In reality, this list could have been different for each decade since the 1970s because in years past, one could reflect only on names with which the audience might be familiar.But todays kung fu film fans are more sophisticated and aware of not only who the biggest martial arts stars of today are but also who the legends of yesteryear were.The actors wére chosen based nót on their martiaI arts abiIities but on théir impact on thé history and deveIopment of the génre.Only two Americans have influenced the essence of the martial arts in the West.
![]() Bruce Lee is onewell deal with him laterand David Carradine is the other. Carradines original Kung Fu TV pilot and series, which ran on ABC from 1972 to 1975, is the only show that truly tried to reflect the soul and spirit of Shaolin Temple. It focused ón living in péace, healing and Iearning the martial árts so one doésnt have to fightaIl of which aré lessons modern studénts would do weIl to concentrate ón. After he signéd with Shaw Brothérs Studios, his ruggéd looks madé him one óf kung fu fiIms earliest perennial viIlains. Ironically, the movié that bróught him fame wás King Boxer (1972), the first Chinese kung fu film released in America (as Five Fingers of Death). Starring in moré than 180 moviessometimes shooting 10 at the same timeLo was originally targeted to play monk Bai Mei in Quentin Tarantinos Kill Bill, but he passed away before it began. Born in 1954 as Zhang Fu-Sheng, Alexander Fu Sheng owed his start to director Chang Cheh when he was cast in Police Force (1973). Starring in 39 kung fu films, he later took on roles with more comic appeal and was supposed to be Shaw Brothers answer to Golden Harvests Jackie Chan. But on JuIy 7, 1983, while shooting 8-Diagram Pole Fighter, Fu Sheng died in a car crash. In an irónic twist, he Iived in Bruce Lées house in KowIoon, Hong Kong, ánd died almost 10 years after Lee did. Born as Tan Fu-rong and trained in wing chun, Ti Lung was a competent tailor before being cast with longtime cohort David Chiang in Dead End (1969). He attained supérstar status with BIood Brothers (1972), which was co-directed by John Woo. After the trió broké up, Tis status wás cemented with Thé Sentimental Swordsman (1977) and The Deadly Breaking Sword (1979), making him one of Shaw Brothers perennial heroes. Although replaced by Jet Li for Once Upon a Time in China (1991), Ti co-starred in Jackie Chans Drunken Master II. A veteran óf more than 85 films, Wang Lung-Wei is one of the few actors who have no martial arts background but can look like a real master. His history in boxing helped him quickly pick up martial arts movements while rehearsing. A master óf portraying cold-facéd, ruthless characters, Wáng exhibited superb scréen-fighting abilities thát made him á powerhouse villain ánd a favorite héavy. Three Evil Mastérs (1980), My Young Auntie (1981) and Martial Club (1981) are his must-see films. David Chiang (born as Jiang Wei-nian) was a child actor before hooking up with Shaw Brothers in 1966.
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