Lam Ching Ying
Encyclopedia
Lam Ching Ying was a Hong Kong actor, action director and director
. A physically talented and graceful martial artist, Lam was best known for playing the stoic Taoist priest in Mr. Vampire
(1985). Lam died in 1997 of liver cancer
.
attended Shun Yi Association Elementary School in Hong Kong
for two years before leaving school. In 1963/4, he joined The Spring and Autumn Drama School, the "other" Peking Opera School
in Hong Kong, which was ran by Madame Fan Fok-fa (Fun Guk-fa), the "rival" of Yu Jim Yuen
where Jackie Chan
and Sammo Hung
were trained at around the same time. In actuality, the schools were friends and students from both schools often mingled. A year after joining, Lam made his first public appearance. Madame reported Lam as a disobedient student who was beyond her ability to handle.
At 17, Lam became a stuntman and martial arts coach at the Shaw Brothers Studio
. Due to his slender build, he was often called upon to substitute female actors. He received $HK60 a day, $HK20 of which went to his master.
At 19, he was hand-picked by Bruce Lee
for the role as assistant action director on The Big Boss
. After The Big Boss
, Lam continued to work with Lee until Lee's death. Lam later joined Hung's stuntman association (known as the Hung Kar Pan).
. Prodigal Son featured what is widely acknowledged as amongst the best Wing Chun
caught on film, performed by Lam. He also underlined his acting talent by convincingly playing a frail, elderly Taoist priest in The Dead and the Deadly (1983).
Lam's star did not rise until 1985, with the release of Mr. Vampire
, the movie that fueled the hopping vampire
genre. Lam was nominated for Best Actor for his role as the taoist priest. The character was an engaging mixture of naivety and stoic authority, and became a favourite for audiences. Lam was to reprise this role many times throughout his career.
Shortly after the release of Mr. Vampire
, the Golden Harvest
film company attempted to make an English version of the movie with Tanya Roberts
(of Charlie's Angels
) and Jack Scalia
. Lam's role was played by long time kung fu film actor Yuen Wah. Due to various difficulties, the film was never made.
eventually became burdensome on Lam, who found himself typecast in the role. As the hopping vampire genre began to lose its popularity, quality roles for Lam also began to dry, aside from small roles in The Swordsman
(1991) and a supporting role in Pom Pom and Hot Hot
, most of his roles were in low-budget movies. Lam also briefly became a director in the film, Green Hornet (1994).
In 1995, Lam was offered the starring role in a television series called Vampire Expert (殭屍道長). Shown on ATV
, the series was a success and revived Lam's career. A second series aired in 1996, and in 1997, production on the third series began. The production was halted when Lam was informed he had liver cancer. Contrary to rumours that the cancer was caused by years of heavy drinking, the cancer was hereditary.
produced by ATV was dedicated to him, and the entire series was loosely based in the future of Vampire Expert.
Nominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Prodigal Son
1984 Hong Kong Film Awards
Nominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Winners And Sinners
1986 Hong Kong Film Awards
Nominated for "Best Action Choreography" in My Lucky Stars
1986 Hong Kong Film Awards
Nominated for "Best Supporting Actor" in Mr Vampire
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. A physically talented and graceful martial artist, Lam was best known for playing the stoic Taoist priest in Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire, also known as Geung-si Sin-sang, is a 1985 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film's box office success led to the creation of a Mr...
(1985). Lam died in 1997 of liver cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States...
.
Early life
The third of seven children, Lam was born in Hong KongHong 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...
attended Shun Yi Association Elementary School in Hong Kong
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...
for two years before leaving school. In 1963/4, he joined The Spring and Autumn Drama School, the "other" Peking Opera School
Peking Opera School
The Peking Opera Schools were boarding schools located throughout Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, specialising in teaching Peking opera...
in Hong Kong, which was ran by Madame Fan Fok-fa (Fun Guk-fa), the "rival" of Yu Jim Yuen
Yu Jim Yuen
Yu Jim-yuen was the master of the China Drama Academy, one of the main Peking Opera Schools in Hong Kong from which Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Yuen Biao, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Wah, and Corey Yuen received their training...
where 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...
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...
were trained at around the same time. In actuality, the schools were friends and students from both schools often mingled. A year after joining, Lam made his first public appearance. Madame reported Lam as a disobedient student who was beyond her ability to handle.
At 17, Lam became a stuntman and martial arts coach at the Shaw Brothers Studio
Shaw 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...
. Due to his slender build, he was often called upon to substitute female actors. He received $HK60 a day, $HK20 of which went to his master.
At 19, he was hand-picked by Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
for the role as assistant action director on The Big Boss
The Big Boss
The Big Boss, previously known by its U.S. title Fists Of Fury is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action crime thriller film. The Big Boss was Bruce Lee's first major film. It was written to star James Tien; however, Lee's strong performance relegated Tien, already a star in Hong Kong, to second...
. After The Big Boss
The Big Boss
The Big Boss, previously known by its U.S. title Fists Of Fury is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action crime thriller film. The Big Boss was Bruce Lee's first major film. It was written to star James Tien; however, Lee's strong performance relegated Tien, already a star in Hong Kong, to second...
, Lam continued to work with Lee until Lee's death. Lam later joined Hung's stuntman association (known as the Hung Kar Pan).
1980s
In 1982, Lam won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Direction, in the film Prodigal SonThe Prodigal Son (film)
The Prodigal Son , also released as "Pull No Punches," is a 1981 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, starring Yuen Biao and Lam Ching-ying and featuring Hung in a supporting role...
. Prodigal Son featured what is widely acknowledged as amongst the best Wing Chun
Wing Chun
Wing Chun , also romanised as Ving Tsun or Wing Tsun, ; ; is a concept-based Chinese martial art and form of self-defense utilizing both striking and grappling while specializing in close-range combat.The alternative characters 永春 "eternal spring" are also...
caught on film, performed by Lam. He also underlined his acting talent by convincingly playing a frail, elderly Taoist priest in The Dead and the Deadly (1983).
Lam's star did not rise until 1985, with the release of Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire, also known as Geung-si Sin-sang, is a 1985 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film's box office success led to the creation of a Mr...
, the movie that fueled the hopping vampire
Hopping corpse
A jiang shi, also spelled jiangshi or chiang-shih , and also known as a Chinese "hopping" vampire or zombie, is a type of reanimated corpses in Chinese legends and folklore. "Jiangshi" is read as Gangshi in Korean and Kyonshī in Japanese. According to legend, in the day, the jiangshi rests in a...
genre. Lam was nominated for Best Actor for his role as the taoist priest. The character was an engaging mixture of naivety and stoic authority, and became a favourite for audiences. Lam was to reprise this role many times throughout his career.
Shortly after the release of Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire, also known as Geung-si Sin-sang, is a 1985 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film's box office success led to the creation of a Mr...
, the Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest is a film production, distribution, and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. It played a major role in becoming the first Chinese film company to successfully enter the western market for an extended period of time, especially with the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan...
film company attempted to make an English version of the movie with Tanya Roberts
Tanya Roberts
Tanya Roberts is an American actress best known for her roles in Charlie's Angels, The Beastmaster, A View to a Kill, Sheena and That '70s Show. Roberts was groomed as a Hollywood sex symbol during the early 1980s.- Early life :Blum was born in The Bronx, New York City, of Irish and Jewish descent...
(of Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels is a television series about three women who work for a private investigation agency, and is one of the first shows to showcase women in roles traditionally reserved for men...
) and Jack Scalia
Jack Scalia
Jack Scalia is an American actor. He has had many roles in television series , television movies, and feature films.-Early life:...
. Lam's role was played by long time kung fu film actor Yuen Wah. Due to various difficulties, the film was never made.
1990s
The success of Mr. VampireMr. Vampire
Mr. Vampire, also known as Geung-si Sin-sang, is a 1985 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film's box office success led to the creation of a Mr...
eventually became burdensome on Lam, who found himself typecast in the role. As the hopping vampire genre began to lose its popularity, quality roles for Lam also began to dry, aside from small roles in The Swordsman
The Swordsman
The Swordsman or Swordsman is a 1990 Hong Kong wuxia film. King Hu was credited as the director but he allegedly left the project midway, and the film was completed by a team led by producer Tsui Hark. The film is adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer...
(1991) and a supporting role in Pom Pom and Hot Hot
Pom Pom (film)
Pom Pom is a 1984 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Joe Cheung. It is the first in a series of four Pom Pom films starring Richard Ng and John Shum....
, most of his roles were in low-budget movies. Lam also briefly became a director in the film, Green Hornet (1994).
In 1995, Lam was offered the starring role in a television series called Vampire Expert (殭屍道長). Shown on ATV
Asia Television Limited
Asia Television Limited is one of the two free-to-air television broadcasters in Hong Kong, the other being rival Television Broadcasts Limited . It launched in 1957 under the name Rediffusion Television as the first television station in Hong Kong...
, the series was a success and revived Lam's career. A second series aired in 1996, and in 1997, production on the third series began. The production was halted when Lam was informed he had liver cancer. Contrary to rumours that the cancer was caused by years of heavy drinking, the cancer was hereditary.
Death
On November 8, 1997, Lam died at St Theresa's Hospital in Hong Kong, due to his liver cancer.Tribute
The first series of My Date with a VampireMy Date with a Vampire
My Date with a Vampire is a 1998 Hong Kong television series produced by ATV. It was followed by My Date with a Vampire II and My Date with a Vampire III . The drama starred Eric Wan and Joey Meng in the leading roles. The plot is based on future events of the story in Vampire Expert, a similar...
produced by ATV was dedicated to him, and the entire series was loosely based in the future of Vampire Expert.
Filmography
Film roles include:- Painted SkinPainted Skin (1993 film)Painted Skin is a 1993 Hong Kong supernatural horror film starring Adam Cheng, Joey Wong, Sammo Hung, Lam Ching Ying, and Wu Ma. It was directed by King Hu....
(1993) (Actor) - Exorcist Master (1993) (Actor)
- Kung Fu Cult MasterKung Fu Cult MasterKung Fu Cult Master, also known as Kung Fu Master or Evil Cult or Lord of the Wu Tang, is a 1993 Hong Kong film adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber...
(1993) (Cameo) - Pom Pom and Hot Hot (1992) (Actor)
- Crazy Safari (1991) (Actor)
- The Ultimate Vampire (1991) (Actor)
- Slickers vs. Killers (1991) (Actor)
- Lover's Tear (1991) (Actor/Action Director/Producer)
- Swordsman (1991) (Actor)
- School on FireSchool on FireSchool on Fire is a 1988 Hong Kong film directed by Ringo Lam. The film involves A young schoolgirl Yuen Fong who becomes caught in a tragic stranglehold of triad activity after she testifies in court over a triad beating...
(1989) (Actor) - Magic CopMagic CopMagic Cop aka. Kui moh ging chaat or Qu mo jing cha, Mr. Vampire 5 is a 1990 Hong Kong film produced by and starring Lam Ching-ying.-Plot:...
(1989) (Actor/Action/Producer) - Vampire Vs. VampireVampire Vs. VampireVampire Vs Vampire is a 1989 Hong Kong film directed by and starring Lam Ching-ying.-Synopsis:Chinese exorcist One-Eyebrow Priest leads a peaceful life with two disciples Ah Hao and Ah Fang in a small town together with a naughty mini vampire...
(1989) (Actor) - Pedicab DriverPedicab DriverPedicab Driver is a 1989 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by and starring Sammo Hung, who portrays the leader of a crew of cycle rickshaw drivers in 1930s Macau.The movie features features guest appearances by Eric Tsang, Corey Yuen and Lau Kar-leung....
(1989) (Brief appearance) - Paper MarriagePaper MarriagePaper Marriage is a 1988 Hong Kong film directed by Alfred Cheung and starring Sammo Hung and Maggie Cheung.-Plot:...
(1988) (Action director) - Painted FacesPainted FacesPainted Faces , is a Hong Kong film directed by Alex Law. The movie was first released in 1988. The language spoken in this movie is Cantonese....
(1988) (Actor) - I Love Maria (1988) (Actor)
- Mr. Vampire IIIMr. Vampire IIIMr. Vampire III, also known as Mr. Vampire Part 3, is a 1987 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film is the third of a series of five films directed by Ricky Lau in the Mr. Vampire franchise. The Chinese title of the film literally translates to Mr...
(1987) (Actor) - Eastern CondorsEastern CondorsEastern Condors is a 1987 Hong Kong action film set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It was directed by and starred Sammo Hung along with Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah...
(1987) (Actor/Action) - Mr. Vampire IIMr. Vampire IIMr. Vampire II, also known as Mr. Vampire Part 2, is a 1986 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film is the second of a series of five films directed by Ricky Lau in the Mr. Vampire franchise...
(1986) (Actor) - Heroes Shed No TearsHeroes Shed No TearsHeroes Shed No Tears is a 1986 Hong Kong action film written and directed by John Woo, produced by Peter Chan, and starring Eddy Ko. Released prior to the success of Woo's A Better Tomorrow, the film is a story about a group of mercenaries on a mission to extract a drug lord from the Indochina...
(1986) (Actor) - Millionaire's ExpressMillionaire's ExpressMillionaire's Express aka. Shanghai Express is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action western film written and directed by Sammo Hung. Film starred Hung, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Mei-sheng Fan and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(1986) (Actor) - Mr. VampireMr. VampireMr. Vampire, also known as Geung-si Sin-sang, is a 1985 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung. The film's box office success led to the creation of a Mr...
(1985) (Actor) - My Lucky StarsMy Lucky StarsMy Lucky Stars is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film, directed by Sammo Hung. It is the second film in the Lucky Stars series...
(1985) (Actor) - Hocus Pocus (1984) (Actor)
- Pom PomPom Pom (film)Pom Pom is a 1984 Hong Kong action comedy film directed by Joe Cheung. It is the first in a series of four Pom Pom films starring Richard Ng and John Shum....
(1984) (Actor) - Winners And SinnersWinners and SinnersWinners and Sinners is a 1983 Hong Kong action comedy film directed, co-written by and starring Sammo Hung. It was the first in the Lucky Stars series of films - a highly successful series in Hong Kong....
(1983) (Actor/Action director) - The Dead and the Deadly (1983) (Actor/Stuntman/Action director)
- The Prodigal SonThe Prodigal Son (film)The Prodigal Son , also released as "Pull No Punches," is a 1981 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, starring Yuen Biao and Lam Ching-ying and featuring Hung in a supporting role...
(1982) (Actor) - Encounters of the Spooky KindEncounters of the Spooky KindEncounters of the Spooky Kind is a 1980 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy horror film written, choreographed, directed by and starring Sammo Hung. The film was produced by Hung's production company Bo Ho Film Company.It was released as Spooky Encounters in the US...
(1980) (Actor) - Clan of AmazonsClan of Amazons (1978 film)Clan of Amazons, also known as Clan of the Amazons, is a 1978 Hong Kong film adapted from Xiuhua Dadao of Gu Long's Lu Xiaofeng novel series...
(1978) - Legend of the BatLegend Of The BatLegend of the Bat, also known as Bat Island Adventure or Clans of Intrigue 2, is a 1978 Hong Kong film adapted from Bianfu Chuanqi of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. The film was directed and written by Chor Yuen, produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, and starred Ti Lung as the lead character...
(1978) - 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) (Actor) - Enter the DragonEnter the DragonEnter the Dragon is a 1973 Hong Kong martial arts co-production with Golden Harvest and Warner Bros. studios, directed by Robert Clouse; starring Bruce Lee, Jim Kelly and John Saxon. This is Bruce Lee's final film appearance before his death on July 20, 1973...
(1973) (Stuntman/Assistant action director) - Fist of FuryFist of FuryFist of Fury, formerly known as The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand in the United States, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei. It starred Bruce Lee in his second major film after The Big Boss...
(1972) (Stuntman) - The Big BossThe Big BossThe Big Boss, previously known by its U.S. title Fists Of Fury is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action crime thriller film. The Big Boss was Bruce Lee's first major film. It was written to star James Tien; however, Lee's strong performance relegated Tien, already a star in Hong Kong, to second...
(1971) (Actor/Assistant action director)
Awards
1983 Hong Kong Film AwardsNominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Prodigal Son
1984 Hong Kong Film Awards
Nominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Winners And Sinners
1986 Hong Kong Film Awards
Nominated for "Best Action Choreography" in My Lucky Stars
1986 Hong Kong Film Awards
Nominated for "Best Supporting Actor" in Mr Vampire
External links
- Lam Ching Ying Interview - A never released piece
- Lam Ching Ying, Master For All Seasons - Unofficial Site
- Memory of Lam Ching Ying
- The Place For Lam Ching Ying Fans - Forum
- Lam Ching Ying Channel on You Tube
- Lam Ching Ying Tribute Page on Myspace