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).
2002 • TV
1993 • TV
1985 • TV
1984 • TV
2008 • Movie
1998 • Movie
as Flaming Dragon Compound Person (uncredited)
as Juntao's Man in Los Angeles (uncredited)
as Chinese Leader
as Kung Fu Fighter
as Obata
as Kick Boxer Opponent
as Hit Man
as Chang Sing #1
as Prince Samarki
as Hershe Gang Member
as Sae Jin Kwon
as James
as Mr. James
as Darius
as Leo Thamaree
as Lou Chang
as Chin
as Knife #1
as Karate Instructor
as Jason
Director
Writer
Director
as ND Man #1
1 episodes
as Security Guard
1 episodes
as Asian Thug
1 episodes
as Cambodian
1 episodes
as Anad Chenerad
1 episodes
as Bloodhound Teep
1 episodes
as Man in Bar
1 episodes
1 episodes
as Tiger
1 episodes
as Cop
1 episodes
as Warrior
1 episodes
as Asian Thug
1 episodes
as Ton Li
1 episodes
as Mosura
1 episodes
as Thug with knife
1 episodes
as Movie Villain #2
1 episodes
1 episodes
1 episodes
as Quan Li
1 episodes
as Sensei Phil
1 episodes
