Al Leong
Al Leong | |
|---|---|
| Born | Albert Leong September 30, 1952 |
| Other names | Al 'Ka Bong' |
| Occupation(s) | Stuntman, actor |
Albert "Al" Leong (born September 30, 1952), aka Al "Ka Bong", is an American stuntman and actor.[1] Characterized by his impressive martial arts skills (including Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Kali,& Jujutsu), long wavy hair, and a prominent Fu Manchu moustache, he has had a number of small but memorable roles as a henchman in some of the most popular action films (which usually resulted in his character's death), including Lethal Weapon and Die Hard. He also collaborated with director John Carpenter in Big Trouble in Little China and They Live. Such appearances in many action films have garnered him a cult following.[2][3] He is also known for his role in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, as Genghis Khan.
Early life
Leong was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Los Angeles, California.[4][5]
Career
His credits include Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, Joshua Tree, Big Trouble in Little China, The Scorpion King, and They Live.[1] and a recurring role on the first season of the TV series 24. He also portrayed an out-of-time Genghis Khan in the comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. In 2003, Leong lampooned himself as well as the Hollywood tradition of actor and director 'reels' by starring in screenwriter David Callaham's "Writer's Reel."[6] In the five-minute short film, Leong portrayed Callaham going through a typical day in the life of a writer. The 'reel' was accepted into a number of short film festivals.Cite error: The <ref> tag has too many names (see the help page).
As a stuntman, Leong was involved with the production of numerous films including The Golden Child, Last Action Hero, Roland Emmerich's Godzilla, Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes, and Daredevil. He also has made appearances on several television shows such as Knight Rider, Magnum, P.I., The Twilight Zone, T. J. Hooker, MacGyver, That '70s Show, and HBO's Deadwood. He directed the low-budget film Daddy Tell Me A Story...[citation needed]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | The Scorpion King | Asian Training Master | |
| 1998 | Lethal Weapon 4 | Wah Sing Ku Triad Member | |
| 1998 | Godzilla | Fisherman | Also stunts |
| 1998 | The Replacement Killers | Thug | |
| 1996 | Escape from L.A. | A Shadow Warrior | Also stunts |
| 1994 | Beverly Hills Cop III | Also stunts | |
| 1994 | Deadly Target | ||
| 1994 | The Shadow | Tibetan Driver | |
| 1994 | Vanishing Son III | ||
| 1994 | Double Dragon | Lewis | Also stunts |
| 1993 | Hot Shots! Part Deux | Pit-Fighting Fan | Also stunts |
| 1993 | Last Action Hero | Thug | |
| 1993 | Joshua Tree | Chinese Gunman #9 | |
| 1992 | Hard Hunted | Raven | |
| 1992 | Rapid Fire | Minh | |
| 1992 | Steel Justice | Guard #2 | |
| 1991 | The Perfect Weapon | Also stunts | |
| 1991 | Showdown in Little Tokyo | Thug | Also stunts |
| 1990 | Death Warrant | Bruce | |
| 1990 | I Come in Peace | Luggage Salesman | |
| 1989 | Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure | Genghis Khan | |
| 1989 | Black Rain | ||
| 1989 | Cage | “Tiger Joe” Lowell | |
| 1989 | Savage Beach | Fu | |
| 1988 | Action Jackson | Dellaplane’s Chauffeur | |
| 1988 | Die Hard | Uli | |
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby | Photographer | |
| 1988 | They Live | Resistance Member | |
| 1987 | Lethal Weapon | Endo | |
| 1986 | Big Trouble in Little China | Wing Kong Hatchet Man | |
| 1984 | Protocol | Chef | |
| 1983 | Twilight Zone: The Movie |
Television
- Kung Fu: The Legend Continues: "The Warlord" (1994), also stunt coordinator
- The A-Team: "Asian-Looking Thug" in episode Lease with an Option to Die (episode # 4.4) 1985-10-22, "Thug at boat" in episode The Maltese Falcon (episode # 2.13)1983-12-13
- The Equalizer: uncredited in episode China Rain (episode # 1.2)
- The Greatest American Hero: uncredited extra in episode Thirty Seconds Over Little Tokyo (episode # 39) 1983-02-03
- Hart to Hart: "Tai-Chi Man" in episode Year of the Dog (episode # 5.10) 1983-12-13
- Riptide: "Mister Yeem" in episode The Frankie Kahana Show (episode # 3.13) 1986-02-11
- MacGyver: "Wayne H. Lim" in episode Murderers' Sky (episode # 3.20) 1988-05-09
- Renegade:
- T. J. Hooker: "Nabutsu Hood #1" (uncredited) in episode Blood Sport (episode # 5.88) 1986-05-21
- 24: "Neill" in four episodes of the first season
- That '70s Show: "Kung-Fu Master/Ninja Warrior" in the episode Jackie Moves On (episode # 2.22) 2000-04-03
References
- ^ a b "Al Leong". The New York Times.
- ^ "Al Leong". Hey! It's That Guy!. Fametracker. August 8, 2001. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
- ^ As of June 2007, the fan site Al Leong: Cinematic Legend campaigns for Al Leong receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award by Taurus World Stunt Awards and a 'MTV - Lifetime Achievement Award'.
- ^ An Exclusive Interview with Al Leong, World Wide Dojo
- ^ A chat with AL LEONG – martial artist & stuntman extraordinaire — Chiller Theatre, Planetchocko.com
- ^ "David Callaham: Writer Reel (2004)". IMDb.