Yuen Biao(bornHa Lingchun;26 July 1957) is aHong Kongactor,martial artistandstuntman.He specialises inacrobaticsandChinese martial artsand has also worked on over 80 films as actor,stuntmanandaction choreographer.He was one of theSeven Little Fortunesfrom the China Drama Academy at thePeking Opera Schoolalong with his "brothers"Sammo HungandJackie Chan.Throughout the 1980s, he was part of the "Three Dragons" along with Chan and Hung; the three starred in six Hong Kong films together.[1]Yuen Biao has appeared in over 130 films. He has played roles in eight television series for the Hong Kong channelTVB.
Yuen Biao | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nguyên bưu | |||||||||||
| Born | Ha Lingchun ( mùa hạ chấn, nguyên khánh, nguyên điển ) 26 July 1957 | ||||||||||
| Other names | Bill Yuen Jimmy Yuen | ||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Actor, producer, stuntman and action choreographer | ||||||||||
| Years active | 1962–present | ||||||||||
| Spouse |
Didi Pang (m.1984) | ||||||||||
| Children |
| ||||||||||
| Awards | Hong Kong Film Awards–Best Action Choreography 1983The Prodigal Son 1984Winners and Sinners | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | Nguyên bưu | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | Nguyên bưu | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Ha Lingchun | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | Mùa hạ chấn | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | Mùa hạ chấn | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Early life
editBorn Ha Lingchun (Chinese:Mùa hạ chấn) inNanjing,Chinaon the 26th July 1957, he was the fifth child in a family of eight children. He and his family moved toHong Kongwhen he was five years old. At the age of six he was enrolled at thePeking Opera SchoolThe China Drama Academy.He was given the stage name Yuen Biao (Little Tiger) and trained alongside schoolmatesJackie Chan,Sammo Hung,Corey Yuen,Yuen Wahand several others, under masterYu Jim-yuen,who would later become famous in Hong Kong cinema. He quickly showed a talent for acrobatics. According to Jackie Chan's autobiography, when Yuen was asked by his master to do a backflip on his first day of training, Yuen did a proper backflip on his very first try. He remained at the school until the age of 16.[2]When he left, Yuen followed his classmate Sammo Hung into a career in the Hong Kong film industry.
Film career
editEarly 1970s
editIn the early 1970s, Yuen began work as astuntmanandextra.After working onFist of FuryandWay of the Dragon.He was also one of the "fake" Bruce Lees inGame of Death(1978), performing the acrobatics and stunts that the Bruce Lee "body double"(taekwondoexpertKim Tai-chung) was unable to perform. Yuen continued working as a stuntman, doubling for actors inHong Kong action filmsand taking on supporting actor roles.
During his early acting period, he adopted the anglicised name Bill Yuen for use on the Hong Kong films that were released internationally. However, recognising the growing success of Jackie Chan,Golden Harvestwere keen to give him a similar name, and on some international film prints, he was credited as Jimmy Yuen. Both anglicised names were later dropped.[3]
Late 1970s and 1980s
editIn the late 1970s and early 1980s, thanks to his good friends and former classmates,Sammo HungandJackie Chan,he began working more frequently as an actor. After his co-starring role inThe Dragon, the Odds(1977) and his full lead role debut inKnockabout(1979), he starred in several films in the early 1980s, notablyThe Prodigal Son(1981) (directed by Sammo Hung) andDreadnaught(1981) (directed byYuen Woo-ping). He later co-starred alongside his Peking Opera "brothers", Chan and Hung, inProject A(1983),Wheels on Meals(1984) andDragons Forever(1988), and also appeared in smaller roles in films such as Hung's originalLucky Starstrilogy. He co-starred with Sammo in films such asEastern Condors(1987) andMillionaires Express(1988). He played the lead withCynthia RothrockinRighting Wrongs(1986) and alongsideMaggie CheunginThe Iceman Cometh(1989).
1990s
editYuen's acting roles waned somewhat in the early 1990s, although he notably played a supporting role alongsideJet LiinOnce Upon a Time in China(1991). Yuen did not appear in thesequelas he was replaced byMax Mok.In the late 1990s, films such asHero(1997) co-starringTakeshi KaneshiroandA Man Called Hero(1999) co-starringEkin Chengsaw Yuen return to the big screen. During this time he began to concentrate more on television work and took lead roles in the seriesRighteous GuardsandThe Legend of a Chinese Heroin 1998.
2000s
editIn 2000, Yuen went to theUnited Statesto work with Jackie Chan as the action choreographer onShanghai Noon.In 2001, he co-starred alongside Hung inThe Avenging Fist.Yuen also starred in a more comedic role in the 2002 Japan HK filmNo Problem 2.
In 2005, Yuen starred in aTVBseries calledReal Kung FuwithYuen Wah,Maggie Siu,Leung Kar Yan,Jack Wuand one of Sammo Hung's real life sons,Timmy Hung.
In 2006, Yuen played Inspector Steve Mok inRobin B Hoodalong with his long-time friend Jackie Chan.
In 2007 he finished filming theWing ChunTV series(a remake of the 1994 series that had preceded the filmWing Chun) alongsideNicholas Tse,Sammo Hung and another of Hung's sons, Sammy Hung. Biao plays an elder version of the characterLeung Jan,the role he played 25 years earlier inThe Prodigal Son,and father to Tse's character.[4] The series has since been re-edited for release as a film, entitledShuang Long Ji(akaLegend of Twins Dragon). However, the film's release has been delayed as it has been banned inmainland Chinafor containing too much violence.[5]
Yuen appeared as a guest judge on theChina Beijing TV Stationreality televisionseriesThe 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 being announced inBeijing.[6]
Yuen also starred alongsideBryan LeungandJi ChunhuainLegend of Shaolin Kung-fu II: Thirteen Cudgel Monks,a series directed by Yuen Bun. It was edited down and released asKung Fu Masterin the United States.
Directing and producing
editThough mainly known as an actor, Yuen also directed the filmA Kid from Tibet(1991).
Yuen set up his own film production company, Yuen Biao Films Limited, which produced his filmsA Kid from TibetandKick Boxer,also known asOnce Upon a Chinese Hero(1993).[7]
Personal life
editIn 1984, Yuen married Didi Pang Sau Ha. They have two children: daughter Yi-Bui, born in 1986, and son Ming-Tsak, born in 1988.
Yuen has a second home in Canada, where he enjoys golf.
References
edit- ^https:// cbr /best-jackie-chan-movies-ranked/
- ^I Am Jackie Chan: My Life in Action.Ballantine Books. June 28, 1999.ISBN0-345-42913-3.
- ^Bey Logan (2006).Wheels on Mealscommentary track(DVD). Hong Kong Legends.
- ^"Sammo Hung's official website".Retrieved2006-04-01.
- ^"Legend of Twin Dragons".Wu-jing.org. July 2007. Archived from the original on October 15, 2002.Retrieved2007-08-31.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^"Jackie Chan on the Reasons Behind Producing The Disciple".Wu-Jing.org. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10.Retrieved2008-05-08.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^"Yuen Biao".LoveAsianFilm.Retrieved2008-11-19.
