Simon Yuen Siu-tien

Biography

Simon Yuen Siu-tien was a Hong Kong actor and martial arts choreographer born in Beijing in 1912, who grew up in Chinese opera as a "wusheng" (martial role). In 1937, he was invited to Hong Kong by Cantonese opera star Xue Juexian to direct northern-style action scenes in Cantonese opera. He began his film career in 1939 as a stunt double, with his first film being "The Great Eastern Warrior" where he served as a double for actress Wu Liju. In 1960, he became the first martial arts choreographer in Chinese cinema history with the film "Iron Arm, Golden Claw." He retired from acting in 1970 but returned in 1977 to appear in Jackie Chan's breakthrough films "Drunken Master" and "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow," playing the role of Su Chi Er (the beggar). He was the father of seven children, six of whom entered the film industry, most notably his eldest son Yuen Woo-ping, a renowned director and action choreographer. He passed away on December 17, 1980, from lung cancer, and his funeral was held on December 19 at the World Funeral Home, where his body was cremated at the Cape Collinson Crematorium.