Hong Kong media outlets are reporting the death of filmmaker and actor Lau Kar-leung (also known as Liu Chia-liang) at the age of 75. More details should emerge in the following days but this is truly a tragic loss. Lau Kar-leung has left behind a considerable body of work, including some of the finest martial arts movies of all time.

He is perhaps most famous for directing and starring opposite Jackie Chan in the 1994 classic Drunken Master 2, but Kar-leung was also a veteran of the Shaw Brothers system.

During his impressive tenure with the Shaw Brothers studio, he helmed a string a bonafide martial arts classics – including The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Legendary Weapons of China, My Young Auntie, and what is perhaps his masterpiece, Eight Diagram Pole Fighter.

Most of these films are available on DVD in North America, so this week may be a good time to rewatch one or several of his movies and remember the iconic filmmaker. Our condolences go out to Lau Kar-leung’s family and friends.