Al Leong: Action Movies' Real Lethal Weapon

You may know the face but not the name. He’s Al Leong — the guy from that thing.

He’s the dude who spent decades planning, staging, and choreographing some of Hollywood’s most famous fight scenes.

Behind every movie blockbuster and star, people are working tirelessly to make the magic happen. However, only a few can match Albert Leong’s longevity, versatility, and talent. So, let’s take a look at the life and career of this unsung action hero.

Leong grew up in Missouri, New York, and then California. He was the youngest of three children born to Chinese-American parents. To avoid trouble, he began practising martial arts.

Leong’s devotion to Ng Ga Kuen, known as Five Families/Five Animals Kung Fu, reaped early rewards. A regular on the tournament circuit, this guy was such a master at weapon routines that when his name popped up on the entry sheet, opponents were suddenly "busy" that day. Despite racking up win after win, he stayed humble. His skills did the talking, and boy, did they have a lot to say.

Leong finally grew tired of exhibition fights, but his drive and desire made quitting impossible. In 1980, Al returned and won the World Silver Cup Martial Arts Championship.

When he wasn’t cruising around on his custom Choppers, he was tearing it up on dirt bikes with his buddies. After high school, he took his love for bikes to the next level, enrolling in L.A. Trade Tech to study motorcycle mechanics. Soon after, he opened a body shop, painting cars and bikes to order.

Leong beat his competition by grinding seven days a week, but he knew he couldn’t keep that pace up forever. So, he switched gears and applied for a gig at the Warner Bros. lot. Lucky for him, it was a busy time, and he landed a job as a "Grip," hauling equipment on TV sets. For three years, he lugged around hardware until fate stepped in.

One day on set, a producer casually asked Leong if he knew any martial arts. Al paused. Sure, it was a passion, but it was something he did for himself, not for show. Like his academy peers, he didn't want to spread negative stereotypes about Chinese Americans.

Sensing an opportunity, he said yes. He jumped right in, setting up a fight scene that day. Fortune shone. He won a small role in front of the camera, earning his Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.) card. Al Leong had arrived at the perfect time.

The '80s were a golden era for TV action, with hits like The Dukes of Hazzard, Knight Rider, Airwolf, and The Fall Guy tearing up our screens. If you watched closely, you'd spot Leong kicking ass in numerous episodes.

Leong’s high-kicking action style kept him in constant demand, no matter what was on the call sheet, like The A-Team episode "The Sound of Thunder"— when Tia Carrere was supposed to perform a spectacular somersault. Al, ever the pro, stepped in to nail the stunt—cute wig and all.

“I’m not an actor. I know nothing about acting. All I do is stunts, and that’s all I’m interested in.”

As rising costs and the shift to three-camera setups began pushing action shows off the air, it was time for Leong to leap into film.

Over the next decade, Leong cemented his status as one of Hollywood's most revered stunt performers. Quick-witted and fearless, he became known for improvising epic fight scenes on the fly and for delivering under pressure.

Rep solidified, Leong caught the eye of Tinseltown’s best directors. John Carpenter was so impressed with his skills that he just had to cast him in Big Trouble in Little China (1986).

Al was only available for one day of filming but still pops up in multiple scenes. Roger Ebert said the special effects were “undeniably mind-boggling,” but Carpenter felt Leong and his team played an equal role.

Big Trouble performed poorly in theatres, hobbled by limited marketing. Yet, Carpenter and Leong became firm friends, and the movie gained cult status. Al even graces the corner of the Blu-ray disc cover. Perhaps a nod from his old pal. They teamed up again on Carpenter’s They Live (1988) and Escape from L.A. (1996).

Thanks to his physical prowess and those “intimidating” features, Al Leong was an action movie regular. By the mid-80s, the moustachioed menace had enough clout to pick and choose his projects. Lethal Weapon (1987) would be one of his best.

As Mel Gibson’s torturer, ‘Endo’, Leong proved he could hold his own with a major star. Endo approaches his job with a cold, methodical precision, but it’s Al’s subtle charisma that makes the scene unforgettable. The iconic scene was awarded one of Hollywood’s highest honours: a Family Guy parody.

Endo does what Al Leong does best: he dies. In wrestling, they call this ‘putting someone over’ —making the other guy look good. And Leong mastered it, boosting the cred of the biggest names in the business. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chow Yun-Fat, Bruce Willis—you name it, Leong “put them over” with his epic exits.

Speaking of Bruce Willis, Al Leong made another unforgettable mark in the 1988 summer blockbuster Die Hard. Playing Uli (you guessed it, another Henchman), Leong once again brought personality to a minor role. Right before the shootout in the lobby, Uli takes a moment to reload his ammo, but he can't resist grabbing a Crunch bar from the snack stand. It’s a small detail, but it humanizes the character.

Initially, the scene was just a pregnant pause, but Leong suggested the clever candy grab, and director John McTiernan loved it. That simple touch turned an otherwise forgettable beat into a moment action fans love. Many of Albert's films profited from his keen eye and expertise.

A staple in the action genre, Leong was in high demand. But he didn’t just settle for just any gig. Hollywood wasn’t known for its sensitive portrayal of East Asian characters and he knew his worth. If something felt off, he’d walk away. Even when contract violations cropped up, producers never sued. Al knew the game—it wasn’t cost-effective to go after him. But Leong never dwelled on the past.

Well, not often. Sure, there were missed opportunities. He was supposed to go toe-to-toe with Stallone in Rambo III (1988), but Die Hard kept him busy. One of his biggest regrets is never getting to work with Sly, but that’s showbiz. Luckily, his next move would be one of his most popular.

Leong’s presence peaked in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989). His character, “Bob” Genghis Khan, is a man of few words—literally none. Yet, Al chews up the scenery as the Mongolian warlord, using his trademark speed to launch some memorable moves.

Whether half of a henchmen duo or facing big hitters like Brandon Lee in Rapid Fire (1992), Al Leong brought panache and savage intensity to each role.

Other notable Al Leong appearances include:

• 2002: The Scorpion King (Training Master)

• 1998: Lethal Weapon 4 (Triad Member)

• 1998: Godzilla (Fishing Crew)

• 1998: The Replacement Killers

• 1996: Escape from L.A. (Gang Member)

• 1993: Hot Shots! Part Deux (Fight Crowd Member)

• 1991: Showdown in Little Tokyo

• 1990: Death Warrant (Bruce)

• 1989: Black Rain (Yakuza Assassin)

• 1988: Action Jackson (Chauffeur)

• 1986: Running Scared (Henchman)

• 1985: My Science Project (Vietnamese Soldier)

• 1983: Twilight Zone: The Movie

Al’s creativity always pushed him to try new things. In 2000, he chose to bring his self-penned script, Daddy, Tell Me a Story, to life. Sadly, complications hit, including the loss of his leading man. After much wrangling, the retitled Scarecrow’s Dream wrapped. However, the final product didn’t quite showcase Leong’s talent and vision. Yet, just like in the movies, life doesn’t always follow the script, and Leong was no stranger to tough battles—both on and off the screen.

In the 1990s, he faced stage-3 brain cancer, a challenge he faced with the same determination that defined his career. Then, in 2005, he suffered a stroke and lost the use of his right arm. But giving up was never Leong’s style. Now 71, he still entertains fans at conventions and has written a book called The Eight Lives of Al “Ka-Bong” Leong.

When filmmakers asked Al Leong to paint on their canvas, he didn’t hold back. His passion and talent added zing to any project. He taught the biggest stars in Hollywood how to be better and gave every project his all.

Whether you’re a life-Leong fan or just discovering him now, his career is an illustrious one worth celebrating. He may not be a household name, but some of our favourite movies wouldn’t be the same without him.

If you’re a film buff or just want to learn more, ‘Henchman: The Al Leong Story’ is now available on Amazon Prime for rent or purchase.*

The Amazon* link above is an affiliate link. If you click through and buy, I’ll earn an affiliate commission (at zero cost to you).