Gordon Liu, is the adopted brother of the Shaw Brothers director Liu Chia-liang. His name, in Cantonese, is Lau Kar Fai. In Mandarin, is Liu-Chia Hui. His chosen English name is Gordon Liu. To many, he is one of the most unusual looking actors in the genre, but he only became a star because Liu-chia Liang's mother thought he was cute and took him in as her godson.

He is almost always playing a bald-headed monk of some sort. His martial arts ability is spectacular, and he's just a generally likable guy. Gordon Liu has the distinction of being one of the most popular martial arts stars in the West primarily due to his stellar performance in "the 36th Chamber of Shaolin" (Master Killer). He often appeared in films directed by his brother.

Although he studied Hung Gar style of kung fu at the Liu family school, from the age of nine alongside the Liu-chia brothers, (Liang, Jung, and Yung) his own family insisted he work in an office after high school. He found a job as a shipping clerk, but that was probably just a way to earn a living while his real interest was kung fu. Besides kung fu he was also adept in dancing, singing and playing guitar.

Eventually of course Liang called, Hui to spent three brutal years in Taiwan as a stuntman for such films as Disciples of Shaolin (1975). But then, back in Hong Kong, his elder brother wanted to do his own “young Wong Fei Hong” movie. The star of the classic Wong series was Kwan Tak Hing, who was no matinee idol himself, so Hui’s fascinating face and seemingly bottomless ability filled the bill perfectly.

He starred in Liang’s master/student masterpiece “Challenge of the Masters” (1976) and “Jung’s He Has Nothing But Kung Fu” (1976), then nearly missed the movie which would secure his stardom. Liang wanted to make the ultimate monk movie, while the Shaw Brothers Studio wailed that no one would be interested in a film without a love story.

It was inevitable that Gordon would team up with his brother, and the success sent Hui off and kicking, fighting seven Japanese martial art masters in “Heroes of the East” (Challenge of the Ninja/Shaolin vs. Ninja, 1978), completing three of the greatest kung fu bouts ever filmed for “Dirty Ho” (1979), devising a silent kung-fu battle for “Fists and Guts” (1979), and returning to the 36th Chamber for two sequels, and “Legendary Weapons of China” (1982), among many other Lau/Liu brother greats. He even directed his own film, Shaolin and Wu Tang (1981).

Like many ‘70’s martial arts stars, Gordon struggled to find his place in the late ‘80’s as gunplay sagas and comedies took over. With the shutdown of the Shaw film units, he appeared in several notable independent films for his brothers and others - Tiger on Beat (1988) with Chow Yun Fat, the Peacock King (1989) with Yuen Baio.

With the reoccurring popularity of martial arts film in the early ‘90’s, Gordon was given a second chance to show off his skills in Wong Jing’s Last Hero in China (1993), The Kung Fu Scholar (1994), Treasure Hunt (1994) with Philip Kowk Choy, and in Drunken Master III (1994) under the direction of his brother once again.

But Gordon found his greatest fame on Taiwan and Hong Kong television, where he worked continuously into the 21st Century. No matter whether it was drama, comedy, or action, his motto remained: don’t give up, work hard and remain loyal.

Gordon’s film output has slowed down considerably in recent years, but he has kept himself busy with acting roles on Hong Kong and Taiwanese television, managing his film production company, and travels that included a trip to the United States in 2001.

Ten of his movies remain some of the best kung-fu films ever made.
1. 8 Diagram Pole Fighter
2. Master Killer
3. Challenge of the Ninja
4. Legendary Weapons
5. Fist of the White Lotus
6. Return of Master Killer
7. Dirty Ho
8. Treasure Hunters
9. Instructors of Death
10. Crazy Shaolin Disciples

We should mention that the classic movie “Heroes of the East” (Challenge of the Ninja/Shaolin vs. Ninja, 1978), is very distinctive for Hong Kong cinema, and the martial arts are praised, in a martial arts movie where no one actually dies.

Tag: Gordon Liu Chia Hui