Biography
The Bald-headed guy who plays the Monk or the Master Killer (as most Americans who don't know him by name) usually refer to him -- from his role in The 36th Chamber Of Shaolin. This former clerk is the half-brother of former Shaw Brothers director/choreographer/actor Liu Chia-Liang, who put him in front of the camera and gave us some of the best kung-fu films imaginable. He was adopted into the Liu family as a child, at the age of 10 years old. His talents extend beyond acting, as he also plays the Guitar and sings.
Just as the late actor Lam Ching-Ying played "One-Eyebrow" Priests so much, that he virtually was found with no eye-brows; he was so use to playing Monks, that he kept his head shaven for most of his career. Early in his career, he was cast in Chang Cheh's classic Shaolin Martial Arts), acquired a co-starring role in the hit The 4 Assassins, and later in Liu's debut as a director - Spiritual Boxer (which launched Wong Yu as a kung-fu star). When Liu started filming his own movies for Shaw Brothers, he was groomed for bigger and better things -- becoming Liu's most famous leading man.
His first starring role was as a young Wong Fei-Hung in the excellently crafted Challenge Of The Masters (with Chen Kuan-Tai playing his teacher). This was a turning point as it was the first time he would appear in a movie with his brothers. With this film, director Liu would also began to implement the inventive Training Sequences (which he'd later become famous for). I think he was given the type of contract that actor Chi Kuan-Chun had under Chang Cheh, because he made the full-length film He Has Nothing But Kung Fu for step-brother Liu Chia-Yung, while only putting in a cameo in the film, Executioners From Shaolin.
Just as the late actor Lam Ching-Ying played "One-Eyebrow" Priests so much, that he virtually was found with no eye-brows; he was so use to playing Monks, that he kept his head shaven for most of his career. Early in his career, he was cast in Chang Cheh's classic Shaolin Martial Arts), acquired a co-starring role in the hit The 4 Assassins, and later in Liu's debut as a director - Spiritual Boxer (which launched Wong Yu as a kung-fu star). When Liu started filming his own movies for Shaw Brothers, he was groomed for bigger and better things -- becoming Liu's most famous leading man.
His first starring role was as a young Wong Fei-Hung in the excellently crafted Challenge Of The Masters (with Chen Kuan-Tai playing his teacher). This was a turning point as it was the first time he would appear in a movie with his brothers. With this film, director Liu would also began to implement the inventive Training Sequences (which he'd later become famous for). I think he was given the type of contract that actor Chi Kuan-Chun had under Chang Cheh, because he made the full-length film He Has Nothing But Kung Fu for step-brother Liu Chia-Yung, while only putting in a cameo in the film, Executioners From Shaolin.
Yet, his next film would change his life and bring him International fame, far beyond anyone's wildest dreams. As the Shaolin "Monk Sante" -- he would advance through the Temple's training and (eventually) add another chamber (the 36th Chamber). With training sequences lasting almost an hour, he had fans begging for more, as it seemed with each film he only got better. In the film Shaolin Challenges Ninja, he put on an awesome display of skill; as he had to fight a different opponent each day (over the course of 7-days). His battles with his wife (played by Japanese actress Yuko Mizuno) and her instructor Yasuaki Kurata, only added to an already excellent film.
Films like Dirty Ho and Instructors Of Death, increased his star-power and added to his popularity. His cameo in Shaolin Mantis wasn't enough to keep fans happy, especially since he was beaten by the films' star - David Chiang. His roles in subsequent films such as Return Of The Master Killer and Treasure Hunters gave audiences more chances to see their favorite Monk, in action. As director Liu began pushing actress Hui Ying-Hung's career more in the early 80's, she began appearing along side of him. Incidentally, one of his more satisfying roles was the cameo he had in My Young Auntie, as he got to show off his musical side.
While his work on 18 Legendary Weapons Of China, afforded him slightly more than a cameo appearance, the film 8 Diagram Pole Fighters, gave him (and us) one of his best roles to date. His mixture of dramatic acting and weaponry skills were just amazing. When the Monks refused to admit him and he shaved his own head was one thing, but when he took the incense and burned in his own "dots" in his head, you just knew that this, wasn't going to be your average kung-fu movie. The weaponry in this film is still some of the best ever filmed and his performance shows why, he's one of the genre's top stars. He got the opportunity to direct a film, when he helmed Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang.
Films like Dirty Ho and Instructors Of Death, increased his star-power and added to his popularity. His cameo in Shaolin Mantis wasn't enough to keep fans happy, especially since he was beaten by the films' star - David Chiang. His roles in subsequent films such as Return Of The Master Killer and Treasure Hunters gave audiences more chances to see their favorite Monk, in action. As director Liu began pushing actress Hui Ying-Hung's career more in the early 80's, she began appearing along side of him. Incidentally, one of his more satisfying roles was the cameo he had in My Young Auntie, as he got to show off his musical side.
While his work on 18 Legendary Weapons Of China, afforded him slightly more than a cameo appearance, the film 8 Diagram Pole Fighters, gave him (and us) one of his best roles to date. His mixture of dramatic acting and weaponry skills were just amazing. When the Monks refused to admit him and he shaved his own head was one thing, but when he took the incense and burned in his own "dots" in his head, you just knew that this, wasn't going to be your average kung-fu movie. The weaponry in this film is still some of the best ever filmed and his performance shows why, he's one of the genre's top stars. He got the opportunity to direct a film, when he helmed Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang.
Director Liu handled the choreography and held the "2nd director" duties, as he did on Fists Of The White Lotus (for actor Lo Lieh). Yet, I was equally impressed with his work in Young Vagabond, one of his last films with Shaw Brothers. After the studio closed he (like many) didn't know what to do, as more modern action films were becoming the norm. He's appeared in numerous films, but nothing nowhere near the success he had a Shaw studios. He starred in Quentin Tarantino's - film Kill Bill (where in the second part), he'd play Priest "Pai Mei" -- a role that he knew, oh too well. His acting was a cut above the rest, and though he was very skillful, it was his acting that made us believe, that he could truly be a Master Killer.