An actor who appeared in Kung Fu Hustle and choreographed martial arts scenes for Charlie’s Angels and The Matrix has died at the age of 69.
Yuen Cheung-yan passed away in hospital yesterday (1 Jan).
His cause of death was not disclosed.
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Cheung-yan’s film career began in the late 1960s.
He was best known for playing the beggar in Stephen Chow’s 2004 film Kung Fu Hustle, having previously played a beggar in Gordon Chan’s 1992 King of Beggars.
He was a member of Hong Kong’s renowned Yuen family.
His late father, Yuen Siu-tien, was an actor and martial artist who starred alongside actors such as Jackie Chan.
His elder brother, Yuen Woo-ping, is a martial arts choreographer and director who has worked in Hong Kong and Hollywood, while another brother, Yuen Shun-yi, is a martial artist, actor, and stuntman.
The siblings were all trained in martial arts from a young age by their father, as reported by Need To Know.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Cheung-yan worked in Hollywood, choreographing fight scenes for films including Charlie’s Angels, Daredevil, and The Matrix.
He was nominated four times for the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography, winning in 1992 for Once Upon a Time in China.
He was also nominated at the 30th Golden Horse Awards for Tai Chi Master.
Despite declining health later in life, he remained active in the film industry and was photographed in 2025 working on Red Wedding Dress while using a wheelchair.
His funeral will be held in Hong Kong on 1 February.
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