Lam Ching-ying

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Lam Ching-ying
林正英
Lam Ching-ying
Born
Lam Gun-bo (林根寶)

(1952-12-27)27 December 1952
Died8 November 1997(1997-11-08) (aged 44)
Occupation(s)Actor, Martial artist, Film director and Producer, Action choreographer
Years active1970–1996
Spouse
Cheng Bing Bing
(m. 1983; div. 1988)
PartnerKingdom Yuen (1995–1996)
Children
  • Lam Sik-nga (daughter)
  • Lam Ka-yiu (son)
Awards
Hong Kong Film AwardsBest Action Choreography
1983 Prodigal Son (Won)
1984 Winners and Sinners (Won)
1986 My Lucky Stars (Nominated)
Best Supporting Actor
1985 Mr. Vampire (Nominated)

Chinese name
Chinese林正英
Lam Gun-bo
Traditional Chinese林根寶
Simplified Chinese林根宝

Lam Ching-ying (Chinese: 林正英; pinyin: Lín Zhèngyĩng; born Lam Gun-bo (simplified Chinese: 林根宝; traditional Chinese: 林根寶; pinyin: Lín Gēnbǎo); 27 December 1952 – 8 November 1997) was a Hong Kong stuntman, actor, martial artist and action director. As a practitioner of martial arts Lam starred in a number of notable films that found recognition outside Hong Kong including Encounters of the Spooky Kind, The Prodigal Son and his best known role in Mr. Vampire.

Biography[edit]

Childhood years[edit]

He was born Lam Gun-bo (林根寶) on 27 December 1952 in the year of the Dragon, in Hong Kong. His family originated from Shanghai, in the People's Republic of China. Both of his parents made a living by doing catering services. Lam was the third child of six children. His family was poor, and his parents weren't educated. Lam attended Shun Yi Association Elementary School in Hong Kong, but eventually dropped out after 2 years. His father sent him to Chun Chau Drama Society to learn the Peking Opera style under the guidance of Madame Fan Fok Fa.

Due to his slender and fragile body structure, Lam specialized in female roles and often performed stunt-doubling for actresses. However, he was reported as a mischievous and disobedient child. Thus, after half a year of training, Madame sent him on stage to express himself and control his drive. Lam's first show was called "White Beach", but his Beijing Opera career only lasted for 5 years. He realized that there was not much demand for opera styles anymore. Through a friend's introduction, Lam joined the film industry.

Early life[edit]

At age 17, Lam became a stuntman and martial arts coach at the Shaw Brothers Studio. Due to his slender build, he was often called upon to substitute female actors. He received HK$60 a day, HK$20 of which went to his master, and another HK$20 he took home to his parents. Lam used the remaining money to treat his brothers to snacks. Lam once mentioned those were his happiest days in his life.

There was a story that Lam challenged Bruce Lee in a hotel room because he didn't believe Lee was as strong as the rumors said. Lam put a pillow over his chest and stomach, then Bruce struck the pillow and sent him flying across the room. Bruce Lee was so impressed that he hired Lam as his personal assistant. Lam was 19 at the time.[1]

Lam started to work as an co-action choreographer, and personal assistant to Bruce Lee on Lee's movies including The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Enter the Dragon, Way of the Dragon, and Game of Death.[2] In his youth, Lam seemed to have quite a temper and always got into fights. During the filming of "The Big Boss", Lam was arrested for fighting, and Lee had to bail him out of jail.

Despite having little education, Lam impressed Lee with interesting philosophical discussions. Although they hardly talked about their relationship, Lee liked good conversations, and this self-willed young man soon became Lee's favorite.[3]

When Lee died, Lam was devastated. He later joined Hung's stuntman association (known as the Hung Kar Pan).

1980s[edit]

Lam worked behind the camera as assistant director and became Sammo's right-hand man of the stunt team. His talent as an actor and martial artist was revealed in The Magnificent Butcher. Lam played the fan-wielding assassin who fought against Yuen Biao.

In 1982, Lam won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Director, in the film Prodigal Son. Prodigal Son featured what is widely acknowledged as among the best Wing Chun caught on film, performed by Lam. Lam played the strict kung fu master Leung Yee-tai. This was probably his most historic role. Lam even shaved his own eyebrows to give Master Leung a more feminine portrayal. He was able to bring a cool, sweet quality to this sharp and hard-nosed character.

He also played a frail, elderly Taoist priest in The Dead and the Deadly (1983).

Lam's star did not rise until 1985, with the release of Mr. Vampire, the movie that fueled the hopping vampire genre. Lam was nominated for Best Actor for his role as the Taoist priest. The character was an engaging mixture of naivety and stoic authority, and became a favorite for audiences. Lam was to reprise this role many times throughout his career.

Shortly after the release of Mr. Vampire, the Golden Harvest film company attempted to make an English version of the movie with Tanya Roberts (of Charlie's Angels) and Jack Scalia. Lam's role was played by longtime kung fu film actor Yuen Wah. Due to various difficulties, the film was never made.

In the following years, Lam starred as the Taoist Priest in countless sequels and spin-offs of Mr. Vampire such as Mr. Vampire II (1986), Mr. Vampire III (1987), Vampire Vs. Vampire (1989), Magic Cop (1990), Encounters of the Spooky Kind II (1990)

He also appeared in different movie genres such as The Return of Pom Pom (1984), School on Fire (1988), Painted Faces (1988), and Her Vengeance (1988). Lam proved that his dramatic acting skill was just as good as his kung fu skill. It is argued that whether the huge success of Mr. Vampire was the best thing that happened in his career because it forever typecast him as the vampire slayer. Yet Lam had many heartbreaking and mind-stirring portrayals in other movie genres.

In 1989, Lam directed his first movie Vampire Vs. Vampire. The movie starred him as the usual One Eyebrow Priest, Chin Siu Ho and Liu Fong as his naughty disciples. Due to the production cost going over budget, he didn't take his director's fee. The movie showed light of his moving-making style which was prone to realistic fights and dark humor.[3] The movie didn't become a huge success, but his candor made people re-think the purposes of film-making. It also suggested new ideas in the genre which later influenced other Hong Kong ghost movies. Vampire Vs. Vampire offered a new look about the encounter between Chinese and Western culture. The One Eyebrow Priest also raised a vampire kid in his own house. This went against traditional rules of Maoshan Taoism. Even until now, people often find Lam Ching Ying's shadow in later Chinese ghost movies.

1990s[edit]

The success of Mr. Vampire eventually became burdensome on Lam, who found himself typecast in the role. As the Hong Kong movie industry began to experience a decline, quality roles for Lam also began to dry. However, he continued to take on his usual role as the Taoist priest as well as supporting roles in low budget movies.

In 1990, Lam became the film producer for Magic Cop (1990), an underrated action movie. He starred in and action directed the movie. The fight scenes between him and the Japanese again showed his excellence as an action choreographer.

Some of his other ghost movies during these years are Crazy Safari (1991), An Eternal Combat (1991), The Ultimate Vampire (1991) Spiritual Trinity (1991), Mad Mad Ghost (1992), Banana Spirit (1992). Again, his serious acting side can be seen in Pom Pom and Hot Hot (1992), Lover's Tear (1992). He had supporting roles in these movies, but his roles are very memorable.

In 1995, although the film market was in depression, ATV offered Lam the starring role in a television series called Vampire Expert (殭屍道長). He was hired with a million HK dollars salary to work in the series. It was a far cry from his time as HK$60 a day stuntman. The series was a success and revived Lam's career. The story followed Mo Siu Fong (Lam Ching Ying) who destroyed ghosts and saved the day. During the filming, Lam developed a relationship with his co-star Kingdom Yuen. In the series, Yuen played a female priest who fell in love with Mo Siu Fong (Lam Ching Ying). At the end of the filming, they were actually in love.

The second series was filmed and aired in 1996. The series starred Lam Ching Ying again as the humble priest, Mang Hoi, Frankie Lam and Annie Man as his disciples. Like the first series, the second series received high ratings and support from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Soon after that, Lam signed for another TV series called Coincidentally (情定阴阳界). The series borrowed the cast of Vampire Expert and had Lam in a supporting role. Lam played a priest who tried to prevent a man from becoming a cruel spirit. However, this series didn't mark the end of his career. Lam's last role was in A Monk at Thirty (一枝花和尚). The role was so heartbreaking that many of his fans doubted he was actually playing his own death.

In 1996, production on the third series of Vampire Expert began. The production was halted due to Lam's health condition.

Family[edit]

Lam Ching-ying married Cheng Bing Bing in 1983. They had two children, a daughter Lam Sik-nga (林式瓦) in 1985 and a son Lam Ka-yiu (林家耀) in 1988. The children loved to watch their father's movies. The couple divorced in 1988. Child custody was given to the father. Lam sent his children to the U.S to study.

During the filming of Vampire Expert in 1995, Lam and his co-star Kingdom Yuen developed a relationship. However in 1996, Lam broke up with Yuen when they were in love. He then packed up and moved to his sister's house. Yuen talked about Lam after his death:

"In fact, he was sick. I always knew it. But he didn't want to be disturbed, so he moved to a place where no-one could see him. He also didn't allow me to visit him. Before leaving, he said: "I cannot stay by your side anymore. Take good care of yourself. If you have problems, ask your brother to help you." I was reluctant to let him leave, but I respected his choice. He was the kind of man that when he decided something, it would be impossible to stop him... As an actor, he wanted people to see the most beautiful, brilliant moments. He didn't allow me to visit him. Because he knew that if I had seen him like this, it would have been very painful".[citation needed]

Death[edit]

Rumor about cancer[edit]

During the summer of 1997 Lam had been repeatedly going to the hospital for tests. Rumours were spreading that he had liver cancer. He stubbornly insisted on leaving the hospital immediately and finishing his job, unwilling to be hospitalised. He received worried phone calls from friends, but he told them not to listen to gossip.

It is unknown when Lam was diagnosed with cancer for the first time since he forbid his close family to reveal his illness. Some of his close friends stated that they noticed his illness, but no-one dared to ask him directly. Chin Kar Lok said in an interview:

"One time I had to break through a 10 ft glass wall and before that, I had to work on a ship to jump from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor. Everyone knew it was a painful shot. Hung Kam Bo wanted me to do that job. But Lam refused to let me do that and he took that action…it was really a big pain shot. He was hurt after he did that shot. Like what I said before, working as a stuntman in the 80s is like a family and there is no selfishness.
He was very kind to me, even in a later movie, he found me for the main actor. He really took care of me. He had the spirit. He was not a smooth talker. But he used his brain a lot. He taught us not to be lazy, to give 100% every time, no tricks. He set a very good example to us. He had a good heart for movies, even when he was sick at the end of his life. He didn't show to us he was in pain. He was even shooting a movie with us. I think he is really the real hero. I miss him very much."[4]

Final weeks[edit]

Lam broke up with his girlfriend Kingdom Yuen. Two weeks before his death, Lam moved to his sister's house. He refused visits from his children and friends. Lam started to lose his consciousness over and over again at the beginning of November. His family moved him to the St. Teresa Hospital in Kowloon. He was already in a semi-comatose state, and his situation gradually declined.

Lam died on November 8, 1997, at 12:30 am at St. Theresa's Hospital in Hong Kong, the cause of death being cancer of the liver. He was 44 years old. Ricky Hui who was Lam's partner in "Mr. Vampire", died on November 8, 2011, the same date, 14 years later.

The funeral[edit]

Lam's request was to have a low-profile funeral. His funeral was attended by his parents, close family and school-mate friends. The Buddhist ceremony was held in the evening of the 13th at around 7 am. His Priest robe, shoes and top-hat were buried with him, along with his favorite clothes and sunglasses. Lam's pallbearers were Yuen Shiu Hung, Chin Yuet Sun, Ng Ming Hoi, Lam King Chu, Chan Wui Ngai, Chung Fat, Sammo Hung, Chan Wing Hong, Chin Kar Lok and Wu Ma.[3]

After the funeral his remains were cremated and buried in the U.S. with a calligraphy:

"One Smile Returns To The West"

Tribute[edit]

The first series of My Date with a Vampire produced by ATV was dedicated to him, and the entire series was loosely based in the future of Vampire Expert.

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Actor Notes
1969 The Whirlwind Knight Yes
1970 The Golden Knight Shaolin Monk at temple Yes
1970 Brothers Five Minor Role Yes
1970 Wrath of the Sword Minor Role Yes
1971 The Invincible Eight Whip-wielding henchman Yes
1971 Six Assassins Lord Li's soldier Yes
1971 The Blade Spares None Prince's fighter Yes
1971 The Golden Seal Thug Yes
1971 The Crimson Charm Crimson Charm thug Yes
1971 Lady with a Sword Minor Role Yes
1971 The Big Boss Ah Yen Yes
1971 A Touch of Zen East Chamber guard Yes
1971 The Long Chase Minor Role Yes
1971 The Lady Hermit Horse thief Yes
1971 Swordsman at Large ?
1971 The Angry River Minor Role Yes
1972 Fist of Fury Susuki's student Yes
1972 The Casino Casino thug Yes
1972 The Way of the Dragon Thug Yes Uncredited
1972 The Deadly Knives Japanese Yes
1972 Hapkido Black Bear student Yes Uncredited
1972 The Imperial Swordsman Bandit Yes
1972 The Thunderbolt Fist Japanese fighter on stage Yes
1972 The Fugitive Ma's thug Yes
1972 Treasure Castle Yes
1973 A Man Called Tiger Blue Shirt thug Yes
1973 Iron Bull Thug Yes
1973 Seaman No 7 Golden Hair's thug Yes
1973 None But the Brave Masked patriot Yes
1973 The Rendezvous of Warriors Minor Role Yes
1973 Enter the Dragon Guard / Chief double for Sek Kin Yes Uncredited
1973 Tiger Japanese Yes
1973 Bruce Lee, the Man and the Legend Himself Yes
1973 Back Alley Princess Rascal Yes
1973 When Taekwondo Strikes Japanese Yes
1974 The Skyhawk Woodland attacker Yes Uncredited
1974 Chinatown Capers Gangster Yes
1974 Dynamite Brothers Thug in white Yes
1974 Yellow Faced Tiger Slaughter's man Yes
1974 Tornado of Pearl River Minor Role Yes
1974 Bloody Ring Yes
1974 The Sharp Fists in Kung Fu
1974 The Association ?
1975 The Man from Hong Kong Minor Role Yes Uncredited
1975 The Spiritual Boxer Ruei's thug Yes
1976 Hot Potato Leopard Man Uncredited
1976 Challenge of the Masters Master Pang's student Yes
1976 Bruce's Deadly Fingers Brown Shirt Fighter Yes
1976 End of the Wicked Tigers Villager Yes
1977 Executioners from Shaolin Pai Mei's monk Yes Uncredited
1977 The Shaolin Plot Soldier Yes
1977 The Pilferer's Progress Hitman Yes
1977 Judgement of an Assassin Bai Du Clan member Yes
1977 The Iron Fisted Monk Yes Brief cameo
1977 The Sentimental Swordsman Yun's man Yes
1977 The Amsterdam Kill Police Officer Yes
1977 Broken Oath One of Qi's men Yes
1977 Money Crazy Yes
1977 He Has Nothing But Kung Fu Yes
1978 Clan of Amazons Red Shoe Society's man Yes
1978 The Game of Death Macau fighter Yes Uncredited
1978 The Proud Youth Minor Role Yes
1978 Amsterdam Connection Mr Hung's henchman Yes
1978 Kung Fu Stars Yes
1978 Enter the Fat Dragon Fighter on movie set Yes
1978 Legend of the Bat Han's sword troop Yes
1978 Warriors Two Thunder's men / Leung's student Yes
1978 Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog! One of Panther's men Yes
1978 Kung Fu Means Fists, Strikes and Swords Thug Yes
1978 Gee and Gor Yes
1979 The Incredible Kung Fu Master Fu student Yes
1979 Knockabout Casino fighter Yes
1979 Odd Couple Ha (Scarface's fighter) Yes
1979 His Name Is Nobody Wears black wig Yes
1979 The Magnificent Butcher Fan Man Yes
1979 Dragon Fist Yes
1979 Crazy Partner
1980 The Victim Jo Wing's man / double Yes
1980 From Riches to Rags Knife killer Yes
1980 By Hook or by Crook Skinny's hired thug leader Yes
1980 Two Toothless Tigers Yes
1980 Encounter of the Spooky Kind Inspector Yes
1980 The Killer in White
1981 The Prodigal Son Leung Yee-tai Yes
1982 The Dead and the Deadly Uncle Yee Yes
1982 Carry On Pickpocket
1983 Winners and Sinners Chan Yes
1984 Hocus Pocus Master Sheng Yes
1984 Pom Pom Police Sgt Yes Cameo
1984 The Return of Pom Pom Flying Spider Lo Chien Yes
1984 Hong Kong 1941
1984 The Owl vs Bombo
1985 My Lucky Stars Corrupted HK policeman Yes
1985 Those Merry Souls Tak's father Yes
1985 Heart of the Dragon SWAT Commander Yes
1985 Mr Vampire Uncle Ko / Master Kau Yes
1985 Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars
1986 The Millionaires' Express Bank robber Yes
1986 Where's Officer Tuba? Taoist priest Yes Cameo
1986 Mr. Vampire II Lam Ching Ying / Lin Cheng-ying Yes
1986 Heroes Shed No Tears Viet Colonel Yes
1986 Rosa
1987 Eastern Condors Lieutenant Lam Yes
1987 Lai Shi, China's Last Eunuch Liu Chang-Fu Yes
1987 Cold-blooded Man (Naenghyeolja) Chiang Fu Yes
1987 Mr. Vampire III Uncle Nine Yes
1988 Paper Marriage
1988 Xiu xiu gui Taoist Priest Yes
1988 I Love Maria Master Yes (Guest star)
1988 School on Fire Hoi Yes
1988 Painted Faces Wah Yes
1988 Her Vengeance Hung Yes
1989 Pedicab Driver Uncle Sheng Yes Cameo
1989 Vampire vs Vampire One Eyebrow Priest Yes
1989 Gui yao gui Master Gau Yes
1989 Armageddon
1990 The Swordsman Elder Kuk Yes
1990 Stage Door Johnny Liu Yes
1990 Goodbye Hero Frank Yes
1990 Magic Cop Uncle Feng Yes
1990 Prince of the Sun Khenlun Yes
1990 Encounter of the Spooky Kind II Master Jiao Yes
1991 Spiritual Trinity Tien Lung Yes
1991 The Ultimate Vampire Master Chiu Yes
1991 An Eternal Combat The Master Yes
1991 Red and Black Lin Chiang Yes
1991 Gambling Ghost Exorcist Yes
1991 Money Maker Master Chu Yes
1991 Crazy Safari Master HiSing Yes
1991 The Tantana Mud Yuet Yes
1991 Slickers vs Killers Owl Yes
1991 Ling huan zhi zun Master Tien Lung Yes
1991 Shy Spirit Yes
1991 Midnight Conjure Taoist Yes Cameo
1992 Wizard's Curse Taoist priest Yes
1992 Shi bu wang qing Deaf-mute hitman Yes
1992 Yao guai du shi Taoist Lin Yes
1992 Mr. Vampire 1992 Master Lam Ching Ying Yes
1992 The Musical Vampire Uncle Master Yes
1992 Hua pi zhi: Yin yang fa wang Purple Taoist Yes
1992 Skin Striperess Taoist Lam Yes
1992 Pom Pom and Hot Hot Lam Ho-Yang Yes
1992 Painted Skin Purple monk Yes Cameo
1992 Mad Mad Ghost Uncle Ying Yes
1992 Martial Arts Master Wong Fei Hung Jiubinku Kyoto Yes
1992 Qu mo dao zhang Master Chiou Yes
1992 Banana Spirit Master Chen Sheng Yes
1992 Legend of Wong Tai Sin Wong Cho Pin [title char] Yes
1992 China Dolls Motorcycle policeman Yes
1992 Lover's Tear Cheng Ying Yes
1992 Forced Nightmare Yes
1993 The East Is Red Zither player Yes [footage from 'Swordsman']
1993 Rape in Public Sea Nan Yes
1993 Exorcist Master Uncle Nine Yes
1994 The Green Hornet Uncle Yes
1994 The Chinese Ghostbuster Yes
1994 Kung Fu Kid Yes
1994 Yi tian tu long ji Yes
1994 Shaolin Avengers Hong Zhi-Guan Yes (final film role)

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1995-1996 Vampire Expert Taoist Priest Mo Siu Fong 80 episodes[5][6]
1996- 997 Coincidentally Priest
1997 A Monk at Thirty 30 episodes[7]

Awards[edit]

1983 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Prodigal Son

1984 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Winners And Sinners

1986 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated for "Best Action Choreography" in My Lucky Stars

1986 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated for "Best Supporting Actor" in Mr Vampire

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Hong Kong Actor and Action Director Lam Ching Ying, from Bruce Lee's P.A. to a Star in Sammo Hung Films". Kungfu-Movie-Madness. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  2. ^ "Ching-Ying Lam". IMDB. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  3. ^ a b c "Lam Ching Ying Biography". Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  4. ^ "Interview Chin Ka-Lok". Retrieved 2012-12-01.
  5. ^ "僵尸道长1". iqiyi.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  6. ^ "僵尸道长2". iqiyi.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  7. ^ "A Monk (30 episodes) (End) (US Version)". YesAsia.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 8 November 2016.

External links[edit]