Hong Kong martial arts star Bruce Leung Siu-lung dies aged 77

HONG KONG: Famed Hong Kong martial arts actor Bruce Leung Siu-lung (梁小龍), also known as Bruce Leung, has died at the age of 77, according to reports by Hong Kong news outlets citing a close friend.

Leung died on 14 January, with the cause of death not disclosed. His family is currently handling funeral arrangements, local media reported.

A farewell ceremony has been scheduled for 26 January in the Longgang district of Shenzhen, according to the same reports.

The news of Leung’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors, filmmakers and fans across generations, reflecting his long-standing influence on martial arts cinema.

Leung rose to prominence in the 1970s, a golden era for Hong Kong kung fu films, becoming known for his intense screen presence and technical martial arts skill.

Among his best-known works from that period were The Dragon Lives Again released in 1977, and Magnificent Bodyguards in 1978, in which he starred alongside Jackie Chan.

Before retiring from acting in the 1980s, Leung appeared in numerous martial arts productions, often portraying formidable fighters or antagonists.

He was widely regarded as a practitioner with deep knowledge of traditional martial arts, which he translated into a distinctive on-screen style.

After years away from the spotlight, Leung made a notable comeback in 2004 through Stephen Chow’s action comedy Kung Fu Hustle.

In the film, he portrayed the villainous Beast, a character that introduced Leung to a new generation of viewers and earned him renewed recognition.

The role became one of his most iconic performances, blending menace, physical control and dark humour.

On the night of 18 January, hours after news of his death became public, a farewell message attributed to Leung was posted on his Douyin account.

The message, dated 14 January, was shared alongside photographs of the actor and was written in a reflective and personal tone.

“I’ve gone to a very, very faraway place to make a film,” the message read.

“Please forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye. Just think of it as me having gone to a very distant place to shoot a movie.”

The post added that Leung had intended to keep his passing private, with a close disciple continuing to post videos on his behalf.

Stephen Chow, who directed and starred in Kung Fu Hustle, posted an Instagram Story saying: “Forever remembering Leung Siu-lung.”

Jackie Chan, who had worked with Leung earlier in his career, also shared his reaction in a post on Weibo.

“For a moment, I couldn’t – and didn’t want to – believe it,” Chan wrote, describing his shock at the news.

Paying tribute, Chan praised Leung’s breadth of martial arts expertise and his contribution to film.

“He was always a kung fu master proficient in many forms of traditional martial arts and able to express his own distinctive style in each one,” Chan said.

Chan added that Leung brought his lifelong learning into his work behind and in front of the camera.

“He applied everything he had learnt over a lifetime to film and television, becoming an outstanding action director,” he wrote.

“At the same time, as an actor, he brought to life so many classic roles that were deeply loved by audiences and greatly admired by us fellow professionals as well.”

Chan concluded his message with a personal note, writing: “Brother Leung, it’s snowing in Beijing. The sky is gloomy and I’m thinking of you.”