#SHOWBIZ: HK martial arts star Chen Kuan Tai dies at 80

Hong Kong martial arts icon Chen Kuan Tai has died at the age of 80, according to a longtime friend from his Shaw Brothers studio days. The legendary actor had been in good health until recently, attending social gatherings with friends just last month. Chen was admitted to the hospital several days prior due to hydrocephalus, and tragically, he suffered a second cardiac arrest around 5am, leading to his untimely demise.

Actress Helen Ma expressed her heartbreak over the news, recalling their often affectionate nickname for Chen, "Big Brother," during their time working together at Shaw Brothers. She fondly remembered his kindness in teaching her martial arts and last meeting him two years ago in good health before he relocated to Beijing for work.

Chen Kuan Tai began his rise to fame in the 1970s under director Chang Cheh's guidance. His breakthrough role in The Boxer from Shantung (1972) made him a household name, followed by iconic performances in films like The Blood Brothers and Five Shaolin Masters. In addition to his acting prowess, Chen directed several films, including The Thief of Stars and The Shanghai Tycoon.

He remained active in the industry for five decades, making appearances in films like Dealer/Healer and ViuTV's Demon s Path. Despite his later years being marked by health issues, including nutritional deficiencies from a vegetarian diet and a blood cell count imbalance, Chen had expressed a desire to return to acting in the past.

Married multiple times, Chen Kuan Tai had a daughter with Shaw Brothers actress Tsai Chen Ni in 1976 and a son with Taiwanese actress Fang Yi Chen in 1978. His third marriage, to Zhao Ting Ting, also ended in separation. In October 2017, Chen officially registered his marriage in Hong Kong to his much younger girlfriend, Tang Li Ping, who is 30 years his junior.