James Tien (actor)
Encyclopedia
James Tien Chun (born May 28, 1942) is a Hong Kong
actor from Guangdong
, China
. He appeared in almost 70 films, primarily in Hong Kong action cinema
, including roles in the films of martial arts stars including Bruce Lee
, Jackie Chan
and Sammo Hung
. He often played villains or supporting roles. He retired from the Hong Kong film industry in 2000.
, Guangdong
, James Tien moved with his family to Hong Kong in 1958. He became a student of the Fu Sheng Opera School in Taipei
, Taiwan, along with Angela Mao
and Philip Kwok
.
His acting career began in the late 1960s, when he joined Shaw Brothers Studio
. His first significant acting role was in the 1969 film Raw Courage, directed by Lo Wei
. After appearing in a number of further Shaw Brothers films, he moved to Golden Harvest
, where he played Bruce Lee's cousin in The Big Boss
(1971). This was followed by a role in Lee's next film, Fist of Fury
. He was originally intended to co-star in Game of Death
, but his role became minor following Bruce Lee's death in 1973.
In 1976, Tien starred in John Woo
's Hand of Death
, a film that also featured early acting roles for the "Three Brothers", Sammo Hung
, Jackie Chan
and Yuen Biao
. A year later, he appeared in Hung's directorial debut, The Iron-Fisted Monk
. From there, he went on to take roles in many more of the three brothers' films for Golden Harvest, often playing bullies or villains. He played roles alongside Jackie Chan in Spiritual Kung Fu (1978), The Fearless Hyena (1979) and Dragon Fist
(1979). Appearances with Yuen Biao include The Prodigal Son
(1982), Rosa (1986) and Righting Wrongs
(1986), and he appeared in Sammo Hung films such as Millionaire's Express
(1986) Eastern Condors
(1986) and The Gambling Ghost
(1991).
Tien also had roles in most of the handful of films that starred all three together, including Winners and Sinners
(1983), My Lucky Stars
(1985) and Dragons Forever
(1988).
Late in his career, he appeared with Andy Lau
in Lee Rock
and Lee Rock 2 (both 1991). His last acting role to date was in the final Lucky Stars
film, How to Meet the Lucky Stars
(1996), after which he retired.
Hong Kong people
Hong Kong people refer to people who originate from Hong Kong. The term has no legal definition in Hong Kong. Rather, terms such as Hong Kong permanent resident and Hong Kong resident are used...
actor from Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. He appeared in almost 70 films, primarily in Hong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema
Hong Kong action cinema is the principal source of the Hong Kong film industry's global fame. It combines elements from the action film, as codified by Hollywood, with Chinese storytelling and aesthetic traditions, to create a culturally distinctive form that nevertheless has a wide transcultural...
, including roles in the films of martial arts stars including Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
, Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
and Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
. He often played villains or supporting roles. He retired from the Hong Kong film industry in 2000.
History
Born in Chao'an CountyChao'an County
Chao'an County is a county in eastern Guangdong Province.It has an area of 1238.77 square kilometers and a population of 1,076,500...
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
, James Tien moved with his family to Hong Kong in 1958. He became a student of the Fu Sheng Opera School in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Taiwan, along with Angela Mao
Angela Mao
Angela Mao is a martial arts film actress best known for the string of kung fu films in which she starred during the 1970s. She is also known as Mao Ying, Angela Mao Ying, and Mao Fu Ying...
and Philip Kwok
Philip Kwok
-Filmography:*The Eye 2 - Monk*The Sunshine Cops *Tomorrow Never Dies - General Chang non speaking appearance*The Phantom Lover *American Shaolin - Cab Driver*Hard Boiled - Mad Dog...
.
His acting career began in the late 1960s, when he joined Shaw Brothers Studio
Shaw Brothers Studio
The Shaw Brothers Studio , owned by Shaw Brothers Ltd., was the foremost and the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies.From their distribution base in Singapore where they founded parent company Shaw Organization in 1924, and as a strategic development of their movie distribution...
. His first significant acting role was in the 1969 film Raw Courage, directed by Lo Wei
Lo Wei
Lo Wei was a famous Hong Kong film director and film actor best known for launching the martial arts film careers of both Bruce Lee, in The Big Boss and Fist of Fury, and Jackie Chan, in New Fist of Fury....
. After appearing in a number of further Shaw Brothers films, he moved to Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest
Golden Harvest is a film production, distribution, and exhibition company based in Hong Kong. It played a major role in becoming the first Chinese film company to successfully enter the western market for an extended period of time, especially with the films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan...
, where he played Bruce Lee's cousin in The Big Boss
The Big Boss
The Big Boss, previously known by its U.S. title Fists Of Fury is a 1971 Hong Kong martial arts action crime thriller film. The Big Boss was Bruce Lee's first major film. It was written to star James Tien; however, Lee's strong performance relegated Tien, already a star in Hong Kong, to second...
(1971). This was followed by a role in Lee's next film, Fist of Fury
Fist of Fury
Fist of Fury, formerly known as The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand in the United States, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei. It starred Bruce Lee in his second major film after The Big Boss...
. He was originally intended to co-star in Game of Death
Game of Death
The Game of Death is a 1972 film starring Bruce Lee. It was almost the last film Bruce Lee had planned to be the demonstration piece of his martial art Jeet Kune Do. Over 100 minutes of footage was shot before his death, some of which was later misplaced in the Golden Harvest archives...
, but his role became minor following Bruce Lee's death in 1973.
In 1976, Tien starred in John Woo
John Woo
John Woo Yu-Sen SBS is a Hong Kong-based film director and producer. Recognized for his stylised films of highly choreographed action sequences, Mexican standoffs, and use of slow-motion, Woo has directed several notable Hong Kong action films, among them, A Better Tomorrow, The Killer, Hard...
's Hand of Death
Hand of Death
Hand Of Death Hand Of Death Hand Of Death (aka Countdown In Kung Fu, Strike of Death or Shaolin Men, is a 1976 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by John Woo, starring Tan Tao-liang and James Tien, and featuring early acting performances from Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao in supporting...
, a film that also featured early acting roles for the "Three Brothers", Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung
Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in many martial arts films and Hong Kong action cinema...
, Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
and Yuen Biao
Yuen Biao
Yuen Biao is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist. He specialises in acrobatics and Chinese martial arts and has worked on over 80 films as actor, stuntman and action choreographer...
. A year later, he appeared in Hung's directorial debut, The Iron-Fisted Monk
The Iron-Fisted Monk
The Iron-Fisted Monk is a 1977 Hong Kong martial arts action film written and directed by Sammo Hung his directorial debut...
. From there, he went on to take roles in many more of the three brothers' films for Golden Harvest, often playing bullies or villains. He played roles alongside Jackie Chan in Spiritual Kung Fu (1978), The Fearless Hyena (1979) and Dragon Fist
Dragon Fist
Dragon Fist aka Dragon Hero is a 1979 Hong Kong action film diercted by Lo Wei. The star and stunt coordinator of the film is Jackie Chan....
(1979). Appearances with Yuen Biao include The Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son (film)
The Prodigal Son , also released as "Pull No Punches," is a 1981 Hong Kong kung fu comedy film directed by Sammo Hung, starring Yuen Biao and Lam Ching-ying and featuring Hung in a supporting role...
(1982), Rosa (1986) and Righting Wrongs
Righting Wrongs
Righting Wrongs is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action crime film directed by Corey Yuen , starring Yuen Biao and Cynthia Rothrock. This is the one of Yuen Biao's better known films that he made without film industry compatriots Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan.-Title:The film's Hong Kong English...
(1986), and he appeared in Sammo Hung films such as Millionaire's Express
Millionaire's Express
Millionaire's Express aka. Shanghai Express is a 1986 Hong Kong martial arts action western film written and directed by Sammo Hung. Film starred Hung, Yuen Biao, Rosamund Kwan, Mei-sheng Fan and Hwang Jang Lee.-Plot:...
(1986) Eastern Condors
Eastern Condors
Eastern Condors is a 1987 Hong Kong action film set in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It was directed by and starred Sammo Hung along with Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah...
(1986) and The Gambling Ghost
The Gambling Ghost
The Gambling Ghost is a 1991 Hong Kong film directed by Clifton Ko. It stars Sammo Hung in three roles as different generations of the same family - son, father and ghostly grandfather...
(1991).
Tien also had roles in most of the handful of films that starred all three together, including Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners
Winners and Sinners is a 1983 Hong Kong action comedy film directed, co-written by and starring Sammo Hung. It was the first in the Lucky Stars series of films - a highly successful series in Hong Kong....
(1983), My Lucky Stars
My Lucky Stars
My Lucky Stars is a 1985 Hong Kong action comedy film, directed by Sammo Hung. It is the second film in the Lucky Stars series...
(1985) and Dragons Forever
Dragons Forever
Dragons Forever is a 1988 Hong Kong martial arts action comedy film directed by Sammo Hung. Film stars Hung, Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao. The three actors, known colloquially as the Three Brothers, had attended the famous China Drama Academy together, and became members of the Seven Little Fortunes...
(1988).
Late in his career, he appeared with Andy Lau
Andy Lau
Andy Lau MH, JP is a Hong Kong Cantopop singer, actor, and film producer. Lau has been one of Hong Kong's most commercially successful film actors since the mid-1980s, performing in more than 160 films while maintaining a successful singing career at the same time...
in Lee Rock
Lee Rock
Lee Rock is a 1991 Hong Kong crime film directed by Lawrence Ah Mon, and starring Andy Lau as the title character. The film chronicles the rise and fall of a corrupt police force that Lee Rock becomes a part of.- Cast and roles :* Andy Lau - Lee Rock...
and Lee Rock 2 (both 1991). His last acting role to date was in the final Lucky Stars
Lucky Stars
Lucky Stars Lucky Stars Lucky Stars (or Five Lucky Stars; was a Hong Kong action comedy film series in the 1980s and 1990s, blending Chinese martial arts with bawdy comedy...
film, How to Meet the Lucky Stars
How to Meet the Lucky Stars
How to Meet the Lucky Stars is a 1996 Hong Kong film and the final film in the Lucky Stars film series. Featuring the "Lucky Stars" Sammo Hung , Eric Tsang, Richard Ng, Stanley Fung, Michael Miu and new cast member Vincent Lau as Hung's younger cousin and Françoise Yip as their love interest...
(1996), after which he retired.