Wong Lap Tat (June 29, 1939 – November 2, 2002), better known by his

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

Lo Lieh, was an

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...

n-born

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 ...

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

and film actor. Lo was perhaps best known as Chao Chih-Hao in the 1972

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 ...

King Boxer ''King Boxer'' (, released in the United States as ''Five Fingers of Death'') is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film produced by Shaw Brothers Studio, directed by Jeong Chang-hwa, starring Lo Lieh, and featuring fight choreography by Lau Kar-wi ...

'' (a.k.a. ''Five Fingers of Death''), Priest Pai Mei in ''

Executioners from Shaolin ''Executioners from Shaolin'' () is a 1977 Shaw Brothers kung fu film based on the life of Hung hsi Kuan directed by Lau Kar-leung. It was released as ''Shaolin Executioners'' outside of Hong Kong and as ''Executioners of Death'' in North Amer ...

'' and ''

Clan of the White Lotus ''Clan of the White Lotus'' (released in the United States as ''Fists of the White Lotus'') is a 1980 Hong Kong kung fu film directed by Lo Lieh, with action choreography by Lau Kar Leung. The film is a follow-up to '' Executioners from Shaoli ...

'', Miyamoto in the 1977 film '' Fist of Fury II'', and General Tien Ta in the 1978 film ''

The 36th Chamber of Shaolin ''The 36th Chamber of Shaolin'' ( zh, t=少林三十六房, also released as ''The Master Killer'' and ''Shaolin Master Killer'') is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts film produced by Shaw Brothers Studio, directed by Lau Kar-leung from a screenplay ...

''.

Early life

Born Wong Lap-tat in

Pematangsiantar Pematangsiantar (sometimes written as Pematang Siantar, acronym PS or ''P. Siantar'', colloquially just Siantar), and also known as the City of Pematangsiantar, is an independent city in North Sumatra Province of Indonesia, surrounded by, but not ...

on June 29, 1939 to Chinese parents, Lo spent his early life in Indonesia and then his parents sent him back to China and attended acting school in Hong Kong, he began his

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; ...

training in 1962 and joined 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 ...

in the same year and went on to become one of the most famous actors in

Hong Kong martial arts Chinese martial arts, commonly referred to with umbrella terms kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (), are multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater China. These fighting styles are often classified according to c ...

and

kung fu films Kung fu film () is a subgenre of martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema set in the contemporary period and featuring realistic martial arts. It lacks the fantasy elements seen in ''wuxia'', a related martial arts genre that uses historical ...

in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Acting career

In 1970 Lo played Kao Hsia in the film ''

Brothers Five ''Brothers Five'' (Chinese: 五虎屠龍) is a 1970 Hong Kong ''wuxia'' film directed by Lo Wei and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio. Plot Five brothers were separated at birth when the evil lord of Flying Dragon Villa murdered their fat ...

'', alongside

Cheng Pei-pei Cheng Pei-pei (6 January 1946 – 17 July 2024) was a Hong Kong-American actress who was considered cinema's first female action hero. Popularly known as "Queen of Swords" and "Queen of Martial Arts Films", Cheng starred in numerous successful ...

, and co-starred with

Jimmy Wang Yu James Wang Yu (28 March 1943 – 5 April 2022) was a Hong Kong-Taiwanese martial artist, actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. Initially a contract player for Shaw Brothers, he rose to fame for his starring role in ''The One-Armed ...

in ''

The Chinese Boxer ''The Chinese Boxer'' (龙虎斗; also known by its international title ''The Hammer of God'') is a 1970 Hong Kong action kung fu film written, directed by and starring Jimmy Wang Yu. Tong Gaai was the action director. ''The Chinese Boxer'' was ...

''. Lo starred in the 1972 cult classic ''

a.k.a. Five Fingers of Death ''. Lo played Ho Chiang in the 1974 film ''

The Stranger and the Gunfighter ''Là dove non batte il sole'', also known as ''The Stranger and the Gunfighter'' and ''El kárate, el Colt y el impostor'', is a 1974 kung fu Spaghetti Western comedy film directed by Antonio Margheriti and starring Lo Lieh and Lee Van Cleef. The ...

'', alongside

Lee Van Cleef Clarence LeRoy Van Cleef Jr. (January 9, 1925 – December 16, 1989) was an American actor. He appeared in over 170 film and television roles in a career spanning nearly 40 years, but is best known as a star of spaghetti Westerns, particularly t ...

. In 1977, Lo portrayed

Pai Mei Bak Mei () is said to have been one of the legendary Five Elders—survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin Monastery by the Qing dynasty (1644–1912)—who, according to some accounts, betrayed Shaolin to the imperial government. He ...

in the ''

'' and Miyamoto in '' Fist of Fury II'', along with

Bruce Li Bruce Li (; born Ho Chung-Tao; 5 June 1950) is a Chinese martial artist and actor who starred in martial arts films from the Bruceploitation movement. Career Ho Chung-Tao went to play a stuntman in Taiwan and Hong Kong under the name of James ...

. Lo played General Tien Ta in the 1978 film ''

'', alongside

Gordon Liu Gordon Liu Chia-hui (born Sin Kam-hei, 22 August 1955) is a retired Hong Kong actor, martial artist, and filmmaker, best known for his roles in martial arts films. He was one of the biggest male stars of Shaw Brothers Studio's martial arts cinema ...

and Lee Hoi San. In the 1980s, Lo directed and starred in the 1980 film ''

'', along with Gordon Liu. Lo played Triad Gangster Boss in the 1988 film ''

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 ...

'', alongside

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 ...

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 ...

and

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 ...

. Lo played Fei in the 1989 film ''

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 ...

'' along with Jackie Chan,

Richard Ng Richard Ng Yiu-hon (27 December 1939 – 9 April 2023), also known as Richard Woo, was a Hongkongers, Hong Kong actor known for playing comedic roles, particularly in Hong Kong films of the 1980s and 1990s. Film and television career Ng a ...

and

Billy Chow 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 and Super Welterweight divisions from 1977 to 1992. He was the WKA Super Welterweigh ...

. In the 1990s, Lo played Choi Kun-lun in the 1991 film ''

Sex and Zen ''Sex and Zen'' (, ''The Carnal Prayer Mat's Stash of Illicit Love'') is a Hong Kong films of 1991, 1991 Cinema of Hong Kong, Hong Kong erotic film, erotic sex comedy film directed by Michael Mak (director), Michael Mak, and starring Amy Yip and ...

'' alongside

Lawrence Ng Lawrence Ng Kai-wah (, ; born 19 May 1964) is a popular TV actor in Hong Kong. His more famous works include the television series '' Healing Hands'' and the films '' Fate Twisters'' and ''Sex and Zen''. Ng's older brother is former Charlie ...

Amy Yip Amy Yip Chi-mei (born 10 July 1966), commonly known as Amy Yip, is a Hong Kong former actress, model and entrepreneur. Known for her small frame and voluptuous figure, she was one of the leading sex symbols of Hong Kong cinema in the late 1980s a ...

and

Kent Cheng Kent Cheng Jak-si is a Hong Kong film and television actor. He is a two time recipient of the best actor award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. Biography Cheng was born in a poor family in Hong Kong.Interview of Be my Guest, TVB, 21 June 2008 He int ...

. Lo played The General in the 1992 film '' Police Story 3: Super Cop'' alongside Jackie Chan and

Michelle Yeoh Yeoh Choo Kheng (; born 6 August 1962), known professionally as Michelle Yeoh (), is a Malaysian actress. In a career spanning over four decades, Yeoh has appeared Michelle Yeoh filmography, in projects encompassing a wide array of genres, a ...

. In the 2000s, Lo played Wei Tung's Uncle in the 2001 film ''The Vampire Combat'', with

Collin Chou Collin Chou (born 11 August 1967), sometimes credited as Ngai Sing, is a Taiwanese actor and martial artist. Personal life Chou attended Pierce Community College in Los Angeles, United States. In addition to his native Mandarin Chinese, Mand ...

and

Valerie Chow Valerie Chow (born 16 December 1970) is a Hong Kong former actress, fashion publicist, and entrepreneur. In English language film and television roles, she was credited as Rachel Shane. She starred in numerous films and television series, inclu ...

. Lo's last film was 2001's ''Glass Tears'', before retiring from acting at the age of 62.

Personal life

Lo married Grace Tang Chia-li on April 15, 1976. Lo and his wife later divorced. He was the brother-in-law of

Stanley Tong Stanley Tong (; born 7 April 1960) is a Hong Kong film director, producer, stunt choreographer, screenwriter, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is known for directing action-adventure films, including several with Jackie Chan. Early life Stanl ...

, who is brother of wife Grace.

Death

Lo died of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when Ischemia, blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle. The most common symptom ...

on November 2, 2002. He was 63 years old.

Filmography

References

External links

Lo Lieh - Fan WebsiteLo Lieh
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Lo, Lieh 1939 births 2002 deaths Hong Kong male film actors Indonesian people of Chinese descent Indonesian Cantonese people Indonesian emigrants to Hong Kong People from Pematangsiantar People from North Sumatra Male Spaghetti Western actors Shaw Brothers Studio