Biography of Chiang Sheng:
Born Chiu Kang-sang on April 4, 1951, in Taiwan, Chiang Sheng's early life was marked by family problems due to his large family and parents' inability to provide proper care. He was sent to the Fu Sheng Opera School in Taipei, Taiwan, where he met friends who would later become part of the Shaw Brothers studio with him. During his time at the school, Chiang trained in martial arts and acrobatics.
In the mid-1970s, Director Chang Cheh discovered Chiang and invited him to work in Hong Kong. Chiang's martial arts and acrobatic abilities impressed Chang, who cast him in several films, including The Traitorous (1976) and Shaolin Temple (1976). From 1976 to 1978, Chiang appeared in numerous films, including The New Shaolin Boxers (1976),Magnificent Wanderers (1977),The Brave Archer (1977),and The Shaolin Avengers (1976).
1978 was a pivotal year for Chiang, as he starred in the classic Five Deadly Venoms (1978),alongside actors Sun Chien, Kuo Chui, Lo Meng, and Lu Feng. This film marked the beginning of a long-standing working relationship with these actors, with whom he would go on to create several more classics.
Chiang continued to work with Sun Chien, Kuo Chui, Lo Meng, and Lu Feng, starring in films such as Invincible Shaolin, The Kid with the Golden Arm (1979),The Magnificent Ruffians (1979),Crippled Avengers (1978),Two Champions of Death (1980),and Ten Tigers of Kwangtung (1979). He not only brought breathtaking acrobatic skills to the films but also provided comic relief.
In 1981, Chiang and his colleagues disbanded, and he started a new production company in Taiwan with Lu Feng and Kuo Choi. The first film they produced was Shu shi shen chuan (1981),in which Chiang acted and choreographed the action scenes. However, he soon became disillusioned with his life in Taiwan and eventually divorced his wife.
Chiang's struggles led to a life of heavy drinking, and he became increasingly isolated. On August 18, 1991, his friend Ricky Cheng Tien Chi found him dead, allegedly lying deceased for three days before being discovered. Chiang died of a heart attack at the age of 40, with some suggesting that his death was also due to a broken heart.
