![]() Leong’s work ethic was strong and he did work hard at everything that he put his mind to. Basically, they do all the work and never get their due until the end credits that most people don’t read. This includes tripods, tracks, cranes, dollies and any other camera rig that might be needed for the movie. ![]() Grips are the technicians who build equipment that support the cameras used in movies. One of the hardest jobs on the set of movies. The studio was hot at the time and incredibly busy, so Leong was hired for the job of a grip. Studio and put in an application to basically do anything as a job on the lot. After a friend of a friend told him to come to check out the set of a movie he was working on, Leong looked into making a switch in his career. He got to know people that worked in the entertainment business. His custom work on motorcycles was one thing, but he also did work on stunt equipment. The toxic chemicals that Leong dealt with on a constant basis took a toll on him and this was before OSHA got a say of what was dangerously toxic to people.Īlthough Leong then moved away from running his body shop, a door was opened for him from the work at the shop that he did for others. He kept this going, working all the time until he had to eventually close up shop, about a year’s time. His detailed work of custom paintings of cars and motorcycles was highly sought after. He wanted to learn everything about motorcycles, from putting them together and pulling them apart, to riding them.īecause of that passion, Leong opened up his own body shop. It was another way for him to hone his eye and hand coordination as well and help him keep fit and in shape. Leong would start teaching at the very dojo that he had learned his craft at.Īfter high school, Leong took classes at LA Trade Tech (LATTC) learning about another passion of his, motorcycles. Finally, the student had become the master. Soon he was going from learning one move at a time to as many as possible. He wouldn’t change to a new move until he perfected the one he was working on. Leong got too obsessed with learning the craft and perfecting it, he would sometimes train six or seven days a week. “And when I thought wasn’t watching, he would yell across the floor, ‘No!’ Then from behind, he’d pull my shoulders in line, shove a knee in my back to straighten it, hook his instep around my ankle to correct my foot position, then pivot around in front of me to adjust my hands.” Al Leong, Master Ark Yuey Wong, and Doug Wong They referred to him as “Old Man.” From across the room, he would yell at Leong if his movies were not right and correct him. He studied under kung fu pioneer Grandmaster Ark Yuey Wong, hence the dojo name. His martial arts training started at Ark Yuey Wong’s dojo. Leong was quickly hooked on learning and practising the arts in junior high and continued as he attended Hollywood High School. ![]() One of those activities was learning martial arts. So Leong made the decision to keep himself active and busy. He wanted to stay away from the same problems that many youths got into. As well as spending time at the family laundry, Leong wanted to stay out of trouble. In 1962, his family packed up and moved the family and business to Los Angeles. His father worked all the time and Leong spent his formative years in the back of the laundry. Both of his parents were Chinese-American and owned a Chinese laundry. He’s also known as Al “Ka Bong” Leong and Mahomey Bruce (both pretty badass nicknames). I like the way this guy dies'”Īl Leong was born Albert Leong on Septemin St. “I think I am hired to die because they’ve seen me on another show and said, ‘We wanna bring this guy in. That also means, although menacing, he’s died many times too. He’s arguably one of the most infamous henchmen that action heroes had to fight. He might not be a household name, but he’s been able to leave his mark in movies. ![]() Even the normies that aren’t cinephiles like all of us at least recognize him as one of those guys they’ve seen in that one movie. Everyone that grew up on the action movies of the 80s and 90s knows who Al Leong is.
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