Yu Tai-Ping
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Biography
Peking Opera-trained in Taiwan, he was actually from a hardcore traditional background before entering the movies business. Along with fellow classmates (and later Venom stars) - Kuo Chui, Chiang Sheng, and the villainous Lu Feng, they toured the world with their opera troupe. Although never a big star, he is undoubtedly one of the best stuntmen/actors, to have sprung from the stables of Shaw Bros' studios. Like many of his Venom-counterparts, he was excellent with weapons and an asset to their productions. The only films, where I thought his talents were (totally) wasted, were Invincible Shaolin and Magnificnt Ruffians. In both films, he played a Valet, never using any fighting skills.
Usually, playing the chief lackey, he is noted as the only man to be featured in all of the Venom films directed by Chang Cheh. He's stood out in such films as Unbeatable Dragon, 2 Champions Of Shaolin, and Daredevils Of Kung Fu. While, he was very skillful, he didn't become the action-fighter, the way most fans would have liked. Though, he's not really a Background player, he's not always front and center either. In Spearmen Of Death and Masked Avengers, he's recognized, but, not renowned, in his performances. Not totally away from scene, he (occasionally) works in the television industry.