Roy Chiao (16 March 1927 – 15 April 1999) was 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 Delta i ...

actor, most notable in the United States for playing the minor villain Lao Che in the 1984 movie '' Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom''.

Biography

Chiao was born in Shanghai in 1927. His father was a supporter of Sun Yat-sen and was part of the Chinese Revolution. During the

Korean War , date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...

, Chiao went to

Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia, at the junction of the East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to the northwest, Japan to the nort ...

. He joined the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...

at some stage, and with him being fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Shanghainese, and English, he was a broadcaster and interpreter for the army. In 1955, he went to Japan and there he met actress

Bai Guang Bai Guang (27 June 1921 – 27 August 1999), also credited as Pai Kwong, Bai Kwong and Bai Kwang, was a Chinese actress and singer. By the 1940s, she became one of the Seven great singing stars. Biography Bai Guang was born Shi Yongfen () in 192 ...

who cast him in the 1956 film ''Xian mu dan''. Chiao married Liu Yen-Ping when he was in his twenties. She was a disc-jockey. Both he and his wife were Christians. Chiao had been a devout Christian since his early twenties. In 1964 he and his wife immigrated to

Seattle Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...

. In his later years he became involved in missionary work. He was the founder of "Artists' Home," a Christian Fellowship for actors in

. Singer-songwriter Zac Kao is one of the people who have been positively affected by Chio. He suffered three heart attacks before his heart disease-related death.

Career

The English speaking film appearances that Chiao appeared in included roles in the 1988

Jean-Claude Van Damme Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg (, ; born 18 October 1960), known professionally as Jean-Claude Van Damme (, ), is a Belgian actor, martial artist, filmmaker, and fight choreographer. Born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, at the ag ...

film '' Bloodsport'', the 1973 Bruce Lee film ''

Enter the Dragon ''Enter the Dragon'' ( zh, t=龍爭虎鬥) is a 1973 martial arts film directed by Robert Clouse and written by Michael Allin. The film stars Bruce Lee, John Saxon and Jim Kelly. It was Lee's final completed film appearance before his death o ...

'' and the 1978 version of Lee's ''

Game of Death ''The Game of Death'' (Chinese: 死亡的遊戲) is an incomplete Hong Kong martial arts film, filmed between August and October 1972, directed, written, produced by and starring Bruce Lee, in his final film project. Lee died during the making ...

''. He performed in many

films with a career total of 90 films.

1950s to 1960s

Chiao's screen debut was in the 1956 film Xian mu dan which came about as a result of his meeting actress Bai Guang. She had cast him in the film. On her recommendation he went to MP&GI in 1957 and that year he was signed to them. Recognized as a handsome leading man, in the 1959 film, '' Ferry to Hong Kong'', Chiao played the part of the Americanized Johnny Sing-Up, a black leather jacket, blue jean wearing

Elvis Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the " King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His ener ...

styled gangster from America. Sing-Up was the partner of a pirate called Yen (played by

Milton Reid Milton may refer to: Names * Milton (surname), a surname (and list of people with that surname) ** John Milton (1608–1674), English poet * Milton (given name) ** Milton Friedman (1912–2006), Nobel laureate in Economics, author of '' Free t ...

) who board a ferry that has been battered in a storm and drifting near the China Coast.

1970s to 1999

In a type of send-up of his award-winning role in ''Summer Snow'', Chiao played the part of the Alzheimer disease stricken grandfather of Tung Tzun in the 1996 film '' Blind Romance''.''The Hong Kong Filmography, 1977–1997'', By John Charles
Page 32 Blind Romance
/ref> He had suffered from three heart attacks and died of heart disease.

Selected filmography

* ''Heng chong zhi zhuang'' (1950) * ''Alishan feng yun'' (1956) * ''Xian mu dan'' (1959) * ''Qing chun er nu'' (1959) - Niu Mai (Buffalo) * ''San xing ban yue'' (1959) - Chang Ping-chung * ' (''Kong zhong xiao jie'') (1959) - Lei Daying * '' Ferry to Hong Kong'' (1959) - Johnny Sing-Up * ''Tian chang di jiu'' (1959) * ''Lan gui feng yun'' (1959) * '' Liu yue xin niang'' (1960) - Mai Qin * ''Chang tui jie jie'' (1960) - Xiao Jin / Jin Junior * ''Nu mi shu yan shi'' (1960) * ''Mu yu nu'' (1960) - Yuan Zhitang * ''Xin xin xiang yin'' (1960) * ''Kuai le tian shi'' (1960) - Jin Wenou * ''Tie bi jin gang'' (1960) * ''Hong nan lu nu'' (1960) * ''Yu lou san feng'' (1960) - Zheng Dajiang * ''Sha ji chong chong'' (1960) - Luo Shouli * ''Zei mei ren'' (1961) * ''You xi ren jian'' (1961) * ''Tao li zheng chun'' (1962) - Xu Zhaofeng * ''Huo zhong lian'' (1962) - Tian Shaoqing * ''Ye hua lian'' (1962) * ' (''Hǎo shì chéng shuāng'') (1962) - Wang Shu * ''Jiao wo ru he bu xiang ta'' (1963) - Jin Shiming * ''Die hai si zhuang shi'' (1963) * ''Xi Taihou yu Zhen Fei'' (1964) * ''Ti xiao yin yuan shang ji'' (1964) - Liu - The Warlord General * ''Ti xiao yin yuan xia ji'' (1964) - Liu - The Warlord General * ''Shen gong yuan'' (1964) - Hong Chengchou * ''Luan shi er nu'' (1966) - Ma Jen-shan * ''Bai tian e'' (1967) * '' Five Golden Dragons'' (1967) - Inspector Chiao * ''Wo de ai ren jiu shi ni'' (1967) - Ling Chi Chiu * ''Jue dou e hu ling'' (1968) - Diao Jinghu * ''Yan ling dao'' (1968) - 2nd Chief Yueh * '' The Arch'' (1968) - Captain Yang * ''You long xi feng'' (1968) * ''Hu shan hang'' (1969) - Ching Wu Chih * ''Jia bu jia'' (1970) - (Guest star) * ''Xue lu xue lu'' (1970) - Driver * ''

A Touch of Zen ''A Touch of Zen'' (Chinese: 俠女) is a 1971 ''wuxia'' film co-edited, written, and directed by film maker King Hu. Its screenplay is based on a classic Chinese story "Xianü (short story), Xianü" in the book ''Strange Stories from a Chinese ...

'' (1971) - Hui Yuan * '' Cheating Panorama'' (1972) * ''Hei lung'' (1973) * ''

'' (1973) - Shaolin Abbott (uncredited) * ''

The Fate of Lee Khan ''The Fate of Lee Khan'' (Chinese: 迎春閣之風波) is a 1973 Hong Kong ''wuxia'' film, directed by King Hu. Plot During the waning years of the Yuan Dynasty, Mongol general Lee Khan and his sister Wan’er travel to the desolate Spring Inn ...

'' (1973) - Tsao Yu-kun * ''Pian shu qi zhong qi'' (1973) - Fur coat grifter * ''Hen ye qing deng'' (1974) * '' Golden Needles'' (1974) - Lin Toa * ''

Games Gamblers Play ''Games Gamblers Play'' () is a 1974 Hong Kong comedy film directed by and starring Michael Hui, with action direction by Sammo Hung. The film also co-stars Sam Hui, who also served as one of the film's music composers. Although very successful ...

'' (1974) - Ticketed Man at Bar (Guest star) * ''Yinyang jie'' (1974) * ''Yun cai tong zi xiao zu zong'' (1974) * ''Zhong lie tu'' (1975) - Yu Da-you * ''Lao fu zi'' (1975) * ''

The Last Message ''The Last Message'' (Chinese: 天才與白痴) is a 1975 Hong Kong comedy film directed by and starring Michael Hui, and co-starring Samuel Hui, with a cameo appearance by Ricky Hui. This is the second film of the Hui Brothers. Plot Tim (Mic ...

'' (1975) - Cheng Ming * ''Tian cai yu bai chi'' (1975) - Mr. Chiang Wo * ''Lan qiao yue leng'' (1975) * ''Da jia le'' (1975) * ''Zhong yuan biao ju'' (1976) - (Guest star) * ''Yi qi guang gun zou tian ya'' (1977) * '' Foxbat'' (1977) - Doctor Vod * ''Da sha xing yu xiao mei tou'' (1978) - Drunken Sheng * ''

'' (1978) - Henry Lo * ''Wen ni pa wei'' (1978) * ''

Enter the Fat Dragon Enter the Fat Dragon may refer to: * Enter the Fat Dragon (1978 film), a Hong Kong martial arts film * Enter the Fat Dragon (2020 film) ''Enter the Fat Dragon'' is a 2020 Hong Kong martial arts comedy film directed by Kenji Tanigaki and Aman Cha ...

'' (1978) - Chiu * ''Shen tou miao tan shou duo duo'' (1979) - Biggie * ''Meng zai Sha mei miao zhen tan'' (1979) * ''Huang shi shi'' (1979) - (Guest star) * ''Bo za'' (1980) - White Norman * ''Yi er san'' (1980) * ''Shi ba'' (1980) - Chu Tung Shen * '' Game of Death 2'' (1981) - Abbot * ''Da li xiao shui shou'' (1981) * ''Chuang ban shen tan dian zi gui'' (1981) * ''

Once Upon a Mirage ''Once Upon a Mirage'' (細圈仔) is a 1982 Hong Kong film directed by Patrick Lung Kong. Cast * Wong Yee-Ching - Li Chu Chu * Cheung Ga-Wai - Sharky * Lau Shing-Yip - Li Hsiang Yang * Roy Chiao - Policeman Ma * Liu Wai-hung - Lu Yik Nien * ...

'' (1982) - Policeman Ma * ''Chiu pei nui hok sang'' (1982) * ''Meng'' (1983) * ''Feng shui er shi nian'' (1983) - (Cameo) * '' Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'' (1984) - Lao Che * ''Ge wu sheng ping'' (1985) * '' The Protector'' (1985) - Harold Ko * ''

Heart of Dragon ''Heart of Dragon'', (Chinese: 龍的心) released in the United Kingdom as ''Heart of the Dragon'', is a 1985 Hong Kong action drama film directed by Sammo Hung, who also starred in the lead role. The film co-stars Jackie Chan, Emily Chu and Ma ...

'' (1985) - Restaurant Owner * '' Aces Go Places IV'' (1986) - The Professor * ''Wu long da jia ting'' (1986) * ''

Righting Wrongs ''Righting Wrongs'' () is a 1986 Hong Kong action film produced and directed by Corey Yuen, and also produced by and starring Yuen Biao, both of whom also serve as the film's action directors. The film also co-stars Cynthia Rothrock, Melvin Wong ...

'' (1986) - Magistrate Judge * ''Shen tan zhu gu li'' (1986) - Chief Inspector Chiao * ''Zhao hua xi shi'' (1987) * ''

Dragons Forever ''Dragons Forever'' () is a 1988 Hong Kong martial arts action-comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, who also starred in the film and co-directed by Corey Yuen. The film co-stars Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Deannie Yip, Pauline Yeung, and Crystal Kwo ...

'' (1988) - Judge Lo Chung-Wai * '' Bloodsport'' (1988) - Senzo Tanaka * ''Fa da xian sheng'' (1989) * ''Lady Reporter'' (1989) * ''Long zhi zheng ba'' (1989) - Hwa's father * '' Shadow of China'' (1989) - Lee Hok Chow * ''Do wong'' (1990) * ''Bamboo in Winter'' (1991) - Father * ''

A Kid from Tibet ''A Kid from Tibet'' () is a 1992 Hong Kong martial arts-action film directed by and starring Yuen Biao. The film features two more former members of the Seven Little Fortunes: Yuen Wah as an evil sorcerer and a cameo appearance from Jackie Ch ...

'' (1992) - Lawyer Robinson * ''

Cageman ''Cageman'' () is a 1992 Hong Kong satirical comedy-drama film directed by Jacob Cheung. It won four awards at the 12th Hong Kong Film Awards held in 1993, including Best Film. Plot The movie explores the lives of tenants of the Wah Ha cage-h ...

'' (1992) - Koo Yiu-Cho * '' Treasure Hunt'' (1994) - Uncle Bill * ''Mr. X'' (1995) - Roy * '' Summer Snow'' (1995) - Lin Sun * ''Dai lo bai sau'' (1995) - Great Uncle * ''Ma ma fan fan'' (1995) - Death * ''Tou tou ai ni'' (1996) - Tung-Tung's Grandfather * ''

All's Well, Ends Well 1997 ''All's Well, Ends Well 1997'' (97家有囍事) is a 1997 Hong Kong comedy film directed by Alfred Cheung, starring Stephen Chow, Raymond Wong and Francis Ng. Plot Kung (Stephen Chow) is the spoiled youngest brother of three: no job, no educati ...

'' (1997) - Mr. Lo * ''Tin sai ji shing'' (1999) - Uncle Wang (final film role)

References

External links

*
Hong Kong Cinemagic: Roy Chiao Hung

alt.asian-movies discussion on Roy Chiao
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chiao, Roy 1927 births 1999 deaths 20th-century Hong Kong male actors Chinese emigrants to Hong Kong Hong Kong expatriates in the United States Hong Kong male film actors Hong Kong male television actors Male actors from Shanghai TVB actors