Lau Kar Leung Loses Battle with Leukemia

It feels like we are witnessing the passing of an era at the moment, and this news just made it feel that way even more.

Lau Kar Leung (Liu Chia Liang), one of the most revered martial artists in Hong Kong Cinema, has lost a long battle with leukemia, local media is reporting this morning.

In a career spanning more than 60 years, Lau starred in - and provided action choreography for - more than 70 films. In his early days he often collaborated with director Chang Cheh at legendary Shaw Brothers studios, and directed more than 25 feature films himself, culminating in 2003's Drunken Monkey.

Many of Leung's most famous films, including The 36th Chamber of Shaolin and Eight Diagram Pole Fighter, starred his "god-brother" Gordon Liu Chia Hui - who is also critically ill. Other highlights of his long and illustrious career include My Young Auntie, starring Kara Hui, Drunken Master II with Jackie Chan and Ti Lung, and more recently he starred in Tsui Hark's Seven Swords.

The 76-year-old passed away comfortably at Union Hospital in Hong Kong earlier this morning, with members of his family at his bedside.

SOURCE: TWITCH FILM