|
Paul Chang Chung is born in the Central Chinese province of Hubei (other sources state Hebei) as Chang Chung Tian in 1931. He appears in the Cantonese Hong Kong production THREE PROVOCATIONS AGAINST THE EMPEROR at the early age of eight, 1957/ 58 he plays his first role for the then Shaw & Sons Ltd. in YOU ARE MY SOUL. The Shaw Brothers also cast him for some of their movies produced by their Malay Film Productions Ltd. in Singapore, e.g. SRI MENANTI in 1958.
Tall good-looking Paul Chang Chung soon becomes a matinee idol, he is cast for dramas and romantic movies as well as action movies, including swordsplay classics like DOWNHILL THEY RIDE or movies in James Bond tradition like THE GOLDEN BUDDHA or BLACK FALCON. Besides his commitment for the Shaw Brothers he works for several companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan, especially for Cathay Studios (e.g. MAD MAD SWORDS, EAGLE’S CLAW), and also for Golden Harvest or Paragon (Lo Wei’s INVINCIBLE EIGHT in 1971; Jackie Chan movies like WHEELS ON MEALS, POLICE STORY or Tony Ching Siu Tung’s famous wuxia movie DUEL TO THE DEATH during the 80s).
Together with his brother Chan Shen, a director, action director and actor, he starts his own film company Chang Brothers during the 70s, directs some of their movies and writes a script, later on he starts another film company Chang’s. In 1975 Paul Chang Chung marries Taiwanese actress Hu Chin (Cant. Woo Gam) who also stars in some Shaw movies and is especially known for her cooperation with Li Han Hsiang. The marriage is divorced in 1979.
During the 80s his movie roles become smaller and rarer. From 1981 onwards he also works for television, for TVB as well as the Taiwanese station TTV, and moves to Taiwan later on. Paul Chang Chung makes his last appearance on the silver screen in 1992’s CENTRE STAGE starring Maggie Cheung. May he rest in peace.
|
