
Actor
James Lew
Born September 6, 1952 in Escalon, California, USADied August 23, 202683 films
James Jene Fae Lew (September 6, 1952 – August 23, 2026) was an American martial artist, stuntman and actor. Raised in South Central Los Angeles, James Lew's destiny was to answer a cattle call in Hollywood for the hugely popular Kung Fu (1972) television series. He went on to star in the now collectible Hong Kong film, Young Dragon (1976). He made the move to big budget studio films in 1984. John Carpenter handpicked him as the Martial Arts Choreographer for 20th Century Fox's now cult film, Big Trouble in Little China (1986).
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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, Madonna, Charlie Sheen, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kathleen Turner, Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Lee, Snoop Dogg and the list goes on and on.
James was voted "Favorite Action Star" by fans of Inside Martial Arts magazine. Internet fans voted him into the Hall of Fame in the Martial Arts History Museum. Inside Kung Fu Magazine inducted him as one of the "Martial Arts Greats" alongside legends as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and his longtime friend Jackie Chan.
Hit Parader Magazine dubbed him "the king of big-screen martial arts villains." From the deadly killer in Red Sun Rising (1994) to the deadly fighter in the comedy spoof Hot Shots 2 (1993), Lew has proven his chops in both drama and comedy. As a stunt/fight coordinator his creative talents shone in the television series The Crow to recent work on the hit video game, The Matrix: Path of Neo (2005). He handpicked elite members for his company, "Hong Kong Wire Action Team," to bring state of the art action to movies. His formula for longevity in the film industry is diversity, hard work and having a whole lot of fun.
Most recently, James Lew wrote, directed and starred in a movie inspired by his personal experiences in the business titled 18 Fingers of Death! (2006). The story follows Buford Lee (James Lew), the most famous unknown "B"-minus, low-budget, martial-arts movie star and Ronald Mack (Maurice Patton), a young black kid from the hood. Together they laugh and bond together on their quest to finally make Buford's break out movie, 18 Fingers of Death! (2006).
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The best way into James Lew's work
First watchStar Trek20097.4as Romulan (uncredited)The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy.View filmEssential films
Ranked by acclaim and reachFilmography
83 films as actor- 2021Made in ChinatownKane
- 2018Cucuy: The BoogeymanBeat Cop
- 2017Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber RaineSinjin
- 2016BreakoutCap Ruch
- 2015Black SaltAbbot Xiao
- 2015FrankensteinHotel Manager
- 2014ElwoodBig O
- 2013G.I. Joe: RetaliationChinese Leader
- 2012The Girl from the Naked EyeEddie
- 2012SafeUnderground Casino Guard (uncredited)
- 2011Let LorenzoInterior Design Older Partner
- 2009BallisticaChinese Guard #1
- 2009Angel of DeathTommy
- 2009Star TrekRomulan (uncredited)
- 2008Tropic ThunderFlaming Dragon Compound Person (uncredited)
- 2008Superhero MovieShaolin Monk (uncredited)
- 2007Rush Hour 3Triad Assassin (uncredited)
- 2006The Circuit III: Street MonkSpider Webb
- 200618 Fingers of Death!Buford Lee
- 2005Shira: The Vampire SamuraiXu
- 2003SinLeo Thamaree
- 2002The Real DealBlack Belt
- 2002Sting of the Black ScorpionTong Leader
- 2002Outside the LawCho Sung
- 2001Rush Hour 2Triad Gangster (uncredited)
- 2000TrafficDEA Agent - CalTrans
- 2000Deep CoreLou Chang
- 2000Fatal BladeJames
- 1998Rush HourJuntao's Man in Los Angeles (uncredited)
- 1998Lethal Weapon 4Freighter's Captain
- 1998Safe HouseAsian (uncredited)
- 1998Boogie BoyJason
- 1998The Replacement KillersBodyguard
- 1997High VoltageHarry
- 1996Assault on Dome 4Quaid, Windham Henchman
- 1996Robo WarriorsDarius
- 1996Escape from L.A.Hershe Gang Member
- 1996Balance of PowerShinji Takamura
- 1996Night HunterTom Cutter
- 1996For Life or DeathKaan Woo
- 1995Excessive Force II: Force on ForceLee
- 1995Under Siege 2: Dark TerritoryMercenary (uncredited)
- 1995Midnight ManPrince Samarki
- 1995BallisticWoo
- 1995Tough and DeadlyThug
- 1994Cage II: The Arena of DeathChin
- 1994TimecopKnife #1
- 1994Red Sun RisingJaho
- 1994The ShadowMongol
- 1994Ring of SteelAsian Fighter
- 1994On Deadly GroundMercenary at Aegis-1 (uncredited)
- 1994Deadly TargetGuard #2 (uncredited)
- 1993Private WarsObata
- 1993ShowdownHit Man
- 1993Undercover BluesNovacek's Man
- 1993Hot Shots! Part DeuxKick Boxer Opponent
- 1993American Ninja 5Viper
- 1993Ulterior MotivesYakuza #5
- 1992Mission of JusticeAkiro
- 1992Rapid FireTau's Men at Laundry (uncredited)
- 1992Raven: Return of the Black DragonsBlack Dragon Henchman
- 1991Martial Law II: UndercoverSpencer Hamilton Man (uncredited)
- 1991Showdown in Little TokyoYoshida's Man (uncredited)
- 1991Do or DieLew
- 1991Night of the WarriorHector Sabatei
- 1991The Perfect WeaponCrewcut
- 1990GunsNinja #1
- 1990AftershockMr. James
- 1990Martial LawTong Member
- 1989Best of the BestSae Jin Kwon
- 1989Savage BeachAgent #1
- 1989Ninja AcademyNinja Trainer
- 1988Evil Destroyer
- 1988Action JacksonMartial Arts Instructor
- 1988Zodiac Power 2: Evil Destroyer
- 1986Big Trouble in Little ChinaChang Sing #1
- 1985Los Angeles StreetfighterChan
- 1984KillpointNighthawk's Gunman #1
- 1983Going BerserkKung Fu Fighter
- 1979Young DragonShao Lung
- 1977Big TimeKarate Instructor
- 1976Enforcer from Death RowKarate Fighter
- 1976The Killing of a Chinese BookieGuard (uncredited)







