David Chiang

David Chiang Tai-wai (born Chiang Wei-nien; 29 June 1947) is a Hong Kong actor, director, producer and martial artist. A well-known martial arts actor formerly from Shaw Brothers Studio in the 1970s, he has appeared in over 130 films and 30 television series. Early life Chiang was born in Shanghai, China on 29 June 1947. Chiang's mother Hung Wei (紅薇) (real name: Lo Chen 羅珍), and father Yan Fa (嚴化) (real name: Chiang Ko-chi) were popular Chinese movie stars who moved to Hong Kong in the late 1940s during the Chinese Civil War. He has an older brother Paul Chun and a half-brother Derek Yee. Career At age four, Chiang began his acting career as a child actor. In 1966, while working as a stuntman and fight instructor for the Shaw Brothers Studio, Chiang was spotted by director Chang Cheh, who immediately saw his potential and screen presence, and became his mentor. Chang gave him the stage name David Chiang, even though his real English name was John. With Wang Yu's sudden departure in 1969, Run Run Shaw and his senior executives were looking for a new leading man and made Chiang an offer. In 1970, under Chang Cheh's guidance, Chiang won the Best Actor award at the 16th Asian Film Festival for his role in Vengeance. In 1972, at the 18th Asian Film Festival, he won the Best Actor Golden Horse Award for his role in Blood Brothers. In 1973, at the 19th Asian Film Festival, he won the Most Contemporary award for his role in The Generation Gap.