Biography
He was brought to director Chang Cheh's attention, by his friend, Chang Ying. Chang notice his talent right away and wanted to add him to his stable of actors. Young and carefree, he was more interested in the "Ladies" -- [said to be more infatuated with a Filipino actress (Elizabeth Oropesa)], than a film contract, so Chang secured the talents of another up-and-coming actor -- Fu Sheng. A decent actor who displayed good skills, he actually played Fong Sze-Yu before Fu Sheng (who was most associated with the character) and played him with more flair, than Jet Li. Not much of a kicker or a puncher -- he was always interesting to watch, since his debut in King Of Boxers.
His co-star in this film (Yasuaki Kurata), would go on to appear with him in a number of excellent movies, such as Prodigal Boxer, The Young Tiger, and Enter The Whirlwind Boxer. Unlike a number of actors during his era, he's always been able to find work, as a lead or formidable co-star. Most of the characters he played, were more "Cunning than playful" -- a characteristic that set him a part from his Fong Sze-Yu roles (and one that Fu Sheng couldn't seem to shake). When it came to fighting, his techniques seemed just above those of Jimmy Wang-Yu - but lacking his intensity. If you look at most of his films, you'll notice that the majority of the lack this element. It has more to do with his "Facial Expressions" than anthing else, as no matter how mad he was supposed to be, his face just wouldn't show it. In the middle of battling people [trying to kill him] his exprssions show a guy, about as upset, as someone [accidentally] stepping on his foot. For some reason, his facial expression for Anger was a Lip Frown.
He's worked with choreographer Liu Chia-Yung on various films [since his 1st kung-fu films] and would work along side him and his brother (Liu Chia-Liang) for his role in 5 Masters Of Death. This was an excellent vehicle for him and a stepping-stone, as well. . Here, he finally got to work on a big-budget film, with Chang as the director. His role came about, because Chen Kuan-Tai couldn't leave and go with Chang and his crew, when they left for Taiwan. His timing [here] was good and bad -- since this was his only Shaw Brothers film. As Chang had stated - "There was no room for (2) Fu Shengs at Shaw Brothers" - [meaning that] though he got to work with the actor he sought to sign (earlier in his career), he had moved on and found a [much] more, talented actor.
His co-star in this film (Yasuaki Kurata), would go on to appear with him in a number of excellent movies, such as Prodigal Boxer, The Young Tiger, and Enter The Whirlwind Boxer. Unlike a number of actors during his era, he's always been able to find work, as a lead or formidable co-star. Most of the characters he played, were more "Cunning than playful" -- a characteristic that set him a part from his Fong Sze-Yu roles (and one that Fu Sheng couldn't seem to shake). When it came to fighting, his techniques seemed just above those of Jimmy Wang-Yu - but lacking his intensity. If you look at most of his films, you'll notice that the majority of the lack this element. It has more to do with his "Facial Expressions" than anthing else, as no matter how mad he was supposed to be, his face just wouldn't show it. In the middle of battling people [trying to kill him] his exprssions show a guy, about as upset, as someone [accidentally] stepping on his foot. For some reason, his facial expression for Anger was a Lip Frown.
He's worked with choreographer Liu Chia-Yung on various films [since his 1st kung-fu films] and would work along side him and his brother (Liu Chia-Liang) for his role in 5 Masters Of Death. This was an excellent vehicle for him and a stepping-stone, as well. . Here, he finally got to work on a big-budget film, with Chang as the director. His role came about, because Chen Kuan-Tai couldn't leave and go with Chang and his crew, when they left for Taiwan. His timing [here] was good and bad -- since this was his only Shaw Brothers film. As Chang had stated - "There was no room for (2) Fu Shengs at Shaw Brothers" - [meaning that] though he got to work with the actor he sought to sign (earlier in his career), he had moved on and found a [much] more, talented actor.
While, he could have possibly had a career in dramatic films (The Miserable Girl), it may have been harder to shake his Martial-arts past. He seemed more suited for "Side-kick" roles lead ones, and [depending of the co-star] it wasn't hard to be upstaged. He has fared well with screen-buddy Tan Tao-Liang, in a series of films including The Dragon, The Lizard, & The Boxer, Snake and Crane Secret, and Boxer's Adventure (one of their more obscure films together). Though, often he plays some Suave-type of character, he seems much better, when he just let his fists do the talking. Other underrated films by him, would have to include - 18 Shaolin Disciples and Everlasting Chivalry and Shaolin King Boxer;
He never looked better than he did, in the Green Jade Statuette. Screen-villain Tommy Lee did the Choreography [as well as starred in], making this one of his more enjoyable films. His performance with Chi Kuan-Chun, was one of his better showings to date, which later led to their pairing in Ways Of Kung Fu. Other films that also gave him a chance to show considerable skill were - Eunuch Of The Western Palace, The 8 Immortals, and Joseph Kuo's Unbeaten 28. As the kung-fu craze started to die down, he (like other actors) ventured into the world of Television.