial arts stars probably have as much respect for their teachers as ever but the people airing the interviews may find gossip more interesting then their training heritage.

Also, remember that a lot of action arts aren't really martial artists and have a choreographer and stunt double to thank for their flashy moves.

Can you back this claim up? Im pretty sure steven seagal has paid respect to his aikido backround in japan Quite often...When has he ever disrespected his former teachers?

They are too busy paying the bills---meaning they are thanking their sponsors.