Wong Yu / Wong Yue

Biography

Wong Yu (original name Wong Chi Kuen) was a renowned Hong Kong martial arts film actor, born on October 26, 1955 in Hong Kong. He attended Lingnan Primary School but left after only a few months. Wong Yu was the adopted son of director Li Han Hsiang, who gave him his stage name, and was also a disciple of director Lau Kar Leung, officially becoming his student in 1975. He entered the film industry in the 1970s, with his first work being "The Water Margin" directed by Ng See Yuen, where he worked as a stuntman and as the body double of lead actor Chen Kuan Tai. In 1972, he signed with Shaw Brothers film company, officially entering the film world, with his first lead role being in "Sex for Sale" directed by Li Han Hsiang. In 1975, he rose to fame through "The Spiritual Boxer" directed by his master Lau Kar Leung, and subsequently starred alongside Fu Sheng, Lau Kar Fai, and other martial brothers in numerous films. Wong Yu's "kung fu kid" persona blended comedic elements, which was considered innovative and groundbreaking at the time, making him and Lau Kar Leung pioneers of kung fu comedy. In the 1980s, besides making films and TV series in British Hong Kong, he also starred in TV dramas in Taiwan. In 1980, while starring in "The Disco Dance" directed by Tang Wai Shing, he also served as action designer under the name "Wong Siu Yu". After 1988, he continued appearing in TV series and as a guest on variety shows, while working mainly behind the scenes in films as a martial arts stuntman and action designer, with behind-the-scenes works including "Swordsman 2" in collaboration with Ching Siu Tung. In 1983, Wong Yu was involved in a car race with famous martial arts actor Fu Sheng that resulted in a fatal accident in which Fu Sheng died from severe injuries. This incident led to widespread condemnation of Wong Yu, and he soon became addicted to drugs. After 1988, he almost completely stopped appearing in films and went through a period of decline. After leaving the entertainment industry, he worked as an insurance broker and a moving company worker, and also sold goods at street stalls in Temple Street. In 2003, he was sentenced to six weeks in prison for violently assaulting his ex-girlfriend; in 2005, he was arrested for allegedly assaulting a taxi driver. He later underwent two heart surgeries. On May 5, 2008, he was hospitalized for acute pneumonia, and after unsuccessful resuscitation, he passed away on May 15, at the age of 53. Wong Yu was unmarried and had one daughter. Director Teddy Chan was his cousin, and director Ching Siu Tung was his brother-in-law.