Gordon Liu

Gordon Liu (Lau Kar-fai simplified Chinese: 刘家辉; traditional Chinese: 劉家輝; pinyin: Liú Jiāhuī; Wade–Giles: Liu Chia-hui; Jyutping: Lau4 Gaa1 fai1); born Sin Kam-hei (simplified Chinese: 冼锦熙; traditional Chinese: 冼錦熙; pinyin: Xiǎn Jǐnxī, 22 August 1951)[2] is a Chinese martial arts film actor and martial artist. He played the lead role in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978) and its sequels, and later played two roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films: Johnny Mo, the leader of the Crazy 88 Yakuza gang in Volume 1 (2003); and kung fu master Pai Mei in Volume 2 (2004).

Gordon Liu
劉家輝
Born
Sin Kam-hei (冼錦熙)

(1951-08-22) August 22, 1951[1]
Occupation(s)Actor, martial artist
Years active19732011
Spouse
Ma Fei-feng
(m. 1991; div. 2009)
(2nd)
Children
  • Angie Sin (daughter), with first wife
  • Bonnie Sin (daughter), with first wife
  • Kris Sin (son), with Ma Fei-feng
  • Sonia Sin (daughter), with Ma Fei-feng
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese劉家輝
Simplified Chinese刘家辉
Sin Kam-hei
Traditional Chinese冼錦熙
Simplified Chinese冼锦熙

Early life

Liu was born Sin Kam-hei in Guangdong Province, China on 22 August 1955, prior to his adoption into another family.[3] He is often wrongly cited as being the adopted son of Lau Cham, and adoptive brother of directors and actors Lau Kar-leung (Liu Chia-liang) and Lau Kar-wing (Liu Chia-Yung). He was not adopted by the family but is Lau Cham's godson.[4]

In his youth (ages 15–20), he skipped school to train in Chinese martial arts without his parents' knowledge. He trained at Lau Cham's martial arts school of Hung Gar discipline, which descended from Wong Fei-hung's grand student (father to Lau Kar Leung). Lau Cham's wife assisted in his training and due to the friendship and respect Liu felt for Lau and his wife, he took on the name Lau Ka-fai. As he grew up, he found a job as a shipping clerk to make ends meet. His interests had always been towards martial arts and he was eventually offered a role by Lau Kar-leung.

Career

Liu's first break was with Chang's Film Company (a Shaw Brothers subsidiary operating in Taiwan) acting small parts for such films as 5 Shaolin Masters, Shaolin Martial Arts, and 4 Assassins. He starred in Challenge of the Masters (1976), as the folk hero Wong Fei Hung, and was featured in Executioners From Shaolin (1977) before starring in his signature role as Shaolin hero San Te in The 36th Chamber of Shaolin.

The tale of the imperialistic struggle, while not a new one, was significant for the intense focus placed on the inner workings of Shaolin Temple itself. San Te, Liu's character, overcomes the temple's thirty-five chambers as he unwittingly undergoes the rigorous training regimen imposed by the temple's Head Abbott on the pretext of "earning" a right to study martial arts there.

The "zero-to-hero" tale turned Liu into an international icon in spite of a frame far slighter than that of the folk hero himself (known as "Iron Arms" for the muscularity of his physique) and paved the way for a very healthy working schedule into the mid-1990s, even as younger, more agile martial artists eventually emerged. By the late 1980s, he had begun accepting smaller roles, such as in Lau Kar-leung's Tiger on the Beat.

Liu has also been active in television, and was contracted to Hong Kong's TVB company for many years, continuing playing roles as a martial arts master. Though still performing some martial arts roles, he is at home as well in comedic, self-deprecatory or emotional characters. His second-most common role in TVB has been playing a Hong Kong Police Force officer.

Quentin Tarantino had long been a fan of Liu, and hoped to find him a role in one of his movies. This eventually came to pass with the roles of Johnny Mo and Master Pai Mei in Tarantino's Kill Bill films. His roles in Kill Bill raised Liu's profile again and a renewed interest was shown by Chinese producers; since Kill Bill, Liu has returned to doing movies while continuing to do television for Hong Kong's TVB station.

In 2008, Liu added a Bollywood film to his profile. Collaborating with Indian actor Akshay Kumar who is a top-billed Bollywood actor and also a martial arts performer in a film titled Chandni Chowk To China (CC2C). He played the role of the villain, Hojo, a smuggler and a well-trained martial artist. Before this, he appeared as himself (along with his mentor Lau Kar Leung) in the 2009 film Dragonland, the first Italian documentary about martial cinema history, by Lorenzo De Luca. Liu attended as special guest star at the premiere in Rome, meeting his Italian fans for the first time. During August 2011, Liu had a stroke and put all his plans on hold to recover. Liu had cancelled all public engagements as of March 2012.[5]

Personal life

Liu has been married twice. He has two daughters, Angie and Bonnie, from his first marriage which ended in 1986, and a son Kris (冼峻龙) and daughter Sonia (冼咏珊) from his second marriage with Ma Fei-feng (马飞凤) of Thai-descent which ended in 2009.

In August 2011, while in To Kwa Wan performing with his band, Liu had a stroke and hit his head. He had partial right-sided paralysis and a speech impairment as a consequence of the stroke, needing a wheelchair to travel. At the same time, his estranged family from his second marriage had begun pressuring him for money. Depressed at his physical state and family complications, he isolated himself in a nursing home. In June 2012, Liu decided to divorce his second wife and focus on his recovery.[6]

During his medical crisis, Liu entrusted his assets to his assistant and spokesperson, Eva Fung. However, the two fell out, and Fung refused to return his assets.[7] Subsequently in 2013, he arranged for Hong Kong actress Amy Fan to become the legal guardian of his assets.[8] Liu later took legal action to recover his assets, and on April 29, 2014, a day before the court date, Fung agreed to return them with interest. In 2015, it was reported that he no longer spoke with a slur but continued to use a wheelchair, and that he had resided at a nursing home for several years.[9]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1973Hero of the WaterfrontExtraThe Hero of Chiu Chow
19745 Shaolin MastersChang YungCameo
Shaolin Martial ArtsHo Chen-kang
1975The Four AssassinsAburiha / AbulahuaMarco Polo
The MonkFoon Ying's Thug / MonkBrief Appearance
1976Challenge of the MastersWong Fei-hung
7-Man ArmyMongolian Commander #2
Boxer RebellionBoxerBloody Avengers
1977He Has Nothing But Kung FuShang Kai-Yuan (as Chia-Fai Liu)Stunt Coordinator
Executioners from ShaolinTung Chien-chin (Tong Qianjin)
1978Breakout from OppressionHsiao Tu (Tsao Chan)Director, Action Coordinator
The 36th Chamber of ShaolinLiu Yu-de / Monk San Te
Heroes of the EastAh To
Shaolin MantisShaolin Fighting Monk (Guest Star)Brief Appearance
1979Fury in the Shaolin Temple
Dirty HoWang Tsun Hsin (11'th Prince)
The Shadow BoxingChang ChiehSpiritual Boxer Sequel
1980Clan of the White LotusHong Wen-Ting
Return to the 36th ChamberChao Jen-Cheh
Fists and GutsAh-San / Shaolin Priest
Shaolin WarriorFa TienProducer
1981My Young AuntieJames
Elders
Shaolin and Wu TangDirector
The Shaolin Drunken MonkLao Chung
Treasure HuntersMonk Mo Seung
Martial ClubWong Fei-hung
1982Raiders of Shaolin Kung FuGa-wi Yu
Legendary Weapons of ChinaTi Tan (Guest Star)
Godfather of CantonLin Si Hai
The 82 TenantsAh Hui
Cat vs RatEmperor Yung Hsi (Guest Star)
1983Lady Is the BossLee Hon Man (Ah Man)
Shaolin and Wu TangHung Yung-Kit
Tales of a EunuchEmperor Kang Hsi / Siu Yuen Tzu
1984The Eight Diagram Pole FighterYang Wu-lang (Fifth Brother)
1985Two Jolly CopsLo Tak-FaiProducer
The Young VagabondSo Chan
Disciples of the 36th ChamberMonk San Te
Crazy Shaolin DisciplesMonk Wu Ching
USA NinjaAction Director
1986The Story of Dr. Sun Yat Sen
1988Legend of the Phoenix
Tiger on the BeatFai, The Hitman
A Bloody FightInspector Lau Fai
Peackock KingKubira
Shaolin vs. VampireHyo Daiyu (as Ryu Chafi)Director
Let's Rage the Gangland
1989A Fiery FamilyWei
Fury of a TigerRambo / Sergeant MangAction Choreographer
White Lotus TrioAvenging Trio
My Heart Is That Eternal RoseLai Liu
Ghost BallroomChai
Killer AngelsMichael
1990Tiger on the Beat 2Lau Fai
The Fortune CodeJapanese Commander in Blue
1991The KillerInspector Wong
Crystal HuntOfficer LungChina Heat
The BanquetBrief Appearance
A Fate of Love
The Story of the GunOfficer Lau FaiGuns of the Master Killer
1992Passionate Killing in the DreamChit-Chit
Cheetah on FireMainland Gang Leader (as Ka Fai Lau)
Cry KillerMartial Art Director
1993Flirting ScholarEvil Scholar
Last Hero in ChinaMaster Liu Heung (as Ka-fai Lau)
Legend of the Liquid SwordShaolin Monk (Guest) (as Ka-fai Lau)Cameo
The Buddhism Palm Strikes BackFor-wan Tse-san
The Mystery of the Condor HeroYuen-tsan
Bogus CopsHood
1994The Kung Fu ScholarHis Excellency
Drunken Master IIIGovernor Lee (as Kar Fai Lau)
American ShaolinAbbot Hung ChiTreasure Hunt
If You Were HereMr. ChiangStunt Coordinator
Funny Shaolin KidsTwo Shaolin Kids in Hong Kong
1995Lethal Girls 2
1997Super CopsUncle ShingAction Coordinator
1998Thunder Scout
1999The Set Up
Heaven of HopeCoffin Leung
Generation ConsultantLieutenant Chow
Generation Pendragon
Gambler Series: Fraudelent Culture
2000The Heaven Sword and Dragon SaberSing Kwan
The Legend of Lady YangChan Yuen-lai
The Island TalesBo
2002Drunken MonkeyDetective Hung Yat Fu
2003Star RunnerMaster Lau (Coach Lau)
Kill Bill: Volume 1Johnny Mo
2004Kill Bill: Volume 2Johnny Mo / Pai Mei
Shaolin vs. Evil DeadPak / Brother White
Dragon in Fury
Snake CurseDr. Gao Er
2005Dragon SquadKo (Police Driver)Dragon Heat
A Chinese Tall StoryJade Emperor
Insuperable KidJapanese Ambassador
Dragon Get Angry
2006Katana-Man
Mr. 3 MinutesTriad Head (Mahjong Debt Collector)
Hung Kuen vs. Wing ChunLiu Chiaoxi
My Kung Fu Sweetheart
2007Shaolin Vs. Dead: Ultimate PowerRoam Chow
2008Heroes of Shaolin
Anaconda FrightenedMaster Mao Dashi
2009Chandni Chowk to ChinaHojoCC2C
Frankenstein UnlimitedSegment Flesh for Kung Fu
2010Lost in LoveBanker
Citizen KingMaster Cheung
The Immemorial Magic
Hot Summer DaysUncle Fai
True LegendOld Sage
2011Love in SpaceMr. Chen
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody AffairJohnny Mo / Pai Mei
Flying Swords of Dragon GateEunuch Wan Yulou
2012NightfallRetired CID Officer Lung
The Man with the Iron FistsThe Abbott
Painted Skin: The ResurrectionUncle Da
Blood MoneyShaolin Monk
Kill 'em AllSnakehead
No Retreat
Warrior
2013High KickersZhao Yumin
2014Future Fighters

Television

Year Title Chinese Title Role
1990The Legend of the Invincible劍魔獨孤求敗Gong Zan-hung
1991Mystery of the Twin Swords日月神劍Jin Pin-cin
1992Mystery of the Twin Swords II捉妖奇兵
1993The Mystery of The Condor Hero射鵰英雄傳之九陰真經Jyun Zan
The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back如來神掌再戰江湖Ngou Cin-saan
1995The Condor Heroes 95神鵰俠侶Kam-lun Fat-wong
Detective Investigation Files II刑事偵緝檔案IICing Gan
1996Journey to the West西遊記Bull Demon King
1997Bonds of Blood千秋家国梦Zhang Baozi / Chen Jiongming
Taming of the Princess醉打金枝Lei Gin (Sing Ping's 8th Royal Uncle)
1998Journey to the West II西遊記Bull Demon King, Golden Horned King
1999Witness to a Prosecution洗冤錄Nip Yan-lung
Hero of Shanghai中華大丈夫Hoi's Dad
Dragon Love人龍傳說Sea Dragon King
2000The Legendary Four Aces金裝四大才子
Legend of Lady Yang 楊貴妃Chen Xuanli
2001The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber倚天劍屠龍刀Cheng Kun / Yuan Zhen
A Step into the Past尋秦記Cho Chau-dou
2003The King of Yesterday and Tomorrow九五至尊Heung Yeung
2005Real Kung Fu佛山贊師父Lin Yung
The Gateau Affairs情迷黑森林Tong Sam
2006A Pillow Case of Mystery施公奇案Sima Jui-fung
Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion覆雨翻雲Lai Yue-hoi
2007Best Bet迎妻接福Tsang Dai-lik
On the First Beat學警出更Yuen Moon
The Ultimate Crime Fighter通天幹探Lai Chun Cheung
2008The Four少年四大名捕Lam Po-Tian
2009Man in Charge幕後大老爺Tai Yau-Kung
Chinese Paladin 3仙劍奇俠傳三Evil Sword Immortal
2010A Pillow Case of Mystery II施公奇案 IISi Ma Jeui-fung
Beauty Knows No Pain女人最痛Ng Lap-chau
Links to Temptation誘情轉駁Lam Chung-pau
2011Relic of an Emissary洪武三十二Yim Chun
Curse of the Royal Harem萬凰之王Tunggiya Shumung

Documentaries

Year Title Role Note
1991A Fate of LoveVideo
1992Yesterday Once MoreAssassinVideo
1994Cinema of VengeanceSelfUncredited
1995Top FighterSelfVideo Documentary
2002The Art of Action: Martial Arts in Motion PictureSelf (Interviewee)Movie Documentary
2003Cinema Hong Kong: Wu XiaSelfMovie Documentary
Chop Socky: Cinema Hong KongSelf (as Ka Fai Lau)Movie Documentary
2008DragonlandSelfItalian Documentary
2010Medallion of Kung FuSelf (Action Director)Short Video
2011Tarantino, the Disciple of Hong-KongSelfFrench Documentary
2013Wu Xia PianSelfFrench Documentary

See also

References

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