Who was Lee Hoi-chuen? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Lee Moon-shuen

Died At Age: 64

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Grace Ho

children: Agnes Lee, Bruce Lee, Peter Lee, Phoebe Lee, Robert Lee

Born Country: China

Opera Singers Chinese Men

Died on: February 7, 1965

place of death: Hong Kong

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1

What was Lee Hoi-chuen known for in his career?

Lee Hoi-chuen was a renowned Cantonese opera singer and film actor.
2

Where was Lee Hoi-chuen born and raised?

Lee Hoi-chuen was born in Xinhui, Guangdong, China, and raised in Hong Kong.
3

What impact did Lee Hoi-chuen have on the Hong Kong film industry?

Lee Hoi-chuen is credited with helping to popularize Cantonese opera and martial arts in Hong Kong films.
4

What were some of Lee Hoi-chuen's notable film roles?

Lee Hoi-chuen appeared in numerous films, including "The Birth of Mankind" and "Orphan Rescues Grandfather."
5

How did Lee Hoi-chuen influence his son's career?

Lee Hoi-chuen played a significant role in training and mentoring his son, Bruce Lee, in martial arts and acting.

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Childhood & Early Life

Hoi Chuen Lee was born Lee Moon Shuen on 4th February, 1901 at Shangcunzhen, Guangdong, China. His father was Hou-Chen Lee and he grew up with his elder brother, Fun-li Lee.

Hoi Chuen Lee began his own family after marrying the gorgeous Grace Lee Ho and thereafter moved to Hong Kong. They had their first son on 23rd October, 1939 and named him Peter Jung Sum Lee.

The following year they travelled to San Francisco on a US tour for a Cantonese Opera Company. In 1940, while on tour, Grace gave birth to their second child who eventually grew up to become a famous martial art actor, Bruce Jun Fan Lee, better known as Bruce Lee.

When Bruce was three months old, the couple returned to their home town in Hong Kong. Eight years later on 16th December 1948, Grace and Hoi-Chuen were blessed with their third son, Lee Jun-Fai. He later came to be known as the lead vocalist of ‘The Thunderbirds’ band.

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Opera & Initial Film Career

In his early twenties Hoi-Chuen took keen interest in theatre and operas. Blessed with a powerful voice and a classic vocal range, he was recruited into some of the most famous opera concerts and became an integral part of the industry.

With theatres and opera houses filling up owing to his talent, he met with Christine Marcella DeVillier and signed a management deal with her. What followed was a gradual entry into films and art movies.

Hoi-Chuen was a born performer and bagged a debut role in the Cantonese film ‘Robbing the Dead’ in 1939. He was cast in a supporting role in the film and acted alongside Li Haiquan, Lin Meinei and Zhu Puquan. The film was directed by Feng Zhigang.

After the film, Hoi-Chuen travelled to San Francisco for opera shows at the ‘Mandarin Theatre’ and returned after 15 months. Upon returning to Hong Kong he hardly received any film offers and thus continued to work in the theatre until 1947.

Movie Star

Around the time of the birth of Robert Lee, offers for films began pouring in for the Cantonese actor. In 1947, he worked in three hit movies ‘Christmas Tree’, ‘Hundreds of Birds Adoring a Phoenix’ and ‘Feed the Scholar’.

In 1948, he worked in ‘Wealth Is like a Dream’, ‘A Golden World’, ‘Five Rascals in the Eastern Capital Part 1 & 2’ and ‘The Outstanding One’ amongst many other films.

The following year he played Smallpox Hoi in ‘Full Happiness’, a fortune teller in ‘Trashy Heaven’, Chun Pak-Cheung in ‘Golden Turtle from Hell’ and Cheung Si-Ma in ‘Loosing the Red Sack’.

He became a famous actor by 1950 working in almost all hit films. He was cast in the King-fu colored movie ‘How Ten Heroes of Guangdong Slew the Dragon’ and took guest and supporting roles in ‘The Story of Tung Siu-Yen’ and ‘Life’s Blesing Complete.

In 1950, his performance was appreciated for his role as Hung Pak-Ho in ‘The Kid’, Chiang Ping in the film ‘The Haunt of the Eastern Capital’ and for the movie ‘The Net of Justice’.

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In the next six years from 1951 to 1957 Hoi-Chuen was cast in some of the most memorable and critically acclaimed Cantonese movies, ranging from the comedy/ historical drama ‘A Great Hero of Many Blunders’ to the super hit kung-fu movie ‘Martyrs of Ming’.

Later Career

Though he became an important part of the film industry, Hoi-Chuen never gave up his theatre roots. He continued to perform at opera concerts past his middle-age and worked in films as well.

Before retiring from the film industry, he acted in several blockbuster Cantonese movies. In 1958, he played ‘Kong’ the father of the lead actor in ‘The Petal-Spraying Fairy’ and was also seen in the movies ‘Heartbreak Plaque’, ‘A Buddhist Recluse for 14 years’ and ‘The Carp Spirit’.

In 1959, he starred in the hit films ‘Wu Song Fights the Tiger’, ‘The Lotus’ Story’, ‘Story of the Wronged Wife’, ‘Funny Misunderstandings’ and ‘Three Attempts to Steal the Cup of the Nine Dragons’.

The next year, he reduced his movie count to only three films, which were ‘The Orphan’s Adventure’, ‘The Idiot Husband’ and the action film ‘Black Punch 4000’ and last starred in the kung-fu film ‘Ong Bak 4’ in 1962.

Major Works

On 30th August, 1956, one of Ng Wui’s most successful films starring Hoi-Chuen ‘The Stranger Adventures of a Strange Man’ released in cinemas to much appreciation. Music for the movie was provided by Lee Yuen-Man Lo Ka-Chi. In the film, Hoi-Chuen acted alongside Tan Pik-Wan and Sai Gwa-Pau.

The same year he was cast in a lead role in the film ‘Bloodshed in the Chu Palace’ directed by Wong Hok Sing in which he acted opposite Sun-Ma sze Tsang, Yam Kim Fai and Ng Kwun Lai.

In 1958, he was signed to play the main role in a Weiguang Jiang film ‘Huowang Fangong Shisi Nian’ or ‘A Buddhist Recluse for 14 Years’ along with other legendary Cantonese actors such as Yafen Fang and Bingrong Mai.

Another one of his notable performances was as a lead actor in the movie ‘Princess Joins the Chu Army’ written by Jeng Chung Yee and directed by Lau Hak Suen. He once again co-starred with Sun-Ma Sze Tsang and Ng Kwun Lai in the film.

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Personal Life & Legacy

On 7th of February 1965, three days after his 64th birthday, Hoi-Chuen passed away. His demise came a week after the birth of Bruce Lee’s son Brandon Lee.

His body was taken to Seattle, United States of America, and buried at the ‘Lake View Cemetery’ in King County, Washington. His son, Bruce Lee, and grandson, Brandon Lee, have also been buried near his grave.

His sons, Bruce Lee and Robert Lee were his greatest legacy. Both his children contributed immensely to the world of cinema and music respectively.

While Robert Lee became a revered music artist in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee came to be known as the “king of martial arts” in the film industry around the globe and is also the founder of the martial art ‘Jeet Kune Do’.

In the American biographical film ‘Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story’ the life of Hoi-Chuen is reprised by Ric Young. In 2010, Robert Lee produced a movie called ‘Bruce Lee, My Brother’ in which Tony Leung Ka-fai plays the role of Hoi-Chuen.

Facts About Lee Hoi-chuen

Lee Hoi-chuen was not only a famous Cantonese opera singer and actor, but he also excelled in martial arts, particularly in the art of Wing Chun.

He had a passion for gardening and spent a significant amount of time tending to his garden, nurturing various plants and flowers.

Lee Hoi-chuen was known for his love of animals, especially cats, and he would often rescue stray cats and provide them with a loving home.

In addition to his talents in the entertainment industry, Lee Hoi-chuen was also a skilled calligrapher, known for his beautiful handwriting and artistic expression.

Lee Hoi-chuen Biography

You wanted to know

What was Lee Hoi-chuen known for in his career?

Where was Lee Hoi-chuen born and raised?

What impact did Lee Hoi-chuen have on the Hong Kong film industry?

What were some of Lee Hoi-chuen's notable film roles?

How did Lee Hoi-chuen influence his son's career?