Chiang Sheng

Chiang Sheng (; born Chiu Kang Sang 趙岡生; 21 November 1954 - 18 April 1990) was a Taiwanese martial arts actor, director, and action director. Chiang rose to prominence in the late 1970s as a member of the Venom Mob, a group of actors at Shaw Brothers Studio renowned for their acrobatic and martial arts skills.

Early life Chiang Sheng was born on April 27, 1951, to a large family in Taiwan. He was sent to the Fu Sheng Drama School in Taipei where he met his future costars Lu Feng, Philip Kwok, and Robert Tai. They, together with students from other drama schools, earned pocket money playing extras in films that were being shot nearby. In addition to being trained as a martial arts opera performer, Chiang was also enlisted in the army.Celestial Pictures DVD Biography When he was 19, Chiang and Kwok briefly worked as street performers dubbed the Fu Xing circus act. He was fond of drinking.

Career In 1975, Chiang was recruited by Chang Cheh along with Kwok and Lu and signed with the Shaw Brothers. He relocated to Hong Kong where he was predominantly cast as extras in films such as Shaolin Traitorous with Sammo Hung before landing a more prominent role in Shaolin Temple in 1976. In 1978, Chiang, Kwok, Lu, along with fellow newcomers Sun Chien, Lo Mang, and Wai Pak, were cast in Five Deadly Venoms. The movie was a cult hit and became especially popular with North American audiences. The main cast became known internationally as the Venom Mob, with Chiang often being referred to as the "hybrid venom" due to the fighting style of his character being an amalgamation of his costars'. The Venom Mob would go on to make several films together such as The Magnificent Ruffians (1979), Shaolin Rescuers (1979), and Ten Tigers of Kwantung (1980) before disbanding in 1981. In addition to acting, Chiang worked as action director and assistant director in several of his films, for which he is credited in a combined total of over 40 films from 1978 to 1984. He was further lauded for enriching his movies with his acrobatic skills and for infusing action with comedic elements. He was also listed by Chang Cheh as one of his favorite actors to work with.

Later life Following the disbandment of the Venom Mob, Chiang returned to Taiwan and starred in, directed, and choreographed the action scenes in Ninja in the Deadly Trap (1982) with Venom costars Lu Feng and Philip Kwok. Kwok later returned to the Shaw Brothers Studio in Hong Kong while Chiang remained in Taiwan, reportedly at his wife's behest. He would cofound Hong Kong Chang He Film Company with Lu and the duo would star in and choreograph the company's debut film, Attack of the Joyful Goddess (1983). Throughout the later half of the decade, Chiang went on to make a few movies and television series including Ode to Gallantry (1985) and The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1988). During this time, he divorced his wife and developed depression and a heavy alcohol addiction as he struggled to find work. The 1989 film, The Biography of a Fox, was his final film role.

Death Chiang's body was discovered by friend and costar Ricky Cheng Tien-Chi on August 21, 1991. The cause of death was a heart attack. Chiang was 40 years old. In a 1995 interview, Philip Kwok stated that Chiang had been dead for three days before Cheng found him, and attributed the cause as "a broken heart" induced by the drastic decline of his film career. However, actor and student of Robert Tai, Toby Russell suggested otherwise stating in 2007 that "Chiang could not care less about movies" and that they "mean nothing to him". Lu Feng described his passing as a "great sadness" and remembered him as a jovial person who "had no temper and held no grudges" and "could get along with anyone he met."

Filmography TitleYearRoleFist of Shaolin1973ExtraWild Tiger a.k.a. Kung Fu Revenger1973ExtraThe Champion1973ExtraThe Escaper1973ExtraFury in Storm 1974ExtraBruce Takes Dragon Town a.k.a. Dare You Touch Me?1974ExtraThe Guy!! The Guy!! 1974ExtraCrazy Nuts of Kung Fu1974ActorFury in Storm1974Extra18 Shaolin Disciples1975ActorShaolin Traitorous a.k.a. The Traitorous1976ExtraThe Hand of Deatha.k.a. Grandmaster of Deatha.k.a. Strike of Death1976ExtraShaolin Monk1976ActorThe Shaolin Avengersa.k.a. Incredible Kung Fu Brothers 1976ActorShaolin Temple a.k.a. Death Chambers1976ActorNew Shaolin Boxersa.k.a. Demon Fist of Kung Fua.k.a. Grandmaster of Death1976ActorThe Condemned 1976ExtraChinese Connection 2 a.k.a. Fist of Fury 21977ExtraThe Naval Commandos a.k.a. Navy Descentors1977ActorThe Brave Archera.k.a. Kung Fu Warlord1977ActorChinatown Kid 1977ActorMagnificent Wanderers a.k.a. Magnificent Kung Fu Warriors1977ActorThe Brave Archer 2 a.k.a. Kung Fu Warlord 21978Actor, assistant directorInvincible Shaolina.k.a. Unbeatable Dragon1978Actor, assistant directorCrippled Avengers a.k.a. Avengers Handicapped1978Actor, assistant director, action directorThe Five Venoms 1978Actor, assistant directorLife Gamble a.k.a. Life Combat1979Actor, assistant directorTen Tigers of Kwantung 1979Actor, assistant director, action directorThe Magnificent Ruffians a.k.a. The Destroyers1979Actor, assistant director, action directorKid with the Golden Arm 1979Actor, assistant director, action directorShaolin Rescuers a.k.a. Avenging Warriors of Shaolin1979Actor, assistant director, action directorThe Daredevils a.k.a. Shaolin Daredevils1979Actor, assistant director, action directorHeaven and Hella.k.a. Shaolin Hell Gate1980Actor, action directorLegend of the Fox 1980Actor, assistant director, action directorThe Rebel Intrudersa.k.a. Killer Army1980Actor, assistant director, action directorTwo Champions of Shaolin 1980Actor, assistant director, action directorWar of the Shaolin Temple a.k.a. Monks Go Crazy1980ActorThe Flag of Iron a.k.a. Spearmen of Death1980Actor, assistant director, action directorMasked Avengers 1981Actor, assistant director, action directorThe Brave Archer 3 (1981)a.k.a. Blast of the Iron Palm1981Actor, assistant director, action directorThe Imperial Sword Killing the Devil1981Actor, action directorThe Thrilling Sword (1981)a.k.a. Heaven Sword1981Actor, action directorNinja in the Deadly Trap a.k.a. Hero Defeating Japsa.k.a. Ruthless Tactics1981Actor, assistant director, action directorSword Stained with Royal Blood 1981Actor, assistant director, action directorThe Brave Archer and His Mate a.k.a. Mysterious Island1982Actor, assistant director, action directorOde to Gallantry 1982Actor, assistant director, action directorNinja Kids 1982ActorHouse of Traps 1982Actor, assistant director, action directorRaiders 1982ActorSword with the Windbell a.k.a. Warriors from Shaolin1983ActorAttack of the Joyful Goddess a.k.a. The Ghost1983Actor, assistant director, action directorFive Fighters from Shaolin a.k.a. Possession of Ghost1984ActorShanghai 13 a.k.a. All the Professionals1984Actor, assistant director, action directorFight Among the Supers 1984ActorThe Demonsa.k.a. The Nine Demons1984Actor, executive director, actor, action directorExciting Dragon a.k.a. Drunken Dragon1985ActorNinja in USA 1985ActorOde to Gallantry 1985ActorVampire Kid II 1988ActorThe Legend of the Condor Heroes 1988ActorThe Biography of a Fox1989Actor

Chiang Sheng

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