'Kung Fu Hustle' actor Yuen Cheung-yan, 69, dies on New Year's Day from undisclosed illness

Hong Kong actor and martial arts choreographer Yuen Cheung-yan died on Jan. 1, 2026 at the age of 69 due to an undisclosed illness.

The news was confirmed by his widow, who said he passed away peacefully at Hong Kong's Queen Elizabeth Hospital on New Year's Day afternoon, ET Today reported.

An obituary issued by Yuen's wife did not specify her husband's illness, but stated that a memorial service will be held on Feb. 1 at a funeral parlour in Hong Kong, with the funeral taking place the following day.

Kung Fu Hustle

Yuen was most notable for his role in Stephen Chow's 2004 action comedy "Kung Fu Hustle", where he played a mysterious beggar, who swindles Chow's savings using a "Buddha's Palm" manual.

The line, "I see you have extraordinary talent; you are a martial arts prodigy, one in a million", is said to remain a cult classic online and has become a meme.

Aside from his supporting character roles, Yuen was also a martial arts choreographer for a number of well-known films, including Hong Kong's 1991 "Once Upon a Time in China" and Hollywood's 2000 "Charlie's Angels".

According to ET Today, he comes from a renowned martial arts family, where his father was actor and martial artist Yuen Siu-tien, similarly known for his role as a beggar in the "Drunken Master" series.

Yuen's brother was Hong Kong martial arts choreographer and director Yuen Woo-ping, who worked with renowned martial arts actors Donnie Yen, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

Top images via IMDB