Gordon Liu

{{Short description|Hong Kong actor and martial artist (b. 1955)}}

{{for|the Chinese-American politician (劉貴明)|Gordon J. Lau}}

{{use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}

{{infobox person

| name = Gordon Liu

| image =

| image_upright =

| landscape =

| alt =

| caption =

| native_name = 劉家輝

| native_name_lang = zh

| pronunciation =

| birth_name = Sin Kam-hei (冼錦熙)

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1955|08|22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dramasian.com/threads/gordon-liu-celebrates-65th-birthday.89157/ |title=Gordon Liu Celebrates 65th Birthday }}

| birth_place = Foshan, Guangdong, China

| death_date =

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| death_cause =

| body_discovered =

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| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|martial artist|director|producer}}

| years_active = 1973-2014

| style = Hung Ga

| spouse = {{marriage|Ma Fei-feng|1991|2009|reason=div}} (2nd)

| children = 4

| module = {{Infobox Chinese|child=yes

| t = 劉家輝

| s = 刘家辉

| p = Liú Jiāhuī

| j = Lau4 Gaa1-fai1

| altname = Sin Kam-hei

| t2 = 冼錦熙

| s2 = 冼锦熙

| p2 = Xiǎn Jǐnxī

| j2 =

}}

}}

{{family name hatnote|Liu|lang=Chinese}}

Gordon Liu Chia-hui{{efn|{{zh|t=劉家輝|s=刘家辉|p=Liú Jiāhuī|w=Liu Chia-hui|j=Lau4 Gaa1 fai1}}}}{{Cite web |title=Gordon Liu Chia-Hui |url=https://www.hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=4149&display_set=eng |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=www.hkmdb.com}} (born Sin Kam-hei{{efn|{{zh|t=冼錦熙|s=冼锦熙|p=Xiǎn Jǐnxī}}}}, 22 August 1955){{Cite web|url=https://letterboxd.com/film/high-kickers/|title = High Kickers (2013)}} 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 during the 1970s and 1980s.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-06 |title=How Shaw Brothers made Gordon Liu a martial arts superstar |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3135865/how-gordon-liu-became-martial-arts-superstar-thanks-shaw |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

Born in Guangdong, Liu studied Hung Ga kung fu at the school founded by Lau Kar-leung's father, Lau Cham.{{cite web | url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3135865/how-gordon-liu-became-martial-arts-superstar-thanks-shaw | title=How Shaw Brothers made Gordon Liu a martial arts superstar | date=June 6, 2021 }} He entered the Hong Kong film industry as a stuntman. His early acting credits include minor roles in several Hong Kong kung fu films, including the Shaw Brothers-produced 5 Shaolin Masters (1974). He went on to appear in many Shaw Brothers films, such as Challenge of the Masters (1976), in which he portrayed the folk hero Wong Fei Hung, Executioners from Shaolin (1977), The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978), in which he played the lead role as Shaolin hero San Te, Dirty Ho (1979), Return to the 36th Chamber (1980), Martial Club (1981), The Eight Diagram Pole Fighter (1984), and Disciples of the 36th Chamber (1985). By the late-1980’s, he had begun accepting smaller roles, such as in Lau Kar-leung's Tiger on the Beat (1988). In 1993, he appeared opposite Jet Li in Last Hero in China.

Liu made his American film debut in 2003. He 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). Other than being a staple in Hong Kong action movies and his foray into Hollywood, Liu also made his Bollywood debut in 2009's Chandni Chowk to China.

In 2020, Liu was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame.{{cite web | url=https://martialartsmuseum.com/about/hall-of-fame/ | title=Hall of Fame }}

Early life

Liu was born Sin Kam-hei ({{zh|s=冼锦熙|t=冼錦熙|first=t}}) in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China on 22 August 1955, prior to his adoption into another family.[http://www.spcnet.tv/Gordon-Lau-Ka-Fai-ac3086.html Gordon Lau Ka-fai 劉家輝] 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, and adopted his surname ({{zh|t=劉|s=刘|p=Liú|j=Lau4|first=t}}) as his professional name.{{cite web| title = Gordon Liu Chia Hui| work = Interview| publisher = Kung Fu Magazine | url=http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=488| access-date = 2011-06-08}}

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{{Citation needed|date=May 2007}}.

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.

Other than being a staple in Hong Kong action movies and his foray into Hollywood, Liu also made his Bollywood debut in 2009's Chandni Chowk to China.{{cite web | url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/looks-hes-recovering-quite-well-former-action-star-stroke-survivor-gordon-liu-rare-photo-birthday | title='Looks like he's recovering quite well': Former action star and stroke survivor Gordon Liu turns 68, appears in rare photo | date=August 30, 2023 }} 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.

Health issues and retirement

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. Liu had cancelled all public engagements as of March 2012.{{cite web |title=Far East Films - News - Gordon Liu Suffers Stroke and Left Disabled |url=http://www.fareastfilms.com/newsPage/Gordon-Liu-Suffers-Stroke-And-Left-Disabled-3517.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202190723/http://www.fareastfilms.com/newsPage/Gordon-Liu-Suffers-Stroke-And-Left-Disabled-3517.htm |archive-date=2012-02-02 |access-date=2012-03-12}} In June 2012, Liu decided to divorce his second wife and focus on his recovery.{{Cite web |title=Gordon Liu Enters Nursing Home And Suffers Estranged Marriage |url=http://www.jaynestars.com/news/gordon-liu-enters-nursing-home-and-suffers-estranged-marriage/}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Gordon Liu Takes Former Assistant To Court Over Financial Dispute |url=http://www.jaynestars.com/news/gordon-lius-takes-former-assistant-to-court-over-financial-dispute/}} Subsequently in 2013, he arranged for Hong Kong actress Amy Fan to become the legal guardian of his assets.{{Cite web |title=Gordon Liu Visits Old Friends at TVB |url=http://www.jaynestars.com/news/gordon-liu-visits-old-friends-at-tvb/}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Gordon Liu Watches TVB's "Four Amigos Bon Voyage" |url=http://www.jaynestars.com/news/gordon-liu-watches-tvbs-four-amigos-bon-voyage/}}

In 2020, Liu was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame.

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 ({{lang|zh|冼峻龙}}) and daughter Sonia ({{lang|zh|冼咏珊}}) from his second marriage with Ma Fei-feng ({{lang|zh-hans|马飞凤}}) of Thai-descent which ended in 2009.

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"

!Year

!Title

!Role

!Notes

1973Hero of the WaterfrontExtra
rowspan="2"| 19745 Shaolin MastersChang Yung
Shaolin Martial ArtsHo Chen-kang
rowspan=2|1975The Four AssassinsAburiha / Abulahua
The MonkFoon Ying's Thug / Monk
rowspan="3"| 1976Challenge of the MastersWong Fei-hung
7-Man ArmyMongolian Commander #2
Boxer RebellionBoxer
rowspan="2"| 1977He Has Nothing But Kung FuShang Kai-YuanAlso stunt coordinator
Executioners from ShaolinTung Chien-chin
rowspan="4"| 1978Breakout from OppressionHsiao TuAlso director and action coordinator
The 36th Chamber of ShaolinLiu Yu-de / San Te
Heroes of the EastAh To
Shaolin MantisShaolin Fighting Monk
rowspan="3"| 1979Fury in the Shaolin Temple
Dirty HoWang Tsun Hsin (11'th Prince)
The Shadow BoxingChang Chieh
rowspan="4"| 1980Clan of the White LotusHong Wen-Ting
Return to the 36th ChamberChao Jen-Cheh
Fists and GutsAh-San / Shaolin Priest
Shaolin WarriorFa TienAlso producer
rowspan="5"| 1981My Young AuntieJames
Elders
The Shaolin Drunken MonkLao Chung
Treasure HuntersMonk Mo Seung
Martial ClubWong Fei-hung
rowspan="5"| 1982Raiders of Shaolin Kung FuGa-wi Yu
Legendary Weapons of ChinaTi Tan
Godfather of CantonLin Si Hai
The 82 TenantsAh Hui
Cat vs RatEmperor Yung Hsi
rowspan="3"| 1983Lady Is the BossLee Hon Man
Shaolin and Wu TangHung Yung-KitAlso director
Tales of a EunuchEmperor Kang Hsi / Siu Yuen Tzu
1984The Eight Diagram Pole FighterYang Wu-lang (Fifth Brother)
rowspan=5| 1985Two Jolly CopsLo Tak-FaiAlso producer
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
rowspan="6"| 1988Legend of the Phoenix
Tiger on the BeatFai, The Hitman
A Bloody FightInspector Lau Fai
Peackock KingKubira
Shaolin vs. VampireHyo DaiyuAlso director
Let's Rage the Gangland
rowspan="6"| 1989A Fiery FamilyWei
Fury of a TigerRambo / Sergeant MangAlso action choreographer
White Lotus Trio
My Heart Is That Eternal RoseLai Liu
Ghost BallroomChai
Killer AngelsMichael
rowspan="2"| 1990Tiger on the Beat 2Lau Fai
The Fortune CodeJapanese Commander in Blue
rowspan=5| 1991The KillerInspector Wong
Crystal HuntOfficer Lung
The Banquet
A Fate of Love
The Story of the GunOfficer Lau Fai
rowspan=3| 1992Passionate Killing in the DreamChit-Chit
Cheetah on FireMainland Gang Leader
Cry KillerMartial arts director
rowspan="6"| 1993Flirting ScholarEvil Scholar
Last Hero in ChinaMaster Liu Heung
Legend of the Liquid SwordShaolin Monk
The Buddhism Palm Strikes BackFor-wan Tse-san
The Mystery of the Condor HeroYuen-tsan
Bogus CopsHood
rowspan="5"| 1994The Kung Fu ScholarHis Excellency
Drunken Master IIIGovernor Lee (as Kar Fai Lau)
American ShaolinAbbot Hung Chi
If You Were HereMr. ChiangAlso stunt coordinator
Funny Shaolin Kids
1995Lethal Girls 2
1997Super CopsUncle ShingAlso action coordinator
1998Thunder Scout
rowspan="5"| 1999The Set Up
Heaven of HopeCoffin Leung
Generation ConsultantLieutenant Chow
Generation Pendragon
Gambler Series: Fraudelent Culture
rowspan=3| 2000The Heaven Sword and Dragon SaberSing Kwan
| The Legend of Lady YangChan Yuen-lai
The Island TalesBo
2002Drunken MonkeyDetective Hung Yat Fu
rowspan="2"| 2003Star RunnerMaster Lau (Coach Lau)
Kill Bill: Volume 1Johnny Mo
rowspan="4" | 2004Kill Bill: Volume 2Johnny Mo / Pai Mei
Shaolin vs. Evil DeadPak / Brother White
Dragon in Fury
Snake CurseDr. Gao Er
rowspan="4"| 2005Dragon SquadKo (Police Driver)
A Chinese Tall StoryJade Emperor
Insuperable KidJapanese Ambassador
Dragon Get Angry
rowspan=4 |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
rowspan=2 |2008Heroes of Shaolin
Anaconda FrightenedMaster Mao Dashi
rowspan=2| 2009Chandni Chowk to ChinaHojo
Frankenstein Unlimited
rowspan=5| 2010Lost in LoveBanker
Citizen KingMaster Cheung
The Immemorial Magic
Hot Summer DaysUncle Fai
True LegendOld Sage
rowspan=3| 2011Love in SpaceMr. Chen
Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody AffairJohnny Mo / Pai Mei
Flying Swords of Dragon GateEunuch Wan Yulou
rowspan=7| 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 =

class="wikitable"
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rowspan=2 |Jin Pin-cin
1992Mystery of the Twin Swords II捉妖奇兵
rowspan=2 |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
rowspan=2 |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
rowspan=2 |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
rowspan=3 |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
rowspan=2 | 2000The Legendary Four Aces金裝四大才子
Legend of Lady Yang楊貴妃Chen Xuanli
rowspan=2 |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
rowspan=2 |2005Real Kung Fu佛山贊師父Lin Yung
The Gateau Affairs情迷黑森林Tong Sam
rowspan=2 |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
rowspan=3 |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
rowspan="2" | 2009Man in Charge幕後大老爺Tai Yau-Kung
Chinese Paladin 3仙劍奇俠傳三Evil Sword Immortal
rowspan=3 | 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
rowspan=2 | 2011Relic of an Emissary洪武三十二Yim Chun
Curse of the Royal Harem萬凰之王Tunggiya Shumung

= Documentaries =

class="wikitable"
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
rowspan=2 |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

{{Reflist}}

Notes

{{notelist}}