Born in Hong Kong, Sammo Hung embarked on an illustrious acting career during his formative years at the China Drama Academy, where he honed his skills in acrobatics, martial arts, and dance alongside a troupe known as "The Seven Little Fortunes". At the tender age of 12, he made his feature film debut, and went on to work in numerous martial arts films as an actor, director, producer, and/or choreographer, collaborating with the legendary Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, two superstars of the genre.
As a pioneer and trend-setter in Hong Kong action films, Hung's big break as a film actor arrived with a role as a sparring partner in the iconic Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon (1973). He solidified his reputation as a skilled physical comedian in several kung-fu comedies, commencing with Enter the Fat Dragon (1978). Moreover, he produced and starred in a plethora of successful films throughout the 1970s and 1980s for Hong Kong's leading film studio, Golden Harvest.
In the 1980s, Hung collaborated with his long-time friend Jackie Chan on a highly successful series of action comedies, cementing his reputation as a consummate actor/director and launching Chan's career as an international star. Additionally, Hung starred in an American TV series, Martial Law (1998),for a brief period.
Notably, Hung directed Once Upon a Time in China and America (1997),his first film shot in the US. He and his wife, Mina, now divide their time between their homes in Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
