Leo Fong

Leo Fong (Chinese: 馮天倫; born November 23, 1928) is a Chinese-American actor, martial artist, boxer, and former Methodist minister who has been making films, acting, and directing since the early 1970s.

Leo Fong
Born
Fung Tin Leon

(1928-11-23) November 23, 1928
Xinhui, Jiangmen, Guangdong, Republic of China
Alma materHendrix College (B.A.)
Southern Methodist University (ThM)
California State University, Sacramento (MSW)
Websitewww.leotfong.com
Leo Fong
Traditional Chinese馮天倫
Simplified Chinese冯天伦

Background

Fong was born in the Xinhui district of the city of Jiangmen, located in the province of Guangzhou in 1928. Fong soon relocated to Seattle with his parents and siblings. They were detained for a time, as was common with immigrants from Asia. Upon being released in Seattle, the family traveled to Chicago, where Fong's maternal uncle owned a restaurant his father had been guaranteed work. After enough time working at the restaurant, Fong's father saved enough money to purchase a small grocery store in Widener, Arkansas, a small agricultural community. Fong was the victim of racial taunts at school, which often lead to fights. Fong eventually took up boxing at age 15.[1]

After graduating from Forrest City High School, Fong attended Hendrix College in Arkansas, where he received a B.A. in physical education. He later received a master's degree in theology from Southern Methodist University. After beginning his career as a Methodist minister, he earned a Master of Social Work from California State University, Sacramento. Fong remained in Northern California, where he continued his martial arts training.[2][3]

His entry into eastern martial arts began in the 1950s with judo and jiu jitsu. Fong has studied and practiced various martial arts styles until developed his own style, Wei Kuen Do.[4]

Fong was a friend of martial artist Bruce Lee, who arranged for him to appear on the cover of the 10th anniversary edition of Black Belt magazine.[5]

Film career

1970s to 1990s

The first film in which he acted was Murder In The Orient (1974), a Filipino martial arts exploitation film that co-starred Ron Marchini and also featured Eva Reyes and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia.[6] In 1975, he starred in Bamboo Trap with Filipino actors George Estregan, Chanda Romero, Eddie Garcia, Rez Cortez and Ron van Clief.[7]

Since the late 1970s, Fong has branched out into writing, directing, and producing films.[8] Some of his films in the seventies to mid-'80s featured the same stock of actors, Cameron Mitchell, Hope Holiday and Stack Pierce.[9]

[10] [11][12]

2000s

A more recent film of his is Transformed, a 2005 film with Christian themes and anti-drug message that featured Tadashi Yamashita and Fred Williamson. This was the second time that he had appeared in a film with Williamson. The first was Blind Rage, a 1978 film about a gang of blind men who rob a bank.[13] As well as acting in Transformed, he also directed and produced it, composed the theme song and was involved in the editing.[14] His latest film work includes Drifter TKD, a 2008 film in which he played Master Lee[15] and The Last Musketeer, which he produced.[16]

Fong co-starred in the 2018 film, Challenge of Five Gauntlets, which was directed by Len Kabasinski.[17]

Selected filmography

Actor

  • Murder in the Orient (1974)
  • Tiger's Revenge (1975)
  • Bamboo Trap (1975)
  • Enforcer from Death Row (1976)
  • Blind Rage (1978)
  • The Last Reunion (1980)
  • Killpoint (1984)
  • Ninja Assassins (1985)
  • 24 Hours to Midnight (1985)
  • Low Blow (1986)
  • Rapid Fire (1988)
  • License to Kill (1988)
  • Jungle Heat (1988)
  • Blood Street (1988)
  • Showdown (1993)
  • Cage II (1994)
  • Carjack (1996)
  • Transformed (2005)
  • Drifter TKD (2008)
  • Thunderkick (2008)
  • The Shadow Boxer (2012)
  • Hard Way Heroes (2016)
  • The Challenge of Five Gauntlets (2018)

Publications
  • Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu by Leo Fong
  • Si Lum Kung-Fu: The Chinese art of Self-Defense by Leo Fong
  • Power Training in Kung-Fu by Ron Marchini and Leo Fong[18]

Fighting Style

Wei Kuen Do (Way of the Integrated Fist): A complete system based on its roots in Jeet Kune Do, Serrada Escrima, Western Boxing, Choy Lay Fut, Northern Shaolin, Wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Judo, Jujutsu, Arnis, and Wing Chun. As of March 24, 2017 Leo Fong assigned a three-man council to continue promoting and overseeing his art of Wei Kuen Do. The council members are Jeff Jeds, Klein Buen, and Bong Tumaru.

References
  1. USADojo.com, September 4, 2013 - Leo Fong Leo Fong Wei Kuen Do
  2. "Leo Fong: Kung Fu Artist Of The Year (2006) | Black Belt Magazine". blackbeltmag.com. 2011-03-21. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  3. Frank, Bram (2017-11-09). FMA Grandmasters and Masters. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781312835023.
  4. LeoTFong.com
  5. "Bruce Lee, Leo Fong And Their Martial Arts Connection, Part 2 | Black Belt Magazine". blackbeltmag.com. 2019-01-01. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  6. Murder in the Orient at IMDb
  7. Bamboo Trap at IMDb
  8. Leo Fong at IMDb
  9. ČSFD.cz - The Last Reunion, Hrají:
  10. Rotten Tomatoes - Killpoint (1984)
  11. Los Angeles Times, June 02, 1986 - Movie Review : 'Low Blow' Takes Aim At The Heights Of Silliness - Michael Wilmington
  12. Letterboxd - Low Blow 1986 Directed by Frank Harris
  13. Blind Rage at IMDb
  14. Transformed at IMDb
  15. Drifter TKD at the Internet Movie Database
  16. The Last Musketeer at the Internet Movie Database
  17. Letterboxd - Challenge of Five Gauntlets
  18. Black Belt, March 1984 - Page 18
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