Danny Lee (actor)
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Danny Lee (; born 6 August 1952) is a
Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...
actor, film producer, screenwriter, director, action director and presenter. He is known for frequently portraying Hong Kong police officers in films such as '' Law with Two Phases'', '' The Killer'' and '' The Untold Story,'' as well as being a
Shaw Brothers Shaw Brothers (HK) Limited () was the largest film production company in Hong Kong, operating from 1925 to 2011. In 1925, three Shaw brothers— Runje, Runme, and Runde—founded Tianyi Film Company (also called "Unique") in Shangh ...
alumnus, having starred in martial arts and action movies produced by that studio such as '' Infra-Man.''


Early years

Lee was born in Shanghai in 1952, with ancestral home in Shantou, Guangdong. In 1955, he moved to Hong Kong with his family. Lee did not do so well in school and sometimes skipped classes to help support his family by working. While growing up, he held policemen in high regard and so upon completing high school, he was enrolled into the police force but could not complete the courses during his years of his training. He then decided to pursue a career in acting.


Career

Lee entered the
Shaw Brothers Studio Shaw Brothers (HK) Limited () was the largest film production company in Hong Kong, operating from 1925 to 2011. In 1925, three Shaw brothers— Runje, Runme, and Runde—founded Tianyi Film Company (also called "Unique") in Shang ...
-
TVB Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB; zh, t=電視廣播有限公司) is a television broadcasting company based in Hong Kong. The company operates five free-to-air terrestrial television channels in Hong Kong, with TVB Jade as its main Canton ...
Acting School in 1970. Since Lee was a black belt
judo is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, combat sport, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyc ...
ka and
karate (; ; Okinawan language, Okinawan pronunciation: ), also , is a martial arts, martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the Okinawan martial arts, indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tī'' in Okinawan) un ...
ka, he was cast as Zhang Shun by director Chang Chen in the 1972 film '' The Water Margin''. The next year, Lee made his starring debut with ''River of Fury'' (江湖行). He then went on to star in Shaw Brothers' 1975 Hong Kong
tokusatsu is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects. Credited to special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, ''tokusatsu'' mainly refers to science fiction film, science fiction, War fi ...
-style
superhero A superhero or superheroine is a fictional character who typically possesses ''superpowers'' or abilities beyond those of ordinary people, is frequently costumed concealing their identity, and fits the role of the hero, typically using their ...
movie and camp classic '' The Super Inframan'' playing the Chinese superhero himself. After
Bruce Lee Bruce Lee (born Lee Jun-fan; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was an American-born Hong Kong martial artist, actor, filmmaker, and philosopher. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy which was formed from ...
's death Lee portrayed the Bruce in ''
Bruce Lee and I ''Bruce Lee and I'' (, released in the United States as ''Bruce Lee: His Last Days, His Last Nights'') is a 1976 Hong Kong biographical action film directed by Lo Mar, and starring Betty Ting Pei and Danny Lee. The film was released in Hong ...
''. During this time, Lee also acted in 1977's '' The Mighty Peking Man''. In 1979, he began working in the
crime film Crime film is a film belonging to the crime fiction genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and fiction. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine with many other genres, such as Drama (film and television), dr ...
genre, with '' The Brothers'' (1979), a remake of an earlier
Bollywood Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, is primarily produced in Mumbai. The popular term Bollywood is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (former name of Mumbai) and "Cinema of the United States, Hollywood". The in ...
film, '' Deewaar'' (1975), about two brothers on opposing sides of the law. In ''The Brothers'', Lee played the role of a police officer, with a police persona he would carry over to his later films. ''The Brothers'' later inspired ''
A Better Tomorrow ''A Better Tomorrow'' () is a 1986 Hong Kong action film directed, co-written and co-produced by John Woo, co-produced by Tsui Hark, and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat. The film had a profound influence on Hong Kong action c ...
'' (1986), which involves a similar plot about two brothers. Still being offered roles in
martial arts film Martial arts films are a subgenre of action films that feature martial arts combat between characters. These combats are usually the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often are a method of storytelling and character expression a ...
s, Lee decided in 1978 to form his own
production company A production company, production house or production studio is a studio that creates works in the fields of performing arts, new media art, film, television show, television, radio, comics, interactive arts, video games, websites, music, and video ...
. One of the earliest products from his company, 1981's ''The Executor'' (執法者) (a.k.a. ''Heroic Cops'') which was the first on-screen pairing with Lee and future co-star
Chow Yun-fat Chow Yun-fat (born 18 May 1955), previously known as Donald Chow, is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker. Known for his versatility, encompassing action to melodrama and comedy and historical drama, his accolades include three Hong Kong Film Awar ...
. In 1982, Lee directed his first films, '' One Way Only'' (單程路), and ''Funny Boys'' and then followed it up in 1984 with '' Law with Two Phases'' (a.k.a. ''Law with Two Faces'') (公僕). The movie (for which Lee won both the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor and Taiwanese
Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor The Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor () is given at the Golden Horse Film Awards. Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai has won the most Best Leading Actor awards with 3 times. He won the award in the 31st, 40th and 41st awards ceremony w ...
for his acting) featured Lee as a hot-headed but just policeman. In later years, Lee has received numerous awards from police organisations for his dedication to showing realistic police procedures and donating money to the families of slain officers. ''Law with Two Phases'' also inspired other directors. Some of the elements used in the shootouts were used by
John Woo John Woo Yu-sen ( zh, t= ; born 22 September 1946) is a Hongkongers, Hong Kong film director known as a highly influential figure in the action film genre. The recipient of various accolades, including a Hong Kong Film Awards, Hong Kong Film Award ...
in his 1986 film ''
A Better Tomorrow ''A Better Tomorrow'' () is a 1986 Hong Kong action film directed, co-written and co-produced by John Woo, co-produced by Tsui Hark, and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat. The film had a profound influence on Hong Kong action c ...
'' (英雄本色) and Law's documentary-like look inspired Kirk Wong to continue with a similar style. Both directors subsequently asked Lee to work with them. Lee then appeared with Chow Yun-Fat in
Ringo Lam Ringo Lam Ling-Tung (, 8 December 1955 – 29 December 2018) was a Hong Kong film director, producer, and screenwriter. He was known for his Action film, action and crime films produced during the Hong Kong New Wave, many of them comprising ent ...
's 1987 gangster piece '' City on Fire'' (龍虎風雲) where he plays a criminal, and later appeared in John Woo's benefit project for Chang Cheh, '' Just Heroes'' (1987, which Lee also co-directed). Lee's next project with Woo was, 1989's '' The Killer''. Lee worked with Kirk Wong again in 1994 with '' Organized Crime and Triad Bureau'' (a film Lee also produced), where once again, he plays a cop. Besides cop versus criminal thrillers, Lee acted in comedies too, including ''Chase A Fortune'' and ''Big Score''. He also directed two police comedies ''Cop Busters'' and ''Oh My Cops'' starring Kent Cheng and Wong Ching. In 1987, Lee formed his second production company, Magnum Films, producing movies such as '' The Untold Story'', '' Dr. Lamb'', ''Water Tank Murder'' and ''Twist''. In the late 1980s, Lee was also one of the producers to back
Stephen Chow Stephen Chow Sing-chi (; born 22 June 1962) is a Hong Kong filmmaker and former actor, known for his mo lei tau comedy. His career began in television, where he gained recognition through variety shows and TV dramas. Chow's breakthrough came in 1 ...
, who was at the time a small-time dramatic actor, but who would then go on to stardom after appearing in a series of "
mo lei tau ''Mo lei tau'' () is a type of slapstick humour associated with Hong Kong popular culture that developed during the late 20th century. It is a phenomenon that has grown largely from its presentation in modern film media. Its humour arises from ...
" (無厘頭) comedies. Lee also directed Chow in one of his first comedies, 1990's '' Legend of the Dragon'' (龍的傳人). Lee returned to the big screen in the 2008
Hong Kong action film Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. Action films from Hong Kong have roots in Chinese culture, Chinese and Culture of Hong Kong, Hong Kong cultures, including Chinese opera, storytelling a ...
'' Fatal Move''. He also made an appearance in
Jingle Ma Jingle Ma Cho Shing (; born 1957) is a Hong Kong–based writer and director, best known for his action films such as ''Tokyo Raiders ''Tokyo Raiders'' is a 2000 Hong Kong action film set in Hong Kong and Tokyo, directed by Jingle Ma and s ...
's action comedy ''Playboy Cops''. Though his on-screen output has slowed down in recent years, reduced to mostly cameo appearances in movies like '' Young and Dangerous 5'' or low budget movies, Lee continues with his behind-the-scenes work.


Selected filmography

* '' The Water Margin'' 水滸傳 (1972), actor * '' All Men Are Brothers'' 蕩寇誌 (1975), actor * ''
Bruce Lee and I ''Bruce Lee and I'' (, released in the United States as ''Bruce Lee: His Last Days, His Last Nights'') is a 1976 Hong Kong biographical action film directed by Lo Mar, and starring Betty Ting Pei and Danny Lee. The film was released in Hong ...
'' 李小龍與我(1975), actor * '' The Super Inframan'' 中國超人 (1975), actor * '' The Call Girls'' 應召名冊 (1977), actor * '' The Battle Wizard'' 天龍八部 (1977), actor * '' Goliathon'' 猩猩王 (1977), actor * '' The Brave Archer'' 射鵰英雄傳 (1978), actor * '' The Brave Archer 2'' 射鵰英雄傳續集 (1979), actor * '' Life Gamble'' 生死鬥 (1979), actor * '' The Brothers'' 差人、大佬、博命仔 (1979), actor * '' The Heroes'' , also known as The Shaolin Heroes 少林英雄 (1980), actor * '' The Brave Archer and His Mate'' 神鵰俠侶 (1982), actor * '' Law with Two Phases'' 公僕 (1984), actor * '' Brotherhood'' 兄弟 (1986), actor * '' City on Fire'' 龍虎風雲 (1987), actor * '' Final Justice'' 霹靂先鋒 (1988), producer and actor * '' No Compromise'' 赤膽情 (1988), actor * '' Just Heroes'' 義膽群英 (1989), actor * '' The Killer'' 喋血雙雄 (1989), actor * '' Undeclared War'' 聖戰風雲 (1990), actor * '' Red Shield'' 雷霆掃穴 (1991), producer and actor * '' Rhythm of Destiny'' 伴我縱橫 (1992), producer and actor * '' Dr. Lamb'' 羔羊醫生 (1992), director, producer and actor * ''
Run and Kill ''Run and Kill'' () is a 1993 Hong Kong crime In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a State (polity), state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally ac ...
'' 機密檔案之烏鼠 (1993), actor * '' The Sword Stained with Royal Blood'' 新碧血劍 (1993), actor * '' The Untold Story'' 八仙飯店之人肉叉燒飽 (1993), producer and actor * '' Organized Crime & Triad Bureau'' 重案實錄O記 (1994), producer and actor * '' City Cop'' 公僕2 (1995), producer and actor * '' Fatal Move'' 奪帥 (2008), actor


References


External links

*
Danny Lee biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Danny 1952 births Chinese emigrants to British Hong Kong Hong Kong emigrants to Canada Living people Canadian people of Hong Kong descent Shaw Brothers Studio Male actors from Shanghai Hong Kong male film actors Hong Kong film directors Hong Kong film producers Hong Kong screenwriters Hong Kong male television actors Hong Kong male judoka Hong Kong male karateka Screenwriters from Shanghai 20th-century Hong Kong male actors 21st-century Hong Kong male actors Bruce Lee imitators