![\"Yuen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279450958-0a31.jpg\")
\n\t\tHong Kong and martial arts cinema legend Yuen Cheung-yan died on New Year\u2019s Day (Picture: Columbia TriStar)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tHong Kong and martial arts cinema legend Yuen Cheung-yan died on New Year\u2019s Day (Picture: Columbia TriStar)<\/p>\n
Veteran actor, director and martial arts choreographer Yuen Cheung-yan has died at the age of 69.<\/p>\n
He was best known by film fans for appearing in Stephen Chow\u2019s 2004 action comedy<\/a> Kung Fu Hustle, but was also a member of renowned Hong Kong family the Yuens, who showed a remarkable talent for action and martial arts choreography.<\/p>\n His work in Hollywood also saw him contribute to classic blockbusters like Charlie\u2019s Angels and The Matrix<\/a> franchise.<\/p>\n Yuen died at midday on January 1 at Hong Kong\u2019s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, according to film director and actor Lee Lik-chi.<\/p>\n He shared the news on his Weibo page on Thursday, in a post seen by the South China Morning Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Local media also cited an obituary shared by his widow.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018May Master Yuen rest in eternal peace,\u2019 Lee added, of Yuen.<\/p>\n A wake for the star will be held on February 1 at Universal Funeral Parlour, with a funeral to follow the next day, but no further details have yet been given regarding the cause of Yuen\u2019s death.<\/p>\n Yuen played the tricksy Beggar in Kung Fu Hustle, who manages to sell Chow\u2019s character the Buddha\u2019s Palm manual, but also appeared in films including 1973\u2019s Police Woman \u2013 opposite Jackie Chan in an earlier supporting role<\/a> \u2013 and 1992\u2019s King of Beggars, as well as 2014\u2019s Once Upon a Time in Shanghai.<\/p>\n However, his work off-screen as an action and martial arts choreographer alongside directing several movies in Hong Kong, made an even greater impact.<\/p>\n \t\t He was awarded a prize at the 11th Hong Kong Film Awards for best action choreography for Once Upon a Time in China (1991), starring Jet Li, as one of its three choreographers.<\/p>\n The son of the late martial arts actor and choreographer Yuen Siu-tien, Yuen\u2019s career began in the late 1960s.<\/p>\n Older brother Yuen Woo-ping, 80, is also a martial arts choreographer and director in Hong Kong and later Hollywood, with whom Yuen initially formed the Yuen Family production group.<\/p>\n Another brother, Yuen Shun-yi, is understood to be a martial artist, actor, and stuntman as well.<\/p>\n \t\t Yuen\u2019s impressive Hollywood portfolio included iconic fight choreography for Charlie\u2019s Angles in 1999<\/a>, starring Cameron Diaz<\/a>, Drew Barrymore<\/a> and Lucy Liu<\/a>, as well as its 2003 follow-up, Charlie\u2019s Angels: Full Throttle.<\/p>\n He was also credited with work on Daredevil in 2003, which starred Ben Affleck<\/a> in the titular superhero role and Jennifer Garner<\/a> as Elektra.<\/p>\n Yuen also worked on a franchise practically defined \u2013 and certainly instantly recognised \u2013 by its fight choreography, The Matrix, working on its 2003 sequels<\/a> The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.<\/p>\n \t\t Action star Donnie Yen also paid tribute to Yuen on social media, posting: \u2018From our youthful encounter in Drunken Tai Chi (1984) to our recent collaboration in Sakra (2023). Brother Cheung Yan, your legacy shines in cinema as your spirit lives on. <\/p>\n \u2018We will cherish your memory forever. Rest in peace.\u2019<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Yuen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279451043-3272.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe renowned martial arts choreographer and actor worked alongside the likes of Jackie Chan and Jet Li, appearing in and winning awards for his choreography in 1991\u2019s Once Upon a Time in China (pictured)<\/p>\n![\"Yuen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279451341-ff29.jpg\")
\n\t\tHe was a member of a martial arts family that shaped Hong Kong\u2019s celebrated films in the genre (pictured in 1994\u2019s Fist of Legend)<\/p>\n![\"Yuen](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279451415-d600.jpg\")
\n\t\tYuen also worked in Hollywood, expanding his influence (Picture: X)<\/p>\n![\"Editorial](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_279453337-1640.jpg\")
\n\t\tHe choreographed famous fight scenes in the 2003 Matrix sequels, starring Keanu Reeves (Picture: Moviestore\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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