Person Biography:
James Lew was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, destined for a life in the spotlight. His early career began with a cattle call for the popular Kung Fu television series in 1972. He quickly gained recognition for his acting skills and went on to star in the collectible Hong Kong film, The Young Dragon, in 1979.
Lew's breakthrough came in 1984 when he transitioned to big-budget studio films. He was handpicked by John Carpenter to be the Martial Arts Choreographer for the cult classic, Big Trouble in Little China, released in 1986. This marked the beginning of his long-standing career in Hollywood.
Throughout his illustrious career, James Lew has shared the screen with numerous A-list celebrities, including Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Dwayne Johnson, David Carradine, Chuck Norris, Dennis Quaid, Kurt Russell, Jeff Speakman, Madonna, Charlie Sheen, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kathleen Turner, Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Lee, Snoop Dogg, and many more.
His impressive repertoire earned him the title of "Favorite Action Star" voted by fans of Inside Martial Arts magazine. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Martial Arts History Museum, alongside legends like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and his close friend, Jackie Chan.
Inside Kung Fu Magazine honored Lew as one of the "Martial Arts Greats" alongside other industry legends. Hit Parader Magazine dubbed him "the king of big-screen martial arts villains" for his iconic roles in films like Red Sun Rising and Hot Shots! Part Deux.
As a stunt and fight coordinator, Lew's creative talents shone in the television series The Crow and recent work on the hit video game, The Matrix: Path of Neo. He founded the Hong Kong Wire Action Team, comprising elite members, to bring cutting-edge action to movies.
Lew's secret to longevity in the film industry is his ability to adapt, work hard, and have fun. His most recent project, 18 Fingers of Death!, is a personal story inspired by his experiences in the business. The film follows the journey of Buford Lee, a struggling martial-arts movie star, and Ronald Mack, a young black kid from the hood, as they work together to create a breakout film.
