Legendary Hong Kong Star Li Haisheng Passes Away at 83: A Life of Martial Arts Mastery and Devotion to Ip Man’s Legacy
TVB Veteran Actor Li Haisheng Passes Away at 83
On September 9, TVB veteran actor Li Haisheng passed away due to illness at the age of 83.
A certain charity foundation issued an obituary on the morning of the 10th, revealing that Li Haisheng died of a skin sore that caused ulcers on his back, which eventually led to bacterial infection.
Li Haisheng was born in 1941. He came from a poor family but had an active personality and was good at underwater kung fu. Later, he fell in love with judo and fitness. In 1963, he participated in the “Hong Kong Weightlifting Competition” and “Mr. Hong Kong Competition”, and won the championship and third place respectively, and then received invitations to perform.
Li Haisheng once studied under Yu Zhaoyun and was the grand-disciple of Ip Man. He also opened a martial arts school in Kowloon City. He entered the circle under the recommendation of his fellow junior brother Ti Lung. In addition to filming movies, he also served as a martial arts instructor. He was the villain actor chosen by John Woo.
Li Haisheng is no stranger to young people. He joined TVB in 1985 and officially left the nest only this year. He has appeared in many Jin Yong martial arts dramas, guest-starred as Master Kurumu in “The Return of the Condor Heroes” and played Zhang Guolao in “Journey to the West II”.
The most outstanding character is “Master Xuan Tong” in “Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils”.
He starred in two long-running TV series, “Happy Ever After” and “Come Home Love: Lo and Behold”, and his role as the security guard “Uncle Shen” was loved by the audience.
In addition, Li Haisheng has starred in dozens of films, including “Project A Sequel”, ”The Six-Fingered Piano Demon”, “Descendants of the Dragon”, etc. He served as an assistant director in Bruce Lee’s movie “Tower of Death”.
As a martial artist, the 83-year-old Li Haisheng has always been in good health. In an interview in January, he revealed that he was only a little hard of hearing and occasionally couldn’t hear clearly, but there was no big problem with his hearing.
After the interview in January this year, Li Haisheng has not made any more movies. It may be because no one wants to hire him due to his old age, or he may want to retire, but he has been teaching Wing Chun in the martial arts gym.
In December last year, Hong Kong media photographed Li Haisheng and his wife crossing the street. He was pushing a wheelchair and his wife was using crutches.
As the great-grandson of Ip Man, Li Haisheng lived up to everyone’s expectations and devoted his life to spreading traditional martial arts. Unfortunately, things happen unexpectedly. May he rest in peace.