Hwang Jang-lee: key obituary facts
Is Hwang Jang-lee dead? Yes. Hwang Jang-lee died on November 12, 2026, at age 81.
Cause of death: Hwang Jang-lee's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Hwang Jang-lee known for?
He was a South Korean martial artist and film actor.
More about Hwang Jang-lee
Born: 21 December 1944.
Place of birth: Aomori.
Gender: male.
Occupation: film actor, taekwondo athlete, television actor, film director, actor.
Nationality: South Korea.
Employer: Yong In University.
Career began: 1974.
Also known as: Hwang Jeong-ri, Silver Fox, Thunderleg, Thunderfoot, Hwang Chǒng-ri, Hwang Jang-Lee, Wong Cheng-Lee, Wong Cheng-Li.
Occupations: Martial artist, actor.
Years active: 1974–1996; 2009.
Hwang Jang-lee, the South Korean taekwondo practitioner and actor known for his martial arts films, died November 12, 2026, aged 81.
Born in Aomori, Japan, he began martial arts training in 1957 and became a ninth-dan grandmaster in Tang Soo Do and Taekwondo. Before entering films, he taught martial arts to the Korean military in Vietnam; his acting career began in 1974.
In 1976, producer Ng See-yuen brought him to Hong Kong, where he played the villain Silver Fox in Secret Rivals, a role he reprised in Secret Rivals 2. Hwang became known to international audiences through his appearances opposite Jackie Chan in Drunken Master and Snake in the Eagle’s Shadow, both released in 1978. His credits also included Hitman in the Hand of Buddha. His screen career ran through 1996, with a return to acting in 2009. On screen, his martial arts expertise and forceful villain roles became central features of his work in Hong Kong action cinema. He was also known by the names Hwang Jeong-ri and Silver Fox.