Wong Yue 1955-2008

[Kung-Fu Scholar]

Just learned that Kung-fu cinema original comedic kung-fu kid Wong Yu passed away recently. It's his brother in law Ching Siu Tong that announced the news and fixed the funeral arragement. Reportedly he died from some sort of viral infection and was just 53 years old.

A graduate from Shaw Brother actor school, he started out around 72-73, in troubled puppy-eyed teager role (as in The TEAHOUSE) but he was really revealed as a kung-fu comedic leading man in Lau Kar Leung directorial debut SPIRITUAL BOXER. Although latter on called Shaw's Studio answer to Jackie Can he predated him by many years. Actually both a them took a bit after the original kung-fu kid Fu Sheng.

Besides KLau Kar Leung Wong Yu worked initially with such director Lau KAr Wing and Li Han Hsiang playing the comic foil to such actors as Gordon Lliu and Anthony Lau. After an initial string of kung-fu comedy he extended his range in wuxipian movies, gambling movie, period comedie etc. Besides the Lau Brothers he also became later on a regular for Wong Jing and Sung Chung movies.

Although of limited charisma and kung-fu skills, Wong Yu main assets were his comedic flair and his likeable underdogish trickster persona. One of his best role (if not the best outright) is as the titular lead rogue DIRTY HO by Lau Kar Leung.

Wong Yu career declined at the same time as Shaw Brothers studio fortunes were also webbing at the start of the eighties. He was reported to have some drug and alcool problems. He was also involved in the car crash that killed Fu Sheng. Following Shaw studio closure he could only find bit parts in movies. He was luckier on TV at least for a time where he work as a supporting actor for ATV station. Eventually he left the movies business altoghter, and found work instead in an assurence company, then became a vendor on H-K Temple street. In short he became a where are they now from star to has been casualty. He clean up his acted in later years and according to Ching Siu Tong, while he was'nt rich he wasn't completly destitude either.


I wrote a bio entry on him years ago on Brian Naas's Hong Kong View from the Brooklyn Bridge, while some areas of his carreer are overlook, it's still give a good overviews of it overall.

Kung-Fu Scholar

[Yakuza954]

Even though the opinions of him are love/hate on this board, he was undeniably a part of many great martial arts films. RIP.

[chingli]

Oh geez, that's sad and shocking. I'm so sorry to hear that, I thought he was hilarious in alot of the shaw bros comedy from the 80s. Too sad for words, RIP.

[venoms5]

Tragic news. His best films for me were his performances as the young, greenhorn assassin in FLYING GUILLOTINE, the sarcastic kung fu expert with the trick umbrella in RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH, his turn as a young fighting punk in KID WITH A TATTOO, the arrogant con man in LION VS LION and his kung fu hero role battling it out with Hwang Jang Lee in KID FROM KWANG TUNG.

[Asmo]

Rest in Peace.

[Winfred]

He was one of my favourites.
I will mourn for him.
This weekend will be a sad one.

[thehangman]

Thats ashame he always seemed to be abit overlooked,i always enjoyed his rolls in films.

[venom10463]

How sad.:( He was my favorite kung fu comedic actor. He'll be missed.

[Winfred]

In 2006, he made a will before undergoing a brain operation. He said the reporters can open and publish it if he does not survive.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h234/ivylingpo/wongyue.jpg

Susan Shaw Yin Yin who saw him recently said he had lost a lot of weight.
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h234/ivylingpo/wy.jpg

[ironfistedmonk]

Very sad news, I always liked the guy and he made some great movies. That second picture you put up looks more like Jimmy Wang Yu

[thundered mantis]

He was too young, only 53 :(

I preferred the other more kung fu savvy stars, but I have only recently discovered Kid from Kwantung and Young Avenger, and got new respect for Wong Yu´s kung. I reccomend those films to everyone. I´ll try to watch them along the weekend.

[Monk Sante]

Very sad news. Wong Yu also made a few independent films, The Young Avenger being one of them. My fav films with Wong:

Dirty Ho
Spiritual boxer
Kid from Kwungtung
KID with a Tattoo
Kung Fu Instructor
Executioners from shaolin

and many more................RIP. :(

[Winfred]

His ashes will be flown to Canada.
In the Chinese papers, there are rumours of suicide although his family refused to answer the reporters' questions. Hospital staff are tightlipped too.

Wang Yue leaves behind a father, an ex-wife and a 13 year old daughter.

What is the proper spelling of his name?
Celestial Pictures spells it Wang Yu.

[HAZ]

RIP. Spiritual Boxer is a favorite of mine.

[Mark Pollard]

Sad news. It's reported that he died on May 5th. Thanks for posting Kung-Fu Scholar.

I use the spelling "Wang Yu" which is how it's listed at the HK Film Archive.

Anyone have some decent pics of Wang in his prime? I'm working on a profile and article about his death. I should be able to dig up a few pics but I haven't looked yet.

[Mark Pollard]

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7863/dirtyhoxw1.jpg
This was previously posted elsewhere on the forums by shaolindogma.

[Endsang]

Mark, I googled some and found this picture which I think is very decent. I don't know, you might need permission to use it.

http://img1.mtime.com/pi/d/2007/21/200761104237.1183376.jpg

Although I've never been a fan, it was sad to hear. It's too bad how most of the movie stars from the 60s, 70s and early 80s simply slip into obscurity until something like this happens. You don't usually hear about them until something bad happens, like this and the whole Lo Meng story. :(

[Mark Pollard]

The stuff I'm reading in Chinese media suggests the Wang was having a lot of personal issues. If true, I'm glad we haven't heard about him more. I'd rather celebrate the high points of actors' lives, even if they happened 25 years ago.

Endsang, your pic isn't loading for me. I may just use some screen caps.

[Markgway]

RIP, mate.

Very sad news.

I won't lie and say I was his biggest fan, but he was a Shaw legend all the same.

His contribution to films like The Spiritual Boxer and Dirty Ho will be remembered.

You can see how ill he looks in those photos, especially the second one where he looks more like 83 than 53. Damn shame.

Wang Yu is his Mandarin name. Wong Yue his Cantonese name.

I use the latter for two reasons: 1. To avoid confusion with the other Wang Yu. 2. Most of his starring films were Cantonese.

[Mark Pollard]

Using Wong Yue makes more sense.

http://www.kungfufilms.nl/Wong_Yue_biografie.htm
http://www.hkcinemagic.com/fr/people.asp?id=715
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Yue

YOUNG AVENGER clip - Wong Yue vs. Wilson Tong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOasSWOigSE

[teako170]

Ugh - not the way I wanted to start the weekend.

As Markgway said, WY wasn't one of my personal faves but he certainly grew on me and I enjoyed several of his films.
I hate to see any of our Shaw family pass on.
Its a sad reminder that these individuals are not eternal and someday they too will fall.

However thanks to these films, they do in a way cheat death -- so long as we continue to watch and enjoy their films.

RIP Wong Yu. Thanks for the memories....

Couple scans I made from Southern Screen (July 1982) this morning to honor his memory.
Published around the time he was making "Lady Is the Boss."


http://www.teako170.com/wongyu1.jpg

http://www.teako170.com/wongyu2.jpg

http://www.teako170.com/wongyu3.jpg

Another scan from a different mag...

http://www.teako170.com/ladyboss.jpg

[Endsang]

The stuff I'm reading in Chinese media suggests the Wang was having a lot of personal issues. If true, I'm glad we haven't heard about him more. I'd rather celebrate the high points of actors' lives, even if they happened 25 years ago.

Endsang, your pic isn't loading for me. I may just use some screen caps.

I agree. I know I prefer seeing them as the legends on screen rather than hearing about the ups and downs of their personal lives.

I found the picture here, by the way. Link should work. Also has a relatively new picture of him where he looks quite good and healthy.
http://www.mtime.com/person/1059050/

Edit: Teako, who's the guy with the orange pants on the last picture? Are the others Hsiao Ho, Lo Meng, Gordon Liu and Kara Hui? Looked like them.

[TibetanWhiteCrane]

Never a favourite of mine. But im saddened, just the same. He had his moments.

R I P

[oldeschool17]

thats unfortunate. I recently watched an interview of him(i forget what dvd). RIP

[Mark Pollard]

Thanks Endsang and teako.

[Mark Pollard]

Here's more clips from YOUNG AVENGER featuring Wong Yue. I really need to pick up this title.

Wong Yue vs. Kong Do
HAPQWNfJtHg

Wong Yue vs. Norman Chu Pt. 1
6CevE67DTeY

Wong Yue vs. Norman Chu Pt. 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYqbZICW0ic

[Mark Pollard]

I'm moving this thread into General Discussion. I know Wong is best known for his SB roles but he did star in a number of films elsewhere, such as YOUNG AVENGER.

[teako170]

Edit: Teako, who's the guy with the orange pants on the last picture? Are the others Hsiao Ho, Lo Meng, Gordon Liu and Kara Hui? Looked like them.

From left to right:
Hsiao Ho, Cheung Chin Pang, Robert Mak Tak Law, Wong Yu, Gordon Liu Chia Hui, Kara Hui Ying Hung

[thekfc]

That is sad news.
Earlier in the week I pick-up Kid From Kwangtung, Kid With A Tattoo & The Proud Youth (alomg with some other stuff) to replace some copies I gave to my niece, The lady at the counter ask me "didn't I all ready have those?" I told her yeah but these are replacement & am getting them before they run out. An older asian guy pick up KFK & said "poor guy". At the time I paid no attention & didn,t ask/say anything. Now reading this - that is what they meant.

Rest In Peace.

[teako170]

Another pic. Probably the first YH film I ever saw (back in early 80s).
Always felt YH was a bit old though to play CKT/ LL's child.
But hey, that's kung fu films for ya - gotta suspend belief. ;)

Photo reminds me of that Madonna song (Vogue) .... you know, "strike a pose!"

If anyone can provide links to any of the Chinese newspaper sites with more info, it would be appreciated.

http://www.teako170.com/wongyu4.jpg

[Tosh]

Ah man 53, he was to young! But through those pics it looked like his health was failing. I always liked Yu, I thought he fit the roles he played, especially under Lau Kar Leung, maybe he wasn't as great a martial artist as others but he had a charisma that really shined through on screen - RIP

[kingofkungfu2002]

Here's the pic that was posted earlier, without the watermark.

http://i25.tinypic.com/s64msp.jpg

[Mark Pollard]

Here is an article posted on gansudaily.com.cn about Wong Yue's death. You can run it through Google's translator to get the gist of the content. Most of the other mainstream news coverage seems to be the same, suggesting this is basically an AP-style article.

http://ent.gansudaily.com.cn/system/2008/05/16/010685506.shtml

His name in Chinese is "汪禹" in case you want to do your own searching.

[Tantheman]

I would like to pay my respects. Like many of the others I cant say he was one of my favourites, but I enjoyed his performances in the likes of Dirty Ho and Spiritual Boxer. Sad news.

[Cesare]

Sad news indeed...:(
I may not be his biggest fan but I enjoyed those movies with Wong Yue that I've seen...
He was still young...:(
RIP.

[AlbertV]

It is sad how Wong was once a great kung fu film star and ends up on nothing more than the back burner. It makes me feel sad for some of these legends. Anyway, Wong, wherever you are, Rest in Peace and Thank you for entertaining the martial arts film community with your excellent skills.

Maybe I'll track down my Young Avenger VHS and watch it in his memory.

[teako170]

Thanks for the link Mark and kokf2000 for that watermark(less) photo.
And speaking of Dirty Ho ... think I'll watch this one tonight.
Only watched the IVL once but remember that ending was quite a shock.

http://www.teako170.com/wongyu5.jpg

[venoms5]

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7922/59079579pw1.jpg
By venoms5 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/venoms5) at 2008-05-17

[venoms5]

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/9707/24567580fz7.jpg
By venoms5 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/venoms5) at 2008-05-17

[venoms5]

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/3088/79081696zn1.jpg
By venoms5 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/venoms5) at 2008-05-17

[venoms5]

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3198/54380308vt4.jpg
By venoms5 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/venoms5) at 2008-05-17

[chen lung]

Damn. Sorry to see that.

Like Mark said, I wasn't his biggest fan but I do fondly remember him in films like 'Executioners From Shaolin' and 'Challenge Of The Gamesters' - a rather 'Jack-Of-All-Trades' kid whilst at Shaws.

RIP

[Chinatown Kid]

Yes I'm very saddened to hear he passed away as well. He might not have been the best martial artist but the kid had charisma and he always seemed so happy go lucky on film. May he rest in peace.

[Yu_Xihong]

I thought he was really good in Mercenaries From Hong Kong and Rendezvous With Death.

[Kung-Fu Scholar]

According to "Little Panda", the Hong-Kong Cinemagic contributer from whom I hold my infos. Wong Yu's birth name was Wong Chi Kuen, and he was born on 26 October 1955 which made him 52 and a half at the time of his passing from an hepathitis viral infection.

One tale about him was that originally a mere luggage clerk at an airport he didn't' know anything about kung-fu, movie or comedy but was handpick by Run Run Shaw himdelf because of his slight likeness to Jimmy Wang Yu. Made a superstar by the Shaw Studio.Run Run Shaw never forgave the latter for leaving abrubtly the studio in 1970 and in his rancor even hired a goofy lookalike and gave him his former star's name all this in the hope of undermmining Wang Yu career. It's a nice story but it's doesn't follow Wong Yu actual career (who got puppy-eyed underdog roles before he was lauch as a k-f player). Besides why would Run Run hired a lookalike for revenge five years after the errant star had run away, at a time where Wang own career was already diminishing.

No doubt Wong Yu was a neglected kung-fu star, with an uneven but substancial body of work. As the original mischevous kung-fu kid of SPIRITUAL BOXER he was also a unfairly overlook kung-fu precursor, a role attributed to Jackie Chan later on as the creator of kung-fu comedy. Thankfully now as the bulk of his movie work is readily available to most kung-fu movie fans, and name and contributions are far better known and appreciated that they were some years ago.

Kung-F Scholar.

[Winfred]

Some of my friends don't know him and I would like to recommend them his signature movie. What would you guys recommend if they only like to purchase one DVD?
If you ask me, my answer is THIRTEEN or the unreleased YOUNG PASSION with Jenny Hu. But I was thinking kungfu so I need recommendations.

[venoms5]

I'm not that big a fan of SPIRITUAL BOXER but I would say these...

RENDEZVOUS WITH DEATH (For his playfully arrogant character as well as the sets and it's Sun Chung)
THE KUNG FU INSTRUCTOR (for his likable performance as the young disciple determined to learn from his idol at any cost)
DIRTY HO (His con man role playing off of Gordon Liu who turns out to be a con man of sorts)
KID FROM KWANG TUNG (For his kung fu performance)
LION VS LION (Fans are divided on this one but he was really good here as the conniving con man)

[ironfistedmonk]

Some of my friends don't know him and I would like to recommend them his signature movie. What would you guys recommend if they only like to purchase one DVD?
If you ask me, my answer is THIRTEEN or the unreleased YOUNG PASSION with Jenny Hu. But I was thinking kungfu so I need recommendations.

His best role IMO is in Dirty Ho which I think is a brilliant movie but it's one of those some love but some hate. Proud Youth is an often overlooked gem in Wong Yue's career working with director Sun Chung and one of Shaws finest swordplay movies. Depending on your friends preferences for swordplay or KF I'd go with either of those

[Winfred]

Hi ironfistedmonk

All my friends say they prefer swordplay to kungfu. What do you think of Swift Sword as compared to Proud Youth? They want only 1 DVD.

[ironfistedmonk]

I'd forgotten about Swift Sword, thats another good swordplay with a well known story, I prefer Proud Youth TBH but both are good and showcase Wong Yue away from his usual comedy style

[jmungus]

between PY and SS i prefer PY, although i dont consider this movie that good a choice to show the uninitiated, as its trying to cover as much content from its source, the jin yong novel 'the smiling, proud wanderer' as possible in only 90 mins & that may be a rather confusing experience for your friends, provided they re not really familiar with the genre.

first picks, imho, could either be "dirty ho" or "rendezvous with death".
"spiritual boxer" is definitely a true milestone in my book as well.
not quite the ace kf classic, but still a good quality wong yu vehicle is "kid with a tattoo".

wong yu, rest in peace

[fabhui]

I only just found about this today whilst visiting the forum.

While he wasn't one of my favourite actors from Shaws he still put out some good quality performances during his time there.

Another sad loss from Shaw's golden era....:(

[quixote64]

i just found out about this today, such a tragedy. First Linn, now Wong Yue too?!? we've lost some true legends this year. I didn't know that he was Ching Siu Tung's brother in law.

[thehangman]

how was he involved in fu shengs death? was he in the car 2?

[Markgway]

I think Wong was in the car with Fu Sheng and his brother.

[HAZ]

Some of my friends don't know him and I would like to recommend them his signature movie. What would you guys recommend if they only like to purchase one DVD?
If you ask me, my answer is THIRTEEN or the unreleased YOUNG PASSION with Jenny Hu. But I was thinking kungfu so I need recommendations.

Spiritual Boxer ot Dirty Ho. I think Spiritual Boxer is of limited interest to western viewers on account of alot of mythical references. It's not Citizen Kane, but its a entertaining movie with some funny & memorable scenes. Dirty Ho has more Kung Fu action.

[HAZ]

Hi ironfistedmonk

All my friends say they prefer swordplay to kungfu. What do you think of Swift Sword as compared to Proud Youth? They want only 1 DVD.

Swift Sword is the film that Sword Stained with Royal Blood should have been. A very underrated film.

[Bus]

sad news RIP

[kungfusamurai]

That's really too bad! I think I'm one of the few people who didn't find him annoying one bit. In fact, I thought this guy was really underrated. Sure he was always playing a bit of a rascal, but he really had a good physical presence for someone who didn't have a strong martial arts background (I think - I'll have to read the rest of the thread if it's mentioned).

Only 53.

RIP Spiritual Boxer Wong Yue.

[ekisha]

Rest in peace.Tomorrow i'm gonna watch spiritual boxer.
________
Suzuki apv specifications (http://www.suzuki-tech.com/wiki/Suzuki_APV)

[Monk Sante]

For those interested and have the 'Shaolin Temple' DVD from IVL, there's a 12 minute interview with Wong Yue. He talks about everything from his start to his Hung fist style he learned from Liu Chia Liang and so on. He looked quite strong in the interview, it's too bad he is no longer with us.

Check it out.


Reast in peace Wong. :o

[The Dragon]

I hate to hear news like this... I really appreciate Wong's contribution to the genre, as men like himself, Li Yin Min, Fu Sheng, and JC, all benefited from a similar style of performance. These actors were sometimes underappreciated, and still found a way to remain productive.

This has been a year of TOO much death for me people. I'm gonna take a time out.:(

R.I.P. Wong Yue, forever The Spiritual Boxer.

[daTOAD]

Loved his movies. One of the few Martial actors who IMO was as funny or maybe funnier than Jackie. RIP Wong Yue.

[Liu Chia Liang]

Its sad to see this happy guy i know and love from the movies end like this. Sometimes live just is not fair.

I took the time to make a small video tribute I hope you guys enjoy watching it as much as I did making it!

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l2Z4m6xviU0&hl=nl"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l2Z4m6xviU0&hl=nl" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

[daTOAD]

Great tribute. Thanks for taking the time to make that[reminded me i have to pick up remasterd versions of Kwantung Kid and Roar of the Lion-pray some company picks these up]. BTW what was the flick with him in sunglasses?