At 73 years old, Hong Kong action legend Sammo Hung (also known as Samuel Hung Kam-bo) is showing no signs of slowing down. After receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Hung remains committed to contributing to the struggling Hong Kong film industry. “I never thought about resting,” he said, reinforcing his dedication to the industry that shaped his life for over six decades.
Criticize the No-Payment Acting Trend
Speaking as the jury president at the 18th Asian Film Awards, Sammo Hung reflected on the current state of Hong Kong cinema in an interview with media outlet HK01, admitting, “Back then, we were close in spirit. Now it’s all about business. It breaks my heart to see what’s become of it.”
When asked about calls for actors to reduce their fees to help the industry recover, Hung didn’t held back his words, stating, “How can you ask someone to work without pay in this economy? You can’t force a $15 cake to be sold for $9. It doesn’t work like that.”
Though aware of the trend where younger actors take unpaid roles out of passion, Hung warned against setting that as the industry norm, saying, “You can survive one year without pay, but ten years? What are you going to eat? You can’t live on candles and ghost money.”
Why He Didn’t Pursue Hollywood
In 1998, Sammo made his Hollywood debut in the CBS action series “Martial Law”, where he choreographed his own fight scenes. But despite the creative control, the experience was far from glamorous, with the actor revealing, “I didn’t understand the scripts I had to memorize them phonetically. It was tough.”
The person who helped him the most during that time was his wife, actress Joyce Godenzi, whom he married in 1995. She translated lines, recorded them, and helped him rehearse daily. “If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have made it. Even a hired tutor couldn’t have helped like she did. She’s truly amazing”, the actor recalled.
Despite the show’s success in the U.S., Sammo chose to return to Asia. Explaining this, he said, “I knew I couldn’t be like Jackie Chan or Jet Li. They went global at their peak. Me? Age and health held me back. And let’s be real—how many roles are written for a fat Chinese guy who’s funny, can fight, and speaks English?”
Sammo, who turned back to China and Hong Kong following his brush with Hollywood, also insisted that he will continue to contribute despite his age, stating, “I have no idea how far I can continue to go, but I’m not planning to change my stance any time soon.”
A Legend True to His Roots
Sammo Hung, born in 1952, is a renowned actor, director, producer, martial artist, and action choreographer with a legacy spanning over 60 years. From classic films like “Winners & Sinners”, “Project A”, “Enter the Dragon”, and “Wheels on Meals” to his behind-the-scenes work, Hung has been a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s golden era of action cinema.
Sammo Hung may not have chased Hollywood fame, but he remains one of Asia’s most respected cinematic icons, still walking the path he paved with sweat, spirit, and sincerity.
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