Classic kung fu vet Wong Yue dies at age 53

Following a recent decline in health amid growing substance abuse, Wong Yue, star of kung fu classics THE SPIRITUAL BOXER and DIRTY HO died on May 5th at the age of 53. The announcement was made on May 15th by his brother-in-law, famous action director Tony Ching Siu-tung, who put to rest early speculation that Wong has committed suicide.

Left – Wong Yue in EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN (1977). Picture courtesy of teako170. Right – Wong Yue in a recent photo clearly showing the effects of illness.

According to Ching, Wong died from acute hepatitis. In addition to suffering from drug abuse, Wong had in recent years, undergone invasive surgery that may have weakened him further.

Wong began his film career at Shaw Brothers in the early 1970s. After initial roles in straight comedies and dramas, action director Lau Kar-leung began training him in kung fu and cast him in THE SPIRITUAL BOXER in 1975. It was a groundbreaking mix of sophisticated kung fu choreography and humor that catapulted the previously non-fighting actor into instant fame as the world’s first comedic martial arts star. He subsequently starred in a variety of kung fu classics for SB and independent filmmakers.

Much of Wong’s best performances were under the direction of his mentor Lau Kar-leung. Some of Wong Yue’s career highlights include starring roles in HE HAS NOTHING BUT KUNG FU (1977), DIRTY HO (1979), SWIFT SWORD (1980), KID FROM KWANGTUNG (1982), and CRAZY SHAOLIN DISCIPLES (1985).