Biography
Discovered by veteran director Ng See-Yuen, this Kicking machine was rumored to have studied kung-fu from his grandfather - [supposedly] a Shaolin Monk. He also studied for a while with Tan Tao-Liang, where he seemed to have inherited some of his skill, for holding out those kicks. Though he's very limber, his acting is kind of stiff and while I'm not calling him One-dimensional - I've never seen him use a weapon (Staff, Sword, etc) with any kind of skill or dexterity, in any of the films he's made.
Some of his best fights, have been against Wang Jang-Li. Though he's a very good kicker, he's never possessed that all-around level of skill, where he could use those hands as well as his feet, like say, Billy Chong or Bruce Liang. A lot of his later movies failed, because he wanted to do everything himself (starring, writing, producing, & directing). With a burden (stress) like that, it's a wonder he could even lift those famous legs. A talent like his, was best in front on the camera, not behind it.
He (later) teamed up with one of director Lee Tso-Nam's favorite actors - Wang Tao in Secret Rivals and Death Duel Of Kung Fu to give us the ultimate Northern Leg, Southern Fist combination. Films like Kung Fu Commandos, Dragon On Fire, and Invincible Armor have given him some of him best roles to date. He seems geared towards buddy-films, where you can tell the difference between his talent and his co-star's -- that's where he really stands out. This was never more evident than in Snuff-Bottle Connection and Mar's Villa, where his co-stars Kao Fei and Tung Wei, brought out the best in him.
Some of his more underrated films (Shaolin Ex-Monk, Struggle Thru Death, and Invincible Kung Fu Trio), gave him the exposure, but didn't do much to propel him (further) into stardom. While roles in 2 Great Cavaliers (with Angela Mao) and Northern Kicks, Southern Fist (with Alexander Lo and Robert Tai) showed that when he's in films that show his serious-side, he's so much better. One of my favorite films from him, was in The Fighting Ace, where he got to show us an array of flashy kicking combination, in another underrated role. His last film (Trinity Goes East) -- though, filled with slicing-tricks - showed that he still could perform those "trademark" kicks.