Ringo Lam

Ringo Lam was a Hong Kong filmmaker who was best known for directing numerous popular action/marital arts films, including "City on Fire" (1987), "Full Contact" (1992), and "Full Alert" (1997). Born and raised in Hong Kong, Lam initially wanted to become a director. With his mind set on becoming an actor, in 1973 Lam attended an actors training program put on by TVB, the local television station in Hong Kong. While attending the program Lam met an aspiring actor by the name of Chow Yun-fat. Little did he know that it would be he beginning of a lifelong creative partnership (Lam would later go on to direct Chow in several martial arts films). After struggling as an actor for a number of years, Lam decided to turn his attention to filmmaking. He attended film school at York University in Toronto, Canada, and by the early 80s Lam was back in Hong Kong directing movies. He initially made a name for himself by directing comedies, such as "The Other Side of Gentleman" (1984) and "Cupid One" (1985). Then in 1986 he directed "Mad Mission 4: You Never Die Twice," (1986), which was a hit at the box office. The success of "Mad Mission 4: You Never Die Twice" gave Lam free reign to direct any project he wanted, s he chose to direct "City on Fire" (1987), an action-crime film set in Hong Kong. Lam cast his old acting school pal Chow Yun-fat in the lead role, and the film went on to be a major success at the box office. Over the course of the next several years Lam made several more action films with Chow, including "Prison on Fire" (1987), "Full Contact" and "Full Alert." In 1996 Lam made his first film for an American studio with "Maximum Risk" (1996) starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. After two decades of prolific activity behind the camera, Lam's directing output mostly slowed at the beginning of the 21st century. He directed a few more films, including 2001's "Replicant" starring Van Damme and the Hong Kong crime-thriller "Wild City" (2015). In 2016 Lam directed that last film in his "On Fire" series with "Sky on Fire" (2016). It would also be Lam's last film released while he was alive. Ringo Lam died on December 29, 2018 at his home in Hong Kong. He was 63.