Hong Kong martial arts star Chen Kuan Tai died on Sept 2 at the age of 80, after reportedly suffering a cerebral haemorrhage.
His death was shared by his apprentice, according to a report.
Hong Kong entertainment portal Sing Tao Headline said that Chen had recently been hospitalised with hydrocephalus, a medical condition caused by an abnormal build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
According to a translation by Singapore portal AsiaOne Entertainment, he suffered a second cardiac arrest at 5am on Sept 2. Rescue efforts were reportedly unsuccessful, and he was later pronounced dead.
Known to many fans as “Brother Tai”, Chen was a star of films such as Boxer From Shantung (1971) and Flying Guillotine (1975).
Chen entered the film industry in 1969, playing a nameless thug in Two Sisters Who Steal.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, he went on to become one of Hong Kong cinema’s most recognisable kung fu stars.
He’s also credited as being one of the Shaw Brothers Studio’s first professionally trained martial artists.
His other acting projects include The Teahouse (1974), Heroes Two (1974) and Psycho Detective (2017).
Besides acting, Chen also worked as a producer, action director and director.
His final listed project was the 2022 film Legendary In Action.
In his later years, he moved to Zhongshan, China, and largely kept a low profile, according to Hong Kong publication HK01.
