Biography
Also know as - Sam Seed, because, it was said that, he had fathered up to (14) kids). He grew up with the likes of Kwan Tak Hing (The Skyhawk (1973)), Shek Kien (Han from Enter The Dragon (1973)), Liu Chan (father of Liu Chia-Liang and Liu Chia-Yung), and Lee Hoi Chuen (father of Bruce Lee). His most famous student was choreographer/director - Tang Chia, who did Battle For Shaolin (1983), Shaolin Prince (1983), and the classic Opium & The Kung Fu Master (1984). He supposedly taught his kids in the park, during their early years and judging from the expertise that each one possessed, it's fair to say, that he was an excellent teacher.
He appeared in a number of the old Wong Fei-Hung features filmed in the 50's and 60's (he was involved in at least 80 of total 87 films) and it is estimated that he has appeared in around (300) films. He was noted as the person who created the position of "Martial-arts Instructor" for action films. This was when they started using real martial-arts masters to add authentic movements to the films they shot. Those around him, became stars overnight and when his son Yuen Woo-Ping was chosen to choreograph Snake In The Eagle's Shadow (1978), it seemed that everyone involved became famous. After over 40-years in the business, he was (finally) viewed as a star.
He, too, was now stereotyped as the perennial teacher, whose skills were disguised under his "Beggar-type" persona. Every film company (now) wanted him to star in their films and though he didn't seem to mind, he rarely (if ever) said no. Even when his health was beginning to fail him, he could still be found, working on more than one film at a time (a common practice in those days). Snake In The Eagle's Shadow (1978) followed by Drunken Master (1978), set off a wave of rip-offs, aiming to capitalize off of the success of these two films.
He, too, was now stereotyped as the perennial teacher, whose skills were disguised under his "Beggar-type" persona. Every film company (now) wanted him to star in their films and though he didn't seem to mind, he rarely (if ever) said no. Even when his health was beginning to fail him, he could still be found, working on more than one film at a time (a common practice in those days). Snake In The Eagle's Shadow (1978) followed by Drunken Master (1978), set off a wave of rip-offs, aiming to capitalize off of the success of these two films.
His role as the vagabond teacher, became the norm in kung-fu films (where teachers were concerned), as all of them were patterned after his roles. Regardless of the films, if the teacher was an old man, in tattered clothes, and knew some kung-fu or a secret style, he was a "Sam Seed" clone. If they were caught doing any type of "Drunken Style" (which he also popularized), then, there was no mistaking who they were imitating. A hectic schedule, consisting of numerous roles and non-stop filming, had taken its toll on him (he was almost 70 years old, when Snake In The Eagle's Shadow (1978) came out)
He found out that he had cancer in (1979), months after having surgery (if you notice, most of his scenes in Buddhist Fist (1980) consisted of him lying down). He would (again) take ill while of the set of Magnificent Butcher (1979); he was admitted into the hospital and later died. His role in the film, would be redone featuring veteran actor and Shaw alumni Fan Mei-Sheng (who would later go on to play in numerous films as various similiar (beggar-type) roles, himself). Many said, that his death was caused more from exhaustion, than anything else and if he had slowed down, that he may have lived for many more years. Which is hard to say, because even in Shaolin Challenges Ninja (1978) (which was filmed in 1978), he looked in very poor health.
Now, whenever you hear the words Teacher or hear someone mention the Drunken Style, or Martial-arts Instructor-Director, you can now associated them with one of kung-fu's true masters. He's one of the founding fathers of Martial-arts Choreography, all the way into the 21st century - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), The Matrix (1999), Charlie's Angels (2002), and beyond. He was one of the most well-known actors of his generation and a familiar face with anyone, who has followed the genre. Be it, through the work of his sons or his students, he has truly left his mark in cinema.
As they say, - "Good Seed, Good Fruit...."
Favorite Quote
"What you should've done, was made the Blind one Deaf and the Deaf one Blind.........!!"
( - The Crystal Fist )
"What you should've done, was made the Blind one Deaf and the Deaf one Blind.........!!"
( - The Crystal Fist )