On June 23, in Jordan, Hong Kong, Tang Jia, the husband of famous martial arts instructor and veteran actress Xueni, tragically passed away at the age of 88 after falling from a building. He struck a roadside sign and was found lying at the intersection of Austin Road and Chung Shan Road, with his body separated from his head, a truly shocking scene.
According to sources quoted by “East Net,” Xueni has been battling pancreatic cancer recently and requires long-term hospitalization for treatment. Earlier, Tang Jia had expressed to his son that he was feeling down and wished to pass away alongside his wife. It is suggested that he had planned to go to the lawyer’s office that day to sign a will, but he chose to end his life before departing, presumably due to the emotional impact of his wife’s serious illness.
Tang Jia married Xueni in 1969 and has long been known in the industry as an epitome of a devoted husband. The couple shared a deep and loving relationship. After Xueni made a comeback and joined TVB in 1997, Tang Jia often accompanied her to the set, personally cooked soup for her, and took meticulous care of his wife. Once, he waited on the street for 3 hours just to pick up Xueni after shooting an outdoor scene. Xueni described her husband as her bodyguard, manager, and assistant, acknowledging her own fiery temperament. Despite many disagreements after marriage, her husband always took the initiative to make amends, which is how their marriage endured.
Originally named Huang Tang, Tang Jia was born in Macau in 1937. At the age of 15, he studied under Master Yuan Xiaotian to become a Cantonese opera martial arts instructor and started filming at 19. In 1963, Tang Jia collaborated with Lau Ka Leung as a martial arts director in the movie “Dragon and Phoenix.” Subsequently, he served as a martial arts director in numerous Cantonese martial arts and action films such as the “Palm of Buddha” series, “Female Killer” series, and “The Black Heroine” series.
Since the 1960s, Tang Jia and Lau Ka Leung became renowned martial arts directors for the acclaimed director Chang Cheh. Lau Ka Leung was promoted to director in 1975, while Tang Jia continued his role as a martial arts director. In the 1980s, Tang Jia directed several kung fu films, including “Disciples of Shaolin,” “Shaolin Intruders,” and “The Master Strikes.” His choreography in “Shaolin Intruders” with scenes like the Broad Knife Formation, Twelve Gold Men Formation, and Bench Formation were exquisite and unparalleled.
After leaving Shaw Brothers Studios, Tang Jia briefly worked in television before opting for retirement. It was not until 1993, when he was invited by director Tsui Hark, that he returned to work as a martial arts director for the film “Green Snake.” By the late 1980s, Tang Jia gradually faded from the Hong Kong film and television industry, moving to Canada to live. However, due to his family’s difficulty in adapting to the local environment, the family returned to Hong Kong in the 1990s.
Tang Jia’s passing has left many shocked and saddened. Netizens lament that Tang Jia was a monument in Hong Kong martial arts instruction, and his departure symbolizes the end of an era.