Robin Shu is a representative of Hollywood actors from China. The most famous role is Liu Kang, one of the main characters in the cult films Mortal Kombat (Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2). A recognized professional in martial arts such as wushu, kempo karate.
Short biography of Robin Shu
The future famous film actor was born on July 17, 1960 in Hong Kong. Robin Shu - not the real name and surname of the actor, but pseudonyms. From the moment he was born, he has been Chau Wanbo (Qiu Yunbo).
Appeared in the family of a famous Hong Kong tailor. His mother did not work, but looked after the children, engaged in their upbringing. In total, the family had five children: three boys and two girls. Robin was the fourth oldest, after two sisters and a brother.
Robin Shu speaks very well of her mother, as he was very attached to her. Characterizes the father as a tough and not always fair person.
In the early 70s of the last century, the Robin family moved to reside in the United States.
Passion for martial arts
At a young age, the future actor began to get involved in kempo karate. However, having mastered this type of martial arts, he came to the conclusion that to achieve any success, karate is not enough. He quits classes. However, after a year and a half he became acquainted with the Wushu style, having got to the demonstration competitions of the Beijing national team. What he saw inspired Robin Shu so much that he left for the city of Nanjing (China), having previously sold his car and interrupted classes at the University of California.
The departure to China became so swift that for some time even the parents did not know where their son had gone. The fact that Robin is in China, parents told his aunt.
Mastering Wushu is given to Robin quite easily. He demonstrates success. So participation in national competitions in the USA in 1982 and 1983 brings him rewards both for hand-to-hand combat and for fighting with weapons. He is assigned the rank of Wushu master. Caught in the attention of the head coach of the US team Chen, who deals with him individually.
But Robin returns to study at California State University (Los Angeles) and graduates with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
The beginning of an actor’s career
However, Robin Shu did not devote himself to the acquired profession, but began a different career. He, as a promising actor with a good looks, possessing excellent martial arts skills, was invited to the Hong Kong film industry. What Robin agreed to, starting in the second half of the 80s work in the cinema.
During the Hong Kong period, there are a lot of films with the participation of Robin Shu. These are mostly militants in which he, as a rule, played negative roles. Acting work in Hong Kong was intense and hard. He also acted as a stuntman, performing complex tricks. But Robin, despite his acting talents, showing himself to be an unsurpassed master of Chinese martial arts, was not awarded attention, fame and popularity.
Being in constant search of an opportunity to achieve fame, Robin makes an attempt to start a career in Hollywood. To do this, he starred in the Hollywood television movie Forbidden Nights. However, the role did not satisfy Shu and he returns to Hong Kong again. But he is again unlucky with roles. By the beginning of the 90s, the main roles of Robin Shu in cheap action films. It is this situation that pushes him to make a final decision to return to the United States.
Finding a lack of funds, Robin Shu, finding a partner, starts a business in the field of import-export of sporting goods, inclined to make a decision to end his film career.
Robin and the role of Liu Kang
But at this time, his agent, learning about the search for actors for a role in the movie Mortal Kombat, offers Robin to pass the test. Shu hesitates for a while, as he does not intend to play the villain again. But, in the end, he passed the tests and was unexpectedly approved for the main role (Liu Kang), bypassing the famous actors such as Dustin Nguyen, Russell Wong, Scott Lee.
Robin Shu is very proud of his work in this film. Indeed, when shooting, he did not have an understudy, and he set all the fights himself, performing complex tricks. Film critics believe that his fight with Keith Cook is a masterpiece. Technical, furious, saturated with energy, it stands out from other battles. Also a remarkable phenomenon in the film was the final battle with his participation, replete with impressive special effects.
After the film was released, the actor instantly became famous. To date, many consider him a legend, connecting with him their unforgettable childhood experiences. Photos of Robin Shu of that period are recognizable now.
Actor career sunset
After the release of the movie Mortal Kombat 2, in which Shu continued to play Liu Kang, he did not play any other prominent roles. And this film quickly came to naught at the box office. The career decline is tentatively in 2009, since that time the actor has not received any serious offers. They invited him to secondary roles, in the comedy "The Beverly Hills Ninja", the film "Streetfighter", the trilogy "Death Race". In 2012, voiced the game Sleeping Dogs.
Robin Shu is married, he has a small child - a son. The actor married late enough, at the age of 49. The wife's name is Anna.
Since 2015, Robin Shu, films with whose participation was once very popular, practically does not appear on the screens. The last most notable project with his participation was the film “Kung Fu Cowboy”.
He is seriously interested in his favorite hobby - the creation of ceramic products. This process, he said, replaces meditation. Talking about this hobby, he said that for the sake of curiosity I signed up for evening courses and, having visited several classes, found good inclinations for further creativity. Since then he has not abandoned pottery. In addition, he often travels, mainly to Thailand.
Actor films
The filmography of Robin Shu has 48 films. Film genres - action, thriller, drama. The first film with his participation was released on the screens in 1987, the last in 2015.
Film critics distinguish the following from all films:
- "The Cell of Death", the role of Xi Khan;
- The Fatal Mission, the role of the police Dragon;
- "Street Fighter - The Legend of Chun Li", the role of Gene;
- "Mortal Kombat", the role of Liu Kang;
- "Beverly Hills Ninja", the role of Gobey;
- "Agent of Interpol", the role of Ko Chi Pen;
- “Pistols and Roses”, the role of Joey;
- “Mortal Kombat. Extermination ”, the role of Liu Kang;
- “18 fingers of death”, the role of Jackie Chong;
- "DOA: Dead or Alive," the role of leader of the pirates;
- "Death Race", the role of 14K;
- "Detective Rush", the role of Chen Bolin;
- Deadly Race 2: Frankenstein Alive, 14K Role.
- The Pirate Brothers, the role of Sunny.
Robin Shu has not lost his connection with the cinema; he is engaged in producing films and supporting young actors.