Lo Wei ([2] 12 December 1918 – 20 January 1996) was a Hong Kong film director and film actor best known for launching the martial arts film careers of both Bruce Lee, in The Big Boss[3] and Fist of Fury,[4] and Jackie Chan, in New Fist of Fury.[3]
Lo Wei | |||
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Born | [1] | 12 December 1918 ||
Died | 20 January 1996 | (aged 77)||
Other names | Law Wai, Lo Wai, Loh Wei, Luo Wei, William Lowe | ||
Occupation(s) | Film director, screenwriter, actor | ||
Years active | 1929-1993 | ||
Awards | Golden Horse Awards – Lifetime Achievement Award 1997 | ||
Chinese name | |||
Traditional Chinese | 羅維 | ||
Simplified Chinese | 罗維 | ||
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Lo began his entertainment career as an actor in the Second World War. He moved to Hong Kong in 1948. During the 1950s, Lo became a popular matinee idol.[5]
After Lee's death it was Lo who gave Jackie Chan his first shot at the big time as part of the wave of Bruceploitation. Lo is said to have been linked with Chinese organized crime, the Triads.[6][7]
Lo ran the production company "Lo Wei Motion Picture Company", which operated until 1977-78 due to heavy cost-cutting measures as a result of Jackie Chan signing a deal with Golden Harvest.
Lo is credited with over 135 films as an actor, over 60 films as a director, over 30 films as a writer, and over 45 films as a producer.[8]
This is a partial list of films.
On 20 January 1996, Lo died of heart failure in Hong Kong.