Raymond Chow, ‘godfather’ of Hong Kong films, dies at 91

Raymond Chow, widely regarded as the “godfather” of Hong Kong cinema, has died aged 91, according to the reports on Saturday. The film producer is credited for bringing the Kung Fu legend Bruce lee to the silver screen. He also introduced Jackie Chan and Teen Age Mutant Ninja Turtles to the world.

He co-founded the Golden Harvest studio in 1971 and was responsible for bringing Hong Kong’s films for the international audience. Over the period of his career, Chow produced more than 600 films before retiring in 2007.

His first film with Bruce Lee was “The Big Boss”, which released as “Fists of Fury” in the United States in 1971. This film broke all the box office records both in Hong Kong and overseas.

Chow went on producing the other two best known films of Bruce Lee “Way of the Dragon” in 1972, followed by “Enter the Dragon” in 1973. It was co-produced with Warner Bros and was the first co-production between Hong Kong and Hollywood. “Enter the Dragon” was the first cinema collaboration between Hong Kong studio and Hollywood.

He also introduced Jackie Chan to the silver screen. First huge success was Drunken Master in 1980. After signing with Chow, Jackie Chan made a number of increasingly popular Chinese-language action-comedy movies that made him a superstar in Asia.

Chow also made films for Hollywood, including 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a screen adaptation of the comic book series.

Tributes re pouring in on social media. Bruce Lee’s daughter Shannon have thanked Chow for “taking a chance” on her father.

Raymond Chow was born in 1927 in Hong Kong. Before entering the film industry, he worked as a reporter for English language outlets. He was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asia Film Awards in 2011.