Sammo Hung Net Worth

What Is Sammo Hung's Net Worth?

Sammo Hung is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, director, producer, and action choreographer who has a net worth of $20 million.

Sammy Hung is one of the most influential figures in the history of Hong Kong action cinema, with a career spanning more than six decades and well over 200 films in various capacities. He helped shape the kung fu comedy and modern action genres while launching and advancing the careers of numerous performers, stunt professionals, and filmmakers.

Hung rose from child performer and stuntman to become a leading action choreographer during the 1970s. By the following decade, he was one of Hong Kong cinema's most powerful creative figures, simultaneously starring in, directing, producing, and choreographing films including "The Prodigal Son," "Winners and Sinners," "Wheels on Meals," "Millionaires' Express," and "Eastern Condors." He frequently collaborated with his childhood friends Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao, with the trio becoming collectively associated with some of the defining action comedies of the 1980s.

American audiences became more familiar with Hung when he starred in the CBS television series "Martial Law" from 1998 to 2000. Later in his career, he returned to major action films as both an actor and choreographer, notably working on "Ip Man" and appearing in "Ip Man 2." His contributions to cinema have been recognized with multiple Hong Kong Film Awards and lifetime achievement honors.

Early Life

Sammo Hung Kam-bo was born on January 7, 1952, in Hong Kong. His grandfather, Hung Chung-ho, had worked as a film director and producer, although Hung has said his family's connection to the movie business was not directly responsible for his own career.

Before the age of 10, Hung enrolled at Yu Jim-yuen's China Drama Academy, where students underwent rigorous training in Peking opera, martial arts, acrobatics, acting, and dance. Hung became the senior member and leader of the school's performing troupe, the Seven Little Fortunes.

Other members included Jackie Chan, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Corey Yuen, and several future fixtures of Hong Kong action cinema. Hung performed under the stage name Yuen Lung.

He appeared in films as a child and gradually transitioned into stunt work as he grew older. His unusual combination of a heavy build and extraordinary agility eventually became one of his trademarks.

Stunt Work and Directing

Hung entered the Hong Kong film industry full-time during the 1960s and became increasingly involved in stunt coordination and martial arts choreography. By the early 1970s, he was working for Golden Harvest and established himself as one of the industry's leading action designers.

His credits from this period included work on King Hu's "The Valiant Ones," and he appeared briefly in Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon." Hung became known for experimenting with different martial arts styles and for creating fight sequences that emphasized athleticism, humor, and physical impact.

Hung made his directorial debut with "The Iron-Fisted Monk" in 1977. He followed it with "Enter the Fat Dragon," a martial arts comedy that played with his physical appearance while demonstrating that a large-bodied performer could move with the speed and precision normally associated with much smaller action stars.

In 1979, Hung directed and starred in "Encounters of the Spooky Kind," which blended martial arts, comedy, horror, and Chinese supernatural folklore. The film helped popularize a combination of genres that became a significant part of Hong Kong cinema during the 1980s.

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Golden Age of Hong Kong Cinema

Hung reached the height of his influence during the 1980s. He was not simply a leading actor but an all-purpose filmmaker who could develop projects, produce them, direct them, choreograph the action, and perform on screen.

He won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor for "Carry On Pickpocket" and earned further acclaim for directing and choreographing "The Prodigal Son." His production activities expanded through companies including Bo Ho Films and Bojon Films. Hung also became a 25% shareholder in D & B Films when the company was formed in 1984.

Hung frequently worked with Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao during this period. The three appeared together in movies including "Project A," "Wheels on Meals," "My Lucky Stars," and "Dragons Forever." Their elaborate stunt sequences, ensemble comedy, and willingness to perform dangerous physical action helped establish a style that influenced action filmmaking far beyond Hong Kong.

Hung also directed "Millionaires' Express" and "Eastern Condors," while producing numerous other films. He developed the Sammo Hung Stunt Team, which became an important training ground for action performers and choreographers.

"Painted Faces"

One of Hung's most acclaimed dramatic roles came in the 1988 film "Painted Faces." The movie dramatized the childhood experiences of the Seven Little Fortunes and the harsh training they received at the China Drama Academy.

Hung played his own former teacher, Yu Jim-yuen. His performance earned him his second Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor, demonstrating that his reputation extended well beyond action choreography and physical comedy.

"Martial Law"

Hung made an unusual transition to American network television in 1998 when he was cast as the lead in CBS's "Martial Law." He played Sammo Law, a Shanghai police officer who travels to Los Angeles and works with American law enforcement.

The series was notable for placing a middle-aged Hong Kong martial arts star with limited spoken English at the center of an American prime-time network drama. "Martial Law" ran for two seasons through 2000 and later added Arsenio Hall to its cast.

Hung also appeared as the character Sammo Law in crossover episodes of "Early Edition" and "Walker, Texas Ranger."

Later Career and "Ip Man"

After "Martial Law," Hung returned primarily to Asian film production. He continued working both in front of and behind the camera and became an important action choreographer for a younger generation of stars.

Hung served as an action choreographer on the 2008 Donnie Yen film "Ip Man," sharing the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Action Choreography. He then appeared opposite Yen in "Ip Man 2" as Hung Chun-nam, a martial arts master. The performance earned him the Asian Film Award for Best Supporting Actor, while his action work on the movie earned another Hong Kong Film Award.

His subsequent credits included films such as "SPL II: A Time for Consequences," "The Bodyguard," and "God of War." He also directed a segment of the anthology "Septet: The Story of Hong Kong."

Hung returned to a prominent villain role in the 2024 action film "Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In," playing crime boss Mr. Big.

Awards and Honors

Hung's career has earned him honors for acting, directing, and action choreography. In addition to his competitive Hong Kong Film Awards, the Asian Film Awards presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

The Hong Kong Film Awards followed with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, recognizing Hung's pioneering role in the development of Hong Kong action cinema.

Personal Life

Hung was previously married to Jo Eun-ok, with whom he had four children. Several of his children have pursued careers connected to entertainment.

In 1995, Hung married actress and former Miss Hong Kong winner Joyce Godenzi. The couple had previously worked together in films, including "Eastern Condors."

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