Veteran Hong Kong actor and martial artist Bruce Leung Siu-Lung, famed for his role in Kung Fu Hustle, has passed away at the age of 77.
A close friend confirmed Leung’s death on January 14, with the family arranging a private funeral on January 26 in Longgang, Shenzhen.
Filmmaker Tin Kai-man, who recently returned to Hong Kong, said he had only just learned of the news and had yet to contact Leung’s family. Respecting their wish for privacy, he declined further comment.
The news came as a shock to fans, especially as a photo shared just a day before his passing showed Leung in high spirits, smiling and giving a thumbs-up during a hotpot gathering in Luohu. In the picture, he was seen presenting a friend with his personally signed “True Kung Fu” calligraphy.
Leung, known in the 1970s as one of Hong Kong’s “Four Dragons” alongside Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Ti Lung, had a distinguished career as an actor, stuntman, action choreographer, and director.
He gained fame for his iconic portrayal of Chen Zhen in the classic TV series The Legendary Fok, admired for his authentic kung fu skills. After a period away from the industry focusing on business, he made a celebrated comeback as the villain “The Beast” in Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle.
Fans and colleagues alike mourn the loss of one of Hong Kong cinema’s most respected martial arts figures.
