Bruce Lee is a legend name that is heard even by the modern young generation. Despite the fact that this actor and fighter died in the distant 1973, they still remember him and honor him. We must not miss the fact that after the death of Lee, an incredible amount of his “understudies” bred, which marked the roles and fame of the idol of millions. Fans treat all of them very contemptuously, but one figure stands out against their background, which deserves not only attention, but also respect - this is Bruce Lai. Who is he? A revived legend or another clone?
Curriculum Vitae
Bruce Lai was born in Taiwan in 1950 on June 5th. It is noteworthy that the real name of the future actor and stuntman is Chung Theo Ho, who he still bears. And Bruce Lai is just one of the pseudonyms that allowed him to become famous throughout the world. From childhood, Chung did not strive for fame, he was much more interested in martial arts, of course, oriental. From an early age he trained and thanks to this at the young age he joined the ranks of stuntmen. So began the cinema path of the future star, about which no one knew yet.
In the period from 1972 to 1974 he starred in a number of films, of course, as a stuntman, under the pseudonym James Ho. As the actor later said in an interview, this name was much more comfortable for him than the loud pseudonym that later glorified him. Among the first works in which Bruce Lai participated, can be called "Retribution", "Iron Triangle", "Chinese Iron Man" and others.
The birth of a new star
The name of the movie "Game of Death" became symbolic and fateful for the greatest star of those years - Bruce Lee. Under extremely mysterious circumstances, the actor died right during the filming. The material was sorely lacking to properly mount and release the film, and then the directors remembered a man who is incredibly similar to Lee. At that time, James Ho was offered to "finish" the role of Bruce. However, the stuntman refused this honor, since he considered himself insufficiently suitable for such a role.
Some time later, the fighter begins to collaborate with director Jimmy Shaw, and he offers to take him the pseudonym Bruce Lai. The martial artist understands that he can miss his chance to become famous, and even though he doesn’t really want to imitate the great star, he agrees to the show’s offer.
The first shoot as an actor
It is important to note that Bruce Lai never put his film career above life values. For example, barely starting cooperation with the director of the Show, he goes to serve in the army. Having given his debt to his homeland, the stuntman returns to the world of cinema and takes part in the filming of "Farewell, Bruce Lee: His Last Game of Death", where he, as you might guess, plays a major role and simultaneously performs all the tricks. In the same 1975, a fighter takes part in the filming of a similar picture called "Bruce Lee vs. Superman." Films scored very high ratings and became incredibly popular all over the world. However, Bruce Lai himself claimed that he could play as the deceased idol of millions, but he could never truly replace him.
Demand period
The new face, which was an excellent alternative to the deceased idol, became adored not only by ordinary viewers, but also by numerous directors. Amazingly, the number of films with Bruce Lai in the period from 1976 to 1979 exceeded the number 24. They all had the same genre - kung fu action, and in each picture there was a maximum number of battle scenes with the main character. Among the sensational fighters, the following can be distinguished: “The dragon enters the tiger,” “The limit of rage”, “Mortal strike”, “Dynamo”, “Iron dragon strikes back”, “Bruce Lee - a myth-man” and many others.
Absurdity and fanaticism
Actor Bruce Lai became famous at the time when, at the peak of his own popularity, his prototype, Bruce Lee, died. Of course, the death of the star was not hidden from anyone, but soon the young "clone" began to be identified with its predecessor in full. Posters for the paintings in which Bruce Lai starred appeared, and instead of his photo they printed the image of Lee. In some scenes, there were even moments when a great fighter seemed to choose a receiver for himself and transfer his knowledge and skills to him. Bruce Lai himself in the films in which he starred was only an actor and stuntman. Such plot twists, as well as public relations campaigns did not suit him. But due to the outward resemblance to Lee, the career of a young fighter quickly went uphill, and his patrons did not advise him to abandon such a role.
Directing
Having taken part in the cosmic number of films for such a short period of time, the stuntman realized that he could not get rid of the image of Bruce Lee. He became not just a clone, but a continuation of the great fighter and actor, and adequately starred in all films as his successor.
In the early 80s, he slows down a little and changes his profile. Now Bruce Lai is a director who himself puts on kung fu action films and himself performs battle scenes in them. His projects were extremely successful and profitable. They have earned unprecedented fame not only in the vastness of China, but also in many other countries of the world. Among the brilliant works of “Bruce” are the following: “The Power of the Dragon”, “Chinese Shorty”, “Fists of Bruce Lee” and others. After working as a director for several years, Chung Tao Ho leaves the cinema.
Personal loss
For the actor, leaving the cinema was caused not only by a desire to relax. A real tragedy occurred in Bruce Laya's Biography - his wife died of cancer. Not wanting to appear in public and discuss what happened with reporters, Stuntman and a kung fu master disappear from sight of both fans and media representatives for almost 10 years. A few years after the bereavement, Chung takes a job as a trainer at the University of Taipei. On his shoulders now lies the training of young fighters and stuntmen, teaching them all the intricacies of art and skill.
New life
Having gained experience in yet another new business - in teaching young talents, Chung Tao Ho decides to open his own gym. In addition to simulators, he involves training in kung fu and other types of martial arts. The former actor and stuntman himself acts as a teacher, and hires qualified assistants. This is the case that he is still leading. Ho does not plan to return to the world of cinema, he is satisfied with a calm and measured life in his native Taiwan.
Last surge
In 1990, wanting to remember the past or at the request of old friends, directors, Bruce Lai returned to the big screen for the last time. He plays a role in his usual Kung Fu role in the series Yellowthread Street. It’s quite difficult to find a movie in the Russian box office - it was not broadcast on our TV and was not released on tape. Nevertheless, for the Hong Kong public, as well as for the Americans, this was a very interesting project for those years. After the premiere, Bruce agreed to give several interviews for programs and magazines, shared the features of his current life, spoke about the past and plans for the future. After that, the passion for the successor star of the legendary Bruce Lee began to fade. Now only the older generation knows about him, as well as moviegoers who like the genre in which the stuntman, actor and director Chung Tao Ho worked.
Filmography
In order to list absolutely all the pictures in which Bruce Lai starred, it will take a lot of time. Therefore, below we will name the most vivid and famous films with his participation, which became hits of their time.
- "Kung Fu Gecko" - 1972.
- Deadly Duel - 1972.
- "Chinese Iron Man" - 1973.
- The Iron Triangle - 1973.
- "Retribution" - 1974.
- "Strong Rickshaw" - 1974.
- Goodbye Bruce Lee - 1975.
- "Bruce vs. Superman" - 1975.
- "The Legend of Bruce Lee" - 1976.
- "The dragon leaves, the tiger appears" - 1976.
- Fist of Fury 2 - 1977.
- "The Bruce Lee Secret" - 1977.
- "The New Game of Death" - 1977.
- Dynamo - 1978.
- "The Last Fist of Fury" - 1978.
- "Mortal Strike" - 1978.
- "Bruce Against an Iron Hand" - 1979.
- "The Exit of the Three Dragons" - 1979.
- Fist of Fury 3 - 1979.
- The Golden Loop - 1979.
- "Bruce's Blind Fist" - 1979.
- "The Return of the Tiger" - 1979.
- "The Power of the Dragon" - 1982.
- "Chinese Shorty" - 1982.
- Yellowthread Street - 1990.
Conclusion
The greatest and most talented stuntman, actor, fighter - Bruce Lai - has just opened for us. The biography of this star is filled with work on films in which he does not just play. First, he replaces the legendary Bruce Lee. And then he plays typical roles for him. He had to become a continuation of Bruce Lee, his successor, his "clone". Yes, thanks to this, the artist became famous, but, perhaps, no one recognized his personal qualities, his features and highlights.