James Lew

James Lew

StuntsActorSecond Unit or Assistant Director
Born
September 6, 1952
Awards
4 wins, 11 nominations

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…

Biography

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).

Actor

Mind WaveMind Wave(2024)as General Liu
Made in ChinatownMade in Chinatown(2021)as Lew
Clean SweepClean Sweep(2020)as Toyo
Space ForceSpace Force(2020)as Space Force Soldier
WarriorWarrior(2019)as Sifu Li Qiang

Production Manager

18 Fingers of Death!18 Fingers of Death!(2006)

Second Unit or Assistant Director

Maximum ImpactMaximum Impact(2017)
BreakoutBreakout(2016)
Underdog KidsUnderdog Kids(2015)
No RulesNo Rules(2005)

Art Department

Big Trouble in Little ChinaBig Trouble in Little China(1986)

Camera and Electrical Department

Freeze(2013)
Tea and RemembranceTea and Remembrance(2009)

Archive Footage

Double Switch: 25th Anniversary EditionDouble Switch: 25th Anniversary Edition(2018)as Thug Leader
ScopeScope(2017)as Chang Sing
Cinemassacre's Monster MadnessCinemassacre's Monster Madness(2007)as Darius
Ultimate Fights from the MoviesUltimate Fights from the Movies(2002)as Knife #1 (Timecop)
Masters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley SnipesMasters of the Martial Arts Presented by Wesley Snipes(1998)as Self

Known for

Contribute to this page · Edit page

Photos 52

James LewTengu, The Immortal BladeJames LewWith Charlie SheenJames LewJames Lew

Credit Score: James Lew

987654
1975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Romulan
Fri May 08 2009
#NameScoreYearWinNomKnownWinsNomsVotes
1Star Trek8.0020097.914638253
2Traffic6.0020017.545230469
3Big Trouble in Little China3.7519867.200167171
4Tropic Thunder1.8020087.101489540
5Rush Hour1.8019987.100328937
6The Killing of a Chinese Bookie1.5019767.20016346
7Rush Hour 21.2020016.700260413
8Safe1.0020126.500124712
9Rush Hour 31.0020076.300199484
10Lethal Weapon 41.0019986.600180587