Summary

• Jackie Chan is a legendary comedic martial arts movie star known for his technical skills and direction, but while he's the most famous among them, he's not the only one.
• Martial arts stars like Sammo Hung and Chow Yun-fat have similarly extended their influence behind the scenes as action directors.
• Others, like Cynthia Rothrock and Michelle Yeoh, bring humor to their roles through physical comedy and impeccable timing.

In the dynamic realm of martial arts cinema, a select few actors have proven their technical skills and brilliant physical comedic timing. Jackie Chan is the most legendary of these comedic martial arts movie stars, often serving as director and visionary of his films as well. As an actor, he mixes exaggerated characterizations with genuine toughness. Yet, many other martial arts stars are capable of delivering as many laughs as thrills.

Many of these artists, like Chan, have extended their influence behind the scenes, donning the hats of action directors and stunt choreographers — some of them have even directed their films. These actors bring technical martial arts prowess, a sense of the stakes and dynamics of the film, and a masterful understanding of the meticulous timing needed to land slapstick humor. In their performances, they embody over-the-top and eccentric characters, leaving an indelible mark on both action and comedy cinema. As laughter and adrenaline intertwine in death-defying and hilariously outlandish spectacles, these martial arts maestros have captivated audiences worldwide.

7 Sammo Hung

Which comedies to watch: The Magnificent Butcher (1979), Encounter of the Spooky Kind (1980), Pedicab Driver (1989)

Hong Kong actor, producer, and director Sammo Hung began his career as a child actor before ing Shaw Brothers Studios at 14, where he eventually became an action filmmaker. His enduring partnership with childhood schoolmate Jackie Chan resulted in numerous collaborations, where Hung's roles ranged from fight choreographer to co-star.

Hung is a trailblazer of the jiangshi genre, which revolves around reanimated corpses akin to vampires without the blood-sucking part. The most notable example of the genre is his film Encounter of the Spooky Kind, which mixed horror, comedy, and kung fu in an unprecedented new way. Hung's choreography and performance style are characterized by incredible acrobatics, a larger-than-life presence, and exaggerated expressions. His agility not only allowed him to seamlessly transition between characters, from bumbling fools to clever tricksters but also allowed him to execute his dynamic roles with remarkable ease.

6 Chow Yun-Fat

Which comedies to watch: God of Gamblers (1989), Once a Thief (1991)

Chow Yun-fat emerged as an incredibly versatile actor in the 1980s, gaining recognition for his performance in John Woo's A Better Tomorrow. While not primarily known for comedy, his career showcases masterful and effortlessly charming personas in a diverse range of genres, spanning from heart-wrenching dramas to enthralling action epics and even lighthearted comedies. In the 1989 film God of Gamblers, Chow effortlessly transitions from a suave gambler to a bumbling fool after a head injury, all the while delivering precise action choreography in character. He equally chews the scenery as a villain in the more recent Let the Bullets Fly.

5 Cynthia Rothrock

Which comedies to watch: Yes, Madam! (1985)

American martial artist Cynthia Rothrock made a significant impact on the genre when, in the 1980s, the Hong Kong production company Golden Harvest discovered her and began casting her in their films. Later, she found success in the U.S. film industry as well. Although Rothrock often portrayed serious and skilled fighters, in films like Yes, Madam! where she starred alongside Michelle Yeoh, her tough, no-nonsense demeanor served as a hilarious contrast to the bizarre situations and characters around her. Additionally, she skillfully incorporated moments of physical comedy, and her ability to approach comedic situations with seriousness only made them funnier.

4 Michelle Yeoh

Which comedies to watch: Yes, Madam! (1985), Wing Chun (1994), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

After starting her career as a ballet dancer, Michelle Yeoh ascended to movie stardom performing her own stunts in numerous Hong Kong action films throughout the 1990s. She later made a significant impact in Hollywood, securing roles in the James Bond franchise and achieving international success with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Yeoh's versatile skill set includes dramatic prowess, fierce action skills, and excellent farcical timing.

However, her career reached new heights when she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 2022 surrealist multiverse comedy Everything Everywhere All at Once. In the film, Yeoh demonstrates her profound understanding of character, delivers hilarious lines with impeccable timing, portrays a deep well of emotion, and showcases intimidatingly badass fighting skills. Playing the role of a struggling laundromat owner suddenly dealing with immense power and responsibility, Yeoh also flexed her previously underexplored skills in physical comedy, adding another layer to her already impressive repertoire.

3 Yuen Biao

Which comedies to watch: The Prodigal Son (1981), Wheels on Meals (1984), The Iceman Cometh (1989)

Yuen Biao's indelible impact on the martial arts film genre is distinguished by his adept fusion of martial arts prowess and comedy. Acclaimed for his physical finesse and agility, Biao seamlessly incorporated physical comedy, situational humor, and a sense of charisma into his films. Notably, Biao's "Three Dragons" collaborations with Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung significantly shaped the genre, exemplified in their 1984 film Wheels on Meals. In this film, Biao and Chan portray cousins running a mobile restaurant, with Hung ing as their blundering private detective friend.

Yuen Biao's mischievous and playful portrayals injected a distinctive comedic dimension into his characters. In The Prodigal Son, the actor takes center stage as a wealthy young man struggling with kung fu, leading his father to pay others to lose fights against him. Biao's performance in action sequences showcased both technical skill and a hilarious sense of humor, contributing to his enduring legacy in martial arts comedies.

2 Stephen Chow

Which comedies to watch: Shaolin Soccer (2001), Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

Renowned Hong Kong filmmaker and actor Stephen Chow has made an enduring impact on the industry by directing and starring in an impressive lineup of 10 comedy films. Rising to fame in China during the '90s, his "mo lei tau" or "brainless" films seamlessly blend action with the ridiculous, incorporating anything-goes visual gags and a joyfully endless and inane imaginative style reminiscent of cartoons. Chow achieved international success with his 2001 film Shaolin Soccer, where a group of soccer players learns Shaolin kung fu to channel hilariously superhuman skills on the field.

1 Alexander Fu Sheng

Which comedies to watch: The Treasure Hunters (1981), Legendary Weapons of China (1982)

Alexander Fu Sheng gained prominence in the '70s through his collaboration with several directors at the renowned Shaw Brothers Studio, the largest film production company in Hong Kong at the time. Fu's youthful energy and irreverence made him stand out, and mixed with his karate, judo, and dance training, he excellently and fearlessly paired extreme stunts with bouncy slapstick humor. His promising career was tragically cut short by his untimely death at 28, but he has still left a lasting impact on action cinema. In The Treasure Hunters, Fu brings his charismatic screen presence and ridiculous sense of comedy to a film that only gets more and more wild.