Moon Lee

Moon began her career as a TV actress, and first appeared in the series "Affection on Earth". Her early film appearances were small roles in such movies as "Winners & Sinners"(1983), Jackie Chan's "Protector"(1985), "Mr. Vampire"(1985) and "Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain"(1983). However, she performed little or no action in these parts, but that would soon change. In 1988 Moon starred in the film "Angel". This is the film that started the whole GWG genre--and made an action star out of Moon. It might seem strange that this diminutive girl would be become an action heroine, but she had the skills to pull it off. Moon had a background as a ballet and classical dancer, giving her the flexibility and dexterity needed to perform martial arts moves in her action sequences . She also studied Kung Fu under Tsui Siu Ming, another asset which no doubt helped her secure a role in "Angel".

Moon's career went in a new direction--After "Angel" all her film roles would be of the action variety(The exception being "Midnight Whispers"(), her last dramatic role). Between 1988 and 1993 Moon would star in 25 action films--most of them gwg films--a lot of them containing "Angel" in the title. I can't vouch for the quality of all these films, as there are few I haven't seen-although I understand they vary from Excellent to Poor. I have seen "Angel(1987)", "Angel 2(1988)" "Angel 3"(1989) "Killer Angels"(1989), "Beauty Investigators"(1992), "Devil Hunters"(1989), and that was enough to make me a fan. It's a testament to her abilities that such a dainty woman can convincingly kick ass on the big screen. One of my favorite moves(actually quite common in HK films) is when Moon does a reverse kick to the head of an assailant that is standing directly behind her. She does this in "Angel" and again in her terrific fight scene against an army of bad guys in "Angel 3".

I believe Moon Lee has done many of her own stunts, and was even severly injured when filming "Devil Hunters". Moon had to leap from the window of a building just before it exploded, but the charge was bigger than planned, and she was enveloped in a fireball, resulting in severe burns to her hands and face. "When you make action movies it's almost guaranteed you get hurt" was Moon's comment from the documentary "Deadly China Dolls". She ain't lying! A potential career ending accident, but like the resilient characters she plays, Moon was able to recover and fight another day.

By 1993, the popularity of GWG films was fading, which had a direct affect on Moon's career. She had become so typecast as a "Girls with Guns" actress that it was impossible for her to obtain any dramatic roles. So Moon retired from the film world, and decided to go on to other things. She currently teaches dance and takes on the occasional TV role.