James Lew

Stunts, Actor, Second Unit Director or Assistant Director

Birthdate: Sep 6, 1952

Birthplace: Escalon, California, USA

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, The Young Dragon (1979). 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).

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 the list goes on and on as his co-stars.

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! Part Deux (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).

Known For

Luke Cage
Luke Cage

(2016)

Big Trouble in Little China
Big Trouble in Little China

(1986)

18 Fingers of Death!
18 Fingers of Death!

(2006)

James Lew Movies

actor

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Previous (23)

  • 2021 |
    Made in Chinatownas Lew
  • 2019 |
    The Poetry of Motion - an interview with Martial Arts Coordinator James Lew
  • 2019 |

    Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

    asSinjin
  • 2018 |
    Henchman: The Al Leong Story
  • 2017 |
    The Art of Fightingas Master Ferrer
  • 2016 |
    Breakoutas Capt. Rusch
  • 2014 |
    Legacy of the Tenguas Asura
  • 2010 |
    Taken by Forceas Choy
  • 2004 |
    The Perfect Partyas Daddy
  • 2002 |
    Outside the Lawas Cho Sung
  • 2000 |
    Deep Coreas Lou Chang
  • 2000 |

    Traffic

    asDEA Agent - CalTrans
  • 1998 |
    High Voltageas Harry
  • 1996 |
    Balance of Poweras Shinji Takamura
  • 1996 |
    For Life or Deathas Kaan Woo
  • 1996 |
    Night Hunteras Tom Cutter
  • 1996 |
    Robo Warriorsas Darius
  • 1995 |
    Ballisticas Woo
  • 1995 |
    Midnight Manas Prince Samarki
  • 1994 |
    Red Sun Risingas Jaho
  • 1993 |
    American Ninja 5as Viper
  • 1990 |
    Aftershockas Mr. James
  • 1985 |
    L.A. Streetfightersas Chan