88-Year-Old Martial Arts Director Tang Jia Falls from Building; Was Scheduled to Sign Will That Day

Renowned Hong Kong martial arts choreographer, actor, and director Tang Jia (real name Huang Tang) died after falling from a building in Jordan on the 23rd, aged 88. As he fell, he struck a street sign, resulting in decapitation and instant death. Tang Jia was a favorite martial arts director for Shaw Brothers director Chang Cheh, cooperating on many films such as One-Armed Swordsman, Golden Swallow, The Return of the One-Armed Swordsman, and Martial Club. He was skilled at weapon design—in Chor Yuen’s The Magic Blade, the quick blade of “Fu Hongxue,” able to spin 360 degrees, was his creation, which even amazed Gu Long. Tang Jia and actress Suet Nei were married for 56 loving years. It is reported that the 79-year-old Suet Nei was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and required hospitalization. Tang Jia had expressed to his son that he was unhappy and hoped to pass away together with his wife.

Tang Jia became a disciple of Yuen Siu-tien at 15 and began participating in films at 19. In the 1960s and 70s, he and Lau Kar-leung were both martial arts directors for Chang Cheh. Starting in 1975, Lau Kar-leung began directing independently, while Tang Jia continued to choreograph for other Shaw Brothers directors. In the 1980s, Tang Jia himself directed three kung fu masterpieces: Disciples of Shaolin, Three Attempts to Shaolin, and Master of Hung Kuen. He faded out of the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the late ’80s, emigrated to Canada, but returned to Hong Kong in the ’90s as his family didn’t adapt well abroad, and continued enjoying retirement. His later works as an action choreographer include Tsui Hark’s Green Snake (1994) and Ye Jin-hong’s Naked Ambition (1997).

In 1966, Tang Jia was the action choreographer for the Cantonese film The Black Rose, where he kindled a romance with lead actress Suet Nei. After starting their relationship, Tang Jia was also her bodyguard, agent, and assistant. They married in 1969 and had two sons. The couple was inseparable over the years and were considered a model couple in the industry.

Was Scheduled to Sign Will That Day

According to Hong Kong 01, Tang Jia lived with his wife and sons on Austin Road. No suicide note was found on his body. Sources say Suet Nei had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and needed long-term hospitalization. Tang Jia reportedly told his son he was unhappy and wanted to die together with his wife. He was scheduled to go to a law firm to sign his will on the 23rd, but unfortunately, took his own life before leaving home. Preliminary assessment is that his wife's illness affected his mood, leading to despair.

Bosco Wong Posts Tribute: “You Would Call Me ‘A Jai’ So Gently”

The news of Tang Jia’s passing stunned many in the industry. On the night of the 24th, Bosco Wong posted a tribute, revealing that he had met Tang Jia when first joining the industry, and that Tang Jia treated him like a son. Bosco wrote: “When I first entered the industry, I knew nothing. You taught me how to film fight scenes! When I was injured, you would bring medicinal liquor to my room in the middle of the night and help me rub it on, warning I’d get rheumatism otherwise! On set, seeing me exhausted, you’d say a good actor must take care of himself! You’d also gently call me ‘A Jai’… All these little things, I still remember now! From you, I learned the meaning of ‘iron-man tenderness’… My throat chokes, my heart aches… All I can do is hope all is well now!”