The action world is mourning the loss of an icon. James Lew, one of the most renowned actors and stuntmen in action and martial arts cinema, passed away on August 23 at the age of 73.

Lew was a highly respected figure in the action film industry, having appeared on film with both A-list talents and in independent films as well. One of his highest acclaims is winning an Emmy Award for his work as stunt coordinator on the Marvel television series Luke Cage.

Born on September 6, 1952 in Escalon, California, James Jene Fae Lew was raised in South Los Angeles. At the age of 14, Lew’s journey to martial arts began, training in Tang Soo Do and Choy Li Fut Kung Fu. He would also train in Bak Mei Pei, Five Animal Fist, Taekwondo, Hapkido, boxing, and grappling arts.

Lew’s career in the entertainment industry started in the 1970s, including a small role in John Cassavetes’ The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. In 1981, Lew starred in a Taiwanese kung fu film that, years later, would be spliced by Joseph Lai’s IFD Arts and Films for the 1988 film Evil Destroyer: Zodiac Power 2.

One of Lew’s first major film appearances was as one of the supporting heroes in John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China. Lew also was part of the film’s stunt team. Just a year prior, Lew appeared as the main villain in the first of Jun Chong’s Action Brothers’ films, L.A. Street Fighters, released a year later as Ninja Turf.

In 1989, Lew gained massive recognition among martial arts fans for his role of Korean fighter Sae Jin Kwon in Best of the Best. His fight scene against Eric Roberts is a major highlight. He also would have a memorable fight scene against film-debuting Kenpo Karate expert Jeff Speakman in The Perfect Weapon in 1991. Another memorable fight scene was a parody of the Rambo III fight scene where he faced Charlie Sheen in Hot Shots! Part Deux, where Sheen looked good throwing kicks against the legend.

Lew has had a reputation for playing such amazing support whether it was a side character or a villain. In 2004, he made his directorial debut and took the lead in a satirical comedy about the action film industry, titled 18 Fingers of Death! The film would feature the likes of Robin Shou, Lorenzo Lamas, Don “The Dragon” Wilson, and in one of his final appearances, the late Pat Morita.

In 2017, Lew won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Stunt Coordinating for his work on Luke Cage. Just two years prior, Lew worked as martial arts choreographer and stunt coordinator on The Martial Arts Kid starring Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock and Phillip Rhee’s return to films after nearly 2 decades, Underdog Kids.

Lew is survived by his wife Johanna and stepson, actor Ryan Potter.

Action cinema has lost one of its greatest and Indie World Cinema sends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of this legend. Check out one of his films today. In the meantime, see the tribute video below by the late great Tony Coates, aka KingofKungFu2002. RIP James Lew…your legacy will never be forgotten.