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Andy Cheng

Andy Cheng Kai-chung (born c. 1967) is a Hong Kong-born stuntman, martial artist, action director, choreographer, and actor, renowned for his pioneering role in bridging with blockbusters as a longtime member of the . Raised in poverty in Hong Kong's and Sau Mau Ping districts, Cheng began training in at age 14 without formal instruction, eventually becoming an international champion and earning a at the 1990 Asian Taekwondo Championships before retiring from competition. Cheng entered Hong Kong cinema as a for productions in the early and joined the Stuntmen Association in 1997 after working on Mr. Nice Guy (1997), where he doubled for Chan and impressed with his agility. Relocating to the in the late , he contributed stunts to landmark films including (1998) and (2001)—where he survived a near-fatal fall during a rooftop scaffold sequence—and (2000). Transitioning to action direction and choreography, Cheng helmed sequences for Dwayne Johnson vehicles like The Scorpion King (2002) and The Rundown (2003), as well as Netflix's 6 Underground (2019) and recent projects including NRCity District (2024) and Deadly Vows (2025). His choreography for the iconic bus fight in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) drew widespread acclaim for blending authentic Asian martial arts with high-stakes spectacle. He made his directorial debut with the action thriller End Game (2006) and later served as action director for Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya (2023). Cheng's contributions have earned him five Taurus World Stunt Awards, including Best Fight for (2002), and the Bruce Lee Foundation's Award in 2021 for innovation and excellence in action filmmaking.

Early life

Childhood in

Andy Cheng was born in and grew up in a modest, working-class family in the and Sau Mau Ping neighborhoods of East during the late 1970s and 1980s. His family faced financial hardships, with limited resources that restricted access to extracurricular activities, including formal instruction, which cost around HK$10 per month at the time. As a young boy, often described as a "street kid," Cheng navigated the bustling urban environment of , where community life and local traditions shaped his early years. Cheng's initial exposure to martial arts came through informal means in this vibrant cultural milieu. Around age 10 or 11, he learned basic techniques of Hung Kuen (a tiger-crane style of kung fu) from his older brother and through street encounters in his neighborhood, though without structured lessons due to costs. This casual introduction was complemented by the pervasive influence of cinema, particularly the action films of stars like , whose daring stunts captivated Cheng and ignited his fascination with physical performance and combat sports. These elements—family influences, street-level exposure, and popular media—fostered his growing interest in amid the dynamic socio-cultural landscape of 1980s . Formal education details for Cheng are sparse, but he attended local schools where were offered as an extracurricular hobby. It was here that he first encountered , taught by a instructor twice a week, marking the start of his structured training and quickly deepening his passion. This school-based experience transitioned him from casual curiosity to competitive pursuits in .

Martial arts training and competitions

Andy Cheng began his formal martial arts training in at the age of 13 while attending school in , after initially learning Hung Kuen (Tiger-Crane style) informally from his older brother starting at age 10 or 11. He trained under a master twice a week on Mondays and Fridays, rapidly progressing to yellow belt within three months and developing a strong foundation in the sport's emphasis on high kicks, precise forms (poomsae), and disciplined sparring techniques characteristic of the Federation (WTF) Olympic style. This regimen instilled a rigorous commitment to physical conditioning and mental focus, preparing him for competitive demands as he represented in regional and international events. Cheng quickly excelled in competitions, earning multiple taekwondo championships, including five consecutive gold medals in local and regional tournaments that highlighted his prowess in forms and categories. He also represented at the and . His competitive career peaked internationally when he represented at the 1990 Asian Championships in , where he secured a in his , marking a significant achievement on the continental stage. Earlier successes included a in his debut tournament as a yellow belt, defying eligibility norms, and additional regional bronzes that solidified his status as a national champion. Around 1990, at approximately age 24, Cheng decided to retire from competitive to explore opportunities in Kong's entertainment industry, leveraging his athletic skills toward stunt work and action performance. This transition allowed his taekwondo-honed precision and agility to influence his later contributions to film choreography, though his competitive phase laid the essential groundwork for professional stunt coordination.

Career

Jackie Chan Stunt Team involvement

Andy Cheng began his professional career in the Hong Kong entertainment industry with stunt work for in the early , performing in numerous television productions. Following this period, he transitioned to feature films and joined the in 1997, becoming a key member during the late . His involvement with the team marked a significant step in his development as a , allowing him to collaborate closely with Chan on high-octane action sequences. Cheng's debut film role came in 1990 with New Kids in Town, where he appeared as a instructor and contributed as a , marking his entry into cinema under director . By the mid-1990s, he had built experience on action films such as (1995) and (1995), where he performed practical stunts emphasizing physical prowess and environmental interaction, typical of the era's reliance on real-time effects rather than . A pivotal aspect of Cheng's tenure with the was serving as Chan's stunt double in demanding scenes, particularly in Mr. Nice Guy (1997) and Who Am I? (1998). In Mr. Nice Guy, directed by , Cheng handled fight choreography and doubled for Chan in intense combat sequences, including construction site brawls that showcased wirework and improvised elements. For Who Am I?, co-directed by Chan and Benny Chan, he performed high-risk wire-assisted falls and rooftop fights, often stepping in for close-up dangers to ensure continuity and safety. These roles honed his expertise in blending with cinematic spectacle. Through his work on the team, Cheng absorbed innovative approaches to safety and comedic timing directly from , who emphasized meticulous planning, prop utilization, and flexible to integrate humor without compromising action's intensity. 's protocols, such as rehearsing entire scenes in context and building trust among performers, profoundly shaped Cheng's style, prioritizing performer welfare alongside visual impact in practical design. This foundation influenced his subsequent contributions to 's projects before expanding into broader endeavors.

Hollywood stunt coordination and acting

In the late 1990s, Andy Cheng relocated from to the , establishing himself in and joining the Stunts Unlimited guild as he transitioned into productions. This move allowed him to expand his expertise from the into American cinema, where he contributed to high-profile action films blending with storytelling. Cheng served as assistant stunt coordinator on (1998) and (2000), collaborating with director and to design intricate chase and fight sequences featuring alongside and , respectively. In (2001), he doubled for Chan as part of the stunt team while also appearing in an acting role as Hu Li's assistant, a that highlighted his on-screen presence in tense confrontation scenes. These contributions emphasized practical, high-risk that integrated environmental hazards and comedic timing, earning recognition for advancing Hong Kong-style action in mainstream . He also took a minor acting role as a in (1998) and served as a and wire action trainer in (2002). Beyond coordination, Cheng performed demanding stunts in (2002), including sword fights amid ancient Egyptian settings, and took on full fight and stunt coordination for (2003), crafting sequences with that incorporated jungle terrain and improvised weapons for dynamic environmental action. Later, Cheng coordinated stunts for the supernatural romance Twilight (2008), directing second-unit action that fused precision with agility and slow-motion effects to suit the film's ethereal tone. This role demonstrated his versatility in adapting traditional fight to non-traditional genres, bridging physical with fantastical elements.

Directing and fight choreography

Andy Cheng made his directorial debut with End Game (2006), an action thriller centered on a Secret Service agent investigating a presidential conspiracy, where he also served as stunt coordinator and fight choreographer to integrate intricate sequences into the narrative. The film starred as the lead agent and emphasized high-stakes combat designs that showcased Cheng's expertise in blending practical stunts with thriller elements. In 2007, Cheng directed Redline, a racing-action film featuring Eddie Griffin as a street racer entangled in underground competitions and criminal intrigue, incorporating dynamic car chases alongside confrontations to heighten the adrenaline-fueled plot. The production highlighted his ability to fuse vehicular action with , drawing from his background to create seamless, high-energy set pieces. Cheng's fight choreography gained prominence in major studio projects, including 6 Underground (2019), a directed by , where he designed global-scale set pieces involving explosive chases and close-quarters brawls for the ensemble cast led by . His contributions emphasized innovative, large-scale action that combined wirework and practical effects for international locations. A career highlight came with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), where Cheng served as fight coordinator, collaborating with the late to craft sequences like the iconic bus fight and ring battles that merged traditional techniques with spectacle. These designs prioritized fluid choreography, cultural authenticity, and character-driven combat, earning praise for elevating Asian representation in superhero cinema. He also served as action director for Knights of the Zodiac (2023), adapting the series into live-action with dynamic fight sequences. More recently, Cheng contributed stunt coordination to the 2025 indie thriller Deadly Vows, focusing on intimate action elements in a story of betrayal and revenge. In May 2024, he was announced to direct the upcoming adaptation Shadow Ghost, a involving otherworldly secrets. As of November 2025, no further major releases in directing or choreography have been completed.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Andy Cheng has been married to Coco Cheng since the early . The couple have attended public events together, including the 2022 Los Angeles premiere of , where they appeared alongside friends and industry colleagues. Cheng is the father of two children, a son named born around 2003 and a daughter. has shown promise in , winning junior tournaments such as the 2014 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship in the boys' 10-11 division, an achievement Cheng celebrated with pride. The children have occasionally featured in Cheng's posts, such as congratulations for his daughter's accomplishments, but have not appeared in his film work. Despite the demands of his career, which involved frequent travel for film shoots between , , and other locations, Cheng has maintained a supportive life. He has shared enjoying outings with his children as a way to bond and unwind, emphasizing the mental benefits of the sport amid his high-stakes professional routine. There are no public reports of separations or divorces.

Residence and later activities

Andy Cheng has primarily resided in , , since relocating there in the late to pursue opportunities in , including work on films like (1998). This move allowed him greater access to the U.S. film industry while maintaining ties to through occasional visits. In his later career, Cheng has focused on mentoring young martial artists and stunt performers within the U.S. Asian film community, drawing from his experience as a former member. He conducts stunt training workshops and shares insights on action choreography, often highlighting techniques from his background and projects. Cheng remains active on social media, particularly under the handle @andycheng23, where he posts behind-the-scenes stories from his professional life, such as event recaps from the Asian World Film Festival and Motion Arts Day celebrations as of 2025. He also participates in industry boards, serving on the Media Advisory Board of the Asian Culture & Media Alliance, where he advocates for greater Asian representation in action cinema through his advisory role and contributions to projects like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (). As of November 2025, Cheng continues to take on selective projects in stunt coordination and direction while balancing his commitments in .

References

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    Winners and Nominees 2002 - Taurus World Stunt Awards
    Best Fight: Rush Hour 2, Tsuyoshi Abe, Brad Allen, Paul Andreovski, Andy Cheng, Mark Hicks, Chung Chi Li, Michael Li, Wai Jen, Sung Otterbridge, Hyun Jin Park.
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    Apr 24, 2023 · I won the Bruce Lee award and a lot of stunt awards, so that's a big accomplishment, and winning medals in Taekwondo. And in the business, ...
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    ### Summary of Recent Posts from Andy Cheng (@andycheng23) in 2024-2025