Yuen Woo-ping Biography: Age, Siblings, Wife, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Children, Movies, Nationality
Yuen Woo-ping is a legendary Hong Kong martial arts choreographer, film director, and occasional actor who transformed action cinema through innovative fight sequences and kung fu comedy.
He rose from stunt work at Shaw Brothers to directing Jackie Chan vehicles like Snake in The Eagle’s Shadow (1978) and Drunken Master (1978), which launched Chan’s stardom.
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His choreography credits span global hits including The Matrix trilogy, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill, and Fearless.
Early Life and Education
Yuen Woo-ping was born on August 24, 1945, in Guangzhou, China, to father, the renowned martial arts actor and choreographer Yuen Siu-tien.
He is the eldest of ten children in his family, with siblings including Yuen Cheung-Yan, Yat Chor Yuen, Yuen Shun-yi, Brandy Yuen, and Yuen Lung-chu.
His father trained him rigorously from a young age in Peking opera and northern-style kung fu, sending him to study under masters like Yu Jim-yuen at the China Drama Academy.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Name: | Yuen Woo-ping |
| Born: | August 24, 1945 (age 80 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Guangzhou, Guangdong, China |
| Nationality: | Chinese (Hong Kong) |
| Ethnicity: | Chinese |
| Height: | 1.70 m |
| Parents: | Yuen Siu-tien |
| Siblings: | Yuen Cheung-Yan, Yat Chor Yuen, Yuen Shun-yi, Brandy Yuen, Yuen Lung-chu |
| Spouse: | Didi Pang (m. 1984) |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Two |
| Occupation: | Martial Arts Choreographer, Film Director, Actor |
| Net Worth: | $10 million |
Personal Life
Yuen Woo-ping, the 80-year-old choreographer and director standing 1.70 m tall, shares a long-standing marriage with Didi Pang (Pang Sau Ha) since 1984.
The couple has two children: a daughter born in 1986 and a son in 1988. He is known for his dedication to family traditions rooted in martial arts.
Career
Yuen Woo-ping began in the 1960s as an extra, stuntman, and bit-part actor at Shaw Brothers Studio, gradually advancing to martial arts direction in the early 1970s on projects like The Mad Killer.
His major breakthrough came in 1978 when he directed and choreographed Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow and Drunken Master, pioneering a comedic kung fu style that propelled Jackie Chan to fame and revitalized the genre.
His influence grew through directing further hits and providing groundbreaking choreography for international successes such as The Matrix series, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill, and numerous Donnie Yen and Jet Li films.
Yuen has directed nearly 30 features, including True Legend (2010) and Blades of the Guardians, while earning multiple Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Action Choreography and lifetime achievement honors, cementing his role as a pioneer who bridged Eastern and Western action filmmaking.
Awards
- Multiple Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Action Choreography
- Golden Horse Awards recognitions for action choreography
- American Choreography Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award (Golden Mulberry, Far East Film Festival 2026)
- Inductee, Hong Kong Avenue of Stars
Net Worth
Yuen Woo-ping has amassed an estimated net worth of approximately $10 million USD derived from his prolific work as a director and choreographer across decades of Hong Kong and Hollywood productions.
Primary sources of wealth include fees for major blockbusters like The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, along with directing credits, production companies such as Peace Films, and ongoing industry contributions.
Filmography
- Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow (1978) – Director/Choreographer
- Drunken Master (1978) – Director/Choreographer
- Tiger Cage (1988) – Choreographer/Actor
- Fist of Legend (1994) – Choreographer
- The Matrix (1999) – Choreographer
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – Choreographer
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 & 2 (2003–2004) – Choreographer
- True Legend (2010) – Director
- Blades of the Guardians – Director
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