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Dean Shek

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Dean Shek
Shek at The Wit and Wisdom of Cinema City event held at the Hong Kong Film Archive in 2016
Born
Lau Wai-sing
劉偉成 (Traditional)
刘伟成 (Simplified)
Liú Wěichéng (Mandarin)
Lau4 Wai2sing4 (Cantonese)

(1949-06-17)17 June 1949[1]
Beijing, China
Died20 September 2021(2021-09-20) (aged 72)
Occupation(s)Actor, film producer, film director, screenwriter, film presenter
Years active1968–1992,
2016–2021
SpouseLau Chun-yue (1979–2021)
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese石天
Simplified Chinese石天
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinShí Tiān
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingSek6 Tin1
Musical career
Also known asCharlie Shek
OriginHong Kong

Dean Shek (17 June 1949[1] – 20 September 2021),[2] also known as Dean Shek Tin, was a Hong Kong film actor and producer with over 72 film credits to his name. Shek was perhaps best known as Professor Kai-hsien in the 1978 film Drunken Master, Lung Sei in the 1987 film A Better Tomorrow II, and Snooker in the 1990 film The Dragon from Russia.

Early life

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With ancestral roots from Tianjin, China, Shek was born as Lau Wai-sing on 17 June 1949, Beijing, before moving to Hong Kong at the age of 3.[3] There, he attended the Shung Tak Catholic English College before studying filmmaking, acting and voice acting at Shaw Brothers Studio's actors training program in 1968.[4]

Career

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Acting

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Shek began his career as a contracted actor at Shaw Brothers Studio in 1968,[5] making his first brief appearance in the film Twin Blades of Doom (1969). He received more substantial roles at Shaws, in musicals such as The Singing Killer, romantic films including A Time For Love (1970), comedies such as The Human Goddess (1972) and martial arts films such as The Fists of Vengeance (1972).

Shek left Shaw Brothers in 1973. The same year, he appeared in Master with Cracked Fingers, the first film to feature Jackie Chan in a starring role. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with The Monk, and worked as assistant director on Black Alice (1975), A Queen's Ransom (1976), Iron Fisted Monk (1977).

Throughout the late 1970s, Shek continued to work with the likes of Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung on period kung fu films including Broken Oath (1977), Warriors Two (1978), Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978), Drunken Master (1978), Odd Couple (1979) and Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979).

Shek is credited as producer on 22 films, most of which were for the production company Cinema City & Films Co., which he co founded with Karl Maka and Raymond Wong in 1980.[6] Throughout the 1980s, he appeared in action, crime and comedy films such as Aces Go Places and John Woo's A Better Tomorrow 2 (1987). He also directed four films during the period, which were The Perfect Wife?! (1983), A Family Affair (1984), Kung Hei Fat Choy (1985) and The Family Strikes Back (1986), which were all box office hits.[4]

Final film and retirement from acting

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Shek played his final role as Uncle Choi in the 1991 action film, The Raid.

In 1992, Shek retired from acting at the age of 42, after working as a producer in 1992 fantasy horror film, Angel Hunter.

Recently, Shek made a return to acting with a cameo appearance in the 2016 film, The Bodyguard, which is directed by and starring Sammo Hung, and also produced by and guest starring Andy Lau.[7]

Shek last made his public appearance with his former Cinema City & Films Co. collaborators at the 36th Hong Kong Film Awards.

Personal life

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In 1979, Shek married Taiwanese actress Lau Chun-yue. They had several children together.[4] Shek's three main personal hobbies were cigar, golf and coffee.[8]

After retiring from the film industry, Shek ventured into and found success in the real estate industry.[3]

Shek died from cancer on 20 September 2021, at the age of 72. He had been diagnosed with the disease two months prior.[9]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Chinese Title Role Notes
1968 Killer Darts 追魂鏢 "Tung Kung-long"
1969 Twin Blades of Doom 陰陽刀 "Mayor's servant"
Dark Semester 桃李春風 "Yu Mei-hsiu"
1970 Young Lovers 青春戀 "Lin Da-cheng"
A Time for Love 那個不多情 "John Chau"
The Singing Killer 小煞星 "Fairy"
My Son 春火 "Rape gang member"
Guess Who Killed by Twelve Lovers 噴火美人魚 "Stephen"
1971 It Takes a Man to Be Henpecked 怕老婆是大丈夫 Actor
The Man with Two Wives 齊人樂 Actor
Master with Cracked Fingers 刁手怪招 "Landlord" Re-edit of Little Tiger of Canton
1972 Pursuit 林沖夜奔 "Palace guard"
Intrigue in Nylons 少奶奶的絲襪 "Shop clerk"
The Human Goddess 凡下女仙 "Playboy #1"
The Fugitive 亡命徒 "Siu Ba"
The Fists of Vengeance 落葉飛刀 "Doggie" a.k.a. The Deadly Knives
a.k.a. A Life-and-Death Struggle
The Black Tavern 黑店 "Wandering Monk"
Let's Go to Bed 我們要洞房 Actor
1973 The Young Tiger 小老虎 "Conceited Red Shirt"
Tales of Larceny 牛鬼蛇神 "Yu Jieh" Two-part anthology film with Shek appearing in the first part.
The Pirate 大海盜 "Master Bai"
The Iron Bodyguard 大刀王五 "Liang Qi-chao" a.k.a. The Knight and the Scholar
Illicit Desire 風流韻事 "Little Fairy" Three-part anthology film with Shek appearing in the third part.
The Generation Gap 叛逆 "Club bald waiter" a.k.a. The Traitor
The Delinquent 憤怒少年 "Cripple" a.k.a. Street Gangs of Hong Kong
My Wife, My Love and My Maid 一嬌二俏三更妙
Ambush 埋伏 "Cold-faced swordsman Hong Lieh"
The Villains 土匪 "Li Deng-yao"
1974 Young Lovers on Flying Wheels 電單車 "Xiao Xian"
Naughty! Naughty! 綽頭狀元 "Auntie Six's husband"
A Mad World of Fools 怪人怪事 Actor
The Golden Lotus 金瓶雙豔 "Doctor Jiang"
Games Gamblers Play 鬼馬雙星 "Casino clerk"
Blood Reincarnation 陰陽界 "Chang"
The Big Risk 虎鬥虎 Actor a.k.a. Kung Fu Conspiracy
a.k.a. When Tough Guys Meet
Tenants of Talkative Street 街知巷聞 Actor
Paris Killers 巴黎殺手 "Shot messenger"
Everyday Is Sunday 天天報喜 Actor
Bravest Fist 一山五虎 Actor
Call Me Dragon 神龍小虎闖江湖 "Mincing waiter" a.k.a. Fighting Dragon vs. Deadly Tiger
April Fool 出乎意料 Actor
Screenwriter
The Protectors 鏢旗飛揚 "Spear Prince"
1975 The Monk 出家人 "Si-hung"
Director
Screenwriter
Directorial debut
a.k.a. The Kung Fu Monk
Kissed by the Wolves 狼吻 Actor
The Young Dragons 鐵漢柔情 "Young brothel customer"
Shantung Man in Hong Kong 小山東到香港 Actor a.k.a. Little Shantung Arrives in Hong Kong
The Seven Coffins 驅魔女 Actor
The Last Message 天才與白痴 "Hotel clerk"
My Wacky, Wacky World 大千世界 "Te Shun"
Lady of the Law 女捕快 "Young Master Chen"
Hong Kong Superman 香港超人 Actor
Assistant director
a.k.a. Bruce, Hong Kong Master
Chinese Superior Kung Fu 中國神打 Actor
The Bedevilled 心魔 "Lin Chi-yao"
Bald-Headed Betty 光頭蓓蒂 Actor
All in the Family 花飛滿城春 Actor
Black Alice 盲女奇緣 Assistant director
1976 A Queen's Ransom 鱷潭群英會 "Ducky"
Assistant director
Assistant producer
My Funny Intern 鬼馬俏醫生 Actor a.k.a. Hour of the Wolf
a.k.a. Typical Admirable Doctor
I Want More... 官人我要 ... Actor a.k.a. Confession of a Concubine
a.k.a. Injustice! My Lord
The Girlie Bar 酒帘 "Xiao Kang" a.k.a. The Finger Bar
The Simple-Minded Fellow 大懵成 Actor
Divorce Hong Kong Style 香港式離婚 Actor
Gonna Get You 溫拿與教授 Planning
1977 Mantis Fists and Tiger Claws of Shaolin 血海螳螂仇 Hung Chun-piao
The Iron-Fisted Monk 三德和尚與舂米六 "Manchu"
Assistant director
Broken Oath 破戒 "Brothel manager"
The Discharged 出冊 "Toast waiter" (cameo)
Winner Takes All! 面懵心精 Actor
1978 Warriors Two 贊先生與找錢華 "Master Yao"
Spiritual Kung Fu 拳精 "Shaolin student"
Snake in the Eagle's Shadow 蛇形刁手 "Teacher Li"
Snake Crane Secret 蛇鶴丹心震九州 "Shao Ting-shan" a.k.a. Secrets of the Dragon
a.k.a. Snake & Crane Secrets
Half a Loaf of Kung Fu 一招半式闖江湖 "Man with cane" a.k.a. Karate Bomber
Filthy Guy 臭頭小子 Actor a.k.a. Return of the Secret Rivals
a.k.a. Emperor of Filthy Guy
Drunken Master 醉拳 "Professor Kai-shien" a.k.a. Drunk Monkey in the Tiger's Eye
Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog 老虎田雞 "Panther"
Deadly Strike 最佳搏殺 "Cheung Tsai" a.k.a. Breakout from Oppression
Dirty Kung Fu 鬼馬功夫 "Criminal who sells women" a.k.a. Kung Fu Expert
18 Fatal Strikes 十八羅漢拳 "Tai-pan" a.k.a. 18 Deadly Strikes
My Life's on the Line 賭命走天涯 "Master Handsome" a.k.a. 60 Second Assassin
The Adventure of the Heaven Mouse 通天老鼠下江南 Actor a.k.a. Force 3 From Shanghai
a.k.a. Snake in the Crane's Shadow
Crazy Guy with Super Kung Fu 戇頭呆佬笨徒弟 Actor
1979 Story of Drunken Master 醉俠蘇乞兒 "Little Master" (cameo)
Love and Sword 要命的小方 Actor a.k.a. The Samurai
Odd Couple 搏命單刀奪命槍 "Master Rocking" a.k.a. Shaolin Sabre vs Wu Tang Spear
Kung Fu on Sale 功夫大拍賣 "Kung fu instructor" a.k.a. King of Money and Fists
His Name Is Nobody 無名小卒 "Sting"
The Fearless Hyena 笑拳怪招 "Undertaker" (guest star)
Dance of the Drunk Mantis 南北醉拳 "Money Bags" a.k.a. Drunken Master Part 2
Crazy Couple 無招勝有招 "Yan"
Four Invincibles 四大跛拳 Actor
Dance of Death 舞拳 "Bird Egg" a.k.a. Eternal Conflict
1980 Ring of Death 龍形摩橋 "Chu" a.k.a. Bastard Kung Fu Master
Crazy Crooks 瘋狂大老千 "Mo-pei Chai"
Presenter
By Hook or by Crook 鹹魚翻生 "Skinny Gee"
Laughing Times 滑稽時代 "Chinese Charlie Chaplin"
1981 Emperor of Shaolin Kung Fu 闖王李自成 Actor a.k.a. Lord Chuang, Li Tzu-cheng
a.k.a. The Snake, the Tiger, the Crane
Chasing Girls 追女仔 "Robert"
Beware of Pickpockets 歡樂神仙窩 "Extra Hand"
Life After Life 再生人 Producer
All the Wrong Clues for the Right Solution 鬼馬智多星 Producer a.k.a. All the Wrong Clues
No U-Turn 不准掉頭 Producer
Spooky Kookies 神檯貓 Producer
1982 It Takes Two 難兄難弟 "Shek"
Producer
Can't Stop the War 大追擊 "Soldier" (cameo)
Producer
Aces Go Places 最佳拍檔 "Giglo Joe" (special appearance)
Producer
Till Death Do We Scare 小生怕怕 Presenter
He Lives by Night 夜驚魂 Presenter
1983 The Perfect Wife?! 專撬牆腳 "Dean Shek"
Director
Presenter
Fearless Hyena Part II 龍騰虎躍 "Shek Earth" (guest star)
All the Wrong Spies 我愛夜來香 "Japanese soldier in intro" (cameo)
Presenter
Ghost Bustin' 抓鬼特攻隊 Presenter
Esprit D'armour 陰陽錯 Presenter Re-edit of the 1970 film
Aces Go Places 2 最佳拍檔大顯神通 Presenter
Play Catch 少爺威威 Presenter
Papa, Can You Hear Me Sing? 搭錯車 Producer
Send in the Clowns 台上台下 Producer
Kidnapped 等劍的小孩 Producer
That Day on the Beach 海灘的一天 Production manager
1984 A Family Affair 全家福 "Alex"
Director
Presenter
Banana Cop 英倫琵琶 Presenter
Happy Ghost 開心鬼 Presenter
Lifeline Express 鴻運當頭 Presenter
Heaven Can Help 上天救命 Presenter
Merry Christmas 聖誕快樂 Presenter
Aces Go Places 3 最佳拍檔女皇密令 Presenter
The Occupant 靈氣逼人 Presenter
Run, Tiger, Run 兩隻老虎 Producer
Presenter
Pom Pom 神勇雙響炮 Presenter
My Sentimental Little Friend 多情種 Presenter a.k.a. My Little Sentimental Friend
The Time You Need a Friend 笑匠 Presenter
1985 Kung Hei Fat Choy 恭喜發財 "Mr. Fung"
Director
Producer
Presenter
City Hero 飛虎奇兵 "Trainer Lee"
Mummy Dearest 四眼仔 Presenter
For Your Heart Only 為你鍾情 Presenter
Why Me? 何必有我 Presenter
Happy Ghost II 開心鬼放暑假 Presenter
Cupid One 愛神一號 Presenter
The Isle of Fantasy 開心樂園 Presenter
Super Citizen 超級市民 Presenter
Lone, Lone Flower 孤戀花 Presenter
Happy Union 天生一對 Presenter
Happy Union 2 天生寶一對 Presenter
1986 The Family Strikes Back 烏龍大家庭 "Shek La-mai"
Director
Producer
Abracadabra 天靈靈‧地靈靈 Presenter
Happy Ghost III 開心鬼撞鬼 Presenter
Aces Go Places IV 最佳拍檔千里救差婆 Presenter
A Book of Heroes 歡樂龍虎榜 Presenter
1987 A Better Tomorrow 2 英雄本色II "Lung Sei"
Lady in Black 奪命佳人 Producer
Presenter
1988 City War 義膽紅唇 Presenter
Fractured Follies 長短腳之戀 Producer
1989 They Came to Rob Hong Kong 八寶奇兵 "Sherlock False"
Screenwriter
Presenter
1990 The Dragon from Russia 紅場飛龍 "Snooker" (guest star)
Producer
Presenter
1991 The Raid 財叔之橫掃千軍 "Uncle Choi"
Presenter
1992 Angel Hunter 女校風雲之邪教入侵 Producer
Presenter
2016 The Bodyguard 特工爺爺 "Old man" (guest appearance) Final film role

Television series

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Year Title Chinese title Role Country and channel Notes
1976 Saga of Sui & Tong Dynasty 隋唐風雲 "Lee Yuen-kat"  Hong Kong - CTV
1977 Sword Stained with Royal Blood 碧血劍 "Ha Suet-yee"  Hong Kong - CTV

References

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  1. ^ a b SHEK Dean — 石天 — (1949.6.17−2021.9.20) director, screenwriter., In: filmarchive.gov.hk, Hong Kong Film Archive, pdf-file; 161 kB. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  2. ^ "細仔證實石天已逝 黃百鳴尊重亡友遺願未搞追思會". Oriental Press Group. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b "搜房网:地产人物----石天 - 深圳搜房网". Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild - Directors - Dean SHEK". Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  5. ^ "Dean Shek Tin". Short Biographies. HKFilm.net. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  6. ^ "Sammo Hung (洪金宝)". biography. Jongo Knows. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  7. ^ "Sammo Hung does some serious damage in 'The Bodyguard'". City on Fire. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  8. ^ "他是影壇大佬,曾力捧哥哥張國榮,和黃百鳴等人共同創造影壇神話". Da Liu Lian. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  9. ^ "新藝城」元老石天10月已癌逝 家人盼低調 暫不辦追思". 噓!星聞. 2 November 2021. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
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