View source for Leo Fong

{{Short description|American actor (1928–2022)}}
{{cleanup|date=December 2018|reason=grammar, repeated phrases, bad sentence structure}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = Leo Fong
| image       =
| imagesize   =
| caption     =
| birthname   = Fung Tin-leon
| birth_date  = {{birth date|1928|11|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Xinhui, Jiangmen, Guangdong]], China
| death_date  = {{death date and age|2022|02|18|1928|11|23|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| othername   =
| education   = [[Hendrix College]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br />[[Southern Methodist University]] ([[Master of Theology|ThM]])<br />[[California State University, Sacramento]] ([[Master of Social Work|MSW]])
| website     = {{URL|http://www.leotfong.com/}}
| spouse      =
| years_active = 1974-2022
| module      = {{Infobox Chinese
| child       = yes
| t           = 馮天倫
| s           = 冯天伦
| p           = Féng Tiānlún
| w           = Fêng<sup>2</sup> Tʻien<sup>1</sup>-lun<sup>2</sup>
| j           = Fung<sup>4</sup> Tin<sup>1</sup>-leon<sup>4</sup>
| ci          = {{IPAc-yue|f|ung|4|-|t|in|1|.|l|eon|4}}
| toi         = fuung˨ hen˧ leon˨
}}}}
'''Leo Fong''' ({{Zh|t=馮天倫}}; 23 November 1928 – 18 February 2022) was a Chinese-American [[martial artist]], actor, [[Boxer (boxing)|boxer]], and [[Methodism|Methodist]] [[minister (Protestantism)|minister]] who had been making films, acting, and directing since the early 1970s. Fong was still acting in action films right up until his early 90s. Some of his films, such as ''[[Killpoint]]'' and ''[[Low Blow (film)|Low Blow]]'', are considered [[cult classics]].
==Background==
Fong was born on 23 November 1928 in [[Xinhui]] county (present Xinhui district of the city of [[Jiangmen]]), located in the province of [[Guangzhou]], China. Fong soon relocated to [[Seattle]] with his parents and siblings. They were detained for a time, as was common with immigrants from Asia. Upon being released in Seattle, the family traveled to [[Chicago]], where Fong's maternal uncle owned a restaurant in which his father had been guaranteed work. Working at the restaurant, Fong's father saved enough money to purchase a small grocery store in [[Widener, Arkansas]], a small agricultural community. Fong was the victim of [[racism|racial taunts]] at school, which often led to fights. Fong eventually took up boxing at age 15.<ref>USADojo.com, September 4, 2013 - [http://www.usadojo.com/biographies/leo-fong.htm Leo Fong Leo Fong Wei Kuen Do]</ref>
After graduating from [[Forrest City High School]], Fong attended [[Hendrix College]] in Arkansas, where he received a B.A. in physical education. He later received a master's degree in theology from [[Southern Methodist University]]. After beginning his career as a Methodist minister, he earned a [[Master of Social Work]] from [[California State University, Sacramento]]. Fong remained in [[Northern California]], where he continued his martial arts training.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blackbeltmag.com/arts/history-philosophy/leo-fong-kung-fu-artist-of-the-year-2006|title=Leo Fong: Kung Fu Artist Of The Year (2006) {{!}} Black Belt Magazine|date=2011-03-21|website=blackbeltmag.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UhLRCQAAQBAJ&dq=Forrest+City+High+School+leo+fong&pg=PA181|title=FMA Grandmasters and Masters|last=Frank|first=Bram|date=2017-11-09|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=9781312835023|language=en}}</ref>
His entry into eastern martial arts began in the 1950s with [[judo]] and [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu|jiu jitsu]]. Fong studied and practiced various martial arts styles until he developed his own style, Wei Kuen Do.<ref name="official site profile">{{Cite web|url=https://leotfong.com/|title=Leo T.Fong - Chinese-American Martial Artist|date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>
Fong was a friend of martial artist [[Bruce Lee]], who arranged for him to appear on the cover of the tenth anniversary edition of ''[[Black Belt (magazine)|Black Belt]]'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blackbeltmag.com/arts/chinese-arts/bruce-lee-leo-fong-and-their-martial-arts-connection-part-2|title=Bruce Lee, Leo Fong And Their Martial Arts Connection, Part 2 {{!}} Black Belt Magazine|date=2019-01-01|website=blackbeltmag.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-05}}</ref>
==Film career==
===1970s===
The first film in which he acted was ''Murder in the Orient'' (1974), a [[Philippines|Filipino]] martial arts exploitation film that co-stars [[Ron Marchini]] and also features Eva Reyes and Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia.<ref>{{IMDb title|id=0196771|title=Murder in the Orient}}</ref> In 1975, he starred in ''Bamboo Trap'' with Filipino actors [[George Estregan]], [[Chanda Romero]], [[Eddie Garcia]], [[Rez Cortez]] and [[Ron van Clief]].<ref>{{IMDb title|id=0164379|title=Bamboo Trap}}</ref>
Beginning in the late 1970s, Fong branched out into writing, directing, and producing films.<ref>{{IMDb name|id=0284585|name=Leo Fong}}</ref> Some of his films in the seventies to mid-'80s feature the same stock of actors,  [[Cameron Mitchell (actor)|Cameron Mitchell]], [[Hope Holiday]] and [[Stack Pierce]].<ref>ČSFD.cz - [https://www.csfd.cz/film/46558-the-last-reunion/zajimavosti/?type=film The Last Reunion, Hrají:]</ref><ref>[[Rotten Tomatoes]] - [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/killpoint/ Killpoint (1984)]</ref>
<ref>''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', June 02, 1986 - [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-02-ca-8531-story.html Movie Review : 'Low Blow' Takes Aim At The Heights Of Silliness - Michael Wilmington]</ref><ref>[[Letterboxd]] - [https://letterboxd.com/film/low-blow/ Low Blow 1986 Directed by Frank Harris]</ref>
===1980s to 1990s===
In ''[[Killpoint]]'' which was directed by [[Frank Harris (director)|Frank Harris]], he plays Lt. James Long, an L.A based policeman.  Long teams up with an FBI agent (played by [[Richard Roundtree]]) in hunting down the men that stole weapons from the [[National Guard Armory|National Guard armory]] and they stop them from selling them to street gangs.<ref>Rotten Tomatoes - [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/killpoint/ Killpoint (1984)]</ref><ref>''The Great Cop Pictures'', James Robert Parish - [https://books.google.com/books?id=on9ZAAAAMAAJ&q=Leo+Fong%22James+Long%22 Page 314, Page 315]</ref> In 1986, he was in another Frank Harris film, ''[[Low Blow (film)|Low Blow]]'', that also stars [[Cameron Mitchell (actor)|Cameron Mitchell]],  [[Akosua Busia]], [[Stack Pierce]], [[Diane Stevenett]] and [[Troy Donahue]]. Long stars as [[San Francisco]] based PI Joe Wong, operating from his untidy office. His mission in that film is to rescue a young heiress from a strange religious cult.<ref>''80s Action Movies on the Cheap: 284 Low Budget, High Impact Pictures'', By Daniel R. Budnik - [https://books.google.com/books?id=S6RtDgAAQBAJ&dq=%22Leo+Fong%22Joe+Wong%22&pg=PA121 Pages 120 - 121 ''Low Blow'']</ref><ref>''Los Angeles Times'', June 02, 1986 - [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-02-ca-8531-story.html Movie Review : 'Low Blow' Takes Aim At The Heights Of Silliness - Michael Wilmington]</ref> The Wong character was reprised for the 1986 film ''[[Blood Street]]'' which Fong co-directed with [[George Chung]]. His services are requested by a woman who walks into his office one day. She needs Wong to find her missing husband Aldo. Wong embarks on a journey though the world of the criminal. Along the way he encounters a father and son team of Solomon and Bones, played by Stack Pierce and [[Chuck Jeffreys]].<ref>Comeuppance Reviews - [http://www.comeuppancereviews.net/2011/02/ Blood Street (1990)]</ref><ref>Letterboxd - [https://letterboxd.com/film/blood-street/ Blood Street 1988 Directed by George Chung, Leo Fong]</ref> Wong would appear a third time in the 2016 film ''Hard Way Heroes'' that also starred Patrick Johnson, Joseph Guinan and [[Mel Novak]].<ref>Filmweb - [http://www.filmweb.pl/film/Hard+Way+Heroes-2010-544397 Hard Way Heroes (2010)]</ref><ref>''Cold Heat News'', October 27th, 2015  - [http://coldheatnews.com/archives/6307 SAMURAI COP 2’S MATT HANNON “HAS PULLED A LAZARUS”–BACK FROM THE DEAD—THE SEQUEL RAGES ON AFTER A 25 YEAR HIATUS!!]</ref>
Long appeared again in the 1993 film ''[[Showdown (1988 film)|Showdown]]'' which is about a Mafia retirement village called Sanctuary which is invaded by a biker gang. Werner Hoetzinger, Michelle McCormick, [[Richard Lynch]] and Troy Donaghue also appear in the film.<ref>[[TV Guide]] - [http://www.tvguide.com/movies/showdown/review/129395/ Review]</ref><ref>TV Guide - [http://www.tvguide.com/movies/showdown/cast/129395/ Cast & Crew]</ref>
===2000s===
A more recent film of his is ''Transformed'', a 2005 film with Christian themes and anti-drug message that features [[Tadashi Yamashita]] and [[Fred Williamson]]. He has worked with Williamson on a movie twice prior to this one. The first was the 1978 movie ''[[Blind Rage (film)|Blind Rage]]'', which follows a group of blind men who rob a bank.<ref>{{IMDb title|id=0077243|title=Blind Rage}}</ref> As well as acting in ''Transformed'', he also directed and produced it, composed the theme song and was involved in the editing.<ref>{{IMDb title|id=0769775|title=Transformed}}</ref> His latest film work includes ''Drifter TKD'', a 2008 film in which he plays Master Lee<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1260352/ ''Drifter TKD''] at the Internet Movie Database</ref> and ''The Last Musketeer,'' which he produced.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1087459/ ''The Last Musketeer''] at the Internet Movie Database</ref>
===Work with Len Kabasinski===
Fong co-starred in the 2018 film, ''Challenge of Five Gauntlets,'' which was directed by Len Kabasinski.<ref>Letterboxd - [https://letterboxd.com/film/challenge-of-five-gauntlets/ Challenge of Five Gauntlets]</ref> In a review of the film, film reviewer The Cinema Drunkie gave it a very good review, saying that the movie ruled and it was Len's finest work yet.  There was also the comment on Leo Fong saying the standout had to be the man the myth and Mr Low Blow himself, and how great it was to see him kicking ass again.<ref>The Cinema Drunkie, November 23, 2019 - [https://thecinemadrunkie.wordpress.com/2019/11/23/challenge-of-five-gauntlets-the-citizen-kane-of-low-budget-martial-arts-action-movies/ Challenge of Five Gauntlets: The Citizen Kane of Low Budget Martial Arts Action Movies]</ref> John M Jerva of Action-Flix.com said that it was a throwback to the great days of the 80's when films of this type swarmed the shelves of the video stores.<ref>Action-Flix.com - [https://action-flix.com/2019/11/22/challenge-of-the-five-gauntlets-one-man-will-take-on-five-to-save-a-life-in-the-indie-martial-arts-action-extravaganza/ ACTION-FLIX SPOTLIGHT, CHALLENGE OF THE FIVE GAUNTLETS: One Man Will Take On Five to Save a Life in the Indie Martial Arts Action Extravaganza!]</ref>
Fong's last role was in another Kabasinski film, ''[[Pact of Vengeance (film)|Pact of Vengeance]]'' which was released in 2022. He played the part of Zian, the owner of Champion's Garage<ref>Voices From The Balcony, July 9, 2022 - [https://www.voicesfromthebalcony.com/2022/07/09/pact-of-vengeance-2022-review/ Pact of Vengeance (2022) Review by Jim Morazzini]</ref> who turns to his old outfit “The Obliterators” to help deal with an extortion gang who have attacked his granddaughter. [[Jon Mikl Thor]], Diamante and [[Peter Avalon]] also star in the film.<ref>''Horror News'', 23/12/2021 - [https://horrornews.net/171081/len-kabasinskis-pact-of-vengeance-trailer-leo-fong-jon-mikl-thor-and-diamante/ Len Kabasinski’s PACT OF VENGEANCE – Trailer – Leo Fong, Jon Mikl Thor, and Diamante! by Adrian Helen]</ref> The film was screened in the Dipson Eastern Hills Cinema for the Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival at 9:30pm on Friday, August 19, 2022.<ref>Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival - [http://www.buffalodreamsfantasticfilmfestival.com/2022-schedule/ 2022 PROGRAM, August 19th –August 25th, FRIDAY, AUGUST 19,<br> 9:30pm,<br> Block 4, 9:30  Pact of Vengeance World Premiere: Action, USA, 80 mins]</ref>
===Fongsploitation===
Over the years, Fongsploitation, a type of [[Exploitation film]] subgenre attached to Fong has been noted. In a 2015 review of ''Enforcer from Death Row'', Johnny Larue's Crane Shot refers to the film as " one of the earliest Fongsploitation classics".<ref>Johnny Larue's Craneshot, WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015 - [https://craneshot.blogspot.com/2015/05/enforcer-from-death-row.html Enforcer From Death Row]</ref> In a review of ''Killpoint'' and ''Low Blow'', the Good Efficiency Butchery review site gave the heading "Retro Review, Special Fongsploitation Edition: KILLPOINT (1984) and LOW BLOW (1986)" for the review of the two films.<ref>Good Efficient Butchery, March 14, 2016 - [https://butchery55.rssing.com/chan-14869199/all_p23.html#c14869199a442?zx=813 Retro Review, Special Fongsploitation Edition: KILLPOINT (1984) and LOW BLOW (1986)]</ref>
==Personal life and death==
Fong died on 18 February 2022, at the age of 93.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/www.sohu.com/a/523911535_120471148|title=李小龙弟子冯天伦去世，享年94岁，曾与成龙、李连杰合作拍电影_美国_黑带_死亡|website=www.sohu.com}}</ref> He is survived by his wife Minerva, three children, his grandchildren, and his youngest sister.<ref>Legacy - [https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/batesville/name/leo-fong-obituary?pid=201731603 LEO FONG OBITUARY]</ref><ref>California-Nevada Conference, 2/18/2022 - [https://www.cnumc.org/obituaries/rev-leo-fong-16388240 News / Obituaries, Rev. Leo Fong]</ref><ref>The Press - [https://deaths.press.co.nz/obituaries/batesville/name/leo-fong-obituary?pid=201731603 Leo Tim Fong, 1928 - 2022, LEO FONG OBITUARY]</ref>
==Selected filmography==
'''Director'''
* ''[[24 Hours to Midnight]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Fight to Win (film)|Fight to Win]]'' (also known as ''Eyes of the Dragon'' or ''Dangerous Passages'') (1987)
* ''[[Blood Street]]'' (1988)
* ''[[Hawkeye (film)|Hawkeye]]'' (also known as ''Karate Cops'') (1988)
* ''Showdown'' (1993)
'''Actor'''
* ''Murder in the Orient'' (1974)
* ''Tiger's Revenge'' (1975)
* ''Bamboo Trap'' (1975)
* ''[[Enforcer from Death Row]]'' (1976) as T. L. Young
* ''[[Blind Rage (film)|Blind Rage]]'' (1978) as Lin Wang
* ''[[The Last Reunion]]'' (1980) as Tamon Matsuda
* ''[[Killpoint]]'' (1984) as Lt. James Long
* ''Ninja Assassins'' (1985)
* ''[[24 Hours to Midnight]]'' (1985) as Mr. Big
* ''[[Low Blow (film)|Low Blow]]'' (1986) as Joe Wong
* ''Rapid Fire'' (1988)
* ''License to Kill'' (1988)
* ''Jungle Heat'' (1988)
* ''[[Blood Street]]'' (1988) as Joe Wong
* ''Showdown'' (1993) as James Long
* ''[[Cage II]]'' (1994) as Tanaka
* ''Carjack'' (1996) as Lee's Boss
* ''Transformed'' (2005) as the Fist
* ''Drifter TKD'' (2008) as Master Lee
* ''Thunderkick'' (2008) as Master Wong
* ''The Shadow Boxer'' (2012) as Chi Master
* ''Hard Way Heroes'' (2016) as Joe Wong
* ''Challenge of Five Gauntlets'' (2018) as Sang-Jin
* ''[[Pact of Vengeance]]'' (2022) as Zian
==Publications==
* ''Choy Lay Fut Kung-Fu'' by Leo Fong
* ''Si Lum Kung-Fu: The Chinese art of Self-Defense'' by Leo Fong
* ''Power Training in Kung-Fu'' by Ron Marchini  and Leo Fong<ref>''[[Black Belt Magazine|Black Belt]]'', March 1984 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=HNsDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Leo+Fong%22&pg=PA18 Page 18]</ref>
==Fighting Style==
Wei Kuen Do (Way of the Integrated Fist): A complete system based on its roots in '''[[Jeet Kune Do]]''', Serrada [[Escrima]], Western [[Boxing]], [[Choy Lay Fut]], '''[[Northern Shaolin (martial art)|Northern Shaolin]]''', [[Wrestling]], [[Tang Soo Do]], [[Tae Kwon Do]], [[Karate]], [[Judo]], [[Jujitsu|Jujutsu]], Arnis, and [[Wing Chun]]. As of March 24, 2017 Leo Fong assigned a three-man council to continue promoting and overseeing his art of Wei Kuen Do.  The council members are Jeff Jeds, Klein Buen, and Bong Tumaru.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0284585}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes person|leo_fong}}
* {{Official website|http://www.leotfong.com/}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=p84DAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Leo+Fong%22&pg=PA22 ''Black Belt'', Nov 1970 acticle: Putting Theory into Practice: Leo Fong's Eclectic System of Self Defense By C. Morgan]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=KdQDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Leo+Fong%22&pg=PA40 ''Black Belt'', Nov 1976 article: The Chinese Minister from Arkansas Who Makes Martial Arts Movies By Peter Koenig]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my_T3WHmz80 Grandmaster Leo Fong vintage footage]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fong, Leo}}
[[Category:1928 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:Male actors from Seattle]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American martial artists]]
[[Category:Martial arts writers]]
[[Category:American Methodist clergy]]
[[Category:Chinese emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:American sportspeople of Chinese descent]]
[[Category:Martial arts school founders]]
[[Category:People from Xinhui District]]
[[Category:California State University, Sacramento alumni]]
[[Category:Hendrix College alumni]]
[[Category:Southern Methodist University alumni]]