Danny Lee (; born 6 August 1952) is a
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...
actor, film producer, screenwriter, director,
action director
Stage combat, fight craft or fight choreography is a specialised technique in theatre designed to create the illusion of physical combat without causing harm to the performers. It is employed in live stage plays as well as operatic and ballet pr ...
and presenter. He is known for frequently portraying
Hong Kong police officers in films such as ''
Law with Two Phases
''Law with Two Phases'' (), also known as ''Law with Two Faces'' is a 1984 Hong Kong film written and directed by the film's lead star Danny Lee in his second directorial outing.
Reception
Impact on Hong Kong Cinema
''Law with Two Phases'' l ...
'', ''
The Killer'' and ''
The Untold Story
''The Untold Story'' is a 1993 Hong Kong crime-thriller film directed by Herman Yau and starring Danny Lee and Anthony Wong, with the former also serving as the film's producer.
The film is based on the " Eight Immortals Restaurant murder ...
,'' as well as being a
Shaw Brothers alumnus, having starred in martial arts and action movies produced by that studio such as ''
Inframan.''
Early years
Lee was born in Shanghai in 1952, with ancestral home in Shantou, Guangdong. In 1955, he moved to Hong Kong with his family. Lee did not do so well in school and sometimes skipped classes to help support his family by working. While growing up, he held policemen in high regard and so upon completing high school, he was enrolled into the police force but could not complete the courses during his years of his training. He then decided to pursue a career in acting.
Career
Lee entered the
Shaw Brothers Studio
Shaw Brothers (HK) Ltd. () was the largest film production company in Hong Kong, and operated from 1925 to 2011.
In 1925, three Shaw brothers— Runje, Runme, and Runde—founded Tianyi Film Company (also called "Unique") in Shangh ...
-
TVB
Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) is a television broadcasting company based in Hong Kong SAR. The Company operates five free-to-air terrestrial television channels in Hong Kong, with TVB Jade as its main Cantonese language service, and ...
Acting School in 1970. Since Lee was a black belt
judoka and
karateka
(; ; Okinawan pronunciation: ) is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed from the indigenous Ryukyuan martial arts (called , "hand"; ''tii'' in Okinawan) under the influence of Chinese martial arts, particularly Fujian ...
, he was cast as
Zhang Shun
Zhang Shun is a fictional character in '' Water Margin'', one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Nicknamed "White Stripe in the Waves", he ranks 30th among the 36 Heavenly Spirits, the first third of the 108 Stars of Dest ...
by director
Chang Chen
Chang Chen (born 14 October 1976) is a Taiwanese actor. He was born in Taipei, Taiwan. His father Chang Kuo-chu and his brother Hans Chang are also actors.
Career
Chang started his film career at a very young age. He was then selected by a ...
in the 1972 film ''
The Water Margin
''Water Margin'' (''Shuihu zhuan'') is one of the earliest Chinese novels written in vernacular Mandarin, and is attributed to Shi Nai'an. It is also translated as ''Outlaws of the Marsh'' and ''All Men Are Brothers''.
The story, which is ...
''.
The next year, Lee made his starring debut with ''River of Fury'' (江湖行). He then went on to star in Shaw Brothers' 1975 Hong Kong
tokusatsu
is a Japanese term for live action film or television drama that makes heavy use of practical special effects. ''Tokusatsu'' entertainment mainly refers to science fiction, War film, war, fantasy, or Horror film, horror media featuring such te ...
-style
superhero
A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
movie and camp classic ''
The Super Inframan
''The Super Inframan'' (, translated literally as ''Chinese Superman'') is a 1975 Hong Kong science fiction action film produced by Shaw Brothers Studio in 1975. Inspired by the huge success of the Japanese tokusatsu franchises such as ''Ultra ...
'' playing the Chinese superhero himself. After
Bruce Lee's death Lee portrayed the Bruce in ''
Bruce Lee and I
''Bruce Lee and I'' (, released in the United States as ''Bruce Lee: His Last Days, His Last Nights'') is a 1976 Hong Kong biographical action film directed by Lo Mar, and starring Betty Ting Pei and Danny Lee. The film was released in Hong Ko ...
''. During this time, Lee also acted in 1977's ''
The Mighty Peking Man
''The Mighty Peking Man'' (猩猩王) (Mandarin: ''Xīngxing Wáng'' – which translates to "Gorilla King" in English) is a 1977 giant monster film produced by Shaw Brothers Studio to capitalize on the craze surrounding the 1976 remake of '' ...
''.
In 1979, he began working in the
crime film
Crime films, in the broadest sense, is a film genre inspired by and analogous to the crime fiction literary genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and its detection. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine ...
genre, with ''
The Brothers'' (1979), a remake of an earlier
Bollywood
Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...
film, ''
Deewaar
''Deewaar'' () is a 1975 Indian Hindi-language action crime film directed by Yash Chopra and written by Salim–Javed ( Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar). It stars Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Neetu Singh, Nirupa Roy and Parveen Babi. The ...
'' (1975), about two brothers on opposing sides of the law. In ''The Brothers'', Lee played the role of a police officer, with a police persona he would carry over to his later films.
''The Brothers'' later inspired ''
A Better Tomorrow
''A Better Tomorrow'' () is a 1986 Hong Kong crime action film directed and co-written by John Woo, and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat. The film had a profound influence on Hong Kong action cinema, and has been recognised as ...
'' (1986), which involves a similar plot about two brothers.
Still being offered roles in
martial arts film
Martial arts films are a subgenre of action films that feature numerous martial arts combat between characters. These combats are usually the films' primary appeal and entertainment value, and often are a method of storytelling and character expres ...
s, Lee decided in 1978 to form his own
production company
A production company, production house, production studio, or a production team is a studio that creates works in the fields of performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, comics, interactive arts, video games, websites, music, and ...
. One of the earliest products from his company, 1981's ''The Executor'' (執法者) (a.k.a. ''Heroic Cops'') which was the first on-screen pairing with Lee and future star
Chow Yun-fat
Chow Yun-fat (born 18 May 1955), previously known as Donald Chow, is a Hong Kong actor. He is perhaps best known for his collaborations with filmmaker John Woo in the five Hong Kong action heroic bloodshed films: '' A Better Tomorrow'', '' A ...
.
In 1982, Lee directed his first films, ''
One Way Only'' (單程路), and ''Funny Boys'' and then followed it up in 1984 with ''
Law with Two Phases
''Law with Two Phases'' (), also known as ''Law with Two Faces'' is a 1984 Hong Kong film written and directed by the film's lead star Danny Lee in his second directorial outing.
Reception
Impact on Hong Kong Cinema
''Law with Two Phases'' l ...
'' (a.k.a. ''Law with Two Faces'') (公僕). The movie (for which Lee won both the
Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor
The Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor is an annual Hong Kong industry award presented to an actor for the best performance by an actor in a leading role. The actor with most awards in this category is Tony Leung Chiu-Wai with 5 times. He is als ...
and Taiwanese
Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor
The Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor () is given at the Golden Horse Film Awards.
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai has won the most Best Leading Actor awards with 3 times. He won the award in the 31st, 40th and 41st awards ceremony wi ...
for his acting) featured Lee as a hot-headed but just policeman. In later years, Lee has received numerous awards from police organisations for his dedication to showing realistic police procedures and donating money to the families of slain officers.
''Law with Two Phases'' also inspired other directors. Some of the elements used in the shootouts were used by
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS (; born September 22, 1946) is a Hong Kong filmmaker, known as a highly-influential figure in the action film genre. He was a pioneer of heroic bloodshed films (a crime action film genre involving Chinese triads) and the gun fu ...
in his 1986 film ''
A Better Tomorrow
''A Better Tomorrow'' () is a 1986 Hong Kong crime action film directed and co-written by John Woo, and starring Ti Lung, Leslie Cheung and Chow Yun-fat. The film had a profound influence on Hong Kong action cinema, and has been recognised as ...
'' (英雄本色) and Law's documentary-like look inspired
Kirk Wong
Kirk Wong (黃志強; born March 28, 1949) is a Hong Kong film director and actor. Wong is best known for action films '' Crime Story'' and ''The Big Hit''. Wong's other films like ''Health Warning'', ''Organized Crime & Triad Bureau'', and '' R ...
to continue with a similar style. Both directors subsequently asked Lee to work with them. Lee then appeared with Chow Yun-Fat in
Ringo Lam
Ringo Lam Ling-Tung (, Cantonese: Lam Ling-tung, 8 December 1955 – 29 December 2018) was a Hong Kong film director, producer, and screenwriter. Born in Hong Kong in 1955, Lam initially went to acting school. After finding he preferred making f ...
's 1987 gangster piece ''
City on Fire'' (龍虎風雲)where he plays a criminal, and later appeared in John Woo's benefit project for Chang Cheh, ''
Just Heroes
''Just Heroes'' () is a 1989 Hong Kong crime film, directed by John Woo and Wu Ma. The film stars Danny Lee, David Chiang and Stephen Chow.
Plot
Following the death of a triad leader, there is conflict within the Hong Kong organised crime ...
'' (1987, which Lee also co-directed). Lee's next project with Woo was, 1989's ''
The Killer''. Lee worked with Kirk Wong again in 1994 with ''
Organized Crime and Triad Bureau'' (a film Lee also produced), where once again, he plays a cop.
Besides cop versus criminal thrillers, Lee acted in comedies too, including ''Chase A Fortune'' and ''Big Score''. He also directed two police comedies ''Cop Busters'' and ''Oh My Cops'' starring Kent Cheng and Wong Ching.
In 1987, Lee formed his second production company,
Magnum Films
''Magnum'' is a Latin word meaning "great".
Magnum may also refer to:
Businesses and organizations
* Magnum Research, a firearms maker
* Magnum Semiconductor, a spin-off of Cirrus Logic
* Magnum Photos, a photojournalist cooperative
* Magnum Cor ...
, producing movies such as ''
The Untold Story
''The Untold Story'' is a 1993 Hong Kong crime-thriller film directed by Herman Yau and starring Danny Lee and Anthony Wong, with the former also serving as the film's producer.
The film is based on the " Eight Immortals Restaurant murder ...
'', ''
Dr. Lamb
''Dr. Lamb'' (羔羊醫生) is a 1992 Hong Kong horror crime film directed by Danny Lee and Billy Tang. The film stars Lee, Simon Yam and Kent Cheng. ''Dr Lamb'' was rated Category III by the Hong Kong motion picture rating system. The fil ...
'', ''Water Tank Murder'' and ''Twist''. In the late 1980s, Lee was also one of the producers to back
Stephen Chow
Stephen Chow Sing-chi (, born 22 June 1962), known professionally as Stephen Chow, is a Hong Kong filmmaker, former actor and comedian, known for ''Shaolin Soccer'' and ''Kung Fu Hustle''.
Early life and education
Stephen Chow was born in British ...
, who was at the time a small-time dramatic actor, but who would then go on to stardom after appearing in a series of "
mo lei tau
''Mo lei tau'' () is a type of slapstick humour associated with Hong Kong popular culture that developed during the late 20th century. It is a phenomenon which has grown largely from its presentation in modern film media. Its humour arises from t ...
" (無厘頭) comedies. Lee also directed Chow in one of his first comedies, 1990's ''
Legend of the Dragon'' (龍的傳人).
Lee returned to the big screen in the 2008
Hong Kong action film
Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. Action films from Hong Kong have roots in Chinese culture, Chinese and Culture of Hong Kong, Hong Kong cultures including Chinese opera, storytelling an ...
''
Fatal Move
''Fatal Move'' (, released in the United States as ''Triad Wars'') is a 2008 Hong Kong action film written, produced and directed by Dennis Law. The film stars Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Wu Jing, who reunite after 2005's '' SPL: Sha Po Lang''.
...
''. He also made an appearance in
Jingle Ma
Jingle Ma Cho Shing (; born 1957) is a Hong Kong-based writer and director, best known for his action films such as ''Tokyo Raiders'' and ''Seoul Raiders''.
Filmography
References
External links
*Jingle MaaLoveHKFilm.comHK cinemagic entry 's action comedy ''Playboy Cops''.
Though his on-screen output has slowed down in recent years, reduced to mostly cameo appearances in movies like ''
Young and Dangerous 5
''Young and Dangerous 5'' () is a 1998 Hong Kong triad film. It is the fourth sequel in the ''Young and Dangerous'' film series.
Plot
Szeto Ho Nam from the Tung Sing Society attempts to take control of Causeway Bay by causing trouble at Chan ...
'' or low budget movies, Lee continues with his behind-the-scenes work.
Selected filmography
* ''
The Water Margin
''Water Margin'' (''Shuihu zhuan'') is one of the earliest Chinese novels written in vernacular Mandarin, and is attributed to Shi Nai'an. It is also translated as ''Outlaws of the Marsh'' and ''All Men Are Brothers''.
The story, which is ...
'' 水滸傳 (1972), actor
* ''
All Men Are Brothers
''Water Margin'' (''Shuihu zhuan'') is one of the earliest Chinese novels written in vernacular Mandarin, and is attributed to Shi Nai'an. It is also translated as ''Outlaws of the Marsh'' and ''All Men Are Brothers''.
The story, which is ...
'' 蕩寇誌 (1975), actor
* ''
Bruce Lee and I
''Bruce Lee and I'' (, released in the United States as ''Bruce Lee: His Last Days, His Last Nights'') is a 1976 Hong Kong biographical action film directed by Lo Mar, and starring Betty Ting Pei and Danny Lee. The film was released in Hong Ko ...
'' 李小龍與我(1975), actor
* ''
The Super Inframan
''The Super Inframan'' (, translated literally as ''Chinese Superman'') is a 1975 Hong Kong science fiction action film produced by Shaw Brothers Studio in 1975. Inspired by the huge success of the Japanese tokusatsu franchises such as ''Ultra ...
'' 中國超人 (1975), actor
* ''
The Call Girls'' 應召名冊 (1977), actor
* ''
The Battle Wizard
''The Battle Wizard'' is a 1977 Hong Kong film adapted from Louis Cha's novel ''Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils''. The film was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio and directed by Pao Hsueh-li. The film centers on the story of Duan Yu, one of the thre ...
'' 天龍八部 (1977), actor
* ''
Goliathon'' 猩猩王 (1977), actor
* ''
The Brave Archer
''The Brave Archer'', also known as ''Kungfu Warlord'', is a 1977 Hong Kong film adapted from Louis Cha's novel ''The Legend of the Condor Heroes''. The film was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio and directed by Chang Cheh, starring Alexander ...
'' 射鵰英雄傳 (1978), actor
* ''
The Brave Archer 2
''The Brave Archer 2'', also known as ''Kungfu Warlord 2'', is a 1978 Hong Kong film adapted from Louis Cha's novel ''The Legend of the Condor Heroes''. The film was produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio and directed by Chang Cheh, starring Alex ...
'' 射鵰英雄傳續集 (1979), actor
* ''
Life Gamble
''Life Gamble'', also known as ''Life Combat'', is a 1979 Hong Kong Wuxia film directed by Chang Cheh and starring the Venoms, Kara Hui and Alexander Fu Sheng. It was written by Chang Cheh and I Kuang and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio.
...
'' (1979)
* ''
The Brothers'' 差人、大佬、博命仔 (1979), actor
* ''
The Heroes'' , also known as The Shaolin Heroes 少林英雄 (1980), actor
* ''
The Brave Archer and His Mate
''The Brave Archer and His Mate'', also known as ''The Brave Archer 4'' and ''Mysterious Island'', is a 1982 Hong Kong film adapted from Louis Cha's novels ''The Legend of the Condor Heroes'' and ''The Return of the Condor Heroes'', the first tw ...
'' 神鵰俠侶 (1982), actor
* ''
Law with Two Phases
''Law with Two Phases'' (), also known as ''Law with Two Faces'' is a 1984 Hong Kong film written and directed by the film's lead star Danny Lee in his second directorial outing.
Reception
Impact on Hong Kong Cinema
''Law with Two Phases'' l ...
'' 公僕 (1984), actor
* ''
Brotherhood
Brotherhood or The Brotherhood may refer to:
Family, relationships, and organizations
* Fraternity (philosophy) or brotherhood, an ethical relationship between people, which is based on love and solidarity
* Fraternity or brotherhood, a mal ...
'' 兄弟 (1986), actor
* ''
City on Fire'' 龍虎風雲 (1987), actor
* ''
Final Justice'' 霹靂先鋒 (1988), Producer & actor
* ''
No Compromise'' 赤膽情 (1988), actor
* ''
Just Heroes
''Just Heroes'' () is a 1989 Hong Kong crime film, directed by John Woo and Wu Ma. The film stars Danny Lee, David Chiang and Stephen Chow.
Plot
Following the death of a triad leader, there is conflict within the Hong Kong organised crime ...
'' 義膽群英 (1989), actor
* ''
The Killer'' 喋血雙雄 (1989), actor
* ''
Undeclared War
An undeclared war is a military conflict between two or more nations without either side issuing a formal declaration of war. The term is sometimes used to include any disagreement or conflict fought about without an official declaration. Since ...
'' 聖戰風雲 (1990), actor
* ''
Red Shield
The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestantism, Protestant church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. The organisation reports a worldwide membership of over 1.7million, comprising soldiers, officers an ...
'' 雷霆掃穴 (1991), Producer & actor
* ''
Rhythm of Destiny
''Rhythm of Destiny'' is a 1992 Hong Kong drama film directed by Andrew Lau, produced by and starring Danny Lee as a criminal who decides to retire and go straight. However, during an attempt to help his younger brother's ( Aaron Kwok) singing ...
'' 伴我縱橫 (1992), Producer & actor
* ''
Dr. Lamb
''Dr. Lamb'' (羔羊醫生) is a 1992 Hong Kong horror crime film directed by Danny Lee and Billy Tang. The film stars Lee, Simon Yam and Kent Cheng. ''Dr Lamb'' was rated Category III by the Hong Kong motion picture rating system. The fil ...
'' 羔羊醫生 (1992), Director, Producer & actor
* ''
Run and Kill
''Run and Kill'' () is a 1993 Hong Kong crime thriller exploitation film directed by Billy Tang. The film follows Fatty Cheung (Kent Cheng
Kent Cheng Jak-si (born 22 May 1951) is a Hong Kong film and television actor. He is a two time recipi ...
'' 機密檔案之烏鼠 (1993), actor
* ''
The Sword Stained with Royal Blood'' 新碧血劍 (1993), actor
* ''
The Untold Story
''The Untold Story'' is a 1993 Hong Kong crime-thriller film directed by Herman Yau and starring Danny Lee and Anthony Wong, with the former also serving as the film's producer.
The film is based on the " Eight Immortals Restaurant murder ...
'' 八仙飯店之人肉叉燒飽 (1993), Producer & actor
* ''
Organized Crime & Triad Bureau
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is structured into numerous bureaus and units. As a whole, it is commanded by the Commissioner of Police, who is assisted by three deputy commissioners. The "Deputy Commissioner – Operations" supervises all oper ...
'' 重案實錄O記 (1994), Producer & actor
* ''
City Cop 公僕2 (1995), Producer & actor''
* ''
Fatal Move
''Fatal Move'' (, released in the United States as ''Triad Wars'') is a 2008 Hong Kong action film written, produced and directed by Dennis Law. The film stars Sammo Hung, Simon Yam and Wu Jing, who reunite after 2005's '' SPL: Sha Po Lang''.
...
'' 奪帥 (2008), actor
References
External links
*
Danny Lee biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Danny
1952 births
Living people
Canadian people of Hong Kong descent
Shaw Brothers Studio
Male actors from Shanghai
Hong Kong male film actors
Hong Kong film directors
Hong Kong film producers
Hong Kong film presenters
Hong Kong screenwriters
Hong Kong male television actors
Hong Kong male judoka
Hong Kong male karateka
Screenwriters from Shanghai
Asian film producers
20th-century Hong Kong male actors
21st-century Hong Kong male actors
Bruce Lee imitators