|
| |
Shih Kien Dies at 96
5-Jun-2009
Written by: John Winn
Played Bruce Lee's arch rival in "Enter the Dragon"
According to The Associated Press, Shih Kien, who starred opposite Bruce Lee in the 1973 movie “Enter the Dragon,” died of kidney failure at a Hong Kong hospital. He was 96.
Born in 1913, Kien --also known as Uncle Kien in Hong Kong--got a late start in the movie business, appearing in several wuxia, or martial arts-themed movies, in Hong Kong. He quickly established himself as an actor, portraying villains in several black and white films of the era, most notably in movies about Chinese folk hero Wong-Fei hong. He later collaborated with Jackie Chan in films such as “The Young Master.”
Kien’s memorable roles as villains even started a catch phrase in Hong Kong, where a person’s bad deeds are often compared to Kien, even those he only played villains in film.
But for Americans, Kien is perhaps best known as the arch villain Han in “Enter the Dragon,” the character Lee is hired to defeat in the 98-minute film. The movie later became a box-office draw, cementing Lee’s stardom and catapulting many of the actors and actresses in the film to various levels of fame--including Kien.
In a statement, Hong Kong actor and “Infernal Affairs” star Tony Leung Chiu-wai paid respects to the late actor, noting the influence he had on Chiu-wai’s decision to get into the movie industry.
“I grew up watching Uncle Kien’s movies. He’s an actor I admire and respect a lot. I’m very sad he passed away.”
Talk to other readers about this story on our Facebook page.
|
|
|
|
|
