The martial arts world has lost another legend…
Although his passing was recently announced, it is with sadness to announce the death of Chan Sing, a veteran martial arts action star during the 1970s heyday of kung fu films, playing both heroes and villains. Chan passed away in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 4 at the age of 82.
Chan was known for his powerful build and basher-style of martial arts in films, having worked with many legends in the genre, including Jackie Chan, Jim Kelly, Yasuaki Kurata, and many others.
Born in 1936, Chan was a trained expert in Okinawa-te Karate and previously worked as a corrections officer before beginning his film career. He was a disciple of the great auteur Chang Cheh, who cast him in films like Return of the One-Armed Swordsman and The Invincible Fist. He continued to appear mainly in Shaw Brothers films over the next few years. He would eventually leave Shaws and work with the likes of Ng See-Yuen, who cast him in The Good and the Bad in 1972, which also marked his second lead hero role after Black List for the indie-based Hong Kong Kai Fa Film Company. Chan and Kurata would work together in a few films such as The Angry Guest, the aforementioned The Good and the Bad, Gold Snatchers, and Rage of the Wind.
Chan would continue to work throughout much of the 1970s for various companies, from the playing the titular Iron Fisted Monk for Golden Harvest, the lead villain in New Fist of Fury for Lo Wei Motion Picture Company, Bruce Lee the Invincible for Wuzhou Film Company, and The Tattoo Connection for First Films. His alternating between playing heroes and villains doesn’t take away the fact that he was a great presence on screen with his basher style martial arts skills, due to his expertise in karate.
In the 1980s, Chan took a change of pace and appeared in not only action, but other genre films, including the first installment of Cinema City’s iconic comedy-action caper franchise Aces Go Places. In 1996, after nearly thirty years in the industry, Chan retired from films and relocated to Canada. After being in Canada for over two decades, Chan has spent most of his time in Indonesia.
Chan is survived by his wife Elizabeth and is preceded in death by his son, George Edward Chan, a piano prodigy who passed away after battle cancer in 2017.
World Film Geek sends its condolences to the family of Chan Sing. As a final tribute, here’s Chan taking on favorite on-screen rival Yasuaki Kurata in 1973’s Gold Snatchers, thanks to YouTube user chanwahshun.
Rest in Peace, Chan Sing.
WorldFilmGeek 
I really enjoyed his acting ability as well as his martial arts. My favorite movie of his is “Four Real Friends ” aka “Dragon Squad “released here in the states. along with co stars Jimmy wang yu ,Kam Kang,and Chang Yi. It’s a classic thank you “Sir” for the memories I’ll cherish your films for the rest of my life. RIP.
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Many may not know that in the early 1970s, Bruce Lee approached Chen Sing to partner him in a movie.
You know what Chen Sing replied – provided the film made him win the fight against Bruce !
Chen Song’s fight scenes were lousy. No standard. Just flaunting his moustache together with his usual Hahahaha.
I think Bruce Lee closed one eye and used one hand would knock him off in less than a minute a minute.
Stupid! Otherwise Chen Sing would have made millions by accepting Bruce Lee’s invite.
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To the fan of Late Chan Sing. I first saw him acting in the movie Bloody Fists. I was sixteen years old and I the movie screend in Penang. I became so interested in his Kung-fu that I took his name as Chan Sing Ragavan. Only today did I know that passed on some yrs back in Jakarta. R. I. P. my friend.
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For years I searched out his film ‘Rage of Wind’ without knowing what the name was…when I was younger my friends and I had taped the 2nd half of the movie and watched it over and over for the story and the non-stop action but had no idea what the name was. When I found it we were excited to finally learn who the main characters were played by and their amazing careers…Sad to see the passing of a man who is a happy part of my memories of when I was young.
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Many may not know that in the early 1970s, Bruce Lee approached Chen Sing to partner him in a movie.
You know what Chen Sing replied – provided the film made him win the fight against Bruce !
Chen Song’s fight scenes were lousy. No standard. Just flaunting his moustache together with his usual Hahahaha.
I think Bruce Lee closed one eye and used one hand would knock him off in less than a minute a minute.
Stupid! Otherwise Chen Sing would have made millions by accepting Bruce Lee’s invite.
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I first watched Chen Sing in the Bruce Li movie Deadly Strike and was in awe of his acting, martial arts and his powerful physique and still am.I was wondering if you could do some research into how he trained and ate to get his powerful physique?
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Rip Chan Sing, you were one of the best.I enjoy it every movie you made
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As a youth growing up I was always on the look out for Chen Song’s movie. From the moment I saw bloody fist I was hooked and became a fan. I enjoyed his movies. Rest in peace brave warrior.
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“Tough Guy” was my very first kung fu movie & I remember it to this day (Jan/2023). One of my fav actors and would have loved to meet him.
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