Hollywood actor Yuen Cheung-yan has died aged 69. The action choreographer, who appeared in Stephen Chow’s 20024 hit film Kung Fu Hustle, died in hospital on New Year’s Day, according to film director and actor Lee Lik-chi, who announced the news on his Weibo page on Thursday. He penned: “May Master Yuen rest in eternal peace.” He also confirmed that a funeral would be held on February 1, but gave no further details about the cause of Yuen’s death.
He is part of a famous Hong Kong film family, as his dad is late Hong Kong martial arts actor and choreographer Yuen Siu-tien.
His younger brother is Yuen Woo-ping, a renowned martial arts choreographer and film director who worked in Hong Kong cinema before turning to Hollywood. Another brother, Yuen Shun-yi, is a martial artist, actor, and stuntman.
Yuen Cheung-yan also choreographed martial arts scenes for Charlie’s Angels, Daredevil, and The Matrix.
Other notable films were notable film credits also include Butterfly Sword, The Miracle Fighters, Fearless, and The Tai-Chi Master.
Renowned in his field, Cheung-yan was nominated four times for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography, and managed to bag an award in 1992 for Once Upon a Time in China.
He faced ill health later in life, but remained active in the film industry. He was photographed in 2025 working on Red Wedding Dress while using a wheelchair.
Tributes have poured in for the late actor, with one fan posting on X: “The year has gotten off to a sad start for kung fu cinema fans, as it’s just been announced that director, actor, and fight choreographer, Yuen Cheung-Yan, has passed away. He was Yuen Woo-Ping’s brother and a member of the ever-so-talented, Yuen Clan. He will be missed.”
Another added: “RIP Yuen Cheung-yan! He was an essential part of the hilarious Yuen clan movies from the early 80s and even directed one of them, Taoism Drunkard, which I just watched last night.”