Guest talk by Cheng Kai-Chung, also known as Andy Cheng, Hong Kong actor, stuntman, choreographer, martial artist, and director.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Haines Hall 39
Andy Cheng is one of the pioneering figures in martial arts and action cinema. An award winning martial artist who won three gold medals at the Hong Kong Invitationals from 1988-1990 and a bronze medal at the 1991 Asian Games, Cheng transitioned to a successful career in the Hong Kong film industry. Working with veteran filmmaker Lau Kar-leung and spending five years at TVB, Cheng eventually became a core member of Jackie Chan’s acclaimed student team, working as an actor, stuntman, and body double for Chan. Cheng contributed to such classic films as Rush Hour, Rush Hour 2, Who Am I? and Mr. Nice Guy. After moving to Hollywood, Cheng worked as a stunt coordinator and fight choreographer on films such as The Scorpion King, The Rundown, Twilight, and Shang Chi. He is also the director of such films as End Game and Redline. Cheng will discuss his journey from Hong Kong to Hollywood.
The guest lecture is part of course Chinese 40 - Popular Culture in Modern Chinese Societies.
ANDY CHENG 鄭繼宗
Biography
Andy Cheng was born in Hong Kong and pursued his passion for martial arts from an early age. He studied Taekwondo, winning several championships, and even took home five consecutive gold medals. His first gold medal in Chung Do Kwan was at a Black Belt Championship. He proceeded to win gold medals three years in a row at the Hong Kong Black Belt Open. Subsequently, Andy was able to represent Hong Kong for the first time at the Hong Kong International Invitational Championship, winning yet another gold medal. He went on to represent Hong Kong in matches held in Nepal and Korea. Finally, at the 1991 Asian Championship in Chinese Taipei, Andy experienced his highest honor when he was the winner of the bronze medal. He retired from competition after this prestigious event.
Andy's talents led him to the entertainment industry, where he performed as a contracted Action Artist for Hong Kong’s TVB from 1989 to 1995. After working in television and films, he was invited to join Jackie Chan's stunt team and worked as a stunt double and action/fight choreographer for films such as MR. NICE GUY, WHO AM I, SHANGHAI NOON, RUSH HOUR, and RUSH HOUR 2, Tuxedo, Chinese Zodiac.. In 1998, Andy was hired by director Stanley Tong to work as a fight choreographer and stunt double for Sammo Hung on the highly acclaimed first season of Sammo Hung's CBS TV series, MARTIAL LAW.
Andy was then hired by Producer Kevin Misher to create and direct action for the reshoots of Universal Studios’s blockbuster film THE SCORPION KING.
Kevin Misher went on to hire Andy as the Second Unit Director and stunt/fight coordinator for THE RUNDOWN, directed by Peter Berg. Working with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on both of these films, Andy helped the former wrestler gain his reputation as an action star by showcasing Johnson's speed and dexterity, not just his size and strength.
Andy worked as a Second Unit Director on the 2004 horror film CURSED, directed by horror icon Wes Craven. He was also the Second Unit Director on the 2005 film THE NEW WORLD, which gave him the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed filmmakers Director Terence Malick, Producer Sarah Green, and three-time Oscar winning Cinematographer Emmanuel “El Chivo” Lubezki.
Andy's directorial debut came in 2005 with END GAME, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., James Woods, Burt Reynolds, Anne Archer, and Angie Harmon. He not only directed, but also wrote the screenplay. Following this, he directed the high octane action feature REDLINE, starring Eddie Griffin and Tim Matheson. The film screened on 1,600 theaters and had its premiere at the Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
While working with Catherine Hardwicke on the 2008 film TWILIGHT and the 2011film RED RIDING HOOD, Andy choreographed practical fight scenes and action, as well as action featuring CGI elements.
Returning to television, Andy was the Fight Unit Director for seasons two and three of the AMC action drama INTO THE BADLANDS, starring Daniel Wu and produced by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Stephen Fung. Andy also acted as Co-producer on eight episodes and Associate Producer on several episodes.
Andy then had the pleasure of working closely with Director Michael Bay as Stunt/Fight Coordinator for the Netflix feature 6 UNDERGROUND, starring Ryan Reynolds and produced by Michael Bay and Ian Bryce.
As fight coordinator on Marvel's SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, Andy worked with Director Destin Daniel Cretton and Action Director Brad Allan. The choreography for the film’s articulated bus fight has been lauded by fans and critics alike and is considered a new peak for action in the MCU.
On November 1, 2021 Andy was recognized by the Bruce Lee Foundation and the Asian World Film Festival when he was awarded the first ever Bruce Lee Award for his dedication to martial arts in the film industry. As a further honor, the award was presented to him by Bruce Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee. This was not Andy’s first accolade: in the past, Andy's work in film was recognized by the stunt and action community with an unmatched fourteen nominations. He won five Taurus World Stunt Awards, including Best Fight and Best Specialty Stunt.
Andy’s most recent release was the 2023 film KNIGHTS OF THE ZODIAC, produced by Toei Company and released worldwide by Sony Pictures. Andy worked as Action Director and Stunt/Fight Coordinator for Director Tomasz Baginski. As a fan of the anime, Andy ensured that the film contained the breathtaking action that he has been proven to deliver time and time again.
With a career rooted in Hong Kong, China, and Hollywood, Andy learned his craft from some of the most highly regarded filmmakers in the world. By combining his knowledge, experience, and skill in collaborating with major Hollywood studios and A-list actors, Andy succeeds in creating films with universal appeal and incredible action.
Sponsor(s): Center for Chinese Studies