James Lew

James Lew

Known for: Acting
Biography: 1952-09-06 (71 years old)

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Biography

James Jene Fae Lew (born September 6, 1952) is an American actor and martial artist. 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, Young Dragon (1976). 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, Madonna, Charlie Sheen, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kathleen Turner, Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Lee, Snoop Dogg and the list goes on and on.


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 2 (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).

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Filmography

all 115

Movies 93

TV Shows 22

Director 2

self 1

Producer 1

Lew
Made in Chinatown

Made in Chinatown (2021)

Movie
Self
Henchman: The Al Leong Story

Henchman: The Al Leong Story (2018)

Movie
Beat Cop
Cucuy: The Boogeyman

Cucuy: The Boogeyman (2018)

Movie
Assistant Director / Fight Choreographer
Maximum Impact

Maximum Impact (2017)

Movie
Sinjin
Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine

Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine (2017)

Movie
6.5
Stunts
Westworld

Westworld (2016)

TV
6.71
Abbot Xiao
Black Salt

Black Salt (2015)

Movie
Hotel Manager
Frankenstein

Frankenstein (2015)

Movie
Stunt Coordinator
Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser

Joe Dirt 2: Beautiful Loser (2015)

Movie
Chinese Leader
G.I. Joe: Retaliation

G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)

Movie
7
Stunt Coordinator
Hijacked

Hijacked (2012)

Movie
6
Eddie
The Girl from the Naked Eye

The Girl from the Naked Eye (2012)

Movie
Underground Casino Guard (uncredited)
Safe

Safe (2012)

Movie
6.19
Man on street (uncredited)
Death Valley

Death Valley (2011)

TV
Fight Choreographer
Killers

Killers (2010)

Movie
6.05
Chinese Guard #1
Ballistica

Ballistica (2009)

Movie
Tommy
Angel of Death

Angel of Death (2009)

Movie
Romulan (uncredited)
Star Trek

Star Trek (2009)

Movie
6.16
Mosura
Childrens Hospital

Childrens Hospital (2008)

TV
6.1
Flaming Dragon Compound Person (uncredited)
Tropic Thunder

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Movie
5.4
Fight Choreographer
Get Smart

Get Smart (2008)

Movie
6.67
Shaolin Monk (uncredited)
Superhero Movie

Superhero Movie (2008)

Movie
5.2
Actor
Fight Science

Fight Science (2008)

TV
Anad Chenerad
Chuck

Chuck (2007)

TV
6.24
Triad Assassin (uncredited)
Rush Hour 3

Rush Hour 3 (2007)

Movie
5.22
Stunts
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Movie
7.2
Actor
Fight Science

Fight Science (2007)

Movie
Webb
The Circuit III: Final Flight

The Circuit III: Final Flight (2006)

Movie
Director
18 Fingers of Death!

18 Fingers of Death! (2006)

Movie
Xu
Shira: The Vampire Samurai

Shira: The Vampire Samurai (2005)

Movie
Entourage

Entourage (2004)

TV
6.09
Stunts
LArceny

LArceny (2004)

Movie
Leo Thamaree
Sin

Sin (2003)

Movie
Black Belt
The Real Deal

The Real Deal (2002)

Movie
ND Man #1
CSI: Miami

CSI: Miami (2002)

TV
5.8
Asian Thug / Bodyguard (uncredited)
She Spies

She Spies (2002)

TV
6
Cho Sung
Outside the Law

Outside the Law (2002)

Movie
Knife #1 (Timecop) (archive footage)
Ultimate Fights from the Movies

Ultimate Fights from the Movies (2002)

Movie
Quan Li
Alias

Alias (2001)

TV
Triad Gangster (uncredited)
Rush Hour 2

Rush Hour 2 (2001)

Movie
5.5
Stunts
Planet of the Apes

Planet of the Apes (2001)

Movie
6.18
DEA Agent - CalTrans
Traffic

Traffic (2000)

Movie
6.05
Lou Chang
Deep Core

Deep Core (2000)

Movie
James
Gedo

Gedo (2000)

Movie
Juntao's Man in Los Angeles (uncredited)
Rush Hour

Rush Hour (1998)

Movie
6.71
Freighter's Captain
Lethal Weapon 4

Lethal Weapon 4 (1998)

Movie
5.88
Asian (uncredited)
Safe House

Safe House (1998)

Movie
Jason
Boogie Boy

Boogie Boy (1998)

Movie
Bodyguard
The Replacement Killers

The Replacement Killers (1998)

Movie
5.5
Black Dragon Henchman
Raven: Return of the Black Dragons

Raven: Return of the Black Dragons (1997)

Movie
Darius
Robo Warriors

Robo Warriors (1997)

Movie
Harry
High Voltage

High Voltage (1997)

Movie
Quaid, Windham Henchman
Assault on Dome 4

Assault on Dome 4 (1996)

Movie
Hershe Gang Member / Stunts
Escape from L.A.

Escape from L.A. (1996)

Movie
5.75
Shinji Takamura
Balance of Power

Balance of Power (1996)

Movie
Tom Cutter
Night Hunter

Night Hunter (1996)

Movie
Kaan Woo
For Life or Death

For Life or Death (1996)

Movie
Lee
Excessive Force II: Force on Force

Excessive Force II: Force on Force (1995)

Movie
Thug with knife
Nowhere Man

Nowhere Man (1995)

TV
5.33
Mercenary (uncredited) / Stunts
Under Siege 2: Dark Territory

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995)

Movie
4
Prince Samarki
Midnight Man

Midnight Man (1995)

Movie
Woo
Ballistic

Ballistic (1995)

Movie
Stunt Coordinator
Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager (1995)

TV
6.25
Chin
Cage II: The Arena of Death

Cage II: The Arena of Death (1994)

Movie
Knife #1
Timecop

Timecop (1994)

Movie
5.8
Jaho
Red Sun Rising

Red Sun Rising (1994)

Movie
Mongol
The Shadow

The Shadow (1994)

Movie
4.88
Stunts
Blue Tiger

Blue Tiger (1994)

Movie
Weird Science

Weird Science (1994)

TV
Mercenary at Aegis 1 (uncredited) / Stunts
On Deadly Ground

On Deadly Ground (1994)

Movie
5.33
Bloodhound Teep
Babylon 5

Babylon 5 (1994)

TV
6.44
Guard #2 (uncredited)
Deadly Target

Deadly Target (1994)

Movie
Obata
Private Wars

Private Wars (1993)

Movie
Security Guard
Frasier

Frasier (1993)

TV
5.35
Hit Man
Showdown

Showdown (1993)

Movie
6
Novacek's Man
Undercover Blues

Undercover Blues (1993)

Movie
5.71
Warrior
Power Rangers

Power Rangers (1993)

TV
8
Kick Boxer Opponent
Hot Shots! Part Deux

Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993)

Movie
5.94
Tiger
Walker, Texas Ranger

Walker, Texas Ranger (1993)

TV
5.63
Viper
American Ninja 5

American Ninja 5 (1993)

Movie
5.17
Yakuza #5
Ulterior Motives

Ulterior Motives (1993)

Movie
Akiro
Mission of Justice

Mission of Justice (1992)

Movie
3.5
Tau's Men at Laundry (uncredited)
Rapid Fire

Rapid Fire (1992)

Movie
Stunts
Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire (1991)

Movie
3.86
Spencer Hamilton Man (uncredited) / Stunts
Martial Law II: Undercover

Martial Law II: Undercover (1991)

Movie
3.86
Yoshida's Man (uncredited) / Stunts
Showdown in Little Tokyo

Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)

Movie
3
Stunts / Stunt Coordinator / Martial Arts Choreographer
Double Impact

Double Impact (1991)

Movie
6.08
Lew
Do or Die

Do or Die (1991)

Movie
Hector Sabatei
Night of the Warrior

Night of the Warrior (1991)

Movie
Crewcut
The Perfect Weapon

The Perfect Weapon (1991)

Movie
Ninja #1 / Stunt Coordinator
Guns

Guns (1990)

Movie
Mr. James
Aftershock

Aftershock (1990)

Movie
Tong Member
Martial Law

Martial Law (1990)

Movie
3.57
Sae Jin Kwon
Best of the Best

Best of the Best (1989)

Movie
4.6
Agent #1
Savage Beach

Savage Beach (1989)

Movie
Man in Bar
Family Matters

Family Matters (1989)

TV
6.4
Fighter / Karate class fighter (uncredited)
Nasty Boys

Nasty Boys (1989)

TV
Ninja Trainer
Ninja Academy

Ninja Academy (1989)

Movie
Stunts
Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects

Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects (1989)

Movie
Stunts
They Live

They Live (1988)

Movie
5.46
Roseanne

Roseanne (1988)

TV
5.63
Martial Arts Instructor
Action Jackson

Action Jackson (1988)

Movie
Zodiac America 2: Evil Destroyer

Zodiac America 2: Evil Destroyer (1988)

Movie
Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast (1987)

TV
5.81
Chang Sing #1 / Martial Arts Choreographer / Associate Producer
Big Trouble in Little China

Big Trouble in Little China (1986)

Movie
6.2
Movie Villain #2
Growing Pains

Growing Pains (1985)

TV
5.22
Chan
Los Angeles Streetfighter

Los Angeles Streetfighter (1985)

Movie
Nighthawk's Gunman #1
Killpoint

Killpoint (1984)

Movie
Kung Fu Fighter
Going Berserk

Going Berserk (1983)

Movie
Ton Li / Asian Thug
T. J. Hooker

T. J. Hooker (1982)

TV
6
Shao Lung
Young Dragon

Young Dragon (1979)

Movie
Stunts
The Fantastic Seven

The Fantastic Seven (1979)

Movie
Karate Instructor
Big Time

Big Time (1977)

Movie
Karate Fighter
Enforcer from Death Row

Enforcer from Death Row (1976)

Movie
Guard (uncredited)
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976)

Movie

Ratings

Average 5.54
Based on 6.1 Million movie and tv ratings over time
1976
1991
1996
1993
2021
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Information

Known For
Acting

Gender
Male

Birthday
1952-09-06 (71 years old)

Birth Place
Escalon, United States of America

Relationships
Pamela Gidley (2005-01-01 - 2008-01-01)

Spouse
Jordanna Potter

Children
Ryan Potter

Citizenships
United States of America

Also Known As
James Jene Fae Lew


This article uses material from Wikipedia.
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Jeff Imada
James Lew
Jeff Imada worked together with James Lew in:
20 Movies
1 TV Show
Al Leong
James Lew
Al Leong worked together with James Lew in:
18 Movies
1 TV Show
Al Goto
James Lew
Al Goto worked together with James Lew in:
16 Movies
George Cheung
James Lew
George Cheung worked together with James Lew in:
12 Movies
2 TV Shows
Rick Avery
James Lew
Rick Avery worked together with James Lew in:
14 Movies
Thomas Rosales Jr.
James Lew
Thomas Rosales Jr. worked together with James Lew in:
9 Movies
4 TV Shows
Simon Rhee
James Lew
Simon Rhee worked together with James Lew in:
11 Movies
1 TV Show
Kenny Endoso
James Lew
Kenny Endoso worked together with James Lew in:
11 Movies
Leo Lee
James Lew
Leo Lee worked together with James Lew in:
11 Movies
Nils Allen Stewart
James Lew
Nils Allen Stewart worked together with James Lew in:
10 Movies
1 TV Show
Philip Tan
James Lew
Philip Tan worked together with James Lew in:
9 Movies
1 TV Show
Darryl Chan
James Lew
Darryl Chan worked together with James Lew in:
7 Movies
3 TV Shows
Will Leong
James Lew
Will Leong worked together with James Lew in:
9 Movies
1 TV Show
Joni Avery
James Lew
Joni Avery worked together with James Lew in:
10 Movies
Gerald Okamura
James Lew
Gerald Okamura worked together with James Lew in:
9 Movies
Ron Yuan
James Lew
Ron Yuan worked together with James Lew in:
7 Movies
2 TV Shows
Carl Ciarfalio
James Lew
Carl Ciarfalio worked together with James Lew in:
6 Movies
3 TV Shows
Patrick Kilpatrick
James Lew
Patrick Kilpatrick worked together with James Lew in:
3 Movies
5 TV Shows
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
James Lew
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa worked together with James Lew in:
5 Movies
3 TV Shows
Arnold Chon
James Lew
Arnold Chon worked together with James Lew in:
6 Movies
2 TV Shows
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