Lam Ching Ying

Lam Ching Ying (Chinese: 林正英; piny in: Lín Zhèngyĩng; born Lam
Lam Ching Ying
Gun Bo simplified Chinese: 林根宝; traditional Chinese: 林根寶; piny in:
Lín Gēnbǎo; 27 December 1952 – 8 Nov ember 1997 ) was a Hong Kong
stuntman, actor, film producer, action director and director. A
phy sically talented and graceful martial artist, Lam was best known for
play ing the stoic Taoist priest in Mr. Vampire (1985). He had a
reputation for being disciplined, headstrong, restrained, and self-
willed. As an actor, action choreographer, martial artist, and teacher he
touched many people with his candor and uncompromising
professionalism. Lam died in 1997 of liv er cancer and left behind a
lasting cinematic legacy , which can be enjoy ed and respected by
generations all ov er the world.

Contents
Biography
Childhood years Lam Ching Ying
Early life Background information
1980s
Chinese name 林正英
1990s
Pinyin Lín Zhèngyĩng
Family
(Mandarin)
Death
Rumor about cancer Jyutping Lam4 Zing3jing1
Final weeks (Cantonese)

The funeral Born Lam Gun Bo

Tribute
(simplified
Chinese: 林根宝;
Selected filmography
traditional
Awards
Chinese: 林根寶;
See also pinyin: Lín
References Gēnbǎo; Jyutping:
External links Lam4 Gan1bou2)
27 December
1952
Biography British Hong Kong
Died 8 November 1997
(aged 44)
Childhood years
Hong Kong
He was born Lam Gun Bo (林根寶) on 27 December 1952 in the y ear of
Occupation Actor, Martial
the Dragon, in Hong Kong. His family originated from Shanghai, in the
artist, Film director
People's Republic Of China. Both of his parents made a liv ing by doing
and Producer,
catering serv ices. Lam was the third child of six children. His family was
Action
poor, and his parents weren't educated. Lam attended Shun Y i
choreographer
Association Elementary School in Hong Kong, but ev entually dropped Years active 1970–1996
out after 2 y ears. His father sent him to Chun Chau Drama Society to Spouse(s) Cheng Bing Bing
learn the Peking Opera sty le under the guidance of Madame Fan Fok Fa. (m. 1983;
div. 1988)
Due to his slender and fragile body structure, Lam specialized in female Partner(s) Kingdom Yuen
roles and often performed stunt-doubling for actresses. Howev er, he (1995–1996)
was reported as a mischiev ous and disobedient child. Thus, after half a
Children Lam Sik Ngaa
y ear of training, Madame sent him on stage to express himself and
(daughter)
control his driv e. Lam's first show was called "White Beach", but his
Beijing Opera career only lasted for 5 y ears. He realized that there was Lam Ka Yiu (son)
not much demand for opera sty les any more. Through a friend's Ancestry Shanghai, China
introduction, Lam joined the film industry .
Awards
Hong Kong Film Awards
Early life
Best Action Choreography
At age 17 , Lam became a stuntman and martial arts coach at the Shaw 1983 Prodigal Son (Won)
Brothers Studio. Due to his slender build, he was often called upon to 1984 Winners and Sinners (Won)
substitute female actors. He receiv ed $HK60 a day , $HK20 of which 1986 My Lucky Stars (Nominated)
went to his master, and another $HK20 he took home to his parents. Best Supporting Actor
Lam used the remaining money to treat his brothers to snacks. Lam 1985 Mr. Vampire (Nominated)
once mentioned those were his happiest day s in his life.

There was a story that Lam challenged Bruce Lee in a hotel room because he didn't believ e Lee was as strong as
the rumors said. Lam put a pillow ov er his chest and stomach, then Bruce struck the pillow and sent him fly ing
across the room. Bruce Lee was so impressed that he hired Lam as his personal assistant. Lam was 19 at the
time. [1]

Lam started to work as an co-action choreographer, and personal assistant to Bruce Lee on Lee's mov ies
including The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Enter the Dragon, Return of the Dragon, and Game of Death. [2] In his y outh,
Lam seemed to hav e quite a temper and alway s got into fights. During the filming of "The Big Boss", Lam was
arrested for fighting, and Lee had to bail him out of jail.

Despite hav ing little education, Lam impressed Lee with interesting philosophical discussions. Although they
hardly talked about their relationship, Lee liked good conv ersations, and this self-willed y oung man soon became
Lee's fav orite. [3]

When Lee died, Lam was dev astated. He later joined Hung's stuntman association (known as the Hung Kar Pan).

1980s
Lam worked behind the camera as assistant director and became Sammo's right-hand man of the stunt team. His
talent as an actor and martial artist was rev ealed in The Magnificent Butcher. Lam play ed the fan-wielding
assassin who fought against Y uen Biao.

In 1982, Lam won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Director, in the film Prodigal Son. Prodigal Son
featured what is widely acknowledged as among the best Wing Chun caught on film, performed by Lam. Lam
play ed the strict kung fu master Leung Y ee-tai. This was probably his most historic role. Lam ev en shav ed his
own ey ebrows to giv e Master Leung a more feminine portray al. He was able to bring a cool, sweet quality to this
sharp and hard-nosed character.

He also play ed a frail, elderly Taoist priest in The Dead and the Deadly (1983).
Lam's star did not rise until 1985, with the release of Mr. Vampire, the mov ie that fueled the hopping vampire
genre. Lam was nominated for Best Actor for his role as the Taoist priest. The character was an engaging mixture
of naiv ety and stoic authority , and became a fav orite for audiences. Lam was to reprise this role many times
throughout his career.

Shortly after the release of Mr. Vampire, the Golden Harv est film company attempted to make an English v ersion
of the mov ie with Tany a Roberts (of Charlie's Angels) and Jack Scalia. Lam's role was play ed by longtime kung fu
film actor Y uen Wah. Due to v arious difficulties, the film was nev er made.

In the following y ears, Lam starred as the Taoist Priest in countless sequels and spin-offs of Mr. Vampire such as
Mr. Vampire II (1986), Mr. Vampire III (1987 ), Vampire Vs. Vampire (1989), Magic Cop (1990), Encounters of
the Spooky Kind II (1990)

He also appeared in different mov ie genres such as The Return of Pom Pom (1984), School on Fire (1988),
Painted Faces (1988), and Her Vengeance (1988). Lam prov ed that his dramatic acting skill was just as good as
his kung fu skill. It is argued that whether the huge success of Mr. Vampire was the best thing that happened in
his career because it forev er ty pecast him as the v ampire slay er. Y et Lam had many heartbreaking and mind-
stirring portray als in other mov ie genres.

In 1989, Lam directed his first mov ie Vampire Vs. Vampire. The mov ie starred him as the usual One Ey ebrow
Priest, Chin Siu Ho and Liu Fong as his naughty disciples. Due to the production cost going ov er budget, he didn't
take his director's fee. The mov ie showed light of his mov ing-making sty le which was prone to realistic fights and
dark humor. [3] The mov ie didn't become a huge success, but his candor made people re-think the purposes of
film-making. It also suggested new ideas in the genre which later influenced other Hong Kong ghost mov ies.
Vampire Vs. Vampire offered a new look about the encounter between Chinese and Western culture. The One
Ey ebrow Priest also raised a v ampire kid in his own house. This went against traditional rules of Maoshan Taoism.
Ev en until now, people often find Lam Ching Y ing's shadow in later Chinese ghost mov ies.

1990s
The success of Mr. Vampire ev entually became burdensome on Lam, who found himself ty pecast in the role. As
the Hong Kong mov ie industry began to experience a decline, quality roles for Lam also began to dry . Howev er,
he continued to take on his usual role as the Taoist priest as well as supporting roles in low budget mov ies.

In 1990, Lam became the film producer for Magic Cop (1990), an underrated action mov ie. He starred in and
action directed the mov ie. The fight scenes between him and the Japanese again showed his excellence as an
action choreographer.

Some of his other ghost mov ies during these y ears are Crazy Safari (1991), An Eternal Combat (1991), The
Ultimate Vampire (1991) Spiritual Trinity (1991), Mad Mad Ghost (1992), Banana Spirit (1992). Again, his
serious acting side can be seen in Pom Pom and Hot Hot (1992), Lover's Tear (1992). He had supporting roles in
these mov ies, but his roles are v ery memorable.

In 1995, although the film market was in depression, ATV offered Lam the starring role in a telev ision series
called Vampire Expert (殭屍道長). He was hired with a million HK dollars salary to work in the series. It was a far
cry from his time as $HK60 a day stuntman. The series was a success and rev iv ed Lam's career. The story
followed Mo Siu Fong (Lam Ching Y ing) who destroy ed ghosts and sav ed the day . During the filming, Lam
dev eloped a relationship with his co-star Kingdom Y uen. In the series, Y uen play ed a female priest who fell in
lov e with Mo Siu Fong (Lam Ching Y ing). At the end of the filming, they were actually in lov e.
The second series was filmed and aired in 1996. The series starred Lam Ching Y ing again as the humble priest,
Mang Hoi, Frankie Lam and Annie Man as his disciples. Like the first series, the second series receiv ed high
ratings and support from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Soon after that, Lam signed for another TV series called Coincidentally (情定阴阳界). The series borrowed the cast
of Vampire Expert and had Lam in a supporting role. Lam play ed a priest who tried to prev ent a man from
becoming a cruel spirit. Howev er, this series didn't mark the end of his career. Lam's last role was in A Monk at
Thirty (一枝花和尚). The role was so heartbreaking that many of his fans doubted he was actually play ing his own
death.

In 1996, production on the third series of Vampire Expert began. The production was halted due to Lam's health
condition. Contrary to rumors that the cancer was caused by y ears of heav y drinking, the cancer was hereditary .

Family
Lam Ching Y ing married Cheng Bing Bing in 1983. They had two children, a daughter Lam Sik Ngaa (林式瓦) in
1985 and a son Lam Ka Y iu ( 林 家 耀 ) in 1988. The children lov ed to watch their father's mov ies. The couple
div orced in 1988. Child custody was giv en to the father. Lam sent his children to the U.S to study .

During the filming of Vampire Expert in 1995, Lam and his co-star Kingdom Y uen dev eloped a relationship.
Howev er in 1996, Lam broke up with Y uen when they were in lov e. He then packed up and mov ed to his sister's
house. Y uen talked about Lam after his death:

"In fact, he was sick. I always knew it. But he didn't want to be disturbed, so he moved to a place
where no-one could see him. He also didn't allow me to visit him. Before leaving, he said: "I
cannot stay by your side anymore. Take good care of yourself. If you have problems, ask your
brother to help you." I was reluctant to let him leave, but I respected his choice. He was the kind
of man that when he decided something, it would be impossible to stop him... As an actor, he
wanted people to see the most beautiful, brilliant moments. He didn't allow me to visit him.
Because he knew that if I had seen him like this, it would have been very painful".[4]

Death

Rumor about cancer

During the summer of 1997 Lam had been repeatedly going to the hospital for tests. Rumours were spreading
that he had liv er cancer. He stubbornly insisted on leav ing the hospital immediately and finishing his job,
unwilling to be hospitalised. He receiv ed worried phone calls from friends, but he told them not to listen to
gossip.

It is unknown when Lam was diagnosed with cancer for the first time since he forbid his close family to rev eal his
illness. Some of his close friends stated that they noticed his illness, but no-one dared to ask him directly . Chin
Kar Lok said in an interv iew:

"One time I had to break through a 10 ft glass wall and before that, I had to work on a ship to
jump from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor. Everyone knew it was a painful shot. Hung Kam Bo
wanted me to do that job. But Lam refused to let me do that and he took that action…it was
really a big pain shot. He was hurt after he did that shot. Like what I said before, working as a
stuntman in the 80s is like a family and there is no selfishness.

He was very kind to me, even in a later movie, he found me for the main actor. He really took
care of me. He had the spirit. He was not a smooth talker. But he used his brain a lot. He taught
 us not to be lazy, to give 100% every time, no tricks. He set a very good example to us. He had
a good heart for movies, even when he was sick at the end of his life. He didn't show to us he
was in pain. He was even shooting a movie with us. I think he is really the real hero. I miss him
very much." [5]

Final weeks
Lam broke up with his girlfriend Kingdom Y uen. Two weeks before his death, Lam mov ed to his sister's house. He
refused v isits from his children and friends. Lam started to lose his consciousness ov er and ov er again at the
beginning of Nov ember. His family mov ed him to the St. Teresa Hospital in Kowloon. He was already in a semi-
comatose state, and his situation gradually declined.

On Nov ember 8, 1997 , Lam died at St. Theresa's Hospital in Hong Kong at the age of 44 due to liv er cancer at
12:30 am.

The funeral
Lam's request was to hav e a low-profile funeral. His funeral was attended by his parents, close family and school-
mate friends. The Buddhist ceremony was held in the ev ening of the 13th at around 7 am. His Priest robe, shoes
and top-hat were buried with him, along with his fav orite clothes and sunglasses. Lam's pallbearers were Y uen
Shiu Hung, Chin Y uet Sun, Ng Ming Hoi, Lam King Chu, Chan Wui Ngai, Chung Fat, Sammo Hung, Chan Wing
Hong, Chin Kar Lok and Wu Ma. [3]

After the funeral his remains were cremated and buried in the U.S. with a calligraphy :

"One Smile Returns To The West"

Tribute
The first series of My Date with a Vampire produced by ATV was dedicated to him, and the entire series was
loosely based in the future of Vampire Expert.

The 2013 Hong Kong horror mov ie Rigor Mortis (film) is a tribute to Mr. Vampire, and one of the stars is Lam
Ching-Y ing's fellow co-star in that film, Chin Siu-ho.

Selected filmography
The Green Hornet (1994) (Director/Producer/Actor)
Kung Fu Kid (1994 film) (1994) (Actor)
Painted Sk in (1993) (Actor)
Exorcist Master (1993) (Actor)
Pom Pom and Hot Hot (1992) (Actor)
Crazy Safari (1991) (Actor)
The Ultimate Vampire (1991) (Actor)
Slick ers vs. Killers (1991) (Actor)
Lover's Tear (1991) (Actor/Action Director/Producer)
The Swordsman (1990) (Actor)
School on Fire (1989) (Actor)
Magic Cop (1989) (Actor/Action Director/Producer)
Vampire Vs. Vampire (1989) (Actor/Director)
Pedicab Driver (1989) (Brief appearance)
Paper Marriage (1988) (Action director)
 Painted Faces (1988) (Actor)
I Love Maria (1988) (Actor)
Mr. Vampire III (1987) (Actor/Action Director)
Eastern Condors (1987) (Actor/Action Director)
Mr. Vampire II (1986) (Actor)
Heroes Shed No Tears (1986) (Actor)
Millionaire's Express (1986) (Actor/Action Director)
Mr. Vampire (1985) (Actor/Action Director)
My Luck y Stars (1985) (Actor/Action Director)
Those Merry Souls (1985) (Actor/Action Director)
Hocus Pocus (1984) (Actor)
Pom Pom (1984) (Actor)
Winners And Sinners (1983) (Actor/Action director)
The Dead and the Deadly (1983) (Actor/Stuntman/Action director)
The Prodigal Son (1982) (Action Director/Actor)
Encounters of the Spook y Kind (1980) (Action Director/Actor)
Clan of Amazons (1978)
Legend of the Bat (1978)
Brok en Oath (1977) (Actor)
Enter the Dragon (1973) (Stuntman/Assistant action director)
Fist of Fury (1972) (Stuntman)
The Big Boss (1971) (Actor/Assistant action director)

Awards
1983 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Prodigal Son

1984 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated and won "Best Action Choreography" in Winners And Sinners

1986 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated for "Best Action Choreography " in My Lucky Stars

1986 Hong Kong Film Awards Nominated for "Best Supporting Actor" in Mr Vampire

See also
Sammo Hung
Wu Ma
Chin Kar Lok

References
1. "Hong Kong Actor and Action Director Lam Ching Ying, from Bruce Lee's P.A. to a Star in Sammo Hung Films" (htt
p://www.kungfu-movie-madness.com/HongKongActor.html). Kungfu-Movie-Madness. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
2. "Ching-Ying Lam" (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0482580/). IMDB. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
3. "Lam Ching Ying Biography" (http://lamchingying.webs.com/biography.htm). Retrieved 2012-12-01.
4. "Lam Ching Ying" (http://baike.baidu.com/view/3192.htm). Retrieved 2012-12-01.
5. "Interview Chin Ka-Lok" (http://www.cinemasie.com/fr/fiche/dossier/13/). Retrieved 2012-12-01.

External links
Lam Ching Ying Memorial network (http://www.nianlinzhengying.com)
Lam Ching Ying, Master For All Seasons (http://lamchingying.webs.com) - Unofficial Site
 Memory of Lam Ching Ying (http://lam-ching-ying.memory-of.com/)
The Place For Lam Ching Ying Fans (https://web.archive.org/web/20090524024252/http://lamchingying.forumotion.n
et/index.htm) - Forum
Lam Ching Ying's channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/Lamsifu) on YouTube
Lam Ching Ying Tribute Page on Myspace (https://www.myspace.com/lamchingying)
Top Classic Kung Fu Artist of all time (https://web.archive.org/web/20140201135841/http://kungfumoviemadness.co
m/lam-ching-ying/) at KungFuMovieMadness.com
Lam Ching Ying (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0482580/) on IMDb

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