Top 10 Leading Martial Arts Stars in China

Chu Tí Lợi was born on January 14, 1958, in Calgary, Canada. He began learning Karatedo at the age of 11 before switching to Muay Thai. Chu Tí Lợi is known as a boxing king and a famous action actor. He is also dubbed as the 'Old Tiger' for his formidable steel punches. In the ranking of combat abilities of Chinese martial arts stars, Chu Tí Lợi ranks first, surpassing even Bruce Lee. Many people may initially be surprised by the relatively unfamiliar name of Chu Tí Lợi. However, a look at his achievements in both martial arts and film industry will undoubtedly be convincing.

Starting from the 1980s, Chu Tí Lợi embarked on the artistic path as an actor and martial arts director for numerous Hong Kong action films. In 1985, he first gained recognition as an actor through a guest role in the martial arts film Eastern Condor (released in 1987) directed by Hung Kim Po. The collaboration between Chu Tí Lợi and Hung Kim Po began from here. The talented director continuously invited him to join famous works such as: Paper Marriage (1988), Dragons Forever (1988), horror film Her Vengeance (1988) co-starring with Veronica Yip and Lam Ching Ying, Pedicab Driver (1989)… He has appeared in nearly 100 films, and despite entering the profession relatively late, his acting ability is still highly appreciated.

Trần Huệ Mẫn was born in 1944 into a well-off family. His father worked as a sailor, rarely coming home, while his mother took care of him and his sibling diligently. From a young age, he had a passion for martial arts, learning both Eastern and Western styles such as 'Dam family three-show fist' and boxing. In the Asian martial arts community, it is often said that 'Trần Huệ Mẫn excels in fists, while Lý Tiểu Long excels in kicks,' highlighting his strength and talent. In 1972, Trần Huệ Mẫn represented Hong Kong in the Southeast Asian Boxing Championship and won the championship. In 1983, he participated in the 'Clash of the World Heroes' and knocked out Japanese boxer Morigasaki in just 35 seconds. He then ventured into acting, often portraying villains and gangsters, given his tattoos.

Trần Huệ Mẫn won two consecutive East Asian Boxing Championships in 1970 and 1971. Once, he defeated a Japanese martial artist and won the championship belt in just 35 seconds. Notably, he was a close friend of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. The Chinese martial arts community even praised him as the 'Fist God' alongside Bruce Lee. This speaks volumes about Trần Huệ Mẫn's formidable reputation and stature in the martial arts world. Later in life, Trần Huệ Mẫn revealed on a television show that he despised the underworld because of its negative impact on society. He believed it was time for such organizations to cease to exist.

Lý Tiểu Long was born on November 27, 1940, in San Francisco, USA, as Bruce Lee. He passed away on July 20, 1973, at the peak of his career. In 1939, Lý Tiểu Long's father, Lý Hải Tuyền, brought his wife and three children from Hong Kong to San Francisco to perform Cantonese opera. Lý Tiểu Long was born in 1940 during the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese lunar calendar. He was given the nickname 'Little Phoenix' and later adopted the stage name Bruce Lee, starting from the movie The Kid (1950). In 1941, at the age of 1, Lý Tiểu Long returned to Hong Kong with his family and lived in an apartment on Nathan Road. He attended St. Mary's Canossian College and later transferred to Tak Sun School and La Salle College. Despite his affluent upbringing, the densely populated neighborhood led to gang conflicts, resulting in Lee being expelled from school and transferring to St. Francis Xavier's College. From a young age, his father, wanting him to be strong, taught him martial arts. Lee made his debut in the film The Beginning of a Boy (1946), followed by roles in The Birth of Mankind, My Son, and Ah Cheun... (about 20 films), showcasing his emerging acting talent.

Jackie Chan, born on April 26, 1963, is a renowned Chinese martial artist and actor. In addition to his acting career, Jackie Chan is known as a producer and philanthropist. In 2017, he introduced the public to the martial art form called Jackie Chan's Kung Fu, which he founded based on the principles of Tai Chi. Chan began training in wushu at the age of 8 under the guidance of Master Ngô Bân, the same mentor as Jet Li. Despite initial physical limitations and family pressures, Chan's determination propelled him forward.

Jackie Chan is beloved not only for his acting skills but also for his stunning and powerful martial arts techniques, reminiscent of the Shaolin style. His breakthrough came in 1982 with the starring role in the Shaolin Temple series, which garnered significant attention and marked his entry into the film industry. In 1991, with the iconic film Rumble in the Bronx, Chan achieved international fame, and his characters such as Wong Fei-hung, Drunken Master, and Crime Buster became household names across Southeast Asia. The success of his films can also be attributed to the skilled direction of directors Tsui Hark and Stanley Tong. Subsequent classics such as Police Story, Drunken Master II, and Rush Hour propelled him to global stardom, first as an Asian hero and then as a worldwide icon.

Jet Li (Li Lianjie) was born on July 27, 1963, in China. Apart from being an accomplished actor, he is also a director, martial arts choreographer, and film producer. Li gained prominence on both the small and big screens through roles that showcased his martial arts prowess, establishing him as one of Asia's leading martial arts stars. In terms of acting, Jet Li has been nominated for the Golden Horse Award twice. He is regarded as one of the youngest and most outstanding martial arts choreographers in the world, having received numerous awards for martial arts choreography at film festivals in Hong Kong and Asia. From a young age, Li had a passion for martial arts and studied under various masters, including Tai Chi and Wushu. His idol at the time was Bruce Lee, whom he admired to the extent of emulating his iconic attire of wearing a silk sash around the leg while wielding a staff.

However, his passion for martial arts led him astray from academics. He dropped out of school, joined a gang, and often engaged in street fights, sometimes resulting in fatalities caused by his gang. Concerned for his safety, his parents sent him back to Guangdong. Returning to his hometown, he pursued the path of a Wushu practitioner. During his early acting days, Jet Li underwent cosmetic procedures to alter his single-eyelid and irregular teeth. These alterations became evident in his later appearances, starting from the film Once Upon a Time in China. However, from then until 1989, he only received minor roles. In 1989, the film The Master brought Jet Li into the spotlight among martial arts actors. Two years later, he collaborated with Yuen Woo-ping and Yuen Biao in the money laundering-themed film Once Upon a Time in China II. This was followed by films such as Satan Returns, The Master II, but they didn't garner much attention.

Bruce Leung was born in 1948 into a poor family in Hong Kong. From the age of 8, young Leung embarked on a journey into martial arts with dreams of changing his life. His first martial art discipline was Goju Ryu Karate (a branch of Karate), where he not only learned techniques but also delved into the underlying philosophies. Thanks to this, Leung not only built a foundation in martial arts but also cultivated his character, avoiding falling into bad habits like some of his peers in similar circumstances. Subsequently, Leung studied Vinh Xuan Quyen. His prowess in techniques seamlessly combined Karate and Vinh Xuan Quyen, with his strikes being swift and lethal, capable of incapacitating opponents in the blink of an eye. Before becoming an actor, Bruce Leung competed in numerous martial arts tournaments and won medals. He stumbled into the film industry by chance. One day, Bruce Leung was ambushed by a group of 10 armed men. However, he defeated them soundly, causing them to flee. Interestingly, a renowned director witnessed the incident and guided Bruce Leung into the world of cinema.

In the 1980s, he ventured into acting and quickly rose to fame with the roles of Fok Yuen Gap (1981) and Chen Zhen (1982) in two films of the same name. Vietnamese audiences are familiar with his portrayal of Fire Ghost in 'The Ultimate Kung Fu' starring Stephen Chow. In the film, he used a unique style of martial arts, earning him the nickname 'mantis martial artist.' Bruce Leung's career skyrocketed but soon dwindled in the late 1980s due to his lack of communication skills. Known for his straightforward and unfiltered speech, he often rubbed filmmakers the wrong way. The pinnacle of this was a verbal gaffe during an interaction with the audience in mainland China after completing the film 'The Big Boss,' where he made remarks about Taiwan. Consequently, his martial arts career was blacklisted in Taiwan - the primary market for Hong Kong cinema at the time. Due to this, no producer dared to collaborate with this actor.

Jackie Ng was born on 03/04/1974 in Beijing into a martial arts family. At the age of 6, he began studying martial arts at the Beijing Martial Arts Institute, and at 13, he was selected for the Beijing Wushu Team. Jackie belongs to the 'Ching Wong Khee' lineage, one of the 'Top Three Khees' of the Manchu Royal Family. Growing up in Beijing, China, in a martial arts family, he was an only child, closely managed by his father due to his playful and lively nature. At the age of 6, he was enrolled in martial arts training at the Beijing Martial Arts Institute in the Thirteen Seas. At 13, he was chosen for the Beijing Wushu Team. Here, he became acquainted with the arduous training days under the guidance of Master Ng Bun, who had trained Li Lianjie, Chan Kong-sang, and Ju Wenjun. Later, due to excessive training, he developed spinal degeneration, leading to paralysis of both legs. After being discharged from the hospital, despite his legs not fully recovering, he was determined to return to physical training like any other friend. Master Ng Bun helped Jackie overcome these difficulties during this time, taking him to martial arts competitions when he was 16. Within two years, he brought home a series of national championship titles in categories such as boxing, swordsmanship, and spear...

In 1992 (18 years old), an injury during competition seriously injured Jackie's right leg, leading to the risk of disability, which made him feel very disappointed and discouraged. He moved out to live alone, away from friends and family. Then one day, while shopping for groceries, Jackie witnessed a group of thugs attempting to rape a girl. He intervened and drove them away, only to realize afterward that sensation had returned to his right leg. For this act, Jackie was praised in the media. He regained confidence and resolved to undergo physical therapy. In 1994, his wound healed, and he returned to the sports school. A year later, like Jackie Chan and Jet Li, martial artist Jackie Ng embarked on the path of a martial arts actor under the guidance of Yuen Wo-ping. In 2001, Yuen Wo-ping recommended Jackie to work with stars like Donnie Yen, Andy Lau, and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the martial arts film 'The Blade.' However, 'The Blade' was one of director Tsui Hark's unsuccessful films due to excessive use of special effects. The following year, renowned martial arts director Corey Yuen invited him to star in the film 'So Close,' where he showcased remarkable boxing and wrestling skills. Jackie Ng is one of the few famous actors with few scandals in his personal life. He married MC Ta Nam in 2014 and has two sons named Ngo Su Vi and Ngo Vo Lu.

Fred Tan was born on June 19, 1973 in Hong Kong, growing up on film sets and guided by his father, he gradually became a famous martial arts star. Fred Tan is the son of Fan Mei-sheng, an actor at Shaw Brothers Studio. At the age of 14, his father sent him to Zhozhou, China, to study gymnastics and wushu. He was considered a martial arts prodigy when he started acting at the age of 3. In 1986, Fred Tan became a famous child star and appeared in films like Goodbye Mom and Can't Hear. Then in the film King of Beggars, he played Young Ting Dip Y at the age of just 11. With a foundation in Taekwondo, Fred Tan continued to explore various martial arts such as Wushu, Hung Gar, and achieved many great successes. After completing his studies, Fred Tan returned to the film industry and made his debut as the lead actor in Stanley Tong's film The Stone Age Warriors (1991).

In 1992, at the age of 18, Fred Tan portrayed the main character in Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky, a Hong Kong film based on the Riki-Oh manga. Fred Tan was a contracted artist at Hong Kong TVB television station throughout the 1990s, and he starred in several television series such as Demi-Gods and Semi-Devil (1997) and Young Hero Fang Shiyu (1999). He left TVB later and worked on some television series in Taiwan and mainland China before focusing on film. Fred Tan also portrayed 'Jin Shanzhao,' a tough Northern martial artist in the 2008 film Ip Man, with actor Chan Tzu-dan as Wing Chun master Ip Man. Fan's performance in Ip Man earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2009. He reprised his role as Jin Shanzhao in Ip Man 2, the sequel to Ip Man in 2010. He played a new character in The Legend Is Born - Ip Man (2010), another film about Ip Man unrelated to Ip Man and Ip Man 2.

Arnold Lee was born in 1936 in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China into a family rich in martial arts tradition. He began practicing martial arts from a young age, showing exceptional talent in various martial arts disciplines, often hailed as a bald-headed hero. In his youth (15 - 20 years old), he skipped school to study Chinese martial arts without his parents' knowledge. He was trained at the Hung Gar martial arts school of Lau Cham, a disciple of Lau Kar Leung's father, Vương Phi Hùng. Lau Cham's wife supported him in training, and out of friendship and respect for Lau's family, he took the name Lau Ka-fai. As he grew older, he found a job as a transporter to make a living. His passion was always towards martial arts, and eventually he was offered a role by Lau Kar-leung. In the late 1980s, he began to accept smaller roles, such as in Lau Kar Leung's Tiger on Beat.

Arnold Lee also ventured into television and was signed to Hong Kong's TVB company for many years, continuing to portray a martial arts master. Although still performing some martial arts roles, he also played comedic, self-conscious, or romantic characters. His second most common role at TVB was playing a Hong Kong police officer. In 2008, Arnold Lee added a Bollywood film to his resume. Collaborating with Indian actor Akshay Kumar, the leading Bollywood actor and also a martial artist in the film Chandni Chowk To China (CC2C). He portrayed the antagonist, Hojo, a smuggler and a well-trained martial artist. Prior to this, he appeared as himself (alongside advisor Lau Kar Leung) in the 2009 film Dragonland, the first Italian documentary on martial arts cinema history, by Lorenzo De Luca. Arnold Lee attended as a special guest at the premiere in Rome, meeting his Italian fans for the first time. In August 2011, Arnold Lee suffered a stroke and paused all plans for recovery.

Jackie Chan was born on April 7, 1954, in the Victoria Peak of Hong Kong. His parents were immigrants fleeing from the Chinese Civil War. He is a Chinese actor with significant influence in the global film industry. He is also the only Chinese artist to leave his mark on the Hollywood Walk of Fame with his handprints, footprints, and signature. His career is known for a series of blockbuster films featuring spectacular martial arts sequences, daring stunts, and a comedic acting style that quickly gained the affection of fans worldwide, embodying the spirit of the Chinese nation. Jackie Chan is one of the most famous and influential film figures globally, receiving widespread acclaim on both the Eastern and Western hemispheres, and has been immortalized on both the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has been referenced in numerous pop songs, cartoons, and video games. He is a formally trained singer and also a star of Cantopop and Mandopop music, having released several albums and movie soundtracks in which he starred. He is also a globally renowned philanthropist and has been honored by Forbes magazine as one of the top 10 most charitable celebrities.

In 2004, film scholar Andrew Willis regarded Jackie Chan as the 'most recognized star in the world.' In 2015, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $350 million, and as of 2016, he was the second-highest-paid actor in the world. Jackie Chan personally performed the majority of his dangerous action sequences, directed by his own stunt team, Jackie Chan Stunt Team. He has stated in interviews that his primary inspiration for his comedic action sequences comes from films like The General, starring Buster Keaton, who was also famous for performing his own dangerous stunts without the use of stunt doubles. Since founding the team in 1983, Jackie Chan has utilized the team in all his subsequent films to facilitate easier stunt coordination, as he understands the capabilities of each member. Jackie Chan and his team have also executed many action sequences for other characters in his films, carefully framing shots to avoid showing their faces.