Yang Sze
(aka Bolo | Bolo Yeung)
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Biography
Though he appeared in kung-fu's first smash hit 5 Fingers Of Death, he had starred in a number of films (The Heroic Ones, The Deadly Duo, The Wandering Swordsman, The Oath Of Death, etc..) before his "big break" came in 1973. Most didn't really recognize him (or his talent) until he played the bodyguard "Bolo" in Enter The Dragon with Bruce Lee. A former "Mr. Hong Kong" -- he was He was rumored to be the "Southeast Asian Shotokan Champion" in 1971 (He was rumored to have also studied Tai Chi-Chuan). As big as he appears (he's only 5'7") he became one of the most in demand villains, since appearing in Enter The Dragon.
His face was everywhere and he was the most popular villain for about the next (2) years. They even gave him top billing, in a film that he was just a co-star in - Chinese Hercules (the films' star was Chan Wei-Man). His muscles, have never stopped him from competing with (or overshadowing), some of kung-fu's best. He has turned mere choreography, into something else -- by "Not-looking-when-he-fights" his opponents. This only heightens his performances -- as he looks more masterful, when he fights that way.
He's starred in numerous films and is one of few Asian actors, to make an impression in the United States, appearing in films over here. Even, when Jackie Chan was having trouble getting his films noticed in the USA, he had already gotten rave reviews in Blood Sport and Double Impact (both films starring Jean Claude Van Damme). He has had a film career, the most only dream of and many can only envy. Yet, he is still as popular today, as he was over (30+) years ago. He's made many films classics such as The Fists, The Kicks, & The Evils, Dragon On Fire, 10 Magnificent Killers, and my favorite Karado, The Hong Kong Cat.
While, not big on acting (though he can act), his actions speak for themselves and give the number of films that he's appeared in, most never seem to get tired of him. He, like most, would eventually venture into the world of directing. Critics panned Writing Kung Fu (his directorial debut), but it actually gained a cult-status, here in the US. The follow-up Bolo, The Brute was more along the lines of "Kung-fu comedy" (which had taken over at the time) and didn't really do well at all. As far as kung-fu movies go, he is [still] one of the genre's, best-known villains.
Favorite Quote
"Crane-Blocking Style !!?"
"Tell me, does it work.........!!??"
( - The Fists, The Kicks, & The Evils)