Dean Shek
Encyclopedia
Dean Shek aka Dean Shek Tien (born 17 October 1950) is a veteran Hong Kong
feature film
actor
and film producer
with over 92 films acting credits
to his name. Shek is perhaps best known as Professor Kai Hsien in 1978 film Drunken Master
and Snooker in 1990 film Dragon from Russia
.
in 1968, making his first brief appearance in the film Twin Blades of Doom (1969). He received more substantial roles at Shaws, in musicals such as The Singing Killer, romantic films including A Time For Love (1970), comedies such as The Human Goddess
(1972) and martial arts films such as The Fists of Vengeance
(1972).
Shek left Shaw Brothers in 1973. The same year, he appeared in Master with Cracked Fingers
, the first film to feature Jackie Chan
in a starring role. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with The Monk, and worked as assistant director
on Black Alice (1975), A Queen's Ransom (1976), Iron Fisted Monk
(1977).
Throughout the late 1970s, Shek continued to work with the likes of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung
on period kung fu films including Broken Oath
(1977), Warriors Two
(1978), Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
(1978), Drunken Master
(1978), Odd Couple (1979) and Dance of the Drunk Mantis
(1979).
Shek is credited as producer on 22 films, most of which were for the production company
Cinema City & Films Co., which he co founded with Karl Maka
and Raymond Wong in 1980.
Throughout the 1980s, he appeared in action crime and comedies including the first 2 films were Aces Go Places
and John Woo
's A Better Tomorrow 2
(1987). He also directed 4 films were - The Perfect Wife (1983), A Family Affair (1984), Kung Hei Fat Choy (1985) and The Family Strikes Back (1986).
.
In 1992, Shek retired at the age of 42 after working as a producer in the 1992 fantasy horror film Angel Hunter.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
feature film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
with over 92 films acting credits
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
to his name. Shek is perhaps best known as Professor Kai Hsien in 1978 film Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
and Snooker in 1990 film Dragon from Russia
Dragon from Russia
Dragon from Russia is a 1990 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Clarence Fok and based on the Japanese manga Crying Freeman and written by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami, and also produced by Dean Shek, and starring Sam Hui, Maggie Cheung, Nina Li Chi, Carrie Ng, Loletta Lee and Dean...
.
Movies
Shek began his career as a contracted actor at Shaw Brothers StudioShaw Brothers Studio
The Shaw Brothers Studio , owned by Shaw Brothers Ltd., was the foremost and the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies.From their distribution base in Singapore where they founded parent company Shaw Organization in 1924, and as a strategic development of their movie distribution...
in 1968, making his first brief appearance in the film Twin Blades of Doom (1969). He received more substantial roles at Shaws, in musicals such as The Singing Killer, romantic films including A Time For Love (1970), comedies such as The Human Goddess
The Human Goddess
The Human Goddess is a 1972 Hong Kong fantasy film comedy directed by Ho Heng Hua.Li Ching stars as an alluring fairy goddess who is irresistible to the opposite sex...
(1972) and martial arts films such as The Fists of Vengeance
The Fists Of Vengeance
The Fists of Vengeance is a 1972 Hong Kong film. It was produced under the Shaw Studios banner.-Cast:*Chan Shen*Chen Yan Yan*Cheng Li*Cheng Miu*Goo Man Chung*Lily Li Li Li*Ling Yun*Dean Shek*Chan Wai Lau*Cho Kin...
(1972).
Shek left Shaw Brothers in 1973. The same year, he appeared in Master with Cracked Fingers
Master with Cracked Fingers
Master with Cracked Fingers , aka Snake Fist Fighter is a 1979 martial arts film directed by Mu Chu and starring Jackie Chan. It is often cited as being produced in 1971, 1973, 1974 or 1981. The original footage was filmed in 1971 and released in 1973 as Little Tiger of Canton...
, the first film to feature Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
in a starring role. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with The Monk, and worked as assistant director
Assistant director
The role of an Assistant director include tracking daily progress against the filming production schedule, arranging logistics, preparing daily call sheets, checking cast and crew, maintaining order on the set. They also have to take care of health and safety of the crew...
on Black Alice (1975), A Queen's Ransom (1976), Iron Fisted Monk
The Iron-Fisted Monk
The Iron-Fisted Monk is a 1977 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Sammo Hung his directorial debut...
(1977).
Throughout the late 1970s, Shek continued to work with the likes of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
on period kung fu films including Broken Oath
Broken Oath
Broken Oath is a 1977 Hong Kong kung fu film from South Korean director Jeong Chang-hwa, with action choreography by Tyrone Hsu Hsia and Yuen Woo-ping...
(1977), Warriors Two
Warriors Two
Warriors Two is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by Sammo Hung and released by Golden Harvest. Film stars Hung, alongside Bryan Leung, Casanova Wong and Fung Hak-on...
(1978), Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
(1978), Drunken Master
Drunken Master
Drunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
(1978), Odd Couple (1979) and Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis
Dance of the Drunk Mantis is a 1979 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Yuen Siu Tien’s real life son Yuen Woo-ping, starring Yuen Siu Tien, Hwang Jang Lee, Linda Lin, Yuen Shun Yee, Charlie Shek and Yuen Kwai...
(1979).
Shek is credited as producer on 22 films, most of which were for the production company
Production company
A production company provides the physical basis for works in the realms of the performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video.- Tasks and functions :...
Cinema City & Films Co., which he co founded with Karl Maka
Karl Maka
Karl Maka is a popular Hong Kong producer, director, actor and presenter. He was born on 29 February 1944 in Taishan, China. One of his popular movie is the Aces Go Places film series which he acted alongside Sam Hui....
and Raymond Wong in 1980.
Throughout the 1980s, he appeared in action crime and comedies including the first 2 films were Aces Go Places
Aces Go Places
Aces Go Places, , also known in the United States as Diamondfinger or Mad Mission 1, is a 1982 Hong Kong action/comedy film directed by Eric Tsang, and starring Sam Hui and Karl Maka.-Plot:...
and John Woo
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS is a Hong Kong-based film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard...
's A Better Tomorrow 2
A Better Tomorrow 2
A Better Tomorrow 2 is a 1987 Hong Kong action and crime directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-fat, Dean Shek, Leslie Cheung, and Ti Lung.A follow-up to its popular predecessor, A Better Tomorrow...
(1987). He also directed 4 films were - The Perfect Wife (1983), A Family Affair (1984), Kung Hei Fat Choy (1985) and The Family Strikes Back (1986).
Final film and retired from acting
Shek played his final role as Snooker in the 1990 film Dragon from RussiaDragon from Russia
Dragon from Russia is a 1990 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Clarence Fok and based on the Japanese manga Crying Freeman and written by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami, and also produced by Dean Shek, and starring Sam Hui, Maggie Cheung, Nina Li Chi, Carrie Ng, Loletta Lee and Dean...
.
In 1992, Shek retired at the age of 42 after working as a producer in the 1992 fantasy horror film Angel Hunter.
Movies
- Young Lovers (1970)
- A Time for Love (1970)
- The Singing Killer (1970)
- My Son (1970)
- Guess Who Killed by Twelve Lovers (1970)
- The Long Years (1971)
- Master with Cracked FingersMaster with Cracked FingersMaster with Cracked Fingers , aka Snake Fist Fighter is a 1979 martial arts film directed by Mu Chu and starring Jackie Chan. It is often cited as being produced in 1971, 1973, 1974 or 1981. The original footage was filmed in 1971 and released in 1973 as Little Tiger of Canton...
(1971) - Pursuit (1972)
- Intrigue in Nylons (1972)
- The Human GoddessThe Human GoddessThe Human Goddess is a 1972 Hong Kong fantasy film comedy directed by Ho Heng Hua.Li Ching stars as an alluring fairy goddess who is irresistible to the opposite sex...
(1972) - The Fugitive (1972)
- The Fists of VengeanceThe Fists Of VengeanceThe Fists of Vengeance is a 1972 Hong Kong film. It was produced under the Shaw Studios banner.-Cast:*Chan Shen*Chen Yan Yan*Cheng Li*Cheng Miu*Goo Man Chung*Lily Li Li Li*Ling Yun*Dean Shek*Chan Wai Lau*Cho Kin...
(1972) - The Black Tavern (1972)
- The Young Tiger (1973)
- Tales of Larceny (1973)
- The Pirates (1973)
- The Iron Bodyguard (1973)
- Illicit Desire (1973)
- The Generation Gap (1973)
- The Delinquent (1973)
- Breakout from Oppression (1973)
- Ambush (1973)
- Young Lovers on Flying Wheels (1974)
- Naughty! Naughty! (1974)
- A Mad World of Fools (1974)
- Golden Lotus (1974)
- Games Gamblers Play (1974)
- Blood Reincarnation (1974)
- The Big Risk (1974)
- The Young Dragons (1975)
- Shantung Man in Hong Kong (1975)
- The Seven Coffins (1975)
- The Protectors (1975)
- My Wacky, Wacky World (1975)
- The Monk (1975)
- Lady of the Law (1975)
- Hong Kong Superman (1975)
- Chinese Superior Kung Fu (1975)
- The Bedevilled (1975)
- Bald-Headed Betty (1975)
- All in the Family (1975)
- A Queen’s Ransom (1976)
- My Funny Intern (1976)
- I Want More... (1976)
- The Girlie Bar (1976)
- Mantis Fists and Tiger Claws of Shaolin (1977)
- Iron Fisted MonkThe Iron-Fisted MonkThe Iron-Fisted Monk is a 1977 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Sammo Hung his directorial debut...
(1977) - Broken OathBroken OathBroken Oath is a 1977 Hong Kong kung fu film from South Korean director Jeong Chang-hwa, with action choreography by Tyrone Hsu Hsia and Yuen Woo-ping...
(1977) - Warriors TwoWarriors TwoWarriors Two is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts film written and directed by Sammo Hung and released by Golden Harvest. Film stars Hung, alongside Bryan Leung, Casanova Wong and Fung Hak-on...
(1978) - Spiritual Kung Fu (1978)
- Snake in the Eagle's ShadowSnake in the Eagle's ShadowSnake in the Eagle's Shadow is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Yuen Woo-ping his directorial debut, who has since gained international stardom as the action choreographer for films such as Iron Monkey, Fist of Legend, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Matrix series, Kill...
(1978) - Snake Crane Secret (1978)
- Half a Loaf of Kung FuHalf a Loaf of Kung FuHalf a Loaf of Kung Fu or Dian zhi gong fu gan jian dan is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film starring Jackie Chan, who was also action choreographer and co-writer...
(1978) - Filthy Guy (1978)
- Drunken MasterDrunken MasterDrunken Master, also known as Drunk Monkey In The Tiger's Eye, is a 1978 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Yuen Woo-ping, and starring Jackie Chan, Yuen Siu-tien, and Hwang Jang Lee...
(1978) - Dirty Tiger, Crazy FrogDirty Tiger, Crazy FrogDirty Tiger, Crazy Frog is a 1978 Hong Kong kung fu film directed by Karl Maka, starring Sammo Hung and Lau Kar Wing. The two leads also shared action directing duties...
(1978) - Dirty Kung Fu (1978)
- Call Me Dragon (1978)
- 18 Fatal Strikes (1978)
- Story of Drunken MasterStory of Drunken MasterStory of Drunken Master aka Drunken Fist Boxing is a 1979 Hong Kong martial arts film. Simon Yuen stars as Beggar So. Also featured are Casanova Wong and Pan-pan Yeung....
(1979) - The Samurai (1979)
- Odd Couple (1979)
- My Life’s on a Line (1979)
- Kung Fu on Sale (1979)
- His Name is Nobody (1979)
- The Fearless Hyena (1979)
- Dance of the Drunk MantisDance of the Drunk MantisDance of the Drunk Mantis is a 1979 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Yuen Siu Tien’s real life son Yuen Woo-ping, starring Yuen Siu Tien, Hwang Jang Lee, Linda Lin, Yuen Shun Yee, Charlie Shek and Yuen Kwai...
(1979) - Dance of Death (1979)
- Crazy Guy with Super Kung Fu (1979)
- Crazy Couple (1979)
- Ring of Death (1980)
- Crazy Crooks (1980)
- By Hook or By Crook (1980)
- Bravest Fist (1980)
- Laughing Times (1981)
- Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu (1981)
- Chasing Girls (1981)
- Beware of Pickpockets (1981)
- To Hell with the Devil (1982)
- It Takes Two (1982)
- Can’t Stop the War (1982)
- Aces Go PlacesAces Go PlacesAces Go Places, , also known in the United States as Diamondfinger or Mad Mission 1, is a 1982 Hong Kong action/comedy film directed by Eric Tsang, and starring Sam Hui and Karl Maka.-Plot:...
(1982) - The Perfect Wife (1983)
- Fearless Hyena Part II (1983)
- A Family Affair (1984)
- Kung Hei Fat Choy (1985)
- City Hero (1985)
- The Family Strikes Back (1986)
- A Better Tomorrow 2A Better Tomorrow 2A Better Tomorrow 2 is a 1987 Hong Kong action and crime directed by John Woo and starring Chow Yun-fat, Dean Shek, Leslie Cheung, and Ti Lung.A follow-up to its popular predecessor, A Better Tomorrow...
(1987) - They Came to Rob Hong KongThey Came to Rob Hong KongThey Came to Rob Hong Kong is a 1989 Hong Kong action comedy film produced directed by Clarence Fok and starring Dean Shek, who is also the writer and executive producer, Chingmy Yau, Roy Cheung, Sandra Ng, Eric Tsang, Stanley Fung, Liu Wai-hung and Chin Siu-ho.-Plot:Mao Yiu Tung is a Hong Kong...
(1989) - The Raid (1990)
- Dragon from RussiaDragon from RussiaDragon from Russia is a 1990 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Clarence Fok and based on the Japanese manga Crying Freeman and written by Kazuo Koike and Ryoichi Ikegami, and also produced by Dean Shek, and starring Sam Hui, Maggie Cheung, Nina Li Chi, Carrie Ng, Loletta Lee and Dean...
(1990)