Billy Chow Bei-lei ( zh, t=周比利; born August 24, 1958) is a Hong Kong-Canadian former professional kickboxer and actor. He competed in the

Welterweight Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term ''welterweight'' was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify th ...

and

Super Welterweight Light middleweight, also known as junior middleweight or super welterweight,PeBoxRec/ref> is a weight class in boxing but also may include other combat sports. Boxing The light middleweight division (also known as junior middleweight in the IBF o ...

divisions from 1977 to 1992. He was the WKA Super Welterweight champion from 1984 to 1986, and retired with a professional record of 45-0-8. Chow is known to film audiences for his roles in several

Hong Kong martial arts films 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 ...

, including as General Fujita in the 1994

Jet Li Li Lianjie (courtesy name Yangzhong; born 26 April 1963), better known by his stage name Jet Li, is a Chinese-born Singaporean Martial arts, martial artist and actor. With a Jet Li filmography, film career spanning more than forty years, Li is re ...

film ''

Fist of Legend ''Fist of Legend'' ( zh, , t=精武英雄, j=zing1 mou2 jing1 hung4) is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Gordon Chan from a screenplay by Chan, Lam Kee-to and Kim Yip. It features action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping and was pr ...

'' (1994), and Wong in the 1996 film ''

Tai Chi Boxer ''Tai Chi Boxer'' (), also known as ''Tai Chi II'' or ''Tai Chi Fist'', is a 1996 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping and Zhang Xinyan, co-written by Yuen and Sze Yeung-ping, and edited by Zhang and Koo Chi-wai. It is a sequel ...

'' (1996).

Biography

Early life

Chow was born in

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 ...

in 1958, and was later raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Hong Kong. He began training in

martial arts Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...

, initially

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 ...

, at the age of 11. He was inspired by

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 1971 film ''

The Big Boss ''The Big Boss'' (; originally titled as ''Fists of Fury'' in the United States) is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei (who also wrote the film) and Wu Chi-hsiang. Bruce Lee stars in his first major film in a lead role, and ...

''. In 1976, he moved back to Canada for school, where he met Grandmaster Frank Lee in

Edmonton Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...

, under whom he studied Fujian White Crane kung fu,

boxing Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...

, American kickboxing, and

Muay Thai Muay Thai or Muaythai (, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs or the Science of Eight Limbs, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinch fighting, cl ...

Kickboxing

Chow began competing professionally in 1977. In 1982, he won the Canadian Welterweight Championship. He was the WKA Super Welterweight Champion of the world from 1984 to 1986. His final match was on November 20, 2007, in which he lost via decision to Akarn Sanehha of Thailand. He currently trains fighters out of Billy's Gym in Hong Kong, and Frank Lee's Muay Thai in Edmonton.

Acting career

In the 1980s, Chow played an elite soldier in the 1987 film ''

Eastern Condors ''Eastern Condors'' () is a 1987 Hong Kong action war film starring and directed by Sammo Hung. The film co-stars Yuen Biao, Joyce Godenzi, Yuen Wah, Lam Ching-ying, Yuen Woo-ping, Corey Yuen and Billy Chow. The film was released in Hong Kong o ...

'' alongside

Sammo Hung Samuel "Sammo" Hung Kam-bo ( zh, t=洪金寶, j=Hung4 Gam1-bou2; born 7 January 1952) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and Film director, director, known for his work in martial arts films, Hong Kong action cinema, and as a figh ...

Yuen Biao Yuen Biao (born Ha Lingchun; 26 July 1957) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist and stuntman. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has also worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer. He was one o ...

and

Yuen Woo-ping Yuen Woo-ping (; alias: Yuen Wo-ping; born 1945) is a Hong Kong people, Hong Kong Stage combat, martial arts choreographer and film director who worked in Hong Kong action cinema and later Hollywood films. He is one of the inductees on the Avenue ...

. Chow played thugs in two

Jackie Chan Fang Shilong (born Chan Kong-sang; 7 April 1954), known professionally as Jackie Chan,; is a Hong Kong actor and filmmaker, known for his slapstick, acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and innovative stunts, which he typically perf ...

movies: ''

Dragons Forever ''Dragons Forever'' () is a 1988 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, who also starred in the film, and co-directed by Corey Yuen. The film co-stars Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Pauline Yeung, Deannie Yip, Yuen Wah, R ...

'' in 1988, and ''

Miracles A miracle is an event that is inexplicable by natural or scientific lawsOne dictionary define"Miracle"as: "A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divin ...

'' in 1989. In the 1990s, Chow had roles in three

movies: ''

'' in 1994 as General Fujita, '' Meltdown'' in 1995 as Kong, and '' Dr. Wai in "The Scripture with No Words"'' in 1996 as Chan / Japanese Embassy Guard. Chow played Jade Tiger's Brother in the 1995 film ''Iron Monkey 2'' along with

Donnie Yen Donnie Yen Chi-tan ( zh, c=甄子丹, p=Zhēn Zǐdān, j=, first=j; born 27 July 1963) is a Hongkongers, Hong Kong actor, filmmaker, martial artist, and action director. He is the recipient of various accolades, including three Golden Horse Fi ...

. Chow played Wong, Great Kick of the North in the 1996 film ''

'' along with

Jacky Wu Jacky Wu (; born 26 September 1962) is a Taiwanese television show host, singer, and actor. He hosts numerous variety shows, such as the long running popular Taiwanese variety show ''Guess (variety show), Guess''. Career In 1987, Wu started out b ...

. On August 26, 2006, Chow retired from acting at the age of 48, after his final film, ''Dragon in Fury''.

Filmography

Movies

*Winner Takes All (1984) *

City Hero ''City Hero'' is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Dennis Yu and starring Dean Shek, Mark Cheng, Bennett Pang, Anthony Tang, Billy Lau and Michael Wong. In the film, five idealistic police officers volunteer for training to join ...

(1985) *

(1987) *Her Vengeance (1988) *

(1988) *

Paper Marriage ''Paper Marriage'' ( zh, t=過埠新娘, j=Gwo3 Fau6 San1 Neong2) is a 1988 Hong Kong action cinema, Hong Kong action comedy film directed and co-written by Alfred Cheung, and starring Sammo Hung and Maggie Cheung. It was released by Orange Sk ...

(1988) * Pedicab Driver (1989) *

(1989) *Into the Fire (1989) * Blonde Fury (1989) *When Fortune Smiles (1990) *Triad Story (1990) *Middle Man (1990) *

Magic Cop ''Magic Cop'', also informally known as ''Mr. Vampire 5'', is a 1990 Hong Kong horror comedy film produced by, and starring, Lam Ching-ying. It was released in Hong Kong on 11 February 1990, and in the Philippines on 18 June 1992. Plot Uncle Fe ...

(1990) * Licence to Steal (1990) * Touch and Go (1991) *

Robotrix ''Robotrix'' (Chinese 女机械人 pinyin: ''nǚ jīxièrén'' "Woman Robot") is a 1991 Hong Kong science fiction exploitation film directed by Jamie Luk Kin-ming and produced by the Golden Harvest Company. Bill Lui, the winner of the 23rd Ho ...

(1991) *Queen's High (1991) *

The Gambling Ghost ''The Gambling Ghost'' () is a 1991 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Clifton Ko. It stars Sammo Hung in three roles as different generations of the same family - son, father and ghostly grandfather. Hung's co-star, Mang Hoi also worked ...

(1991) *All Mighty Gambler (1991) *Wizard's Curse (1992) *Secret Police (1992) *Kickboxer's Tears (1992) *Escape from Brothel (1992) *Beauty Investigator (1992) *The Street Car Named Desire (1993) *

Future Cops ''Future Cops'' (; literal title: ''Super-School Tyrant'') is a 1993 Hong Kong action-comedy film loosely based on Capcom's fighting game '' Street Fighter II: The World Warrior'' (1991), starring an ensemble cast of Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Aar ...

(1993) *

Once Upon a Time in China IV ''Once Upon a Time in China IV'' is a 1993 Hong Kong–Chinese martial arts film and the fourth installment in the ''Once Upon a Time in China'' film series. It was directed by Yuen Bun in his directorial debut and produced by Tsui Hark, who di ...

(1993) *Bloodshed in Nightery (1993) *Romance of the Vampire (1994) *Rock on Fire (1994) *Out Bound Killing (1994) *My Friend Roy (1994) *Gambling Baron (1994) *

(1994) * Tough Beauty and the Sloppy Slop (1995) * Iron Monkey 2 (1995) * Meltdown (1995) *Yes Madam 5 (1996) *Horrible High Heels (1996) * Dr. Wai in "The Scripture with No Words" (1996) *

(1996) *Another Chinese Cop (1996) *18 Shaolin Golden Boy (1996) *Tough Guy (1997) *Tiger Angels (1997) *Super Cops (1997) *Crazy Mission (1997) *

97 Aces Go Places ''97 Aces Go Places'' is a 1997 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Chin Kar-lok and starring Alan Tam, Tony Leung, Christy Chung, Donna Chu and Francis Ng. The film is the sixth and final installment of the ''Aces Go Places'' film seri ...

(1997) *

Young and Dangerous 5 ''Young and Dangerous 5'' () is a 1998 Hong Kong triad film. It is the fourth sequel in the ''Young and Dangerous'' film series. Plot Szeto Ho Nam from the Tung Sing Society attempts to take control of Causeway Bay by causing trouble at Chan ...

(1998) *Roller Blade Killer (1998) *Fatal Desire (1998) *Death Games (1998) *The Wanted Convict (1999) *Undercover Girls (1999) *City of Darkness (1999) *Unbeatables (2000) *Stand in Between (2000) *The King Boxer (2000) *Gei Xiao Jie Bao Biao (2000) *Mabangis na Lungsod *Camouflage (2000) *Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000) *Dragon the Master (2002) *Star Runner (2003) *Xiao Tai Ji (2004) *Hero Youngster (2004) *Roaring Dragon, Bluffing Tiger (2006) *Dragon in Fury (2006)

Television

*101 Arrest Warrant III: Brave New World(1984) *Monk with a flower(1997) *Tai Chi Grandmaster(1998) *New Shaolin Temple(1999)

References

External links

Billy's Gym (Chinese Language Website)Hong Kong Cinemagic list of films
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Chow, Billy 1958 births Living people Businesspeople from Calgary Businesspeople from Edmonton Male actors from Calgary Male actors from Edmonton Canadian male film actors Canadian male kickboxers Canadian male Muay Thai practitioners Canadian people of Hong Kong descent Canadian sports businesspeople Hong Kong male kickboxers Hong Kong male film actors Hong Kong sportspeople Hong Kong male Muay Thai practitioners Martial artists from Calgary Martial artists from Edmonton Welterweight kickboxers 20th-century Canadian sportsmen