KEY POINTS:
After being trained in martial arts at a young age, Liu worked his way up in the Hong Kong film industry, first as a stuntman and then an actor.
In 1978 he teamed with director Liu Chia Liang for The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, widely regarded as one of the most influential kung fu films of all time.
His performance established him as a popular martial arts actor and he went on to star in many Shaw Brothers' productions, including Return To The 36th Chamber and Disciples of the 36th Chamber.
More recently, he played two roles in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films - Yakuza bodyguard Johnny Mo of the Crazy 88, and the cruel white-bearded kung fu master Pai Mei. I
Is it true you love Clint Eastwood films like The Good the Bad and The Ugly?
When I was younger, I loved watching many action movies. Clint Eastwood's cowboy movie series was one of my favourites.
How many films have you appeared in?
I can't remember the exact numbers, but as the lead actor, I have been in over a hundred movies. If you add my TV credits, it's more than a thousand.
You've never really had more than a few months off.
I never had a day off. When I decided to take a month off, by the second day, I was aching to get back to work. Work is my hobby.
Do you get many offers to appear at film festivals and meet your fans?
I have always attended film festivals, but I think people recognise me as a more versatile actor since Kill Bill.
What was it like to work on the Shaw Brothers' films in the 1970s?
It was amazing ... everyone from the actors, the crews and the directors all poured their heart into the projects.
What's the worst injury you have suffered on set?
I have been hurt more than I can count. In Return to the 36th Chamber, one of the poles broke and cut into my arm, leaving a three-inch scar above my wrist. The director Lau Kar-leung stopped the camera and asked if I was fine, and I thought I was until we pulled out the pole and blood started to splurt everywhere.
What other objects have you used in fight scenes?
In The Lady Is The Boss, we used a camera in a fight scene. It was hard on the eyes as the flash kept going off.
You were originally trained in the hung gar style of kung fu. What separates hung gar from other styles?
I can't claim I am an expert in kung style, but compared to some other styles such as wing chun, hung gar is definitely more taxing on the body. You need to be extremely fit to practise hung gar.
Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill films play tribute to the films you've been involved in.
Quentin grew up on a diet of Shaw films; obviously he has been influenced by us. The opening song to Kill Bill is the Shaw Brothers' anthem. You can hear it at the beginning of every Shaw movie.
How was it playing Pai Mei in Kill Bill vol 2?
It was refreshing, as many people know me as the bald guy. Being able to act in an untypical Gordon Liu character has helped me to reach a new audience and to widen people's perceptions of me as an actor.
* The MGM channel on Sky Digital features a season of kung fu classics this month with Return To The 36th Chamber screening tonight 8.30pm.
