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Written by Ric Meyers Information Guest Biographies Lo Meng is one of the rarer kung-fu film stars. Not only has he been acting in comedies and dramas for more than twenty-five years, not only does his intensity set him apart, but he is probably the most successful of the select few who put their muscles where the money is. Meng attributes his physique to many years at his father's construction company, as well as his deep dedication to the martial art of To Chi Gung -- a powerful internal kung-fu style which also manifested itself in Lo's external anatomy. To keep in shape, all Meng requires is a sturdy tree, which he will punch and bend with consummate power.
 Ironically, while his obvious and abundant musculature would make him feel right at home alongside such American stars as Schwarzenegger and Stallone, it sets him apart in Hong Kong, where even the mightiest of martial arts masters look like Jet and Jackie. Of course, when considering the stongmen of Kung-fu cinema, the name Bolo comes to mind, but outside of that talented fighter's presence in Enter the Dragon, his resume doesn't have many movies of equal quality to commend it. This is not the case with our Lo Meng, who--although he previously starred in such classics as Shaolin Temple (1976), Chinatown Kid (1977), and the Brave Archer Part II (1978) --came to his greatest U.S. fame as the lovable lummox of Chang Cheh's legendary "Venoms" films. Alongside fellow convention guest Philip Kowk Choy, Lo played the team's kind-hearted but often thick headed helper. But even within that limited role, he showed his stuff as"The Toad" in Five Deadly Venoms (1978), essayed a convincing deaf-mute in Crippled Avengers (1978), and was especially memorable as the iron-skinned title character in The Kid with the Golden Arm (1979).
 But unlike several other of his comrades, the dissolution of the Venoms in 1981 did not see the slow disintegration of Meng's career. On the contrary, not only did he star in mentor Chiang's brilliant 5 Element Ninja (1982), but was highly sought by other directors as well. Among his most memorable non- Venom, non-Chang directed roles were Roar of the Lion (1981), Clan Feuds (1982), Bastard Swordsman (1983), Men from the Gutter (1983), Secret Service of the Imperial Court (1984), John Woo's Hard Boiled (1992), and the Jacie Chan produced Naughty Boys (1985). Lo continues to work in both television and movies, including such recent fare as Ebola Syndrome (1996), War of the Under World (1996), Tricky King (1998), and Killer (2000). Even so, the one thing every Venom fan notes upon seeing their hero in the 21st Century is that he seemingly hasn't aged a day. |
2 Champions of Shaolin Avenging Warriors of Shaolin Chinatown Kid Crippled Avengers Shaolin Daredevils Five Deadly Venoms Flag of Iron Invincible Shaolin Kid With the Golden Arm Killer Army Legend of the Fox Magnificent Ruffians Masked Avengers Ninja in the Deadly Trap Ten Tigers From Kwangtung
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