Sammo Hung
Encyclopedia
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts film
s and Hong Kong action cinema
. He has been a fight choreographer for, amongst others, Jackie Chan
, King Hu
, and John Woo
.
Hung is one of the pivotal figures who spearheaded the Hong Kong New Wave
movement of the 1980s, helped reinvent the martial arts genre and started the vampire-like Jiang Shi genre. He is widely credited with assisting many of his compatriots, giving them their starts in the Hong Kong film industry, by casting them in the films he produced, or giving them roles in the production crew.
In East Asia, it is common for people to address their elders or influential people with familial nouns as a sign of familiarity and respect. Jackie Chan, for example, is often addressed as "Dai Goh" , meaning Big Brother. Hung was also known as "Dai Goh", until the filming of Project A
, which featured both actors. As Hung was the eldest of the kung fu "brothers", and the first to make a mark on the industry, he was given the nickname "Dai Goh Dai" , meaning, Big, Big Brother or Biggest Big Brother.
, Zhejiang Province. Born Hung Kam Po in Hong Kong
, both of his parents worked as wardrobe artists in the local film industry and guardianship was thrust upon his grandparents. His grandmother was archetypal martial-arts actress Chin Tsi-ang
and his grandfather was film director Hung Chung-Ho.
Hung joined the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School
in Hong Kong, in 1961. He was enrolled for a period of seven years, beginning at the age of 9, after his grandparents heard about the school from their friends. The opera school was run by Master Yu Jim Yuen
and as was customary for all students, Hung adopted the given name of his sifu
as his family name whilst attending. Going by the name Yuen Lung, Hung became the foremost member of the Seven Little Fortunes (七小福) performing group, and would establish a friendly rivalry with one of the younger students, Yuen Lo. Yuen Lo would go on to become international superstar Jackie Chan
.
At the age of 14, Hung was selected by a teacher who had connections to the Hong Kong film industry to perform stunts on a movie. This brief foray into the industry piqued his interest in film and he took particular interest in the operation of film cameras. As the eldest of the troupe, Hung would give his opera school brothers pocket money from his earnings, endearing him greatly to his young friends. Shortly before leaving the Academy at the age of 16, Hung suffered an injury that left him bedridden for an extended period, during which time his weight ballooned. After finding work in the film industry as a stuntman
, he was given a nickname after a well-known Chinese cartoon character, Sam-mo (三毛; Three Hairs).
Many years later, in 1988, Hung starred in Alex Law
's Painted Faces
, a dramatic re-telling of his experiences at the China Drama Academy. Among the exercises featured in the film are numerous acrobatic backflips, and hours of handstands performed against a wall. Despite some of the more brutal exercises and physical punishments shown in Painted Faces, Hung and the rest of the Seven Little Fortunes consider the film a toned-down version of their actual experiences.
and Bo Bo Films during the early 1960s. His film debut was in the 1961 film Education of Love. In 1962, he made his first appearance alongside Jackie Chan in the film Big and Little Wong Tin Bar
, followed by a role in The Birth of Yue Fei, in which he played the ten year old Yue Fei
, the historical figure from the Song Dynasty
who would go on to become a famous Chinese general and martyr
. The majority of Hung's performance was alongside another actor portraying Zhou Tong, Yue's elderly military arts tutor.
In 1966, at the age of just 14, Hung began working for Shaw Brothers Studio
, assisting the action director
Han Yingjie, on King Hu
's film Come Drink with Me
. Between 1966 and 1974, Hung worked on over 30 wuxia
films for Shaw Brothers, progressing through the roles of extra
, stuntman, stunt co-ordinator and ultimately, action director.
In 1970, Hung began working for Raymond Chow
and the Golden Harvest
film company. He was initially hired to choreograph the action scenes for the very first Golden Harvest film, The Angry River
(1970). His popularity soon began to grow, and due to the quality of his choreography and disciplined approach to his work, he again caught the eye of celebrated Taiwan
ese director, King Hu. Hung choreographed two of Hu's films, A Touch of Zen
(1971) and The Fate of Lee Khan (1973).
In the same year, Hung went to South Korea
to study the martial art Hapkido
under master Ji Han Jae
.
Also in 1973, he was seen in the Bruce Lee
classic, Enter the Dragon
. Hung was the Shaolin
student Bruce faces in the opening sequence.
Toward the late 1970s, Hong Kong cinema began to shift away from the Mandarin
-language, epic martial arts films popularised by directors such as Chang Cheh
. In a series of films, Hung, along with Jackie Chan
, began reinterpreting the genre by making comedic Cantonese
kung fu. While these films still strongly featured martial arts, it was mixed with a liberal dose of humour.
In 1977, Hung was given his first lead role in a Golden Harvest production, in the film Shaolin Plot
. His next film, released the same year, was also his directorial debut, The Iron-Fisted Monk
, one of the earliest kung fu comedies.
In 1978, Raymond Chow gave Hung the task of completing the fight co-ordination for the re-shoot of Game of Death
, the film Bruce Lee was unable to complete before his death in 1973.
In 1979, Hung directed his second film, the comedy Enter the Fat Dragon
, for H.K. Fong Ming Motion Picture Company, also playing the lead role Ah Lung; a character who idolises and impersonates Bruce Lee. Hung has impersonated Lee on film twice more - in the final fight scene against Cynthia Rothrock
in Millionaire's Express
(1986)., and throughout the 1990 Lau Kar Wing
film Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon
.
After Jackie Chan's success with Drunken Master
(1978), Hung was scheduled to make a similar film featuring Drunken Masters "Beggar So" character played by Yuen Siu Tien
(aka Simon Yuen). As his elder, Sammo's films were expected to surpass Chan's in popularity. The film was Magnificent Butcher
(1979), which Hung co-directed with Yuen Woo-ping
. However, during filming Yuen Siu Tien died of a heart attack. He was replaced by Fan Mei Sheng and Yuen's absence may have led to low ticket sales.
, Yuen Wah
, Lam Ching-ying and Mang Hoi also began to make regular appearances in his films.
In 1978 and 1981, Hung made two films that contain fine examples of the Wing Chun
style. The first, Warriors Two
was the most significant role to date for South Korea
n super kicker Casanova Wong
, who teamed up with Hung in the final fight. The second film was The Prodigal Son
, in which the Wing Chun fighting was performed by Lam Ching-Ying. The release of The Prodigal Son, along with another film directed by and co-starring Hung, Knockabout
(1979) also shot his fellow Opera schoolmate Yuen Biao
to stardom.
Hung's martial arts films of the 1980s helped reconfigure how martial arts were presented on screen. While the martial arts films of the 1970s generally featured highly-stylised fighting sequences in period
or fantasy settings, Hung's choreography, set in modern urban areas, was more realistic and frenetic - featuring long one-on-one fight scenes. The fight sequences from several of these films, such as those in Winners and Sinners
(1982) and Wheels on Meals
(1985) came to define 1980s martial arts movies.
In 1983, the collaboration between the triumverate of Hung, Jackie Chan, and Yuen Biao began with Chan's Project A
. Hung, Chan and Yuen were known as the 'Three Dragons' and their alliance lasted for 5 years. Although Yuen continued to appear in the films of Hung and Chan, the final film to date starring all three was 1988's Dragons Forever
.
Hung was also responsible for the Lucky Stars
comedy film series in the 1980s. He directed and co-starred in the original trilogy, Winners and Sinners
(1983), My Lucky Stars
(1985) and Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
(1985). These first three films featured Chan and Biao in supporting roles. Hung also produced
and played a supporting role in the fourth film, Lucky Stars Go Places
(1986), and made a cameo appearance in the sixth and final film, How to Meet the Lucky Stars
(1996).
During the 1980s, Hung was instrumental in the creating the genre of Jiang Shi , the Jiang Shi being hopping re-animated corpses - a Chinese equivalent to Western vampires. Two landmark films, Encounters of the Spooky Kind
(1980) and The Dead and the Deadly (1983) feature Jiang Shi who move in standing jumps towards their victims, as well as Taoist priests with the ability to quell these vampires (and at times, each other) through magical spells and charms. These films meld Chinese folklore
with special effects and kung fu action to create a genre that is uniquely Chinese. Hung's Jiang Shi films would pave the way for films such as the popular Mr. Vampire
(1985), which he also produced, and its sequels.
He revitalised the sub-genre of female-led kung fu films, producing cop films such as Yes, Madam
aka Police Assassins (both 1985), which introduced stars Michelle Yeoh
and Cynthia Rothrock
.
Whilst continuing to produce films through his own company Bojon Films Company Ltd, Hung failed to equal his early successes. His fortunes improved somewhat as the helmer of "Mr. Nice Guy
" (1997), a long-awaited reunion with Chan.
In 1994, Hung coordinated the fight sequences in Wong Kar-wai
's wuxia
epic, Ashes of Time
.
began to broadcast Martial Law
(1998–2000) on Saturday nights, an action-drama built around Hung. The hour-long shows were a surprise success and installed Hung as the only East Asian headlining a prime time
network series. The television series
was executive produced and occasionally directed by Stanley Tong
, and co-starred Arsenio Hall
. Hung reportedly recited some of his English
dialogue phonetically. The show was an eastern remake of Due South
, which starred Paul Gross
.
in the lead role, but the film was never made. Hung's plans were detailed on his website, but after a year the announcement was removed. The film rights have since been acquired by Warren Zide, the producer of American Pie
and Final Destination
.
Hung found renewed success in Hong Kong film industry in the 2000s, beginning with The Legend of Zu
(2001), the long-awaited sequel to the 1983 hit Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
. In 2004, Stephen Chow
's Kung Fu Hustle
was released. Though Yuen Woo-ping
was credited for the martial arts choreography on Kung Fu Hustle, Hung actually did the preliminary work but left the film midway through, and Yuen filled in to complete it. Because of his departure from the film, there was tabloid speculation that he and Chow had strong differences over the film, resulting in their separation. Chow has since responded that Hung left for personal reasons and not because of speculated tensions. In 2004, Hung again worked with Jackie Chan, in a brief but notable appearance in Disney's Around the World in 80 Days
as the legendary folk hero Wong Fei Hung
, a character which, curiously, had been played by Chan himself in the Drunken Master
series.
In 2005, Hung was involved in Daniel Lee
's Dragon Squad
and Wilson Yip
's SPL: Sha Po Lang
(aka Kill Zone). In the latter, Hung played a villain for the first time in over 25 years, and had his first ever fight scene against Donnie Yen
. One of the key relationships in SPL had been Hung's role as the adoptive father of Wu Jing's character. However, these scenes were dropped from the final film as the director couldn't find a way to fit them into the film. In response to this, a prequel film was planned. Hung appeared alongside Wu Jing again in 2007's Twins Mission
with stars, the Twins. In early 2008, Hung starred in Fatal Move
, in which he and Ken Lo
played a pair of rival triad gang leaders. He also starred in, and performed action choreography for, Daniel Lee
's Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
, with Andy Lau
and Maggie Q
. The film, was based on the book Romance of the Three Kingdoms
.
Antony Szeto
's film, Wushu, which stars Hung premiered in Beijing in October, 2008. The film was unveiled by Golden Network at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival
. Jackie Chan was the film's executive producer
, and worked on the film in an advisory capacity, assisting with marketing and casting. Hung then worked again with director Wilson Yip and star Donnie Yen, as the action director for the 2008 film Ip Man
.
In 2010, Hung was given a lifetime achievement award at the New York Asian Film Festival, where four of his films were shown.
Hung appears in and choreographed Ip Man 2 (2010). His role is that of a Hung Gar master who challenges Ip Man.
, Nicholas Tse
and his youngest son, Sammy Hung.
Hung appeared as a guest judge on the China Beijing TV Station reality television series The Disciple, which aired in mainland China and was produced by, and featured, Jackie Chan. The aim of the program was to find a new star, skilled in acting and martial arts, to become Chan's "successor", the champion being awarded the lead role in a film. It concluded on June 7, 2008, with the series winner announced in Beijing
.
In another mainland Chinese television series, The Shaolin Warriors
, set during the Ming Dynasty
, Hung played Big Foot, a Shaolin warrior monk joining General Qi Jiguang
's marines to help defend the nation against Japanese pirates
. Sammy Hung also has a role, as Big Foot's disciple.
's horror comedy, V for Vampire. These will be followed by a co-starring role alongside Bruce Liang in He Who Would Be King produced by Ju Long's new film studio and Kevin Munroe
's War Monkeys for Dark Horse Indie, a branch of Dark Horse Entertainment
. Hung is also expected to work once again with Stephen Chow
, playing a role in the director's forthcoming wuxia comedy film. The film is currently in the script-writing phase and is as-yet unnamed.
Hung has also directed and starred in another martial arts epic entitled Howling Arrow. According to Hung's official website, it stars Aaron Kwok
, Wu Jing, and Zhou Xun
and was filmed for Tsui Siu-Ming
’s Sundream Motion Pictures
. Filming was supposed to begin in 2007, but the film appears to have been delayed indefinitely.
, with director Karl Maka
and former actor-choreographer Lau Kar Wing
(brother of actors Lau Kar-leung
and Gordon Liu
). The company's name consists of the "Gar" sound from Lau Kar Wing and Karl Maka (Mak Kar), and "Bo" from Hung Kam Bo.). The company disbanded in 1980, when Maka moved on to form Cinema City & Films Co. with Raymond Wong and Dean Shek
. Gar Bo released two films, both starring Hung and Lau:
(1980) Long Arm of the Law
(1984) Pom Pom
(1984) Hocus Pocus (1984)
Mr. Vampire
(1985) Heart of Dragon
(1985) Those Merry Souls
(1985)
Lucky Stars Go Places
(1986)
Millionaire's Express
aka Shanghai Express (1986)
Paper Marriage
(1986)
Righting Wrongs
aka Above the Law (1986)
Rosa (1986)
The Strange Bedfellow (1986)
Mr. Vampire Part 2
(1986)
Eastern Condors
(1987)
Mr. Vampire Part 3
(1987)
The Final Test
(1987)
The Happy Bigamist (1987)
My Cousin, the Ghost (1987)
Scared Stiff (1987)
Sworn Brothers (1987)
To Err is Humane aka To Err is Human (1987)
China's Last Eunuch aka Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch (1988)
Mr. Vampire Saga 4
(1988)
On the Run
(1988)
Picture of a Nymph aka Portrait of a Nymph (1988)
One Husband Too Many (1988)
Blonde Fury (1989)
Three Against the World
(1989)
A Fishy Story (1989)
Doctor's Heart (1990)
Her Fatal Ways
(1990)
Mortuary Blues (1990)
Shanghai, Shanghai aka Shanghai Encounter (1990)
She Shoots Straight
aka Lethal Lady (1990)
Queens Bench III (1990)
The Top Bet
(1991)
Lover at Large (1992)
Scorpion King
aka Operation Scorpio (1992)
and John Shum
. The company operated until 1992 and produced a total of 77 Hong Kong films:
Martial arts film
Martial arts film is a film genre. A sub-genre of the action film, martial arts films contain numerous fights between characters, usually as the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often as a method of storytelling and character expression and development. Martial arts are frequently...
s and Hong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. It combines elements from the action film, as codified by Hollywood, with Chinese storytelling and aesthetic traditions, to create a culturally distinctive form that nevertheless has a wide transcultural...
. He has been a fight choreographer for, amongst others, Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, King Hu
King Hu
King Hu was a Hong Kong- and Taiwan-based Chinese film director whose Wuxia films brought Chinese cinema to new technical and artistic heights. His films Come Drink with Me , Dragon Gate Inn and A Touch of Zen inaugurated a new generation of wuxia films in the late 1960s...
, and John Woo
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS is a Hong Kong-based film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard...
.
Hung is one of the pivotal figures who spearheaded the Hong Kong New Wave
Hong Kong New Wave
The Hong Kong New Wave was a blanket term applied to a number of young, groundbreaking Hong Kong filmmakers of the late 1970s and 1980s, many trained in overseas film programs and with experience in the territory's thriving television drama scene...
movement of the 1980s, helped reinvent the martial arts genre and started the vampire-like Jiang Shi genre. He is widely credited with assisting many of his compatriots, giving them their starts in the Hong Kong film industry, by casting them in the films he produced, or giving them roles in the production crew.
In East Asia, it is common for people to address their elders or influential people with familial nouns as a sign of familiarity and respect. Jackie Chan, for example, is often addressed as "Dai Goh" , meaning Big Brother. Hung was also known as "Dai Goh", until the filming of Project A
Project A
Project A is a 1983 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film written and directed by Jackie Chan, and starring Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao....
, which featured both actors. As Hung was the eldest of the kung fu "brothers", and the first to make a mark on the industry, he was given the nickname "Dai Goh Dai" , meaning, Big, Big Brother or Biggest Big Brother.
Early years
Hung's ancestral hometown is NingboNingbo
Ningbo is a seaport city of northeastern Zhejiang province, Eastern China. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, the municipality has a population of 7,605,700 inhabitants at the 2010 census whom 3,089,180 in the built up area made of 6 urban districts. It lies south of the Hangzhou Bay,...
, Zhejiang Province. Born Hung Kam Po in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, both of his parents worked as wardrobe artists in the local film industry and guardianship was thrust upon his grandparents. His grandmother was archetypal martial-arts actress Chin Tsi-ang
Chin Tsi-Ang
Chin Tsi-Ang , also Chin Tsi-ang and Chi Chi-Ang, was one among the earliest martial-arts actors of the Chinese film industry, and the first female star...
and his grandfather was film director Hung Chung-Ho.
Hung joined the China Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School
Peking Opera School
The Peking Opera Schools were boarding schools located throughout Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, specialising in teaching Peking opera...
in Hong Kong, in 1961. He was enrolled for a period of seven years, beginning at the age of 9, after his grandparents heard about the school from their friends. The opera school was run by Master Yu Jim Yuen
Yu Jim Yuen
Yu Jim-yuen was the master of the China Drama Academy, one of the main Peking Opera Schools in Hong Kong from which Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Wah, and Corey Yuen received their training...
and as was customary for all students, Hung adopted the given name of his sifu
Sifu
Shifu is the identical pronunciation of two Chinese terms for a master. The character 師 means “teacher”. The meaning of 傅 is “tutor”, and of 父, “father”. Both characters are read fu with the same tones in Cantonese and Mandarin, creating some ambiguity...
as his family name whilst attending. Going by the name Yuen Lung, Hung became the foremost member of the Seven Little Fortunes (七小福) performing group, and would establish a friendly rivalry with one of the younger students, Yuen Lo. Yuen Lo would go on to become international superstar Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
.
At the age of 14, Hung was selected by a teacher who had connections to the Hong Kong film industry to perform stunts on a movie. This brief foray into the industry piqued his interest in film and he took particular interest in the operation of film cameras. As the eldest of the troupe, Hung would give his opera school brothers pocket money from his earnings, endearing him greatly to his young friends. Shortly before leaving the Academy at the age of 16, Hung suffered an injury that left him bedridden for an extended period, during which time his weight ballooned. After finding work in the film industry as a stuntman
Stuntman
A stuntman or stunt performer is someone who performs dangerous stunts.Stuntman may also refer to:*The Stunt Man, a 1980 film starring Peter O'Toole*Stuntman , a 2002 video game**Stuntman: Ignition, its sequel...
, he was given a nickname after a well-known Chinese cartoon character, Sam-mo (三毛; Three Hairs).
Many years later, in 1988, Hung starred in Alex Law
Alex Law
Alex Law is a Hong Kong film director writer and producer. He is variously credited as "Law Kai Yui", "Law Kai-Yui" and "Alex Kai Yui".Law was educated at the Diocesan Boys' School, Hong Kong, matriculating in 1971...
's Painted Faces
Painted Faces
Painted Faces , is a Hong Kong film directed by Alex Law. The movie was first released in 1988. The language spoken in this movie is Cantonese....
, a dramatic re-telling of his experiences at the China Drama Academy. Among the exercises featured in the film are numerous acrobatic backflips, and hours of handstands performed against a wall. Despite some of the more brutal exercises and physical punishments shown in Painted Faces, Hung and the rest of the Seven Little Fortunes consider the film a toned-down version of their actual experiences.
1960s and 1970s
Hung appeared as a child actor in several films for Cathay AsiaCathay Organisation
Cathay Organisation Holdings Limited is one of Singapore's leading leisure and entertainment groups. It has the first THX cinema hall and digital cinema in Singapore. The group has operations in Singapore and Malaysia.-The early years:...
and Bo Bo Films during the early 1960s. His film debut was in the 1961 film Education of Love. In 1962, he made his first appearance alongside Jackie Chan in the film Big and Little Wong Tin Bar
Big and Little Wong Tin Bar
Big and Little Wong Tin Bar is a 1962 Hong Kong film. The film is notable for being a young Jackie Chan's first film appearance...
, followed by a role in The Birth of Yue Fei, in which he played the ten year old Yue Fei
Yue Fei
Yue Fei , style name Pengju, was a military general of the Southern Song Dynasty. His ancestral home was in Xiaoti, Yonghe Village, Tangyin, Xiangzhou, Henan...
, the historical figure from the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
who would go on to become a famous Chinese general and martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
. The majority of Hung's performance was alongside another actor portraying Zhou Tong, Yue's elderly military arts tutor.
In 1966, at the age of just 14, Hung began working for Shaw Brothers Studio
Shaw Brothers Studio
The Shaw Brothers Studio , owned by Shaw Brothers Ltd., was the foremost and the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies.From their distribution base in Singapore where they founded parent company Shaw Organization in 1924, and as a strategic development of their movie distribution...
, assisting the action director
Stage combat
Stage combat is a specialized technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet productions. The term is also used informally to describe fight choreography for other...
Han Yingjie, on King Hu
King Hu
King Hu was a Hong Kong- and Taiwan-based Chinese film director whose Wuxia films brought Chinese cinema to new technical and artistic heights. His films Come Drink with Me , Dragon Gate Inn and A Touch of Zen inaugurated a new generation of wuxia films in the late 1960s...
's film Come Drink with Me
Come Drink with Me
Come Drink with Me is a 1966 Hong Kong wuxia film directed by King Hu. Set during the Ming Dynasty, it stars Cheng Pei-pei and Yueh Hua as warriors with Chan Hung-lit as the villain, and features action choreography by Han Ying-chieh. It is widely considered one of the best Hong Kong films ever made...
. Between 1966 and 1974, Hung worked on over 30 wuxia
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
films for Shaw Brothers, progressing through the roles of extra
Extra (actor)
A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, nonsinging or nondancing capacity, usually in the background...
, stuntman, stunt co-ordinator and ultimately, action director.
In 1970, Hung began working for Raymond Chow
Raymond Chow
Raymond Chow Man-Wai is a Hong Kong film producer, and presenter and was responsible for successfully launching martial arts and the Hong Kong cinema onto the international stage...
and the Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest is a film production, distribution, and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. It played a major role in becoming the first Chinese film company to successfully enter the western market for an extended period of time, especially with the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan...
film company. He was initially hired to choreograph the action scenes for the very first Golden Harvest film, The Angry River
The Angry River
The Angry River is a 1970 Hong Kong fantasy action film directed by Huang Feng. It was the first film produced by Golden Harvest.-Cast:*Chang I Fei*Chiang Nan*Feng Yi*Han Ying Chieh*Sammo Hung*Kao Yuan*Lam Ching Ying...
(1970). His popularity soon began to grow, and due to the quality of his choreography and disciplined approach to his work, he again caught the eye of celebrated Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
ese director, King Hu. Hung choreographed two of Hu's films, A Touch of Zen
A Touch of Zen
A Touch of Zen is a 1971 Taiwanese wuxia film directed by King Hu. The film won significant critical acclaim and became the first Chinese language action film ever to win a prize at the Cannes Film Festival, claiming the Technical Grand Prize award....
(1971) and The Fate of Lee Khan (1973).
In the same year, Hung went to South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
to study the martial art Hapkido
Hapkido
Hapkido is a dynamic and also eclectic Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, techniques of other martial arts, as well as kicks, punches, and other striking attacks...
under master Ji Han Jae
Ji Han Jae
Ji Han-Jae was born in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea in 1936. He is one of the highest ranking hapkido instructors in the world and founder of Sin Moo Hapkido.- Trainee :...
.
Also in 1973, he was seen in the Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
classic, Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon
Enter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
. Hung was the Shaolin
Shaolin kung fu
Shaolin Kung Fu refers to a collection of Chinese martial arts that claim affiliation with the Shaolin Monastery.Of the multitude styles of kung fu and wushu, only some are actually related to Shaolin...
student Bruce faces in the opening sequence.
Toward the late 1970s, Hong Kong cinema began to shift away from the Mandarin
Standard Mandarin
Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin or Putonghua, is the official language of the People's Republic of China and Republic of China , and is one of the four official languages of Singapore....
-language, epic martial arts films popularised by directors such as Chang Cheh
Chang Cheh
Chang Cheh was Shaw Brothers Studio's best known and most prolific film director, with such films as the Five Venoms, the Brave Archer , the The One-Armed Swordsman, and other classics of wuxia and kung fu film.-Career:Referred to as "The Godfather of Hong Kong cinema", Chang Cheh directed over 100...
. In a series of films, Hung, along with Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
, began reinterpreting the genre by making comedic Cantonese
Cinema of Hong Kong
The cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...
kung fu. While these films still strongly featured martial arts, it was mixed with a liberal dose of humour.
In 1977, Hung was given his first lead role in a Golden Harvest production, in the film Shaolin Plot
Shaolin Plot
Shaolin Plot is a 1977 Hong Kong film directed by Huang Feng and featuring Sammo Hung in his first starring role and as action director. Huang had been Hung's mentor.-Cast:* James Tien - Little Tiger* Chen Sing - Prince Daglen...
. His next film, released the same year, was also his directorial debut, The Iron-Fisted Monk
The Iron-Fisted Monk
The Iron-Fisted Monk is a 1977 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Sammo Hung his directorial debut...
, one of the earliest kung fu comedies.
In 1978, Raymond Chow gave Hung the task of completing the fight co-ordination for the re-shoot of Game of Death
Game of Death
The Game of Death is a 1972 film starring Bruce Lee. It was almost the last film Bruce Lee had planned to be the demonstration piece of his martial art Jeet Kune Do. Over 100 minutes of footage was shot before his death, some of which was later misplaced in the Golden Harvest archives...
, the film Bruce Lee was unable to complete before his death in 1973.
In 1979, Hung directed his second film, the comedy Enter the Fat Dragon
Enter the Fat Dragon
Enter the Fat Dragon is a 1978 Hong Kong action film directed by and starring Sammo Hung...
, for H.K. Fong Ming Motion Picture Company, also playing the lead role Ah Lung; a character who idolises and impersonates Bruce Lee. Hung has impersonated Lee on film twice more - in the final fight scene against Cynthia Rothrock
Cynthia Rothrock
Cynthia Rothrock is an American martial artist and actress specializing in martial arts films. -Martial arts achievements:Rothrock is five-time World Karate Champion in forms and weapons between 1981 and 1985...
in Millionaire's Express
Millionaire's Express
Millionaire's Express aka. Shanghai Express is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action western film written and directed by Sammo Hung. Film starred Hung, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Mei-sheng Fan and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(1986)., and throughout the 1990 Lau Kar Wing
Lau Kar Wing
Lau Kar Wing is a Hong Kong martial arts film director, action choreographer and actor.-Background:Born in the Xinhui District of Jiangmen in Guangdong, China, Lau Kar Wing was the fourth child of Lau Cham , a martial arts master who studied under Lam Sai Wing, pupil of the legendary Chinese folk...
film Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon
Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon
Skinny Tiger, Fatty Dragon aka Skinny Tiger & Fatty Dragon aka Nutty Kickbox Cops from the German distributor is a 1990 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Lau Kar Wing , starring Sammo Hung and Karl Maka. The trio had worked together in the late 1970s, making two films for Lau and Hung's...
.
After Jackie Chan's success with Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
(1978), Hung was scheduled to make a similar film featuring Drunken Masters "Beggar So" character played by Yuen Siu Tien
Yuen Siu Tien
Yuen Siu-tien was a Chinese martial arts film actor in the late 1970s. Yuen is perhaps best known as Beggar So in three films: Drunken Master, Story of Drunken Master and his final film Dance of the Drunk Mantis...
(aka Simon Yuen). As his elder, Sammo's films were expected to surpass Chan's in popularity. The film was Magnificent Butcher
Magnificent Butcher
Magnificent Butcher is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, starring Sammo Hung, Kwan Tak-hing, Yuen Biao, Wei Pai, Lee Hoi San, Chiang Kam, Fan Mei Sheng, Fung Ging Man, Fung Hak-on and Max Lee.The film is based on the story of Lam Sai-wing, one of the...
(1979), which Hung co-directed with Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director, renowned as one of the most successful and influential figures in the world of Hong Kong action cinema. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong...
. However, during filming Yuen Siu Tien died of a heart attack. He was replaced by Fan Mei Sheng and Yuen's absence may have led to low ticket sales.
1980s
As Hung's fame grew, he used his newly-found influence to assist his former China Drama Academy classmates, as well as the former students of "rival" school, The Spring and Autumn Drama School. Aside from regular collaborations with Chan, others such as Yuen BiaoYuen Biao
Yuen Biao is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer...
, Yuen Wah
Yuen Wah
Yuen Wah is a Hong Kong based Chinese action film actor, action choreographer, stuntman and martial artist who has appeared in over 160 films and over 20 television series.-Early life:...
, Lam Ching-ying and Mang Hoi also began to make regular appearances in his films.
In 1978 and 1981, Hung made two films that contain fine examples of the Wing Chun
Wing Chun
Wing Chun , also romanised as Ving Tsun or Wing Tsun, ; ; is a concept-based Chinese martial art and form of self-defense utilizing both striking and grappling while specializing in close-range combat.The alternative characters 永春 "eternal spring" are also...
style. The first, Warriors Two
Warriors Two
Warriors Two is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by Sammo Hung and released by Golden Harvest. Film stars Hung, alongside Bryan Leung, Casanova Wong and Fung Hak-on...
was the most significant role to date for South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n super kicker Casanova Wong
Casanova Wong
Casanova Wong, also known as Ka Sat Fat , is a Korean martial arts actor born in 1945 as Yong-ho Kim in Gimje, South Korea. An expert in tae kwon do, he is a renowned leg-fighter, and is well known for his spin kicks and was nicknamed "The Human Tornado" in the Korean Army...
, who teamed up with Hung in the final fight. The second film was The Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son (film)
The Prodigal Son , also released as "Pull No Punches," is a 1981 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, starring Yuen Biao and Lam Ching-ying and featuring Hung in a supporting role...
, in which the Wing Chun fighting was performed by Lam Ching-Ying. The release of The Prodigal Son, along with another film directed by and co-starring Hung, Knockabout
Knockabout (film)
Knockabout is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Sammo Hung and starring Hung and Yuen Biao.-Plot:...
(1979) also shot his fellow Opera schoolmate Yuen Biao
Yuen Biao
Yuen Biao is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer...
to stardom.
Hung's martial arts films of the 1980s helped reconfigure how martial arts were presented on screen. While the martial arts films of the 1970s generally featured highly-stylised fighting sequences in period
Period piece
-Setting:In the performing arts, a period piece is a work set in a particular era. This informal term covers all countries, all periods and all genres...
or fantasy settings, Hung's choreography, set in modern urban areas, was more realistic and frenetic - featuring long one-on-one fight scenes. The fight sequences from several of these films, such as those in Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners is a 1983 Hong Kong action comedy film directed, co-written by and starring Sammo Hung. It was the first in the Lucky Stars series of films - a highly successful series in Hong Kong....
(1982) and Wheels on Meals
Wheels on Meals
Wheels on Meals is a 1984 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Sammo Hung. Starring in the film are Hung, Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao...
(1985) came to define 1980s martial arts movies.
In 1983, the collaboration between the triumverate of Hung, Jackie Chan, and Yuen Biao began with Chan's Project A
Project A
Project A is a 1983 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film written and directed by Jackie Chan, and starring Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao....
. Hung, Chan and Yuen were known as the 'Three Dragons' and their alliance lasted for 5 years. Although Yuen continued to appear in the films of Hung and Chan, the final film to date starring all three was 1988's Dragons Forever
Dragons Forever
Dragons Forever is a 1988 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Sammo Hung. Film stars Hung, Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao. The three actors, known colloquially as the Three Brothers, had attended the famous China Drama Academy together, and became members of the Seven Little Fortunes...
.
Hung was also responsible for the Lucky Stars
Lucky Stars
Lucky Stars Lucky Stars Lucky Stars (or Five Lucky Stars; was a Hong Kong action comedy film series in the 1980s and 1990s, blending Chinese martial arts with bawdy comedy...
comedy film series in the 1980s. He directed and co-starred in the original trilogy, Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners is a 1983 Hong Kong action comedy film directed, co-written by and starring Sammo Hung. It was the first in the Lucky Stars series of films - a highly successful series in Hong Kong....
(1983), My Lucky Stars
My Lucky Stars
My Lucky Stars is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film, directed by Sammo Hung. It is the second film in the Lucky Stars series...
(1985) and Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars
Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film directed and co-written by Sammo Hung. It is the third instalment in the Lucky Stars series, following Winners and Sinners and My Lucky Stars...
(1985). These first three films featured Chan and Biao in supporting roles. Hung also produced
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and played a supporting role in the fourth film, Lucky Stars Go Places
Lucky Stars Go Places
Lucky Stars Go Places , also known as The Luckiest Stars, is a 1986 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Eric Tsang. It is the fourth film in the Lucky Stars series...
(1986), and made a cameo appearance in the sixth and final film, How to Meet the Lucky Stars
How to Meet the Lucky Stars
How to Meet the Lucky Stars is a 1996 Hong Kong film and the final film in the Lucky Stars film series. Featuring the "Lucky Stars" Sammo Hung , Eric Tsang, Richard Ng, Stanley Fung, Michael Miu and new cast member Vincent Lau as Hung's younger cousin and Françoise Yip as their love interest...
(1996).
During the 1980s, Hung was instrumental in the creating the genre of Jiang Shi , the Jiang Shi being hopping re-animated corpses - a Chinese equivalent to Western vampires. Two landmark films, Encounters of the Spooky Kind
Encounters of the Spooky Kind
Encounters of the Spooky Kind is a 1980 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy horror film written, choreographed, directed by and starring Sammo Hung. The film was produced by Hung's production company Bo Ho Film Company.It was released as Spooky Encounters in the US...
(1980) and The Dead and the Deadly (1983) feature Jiang Shi who move in standing jumps towards their victims, as well as Taoist priests with the ability to quell these vampires (and at times, each other) through magical spells and charms. These films meld Chinese folklore
Chinese folklore
Chinese folklore includes songs, dances, puppetry, and tales. It often tells stories of human nature, historical or legendary events, love, and the supernatural, or stories explaining natural phenomena and distinctive landmarks.-Folktales:...
with special effects and kung fu action to create a genre that is uniquely Chinese. Hung's Jiang Shi films would pave the way for films such as the popular Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire, also known as Geung-si Sin-sang, is a 1985 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film's box office success led to the creation of a Mr...
(1985), which he also produced, and its sequels.
He revitalised the sub-genre of female-led kung fu films, producing cop films such as Yes, Madam
Yes, Madam
Yes, Madam is a 1985 Hong Kong action film directed by Corey Yuen and starring Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock. The film is Yeoh's first major action role and Rothrock's first appearance in a feature film....
aka Police Assassins (both 1985), which introduced stars Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng is a Hong Kong-based Malaysian Chinese actress, well known for performing her own stunts in the action films that brought her to fame in the early 1990s....
and Cynthia Rothrock
Cynthia Rothrock
Cynthia Rothrock is an American martial artist and actress specializing in martial arts films. -Martial arts achievements:Rothrock is five-time World Karate Champion in forms and weapons between 1981 and 1985...
.
Film
After some relatively poor performances at the domestic box-office, Hung had a dispute with studio head, Raymond Chow. Hung had produced the thriller Into the Fire (1989), but Hung felt Golden Harvest had withdrawn the film from cinemas too soon. The disagreement led to Hung parting company with Golden Harvest in 1991, after 21 years with the company.Whilst continuing to produce films through his own company Bojon Films Company Ltd, Hung failed to equal his early successes. His fortunes improved somewhat as the helmer of "Mr. Nice Guy
Mr. Nice Guy
Mr Nice Guy may denote to:*Mr. Nice Guy *Mr. Nice Guy starring Jackie Chan*Mr. Nice Guy , an EP by Danish singer Trine Dyrholm...
" (1997), a long-awaited reunion with Chan.
In 1994, Hung coordinated the fight sequences in Wong Kar-wai
Wong Kar-wai
Wong Kar-wai BBS is a Hong Kong Second Wave filmmaker, internationally renowned as an auteur for his visually unique, highly stylized, emotionally resonant work, including Days of Being Wild , Ashes of Time , Chungking Express , Fallen Angels , Happy Together and 2046...
's wuxia
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
epic, Ashes of Time
Ashes of Time
-Critical:When the film opened in Hong Kong it received mixed reviews. Critics found it so elliptical that it was almost impossible to make out any semblance of a plot, something very rare in a wuxia film....
.
Television
In 1998, US television network CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
began to broadcast Martial Law
Martial Law (TV series)
Martial Law was a TV crime drama that ran on CBS from 1998 to 2000, and was created by Carlton Cuse. The title character, Sammo Law, portrayed by Sammo Hung, was a Chinese law officer and martial arts expert who came to Los Angeles in search of a colleague and remains in the US.The show was a...
(1998–2000) on Saturday nights, an action-drama built around Hung. The hour-long shows were a surprise success and installed Hung as the only East Asian headlining a prime time
Prime time
Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast programming during the middle of the evening for television programing.The term prime time is often defined in terms of a fixed time period—for example, from 19:00 to 22:00 or 20:00 to 23:00 Prime time or primetime is the block of broadcast...
network series. The television series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
was executive produced and occasionally directed by Stanley Tong
Stanley Tong
Stanley Tong is a film director from Hong Kong.According to IMDb , he customarily attempts stunts himself before asking actors to risk themselves...
, and co-starred Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall is an American actor, comedian, and former talk show host. He is best known for his talk show The Arsenio Hall Show, which ran between 1989 and 1994, and his roles in the films Coming to America and Harlem Nights.Hall is also known for his appearance as Alan Thicke's sidekick on the...
. Hung reportedly recited some of his English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
dialogue phonetically. The show was an eastern remake of Due South
Due South
Due South is a Canadian crime drama series with elements of comedy. The series was created by Paul Haggis, produced by Alliance Communications, and stars Paul Gross, David Marciano, and latterly Callum Keith Rennie...
, which starred Paul Gross
Paul Gross
Paul Michael Gross is a Canadian actor, producer, director, singer and writer born in Calgary, Alberta. He is known for his lead role as Constable Benton Fraser in the television series Due South as well as his 2008 war film Passchendaele, which he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in...
.
Film
During 2000-2001, Hung expressed interest in creating a film adaptation of the video game Soulcalibur. The production agreement for the film was made around April 2001 with an estimated budget of $50 million. Hung had the idea of producing a martial arts epic with Chen Lung Jackie ChanJackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
in the lead role, but the film was never made. Hung's plans were detailed on his website, but after a year the announcement was removed. The film rights have since been acquired by Warren Zide, the producer of American Pie
American Pie (film)
American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
and Final Destination
Final Destination
Final Destination is a 2000 supernatural slasher film written and directed by James Wong. The film was co-written by Glen Morgan and Jeffrey Reddick, both of them having previously worked with Wong in the TV series The X-Files. The film stars Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith and Tony Todd...
.
Hung found renewed success in Hong Kong film industry in the 2000s, beginning with The Legend of Zu
The Legend of Zu
The Legend of Zu, also known as Zu Warriors in the United States, is a 2001 Hong Kong film produced and directed by Tsui Hark. The film starred Ekin Cheng, Louis Koo, Cecilia Cheung, Patrick Tam, Zhang Ziyi and Sammo Hung...
(2001), the long-awaited sequel to the 1983 hit Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain
Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain is a 1983 Hong Kong supernatural fantasy film directed by Tsui Hark, who attempts to combine Hong Kong action cinema with Western special effects technology...
. In 2004, Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
's Kung Fu Hustle
Kung Fu Hustle
Kung Fu Hustle is a 2004 action comedy film directed and produced by, and starring Stephen Chow. The other film producers were Chui Po-chu and Jeffrey Lau, while the screenplay was written by Huo Xin, Chan Man-keung, and Tsang Kan-cheung...
was released. Though Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping
Yuen Woo-ping is a Chinese martial arts choreographer and film director, renowned as one of the most successful and influential figures in the world of Hong Kong action cinema. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue of Stars in Hong Kong...
was credited for the martial arts choreography on Kung Fu Hustle, Hung actually did the preliminary work but left the film midway through, and Yuen filled in to complete it. Because of his departure from the film, there was tabloid speculation that he and Chow had strong differences over the film, resulting in their separation. Chow has since responded that Hung left for personal reasons and not because of speculated tensions. In 2004, Hung again worked with Jackie Chan, in a brief but notable appearance in Disney's Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in 80 Days (2004 film)
Around the World in 80 Days is a 2004 American comedy adventure film based on Jules Verne's novel of the same name. It stars Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan and Cécile de France. The film is set in 19th-century Britain and centers on Phileas Fogg , here reimagined as an eccentric inventor, and his...
as the legendary folk hero Wong Fei Hung
Wong Fei Hung
Wong Fei-hung was a Chinese martial artist, a traditional Chinese medicine physician, acupuncturist and revolutionary who became a folk hero and the subject of numerous television series and films. He was considered an expert in the Hung Gar style of Chinese martial arts. Wong is visibly the most...
, a character which, curiously, had been played by Chan himself in the Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
series.
In 2005, Hung was involved in Daniel Lee
Daniel Lee Yan-Kong
Daniel Lee Yan-Kong is a Hong Kong film director, screenwriter, assistant director and art director.-Director:* What Price Survival * Black Mask * ...Till Death Do Us Part * Moonlight Express...
's Dragon Squad
Dragon Squad
Dragon Squad is a 2005 Hong Kong action film co-written and directed by Daniel Lee, co-produced by Steven Seagal and starring Vanness Wu, Sammo Hung, Michael Biehn, Maggie Q, and Simon Yam.-Plot:...
and Wilson Yip
Wilson Yip
Wilson Yip Wai-Shun is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and screenwriter. His films include Bio Zombie, The White Dragon, SPL: Sha Po Lang, Dragon Tiger Gate, Flash Point, Ip Man, and Ip Man 2.-Early career:...
's SPL: Sha Po Lang
SPL: Sha Po Lang
SPL: Sha Po Lang , , is a 2005 Hong Kong martial arts and crime film written and directed by Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Jing Wu...
(aka Kill Zone). In the latter, Hung played a villain for the first time in over 25 years, and had his first ever fight scene against Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen
Donnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
. One of the key relationships in SPL had been Hung's role as the adoptive father of Wu Jing's character. However, these scenes were dropped from the final film as the director couldn't find a way to fit them into the film. In response to this, a prequel film was planned. Hung appeared alongside Wu Jing again in 2007's Twins Mission
Twins Mission
Twins Mission is a 2007 Hong Kong martial arts-action-comedy film directed by action choreographer Kong Tao-Hoi and starring Sammo Hung, Gillian Chung, Charlene Choi and Wu Jing among others...
with stars, the Twins. In early 2008, Hung starred in Fatal Move
Fatal Move
Fatal Move is a 2008 Hong Kong action crime film written, produced and directed by Dennis Law. The film features a large ensemble cast which includes Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Wu Jing, who reunite after 2005's SPL: Sha Po Lang...
, in which he and Ken Lo
Ken Lo
Ken Low Wai-kwong is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist and a ex-member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team.-Early life:...
played a pair of rival triad gang leaders. He also starred in, and performed action choreography for, Daniel Lee
Daniel Lee
Daniel Lee may refer to:*Daniel Curtis Lee , American actor*Daniel Armand Lee , South Korean hip hop artist, songwriter and lyricist*Danell Lee , winner of the second season of Malaysian Idol...
's Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon
Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon is a 2008 Hong Kong film loosely based on parts of the Chinese classical novel Romance of Three Kingdoms. It was directed by Daniel Lee with a reported budget of US$25 million...
, with Andy Lau
Andy Lau
Andy Lau MH, JP is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, actor, and film producer. Lau has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time...
and Maggie Q
Maggie Q
Margaret Denise Quigley , professionally known as Maggie Q, is an American-born actress and former fashion model. She currently stars as the titular character on the action-thriller TV series Nikita.-Early life:...
. The film, was based on the book Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
.
Antony Szeto
Antony Szeto
-Background:Szeto was born in Sydney, Australia, but moved to Hong Kong when he was very young. He grew up in Hong Kong and returned to Australia to complete his high school. Soon after finishing school he went to China where he studied at the Beijing Sport University majoring in Chinese martial arts...
's film, Wushu, which stars Hung premiered in Beijing in October, 2008. The film was unveiled by Golden Network at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival
2008 Cannes Film Festival
The 61st Annual Cannes Film Festival was held from May 14 to May 25, 2008. In addition to films selected for competition this year, major Hollywood productions such as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Kung Fu Panda had their world premieres at the festival.The British press...
. Jackie Chan was the film's executive producer
Executive producer
An executive producer is a producer who is not involved in any technical aspects of the film making or music process, but who is still responsible for the overall production...
, and worked on the film in an advisory capacity, assisting with marketing and casting. Hung then worked again with director Wilson Yip and star Donnie Yen, as the action director for the 2008 film Ip Man
Ip Man (film)
Ip Man is a 2008 Hong Kong semi biographical martial arts film very loosely based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun and master of Bruce Lee. The film focuses on events in Ip's life that supposedly took place in the city of Foshan during the Second Sino-Japanese War...
.
In 2010, Hung was given a lifetime achievement award at the New York Asian Film Festival, where four of his films were shown.
Hung appears in and choreographed Ip Man 2 (2010). His role is that of a Hung Gar master who challenges Ip Man.
Television
In between films and special appearances, Hung has appeared in several East Asian television series. In 2003 he was in two mainland Chinese series - Undercover Cop with Fan Bingbing, followed by The Valley of Lost Vengeance (aka End Enmity Hollow). More recently, he played a master con-artist in the Taiwanese series Coming Lies and Wing Chun master Wong Wah-bo in Wing Chun, reprising the role he played in The Prodigal Son over 20 years earlier. He co-starred in the series alongside Yuen BiaoYuen Biao
Yuen Biao is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer...
, Nicholas Tse
Nicholas Tse
Nicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and musician, and son of actor Patrick Tse. He is a member of the Emperor Entertainment Group...
and his youngest son, Sammy Hung.
Hung appeared as a guest judge on the China Beijing TV Station reality television series The Disciple, which aired in mainland China and was produced by, and featured, Jackie Chan. The aim of the program was to find a new star, skilled in acting and martial arts, to become Chan's "successor", the champion being awarded the lead role in a film. It concluded on June 7, 2008, with the series winner announced in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.
In another mainland Chinese television series, The Shaolin Warriors
The Shaolin Warriors
The Shaolin Warriors is a Chinese television series directed by Raymond Lee and starring Sammo Hung, Cui Lin, Christopher Lee, Li Man, Sammy Hung, Cui Peng, Liu Ying and Jeanette Aw. The series was first broadcast in November 2008 on CCTV-8 in mainland China.-Plot:The story is set in the Ming...
, set during the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, Hung played Big Foot, a Shaolin warrior monk joining General Qi Jiguang
Qi Jiguang
Qi Jiguang was a Chinese military general and national hero during the Ming Dynasty. He was best remembered for his courage and leadership in the fight against Japanese pirates along the east coast of China, as well as his reinforcement work on the Great Wall of China.-Early life:Qi Jiguang was...
's marines to help defend the nation against Japanese pirates
Wokou
Wokou , which literally translates as "Japanese pirates" in English, were pirates of varying origins who raided the coastlines of China and Korea from the 13th century onwards...
. Sammy Hung also has a role, as Big Foot's disciple.
Future
Forthcoming film roles for Hung include starring roles in another Daniel Lee film, entitled Duel and in Vincent KokVincent Kok
Vincent Kok Tak-Chiu is a Hong Kong actor, scriptwriter and film director.Kok is best known for his frequent collaborations with Stephen Chow, acting and co-writing with him the films Forbidden City Cop, From Beijing with Love and The God of Cookery in addition to producing and co-writing Chow's...
's horror comedy, V for Vampire. These will be followed by a co-starring role alongside Bruce Liang in He Who Would Be King produced by Ju Long's new film studio and Kevin Munroe
Kevin Munroe
Kevin Andrew Munroe is a Canadian-born filmmaker, now an American citizen. His best known work is that of writer and director of TMNT . He also had a cameo appearance as a diner patron in the same film. His most recent film was Dead of Night....
's War Monkeys for Dark Horse Indie, a branch of Dark Horse Entertainment
Dark Horse Entertainment
Dark Horse Entertainment is a motion picture and television production arm of American comic book publishing company Dark Horse Comics.They also have a sub-label, Dark Horse Indie.-Productions:*30 Days of Night*B&B*Barb Wire...
. Hung is also expected to work once again with Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow Sing-Chi is a Hong Kong actor, comedian, screenwriter, film director and producer.- Professional career :Stephen Chow began as a temporary actor for TVB. He entered TVB in early 1980s, and was trained there, although he had few opportunities to appear in films. Chow graduated from...
, playing a role in the director's forthcoming wuxia comedy film. The film is currently in the script-writing phase and is as-yet unnamed.
Hung has also directed and starred in another martial arts epic entitled Howling Arrow. According to Hung's official website, it stars Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok
Aaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson...
, Wu Jing, and Zhou Xun
Zhou Xun
Zhou Xun is a Chinese actress and singer. She is regarded as one of the "Four Young Dan actresses" in China in the early 2000s, along with Zhang Ziyi, Xu Jinglei and Zhao Wei.-Early life:...
and was filmed for Tsui Siu-Ming
Tsui Siu-Ming
Tsui Siu-ming is a Hong Kong-based actor, screenwriter, film producer, assistant director, production manager, and action choreographer.-Career:...
’s Sundream Motion Pictures
Sundream Motion Pictures
Sundream Motion Pictures Ltd. , also known as Sundream Pictures is a Hong Kong production company and distributor. It is a subsidiary of pay TV provider i-Cable Communications Ltd..-Company:...
. Filming was supposed to begin in 2007, but the film appears to have been delayed indefinitely.
Filmography
Hung has starred in 75 films, and worked on over 230, beginning as a child actor whilst still attending the China Drama Academy. Upon leaving the opera school, he worked as an extra and stuntman, and progressed through other roles including fight choreographer, stunt co-ordinator, action director, actor, writer, producer and director.Film production
Gar Bo Motion Picture Company
In 1978 Sammo Hung formed Gar Bo Motion Picture Company, a subsidiary of Golden HarvestGolden Harvest
Golden Harvest is a film production, distribution, and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. It played a major role in becoming the first Chinese film company to successfully enter the western market for an extended period of time, especially with the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan...
, with director Karl Maka
Karl Maka
Karl Maka is a popular Hong Kong producer, director, actor and presenter. He was born on 29 February 1944 in Taishan, China. One of his popular movie is the Aces Go Places film series which he acted alongside Sam Hui....
and former actor-choreographer Lau Kar Wing
Lau Kar Wing
Lau Kar Wing is a Hong Kong martial arts film director, action choreographer and actor.-Background:Born in the Xinhui District of Jiangmen in Guangdong, China, Lau Kar Wing was the fourth child of Lau Cham , a martial arts master who studied under Lam Sai Wing, pupil of the legendary Chinese folk...
(brother of actors Lau Kar-leung
Lau Kar-leung
Lau Kar-Leung is a famous Hong Kong martial arts filmmaker, choreographer, and actor.Lau Kar-Leung is best known for his movies which he made during the 1970s and 1980s for the Shaw Brothers Studio...
and Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu
Gordon Liu is a Chinese martial arts film actor. He became famous for playing the lead in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and its sequels...
). The company's name consists of the "Gar" sound from Lau Kar Wing and Karl Maka (Mak Kar), and "Bo" from Hung Kam Bo.). The company disbanded in 1980, when Maka moved on to form Cinema City & Films Co. with Raymond Wong and Dean Shek
Dean Shek
Dean Shek aka Dean Shek Tien is a veteran Hong Kong feature film actor and film producer with over 92 films acting credits to his name...
. Gar Bo released two films, both starring Hung and Lau:
- Dirty Tiger, Crazy FrogDirty Tiger, Crazy FrogDirty Tiger, Crazy Frog is a 1978 Hong Kong kung fu film directed by Karl Maka, starring Sammo Hung and Lau Kar Wing. The two leads also shared action directing duties...
(1978)
Bo Ho Film Company Ltd
1980 saw Raymond Chow pull one of Hung's films from local cinemas after just two weeks. Hung responded by starting his own production company Bo Ho Film Company Ltd, allowing him to have greater control to produce Hong Kong films. Whilst Bo Ho produced, Golden Harvest still operated as distributors. In all, 40 films were released by Bo Ho, several of which starred Hung:Encounters of the Spooky Kind
Encounters of the Spooky Kind is a 1980 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy horror film written, choreographed, directed by and starring Sammo Hung. The film was produced by Hung's production company Bo Ho Film Company.It was released as Spooky Encounters in the US...
(1980)
Long Arm of the Law (film)
Long Arm of the Law is a 1984 Hong Kong film directed by Johnny Mak.The film was followed by two sequels: Long Arm of the Law II and Long Arm of the Law III .-Cast:* Chen Jing* Kong Lung* Ben Lam Kwok Bun* David Lam Wai...
(1984)
Pom Pom (film)
Pom Pom is a 1984 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Joe Cheung. It is the first in a series of four Pom Pom films starring Richard Ng and John Shum....
(1984)
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire, also known as Geung-si Sin-sang, is a 1985 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film's box office success led to the creation of a Mr...
(1985)
Heart of Dragon
Heart of Dragon is a 1985 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, and starring Hung, Jackie Chan, Emily Chu and Mang Hoi.It is also known by the titles as 'The First Mission and Powerman III....
(1985)
Those Merry Souls
Those Merry Souls is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Lau Kar Wing. It is starring Yuen Biao and Eric Tsang.-Cast:*Yuen Biao - Chiu Chi-Lung*Eric Tsang - Ng Kuai-Tak*Lam Ching Ying - Tak's father*Stanley Fung - Uncle Chiu...
(1985)
Lucky Stars Go Places
Lucky Stars Go Places , also known as The Luckiest Stars, is a 1986 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Eric Tsang. It is the fourth film in the Lucky Stars series...
(1986)
Millionaire's Express
Millionaire's Express aka. Shanghai Express is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action western film written and directed by Sammo Hung. Film starred Hung, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Mei-sheng Fan and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
aka Shanghai Express (1986)
Paper Marriage
Paper Marriage is a 1988 Hong Kong film directed by Alfred Cheung and starring Sammo Hung and Maggie Cheung.-Plot:...
(1986)
Righting Wrongs
Righting Wrongs is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action crime film directed by Corey Yuen , starring Yuen Biao and Cynthia Rothrock. This is the one of Yuen Biao's better known films that he made without film industry compatriots Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan.-Title:The film's Hong Kong English...
aka Above the Law (1986)
Mr. Vampire II
Mr. Vampire II, also known as Mr. Vampire Part 2, is a 1986 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film is the second of a series of five films directed by Ricky Lau in the Mr. Vampire franchise...
(1986)
Eastern Condors
Eastern Condors is a 1987 Hong Kong action film set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It was directed by and starred Sammo Hung along with Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah...
(1987)
Mr. Vampire III
Mr. Vampire III, also known as Mr. Vampire Part 3, is a 1987 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film is the third of a series of five films directed by Ricky Lau in the Mr. Vampire franchise. The Chinese title of the film literally translates to Mr...
(1987)
The Final Test
The Final Test is a 1953 British sports film written by Terence Rattigan, directed by Anthony Asquith, and starring Jack Warner, Robert Morley, George Relph and Ray Jackson. A number of leading cricketers also appear including Denis Compton, Len Hutton and Cyril Washbrook.-Plot:The film is a comedy...
(1987)
Mr. Vampire IV
Mr. Vampire IV, also known as Mr. Vampire Saga Four, is a 1988 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung and Jessica Chan. The film is the fourth of a series of five films directed by Ricky Lau in the Mr. Vampire franchise...
(1988)
On the Run (1988 film)
On the Run is a 1988 Hong Kong action drama film directed by Alfred Cheung. The film stars Yuen Biao, Pat Ha and Charlie Chin.-Plot:Chui Pai was a dangerous killer who shot a woman during the night and lives with her daughter. She was hunted for many years and cannot stop hiding. Hsiang Ming was...
(1988)
Three Against The World
Three Against The World is a 1988 Hong Kong film directed by Brandy Yuen starring Andy Lau and Rosamund Kwan.-Summary:When Charlie Chan's friend's father's insurance company undertakes to look after a priceless copy of the Koran while it is on display, Charlie vows to help protect the scroll...
(1989)
Her Fatal Ways
Her Fatal Ways is a 1990 Hong Kong crime-comedy film. It is directed and written by Alfred Cheung Kin Ting and stars Carol "Dodo" Cheng, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Sunny Fang Kang, Michael Chow, Sheila Chan and the Director himself...
(1990)
She Shoots Straight
She Shoots Straight is a 1990 Hong Kong action film directed by Corey Yuen and starring Sammo Hung and Joyce Godenzi.-Cast:*Joyce Godenzi - Inspector Mina Kao *Carina Lau - Huang Chia-Ling*Sammo Hung - Supt. Officer Hung...
aka Lethal Lady (1990)
The Top Bet
The Top Bet is a 1991 film directed by Jeffrey Lau. It is a spin-off of the All for the Winner series, with only Ng Man Tat and Anita Mui act as Blackie Tat and Sing's sister and Stephen Chow in a cameo appearance as Sing.-Cast:* Anita Mui - Mei / Sing's sister* Carol Cheng - The Queen of...
(1991)
Scorpion King (1992 film)
Scorpion King is a 1991 action film directed by David Lai and action directed by Yuen Tak. The film stars Chin Kar Lok, Lau Kar Leung and Kim Won Jin.-Plot:...
aka Operation Scorpio (1992)
D&B Films Company Ltd
In 1983, Hung co-founded another production company, D&B Films Company Ltd ("D&B" being short for "Duk-Bo"), with Dickson PoonDickson Poon
Dickson Poon, SBS is a Hong Kong businessman in the luxury goods retailing sector. Poon is the executive chairman of his Hong Kong listed vehicle Dickson Concepts , which owns companies including Harvey Nichols and S. T. Dupont...
and John Shum
John Shum
John Shum Kin-Fun is a Hong Kong actor and film producer. His English name is sometimes written as John Sham.Whilst known primarily for his comedic acting roles in Hong Kong cinema, he also spent time as a political activist....
. The company operated until 1992 and produced a total of 77 Hong Kong films:
- Hong Kong 1941Hong Kong 1941Hong Kong 1941 is a 1983 Hong Kong film, directed by Leong Po-Chih and written by Sammo Hung.-Synopsis:The film takes places shortly before and during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II...
(1984) - The Owl vs Bumbo aka The Owl vs Bombo (1984)
- The Return of Pom Pom (1984)
- The Island (1985)
- It's a Drink, It's a Bomb (1985)
- Mr. Boo Meets Pom Pom (1985)
- Yes, MadamYes, MadamYes, Madam is a 1985 Hong Kong action film directed by Corey Yuen and starring Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock. The film is Yeoh's first major action role and Rothrock's first appearance in a feature film....
aka Police Assassins (1985) - Night Caller (1985)
- Dream Lovers (1986)
- Silent LoveSilent LoveSilent Love is the fourth single released by Violinski, and also the lead single from their last album Stop Cloning About, and was also included on the compilation album "Clog Dance: The Very Best of Violinski"...
(1986) - Passion (1986)
- Legacy of RageLegacy of RageLegacy of Rage is a 1986 Hong Kong action film starring Brandon Lee in his film debut, Michael Wong, Regina Kent, Chung Lam and a cameo appearance by Bolo Yeung who had appeared in Lee's father Bruce Lee's last film Enter the Dragon. It was directed by Ronny Yu and made in Cantonese...
(1986) - My Family (1986)
- Pom Pom Strikes Back (1986)
- Conduct Zero (1986)
- In the Line of Duty aka Royal Warriors (1986)
- Brotherhood (1986)
- From Here to Prosperity (1986)
- The Lunatics (1986)
- Caper (1986)
- Devoted to You (1986)
- On the Red (1986)
- Where's Officer Tuba? (1986)
- Kiss Me GoodbyeKiss Me Goodbye (film)Kiss Me Goodbye is a 1982 film directed by Robert Mulligan and starring Sally Field in a Golden Globe nominated performance. The movie also stars James Caan and Jeff Bridges.-Plot:...
(1986) - It's a Mad Mad World (1987)
- Porky's Meatballs (1987)
- The Wrong Couple aka The Wrong Couples (1987)
- Wonder Women (1987)
- Magnificent WarriorsMagnificent WarriorsMagnificent Warriors is a 1987 Hong Kong action film starring Michelle Yeoh and Richard Ng and directed by David Chung....
aka Yes, Madam 3 (1987) - You're OK, I'm OK! (1987)
- The Final Victory (1987)
- Easy Money (1987)
- The Gang Don't Shoot Straight aka The Goofy Gang (1987)
- An Autumn's TaleAn Autumn's TaleAn Autumn's Tale is a 1987 Hong Kong-made romantic drama set in New York City starring Chow Yun-fat, Cherie Chung, and Danny Chan. This is Mabel Cheung second movie as a director after her "migration trilogy."...
(1987) - In the Line of Duty 3 aka Yes, Madam 2 (1987)
- Sapporo Story (1987)
- Heart To Hearts (1988)
- It's A Mad Mad World 2 (1988)
- Tiger Cage (1988)
- Fury (1988)
- Classmate Party aka Student Union (1988)
- In the Blood (1988)
- Double FattinessDouble Fattiness-Cast and roles:* Bill Tung - Mo Jup Shu * Lydia Shum - Siu-Fung / Miss Choi* Eric Tsang - Mo Dut Go* Maggie Cheung - Diana* Dennis Chan - Spiritworld Keeper* Paul Chun - Kum Dai Tse* James Wong - Orchestra Director* David Chiang - 2nd Spiritworld Keeper...
(1988) - Vengeance is Mine (1988)
- Keep on Dancing (1988)
- Bless This HouseBless This House (film)Bless This House is a 1972 British comedy film and a spin off from the television sitcom Bless This House.-Cast:The film starred many of the main stars from the TV series but some were missing and were replaced.*Sid James as Sid Abbot...
(1988) - Women's Prison (1988)
- Darkside Of Chinatown (1989)
- Happy TogetherHappy Together (1989 Hong Kong film)-Cast and roles:* Cherie Chung * Vivian Chow * Lowell Lo * Chingmy Yau * Lawrence Cheng * Kenny Bee-External links:* *...
(1989) - In the Line of Duty 4 aka In the Line of Duty aka Yes, Madam 4 (1989)
- Mr. Fortune (1989)
- Unfaithfully Yours (1989)
- It's A Mad Mad World 3 (1989)
- The Nobles (1989)
- Funny Ghost (1989)
- You Bet Your Life (1989)
- A Bite of Love (1990)
- Love is Love (1990)
- Middle Man (1990)
- Tiger Cage 2Tiger Cage 2Tiger Cage 2 is a 1990 Hong Kong action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping and starring Donnie Yen.-Plot:Donnie Yen plays a hot-headed ex-cop named Dragon Yau whose attitude has got him in trouble with his bosses and his wife. On a trip to the lawyers, he is witness to a robbery where a suitcase of...
(1990) - Heart Into Hearts (1990)
- BB 30 (1990)
- Brave Young Girls (1990)
- Look Out, Officer!Look Out, Officer!Look Out, Officer! is a 1990 Hong Kong film directed by Lau Sze Yu.-Cast and roles:* Stephen Chow - Hsing* Vivian Chan - Yu* Stanley Fung - Chin* Indra Leech - Police Officer* Mui Siu-Wai - Beautiful* Bill Tung - Chang Piao...
(1990) - Perfect Girls (1990)
- Vampire Settle on Police Camp (1990)
- Forbidden Arsenal (1991)
- The Perfect MatchThe Perfect MatchThe Perfect Match is a British comedy-drama television film written by Mike Bullen and directed by Nick Hurran. It stars Saskia Reeves and Con O'Neill as Bridget and Phil, a couple whose marriage proposal is broadcast to football fans. It was first broadcast on the ITV network on 6 September 1995...
(1991) - The Plot (1991)
- Sea Wolves (1991)
- Dreams of Glory, A Boxer's Story (1991)
- Tiger Cage 3 (1991)
- Black Cat (1991)
- His Fatal Ways (1991)
- Will of Iron (1991)
- Black Cat 2 (1992)
- Heart Against Hearts (1992)
Bojon Films Company Ltd
In 1989, Hung formed a new production company, Bojon Films Company Ltd. The company produced 5 films, all of which starred Hung:- Pedicab DriverPedicab DriverPedicab Driver is a 1989 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by and starring Sammo Hung, who portrays the leader of a crew of cycle rickshaw drivers in 1930s Macau.The movie features features guest appearances by Eric Tsang, Corey Yuen and Lau Kar-leung....
(1989) - Encounters of the Spooky Kind 2 (1990)
- Pantyhose Hero aka Pantyhose Killer (1990)
- Slickers vs. Killers (1991)
- Don't Give a Damn aka Burger Cop (1995)
Personal life
- Hung's grandmother was martial-arts actress Chin Tsi-angChin Tsi-AngChin Tsi-Ang , also Chin Tsi-ang and Chi Chi-Ang, was one among the earliest martial-arts actors of the Chinese film industry, and the first female star...
, who starred in almost 80 films between 1941 and 2002. His grandfather was film director and writer Hung Chung Ho, who directed over 40 films between 1937 and 1950. - Hung's younger brother, Lee Chi Kit, has worked on almost 40 films, many of which Hung was also involved with. Lee also worked on Hung's Martial Law series. He works primarily as a supporting actor and action director.
- He has three sons and a daughter, Timmy Hung Tin MingTimmy HungTimmy Hung Tin Ming is a Hong Kong actor and the eldest son of martial arts superstar Sammo Hung. He is half Korean, his mother is Sammo Hung's first wife.-Film:-Television series:-External links:* at the Hong Kong Movie Database*...
(洪天明; born 1974), Jimmy Hung Tin Cheung (洪天祥; born 1977), Sammy Hung Tin Chiu (洪天照; born 1979) and Stephanie Hung Chao Yu (洪煦榆; born 1983) with Jo Yun Ok (曹恩玉), whom he grew up with in martial arts training school. He divorced Jo in 1994 and married model and actress Joyce Godenzi in 1995. Godenzi appeared in several of his films including The Haunted Island, Eastern CondorsEastern CondorsEastern Condors is a 1987 Hong Kong action film set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It was directed by and starred Sammo Hung along with Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah...
(both 1986), and Paper MarriagePaper MarriagePaper Marriage is a 1988 Hong Kong film directed by Alfred Cheung and starring Sammo Hung and Maggie Cheung.-Plot:...
(1988) prior to the pair becoming a couple. She also appeared in Mr. Nice GuyMr. Nice Guy (1997 film)Mr Nice Guy is a 1997 Hong Kong martial arts action crime comedy film directed by Sammo Hung and starring Jackie Chan. It also stars Richard Norton as the villain, with whom Chan had worked in 1993 film City Hunter and Chan and Hung had worked in Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars. Hung makes a cameo as...
(1997).
- Timmy Hung has appeared alongside his father in SPL: Sha Po LangSPL: Sha Po LangSPL: Sha Po Lang , , is a 2005 Hong Kong martial arts and crime film written and directed by Wilson Yip, starring Donnie Yen, Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Jing Wu...
, Legend of the Dragon, and Kung Fu ChefsKung Fu ChefsKung Fu Chefs is a 2009 Hong Kong action film starring Hong Kong martial arts superstar Sammo Hung. Co-starring Taiwanese actor Vanness Wu and Hung's son Timmy Hung...
, as well as having a recurring role in Sammo's series, Martial Law. - Sammy Hung appeared as the nemesis to Nicholas TseNicholas TseNicholas Tse is a Hong Kong singer-songwriter, actor and musician, and son of actor Patrick Tse. He is a member of the Emperor Entertainment Group...
's character in the 2007 television series Wing Chun, a remake of the original series broadcast in 1994, and the subsequent film Wing ChunWing Chun (film)Wing Chun is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping and stars Michelle Yeoh as the eponymous character Yim Wing-Chun, a tofu maker and martial artist who tries to protect her village's inhabitants from a group of bandits.The film was preceded by a 1994...
. The series also starred Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. Sammy will also appear alongside his father in the upcoming film Choy Lee Fut. - Hung is one of the celebrities honoured on the Avenue of Stars, Hong KongAvenue of Stars, Hong KongThe Avenue of Stars , modelled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is located along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. It honours celebrities of the Hong Kong film industry.-History:...
. - Hung is known for his large frame. Despite this, he is a surprisingly agile and formidable martial artist.
- He has a circular scar on the right-hand side of his face, just above his lip. In the early days of his film career, Hung was involved in a street fight outside a KowloonKowloonKowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
nightclub, and was stabbed with a broken cola bottle. - On 5 August 2009, Hung became unwell during the filming of Ip Man 2Ip Man 2Ip Man 2 is a 2010 Hong Kong biographical martial arts film loosely based on the life of Ip Man, a grandmaster of the martial art Wing Chun. A sequel to the 2008 film Ip Man, the film was directed by Wilson Yip, and stars Donnie Yen, who reprises the leading role...
in the GuangdongGuangdongGuangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
province of FoshanFoshanFoshan is a city in central Guangdong province in southern China. The prefectural area under the city's jurisdiction over an area of about 3,840 km² and a population of 5.4 million of which 1.1 million reside in the city proper ....
. He was admitted to hospital and underwent a heart surgery operation. He was discharged and returned to work within days. He cited a combination of his weight, his love of cigars and long filming hours resulting in fatigue and irregular meals as the cause.
In popular culture
- A pop band from WalesWalesWales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
named themselves Sammo Hung after the actor. - Master Elehung Kinpo, from Juken Sentai GekirangerJuken Sentai Gekirangeris Toei Company's thirty-first entry in the Super Sentai franchise. Production began on September 29, 2006 with principal photography beginning on October 6, 2006. It premiered on TV Asahi on February 18, 2007, and concluded its airing on February 10, 2008...
, is named after him. Coincidentally, Yū MizushimaYu Mizushimais a Japanese voice actor. He is the Japanese voice-over for Sammo Hung, and is the Japanese voice of Wakko.-Notable roles:* .hack//Intermezzo as Male Heavyblade* Black Cat as Doctor * Black Jack* Black Magic M-66 as Leakey...
, the voice actor for Elehung Kinpo, did the dubbing for Sammo Hung. - A martial artist named Samohan Kinpou is frequently referred to in the anime Negima?!
External links
- Sammo Hung Profile at subtitledonline.com
- Sammo Hung Kam Bo at Hong Kong Cinemagic
- Sammo Hung Kam-Bo at the Hong Kong Movie DataBase
- Sammo Hung Interview at Best For Film