James Lew

[AlbertV]

James Lew is a stunt legend in Hollywood. Born on September 6, 1952 in Escalon, California, James is a renowned martial artist, trained in Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu as well as trained in Boxing and Grappling. He got his start in the entertainment industry when he answered a casting call for Kung Fu, which led to him having a small role as a monk. In 1979, he went to Hong Kong to appear in a film entitled The Young Dragon. Footage from the film would be used in the 1988 cut and paste film Zodiac Power 2: Evil Destroyer in 1988. 

Since then, James would go on to have a successful career as both an actor and stuntman in many martial arts action films, including playing a member of the Wing Sing in Big Trouble in Little China and played the assistant instructor in the comedy Ninja Academy, where he also assisted the late Bill Ryusaki in choreographing the film's martial arts action. He has taken on the likes of Billy Blanks, Jun Chong, Jeff Wincott, and Don "The Dragon" Wilson to name a few. As of late, Lew has worked primarily as a stunt coordinator and martial arts choreographer on TV shows like Luke Cage (which earned him an Emmy Award) and The Martial Arts Kid. Lew will be working on the upcoming sequel The Martial Arts Kid 2 and recently worked as stunt coordinator on Maximum Impact, the next film from Alexander Nevsky and Escape Plan 2: Hades as stunt coordinator. He's set to appear in front of cameras in Made in Chinatown. 

In 2004, he wrote, starred, choreographed, and directed the mockumentary 18 Fingers of Death!

James is married to Jordanna Potter, mother of young actor and martial artist Ryan Potter. 

Here's @kingofkungfu2002's video tribute to Lew

 

[J.J. Hayden]

James Lew seems to be in every US action film and always does a great job.

Btw I didn't realise @kingofkungfu2002 did all those YT vids, they are awsome and have brought me much enjoyment. Great job.

Cheers