"With his death, Hong Kong has lost an outstanding performing arts talent," said acting Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So in a statement.
Shih died Wednesday afternoon at a Hong Kong hospital with his children by his side, the Ming Pao Daily News reported Friday. The cause was kidney failure, the Apple Daily newspaper said. He was 96.
Shih made his film debut in 1940 and went on to act in about 350 films, most notably playing villains in films about Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hong, according to Ming Pao.
He was best known to Western audiences for playing the evil martial arts expert Han in "Enter the Dragon." In the movie, Lee's character is hired by a foreign government to infiltrate Han's island and seeks to avenge his sister's death by Han's bodyguard.
Hong Kong's movie industry mourned Shih's death, with "Infernal Affairs" star Tony Leung Chiu-wai saying he was a big fan of the late actor.
"I grew up watching Uncle Kien's movies. He's an actor I admire and respect a lot. I'm very sad that he has passed away," Apple Daily quoted Leung as saying, referring to Shih by his nickname.
Ironic ?
The man who was handed Bruce Lee's role on a silver platter, and the last bad guy Bruce fights on screen ?
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by cindyt
