Mang Hoi (1 May 1958 – 9 October 2023), born Mang King-hoi and known as 'Little Hoi', was a Hong Kong actor, action director and director who moved from a Peking-opera background into film. At seven he entered the Chun Chau Drama School to study Peking opera under Fen Ju-hua, alongside schoolmates such as Connie Chan, Josephine Siao, Lam Ching-ying and John Lone; he made his screen debut in 1968 and, by 1970, starred in a feature of his own. He began in the industry as a stunt double and martial-arts extra, rising to action choreographer, actor and director, working first for Golden Harvest and later Sammo Hung's Hung Ga Ban. Slight in build but agile, he often played the careless sidekick. In 1983 he earned his first Best Action Choreography nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards for 'Ninja in the Dragon's Den' and starred in 'Zu Warriors from the Magic Mountain'; in 1985 his turn as a patrol officer in 'Yes, Madam', starring Michelle Yeoh, won him Best Supporting Actor at the 5th Hong Kong Film Awards. He appeared in about seventy films and directed two features of his own, in 1989 and 1991, and was nominated seven times for Best Action Choreography. He was a regular partner of Lam Ching-ying in the jiangshi (hopping-vampire) films and worked with Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Stephen Chow, Donnie Yen, Yuen Biao and Alex Fong. He joined ATV in 1996, appearing in several drama series. Known for an easy-going manner, he was widely mourned by fellow martial artists and industry colleagues at his death, and his niece is a performer. Mang died of oesophageal cancer on the night of 9 October 2023, aged 65.
Coming from a Peking-opera background, Mang Hoi worked both in front of and behind the camera and was a solid supporting mainstay of Hong Kong action cinema's golden 1980s. His performance in 'Yes, Madam' won him Best Supporting Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards, and his jiangshi-film partnership with Lam Ching-ying won lasting affection, while he helped train action teams for Hung Ga Ban and Golden Harvest.
Achievements
- 1968 · Made his screen debut as a child actor, entering the film industry.
- 1983 · Earned his first Best Action Choreography nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards for Ninja in the Dragon's Den.
- 1986 · Won Best Supporting Actor at the 5th Hong Kong Film Awards for Yes, Madam.