Hollywood Mourns the Loss of a Legendary Action Performer and Stunt Pioneer

Lew, who died in Los Angeles on August 23, 2026, at the age of 73, spent decades working both in front of and behind the camera. He was an actor, martial artist, stunt performer, stunt coordinator, fight choreographer, director, and mentor. His career became a bridge between traditional martial arts and modern Hollywood action filmmaking.

His passing has prompted renewed appreciation for the people who make some of cinema’s most spectacular moments possible—often without receiving the same recognition as the stars they double for.

A Career Built on Martial Arts

James Lew’s journey began with a deep commitment to martial arts.

He trained in numerous disciplines, developing the versatility and physical control that would eventually make him one of Hollywood’s most respected action professionals.

His abilities went beyond simply performing difficult movements. Lew understood timing, choreography, camera angles, safety, and the storytelling power of a well-designed fight sequence.

That combination made him especially valuable in an industry increasingly dependent on sophisticated action choreography.

From Martial Arts Competitions to Hollywood

Lew first gained attention in the martial arts world before establishing himself in entertainment.

According to the Martial Arts History Museum, he became known for pioneering the concept of the creative kata, bringing athleticism, showmanship, and innovation to competitive martial arts. He was later inducted into the museum’s Hall of Fame in 2002.

That experience translated naturally into film.

Hollywood action productions needed performers who could execute complicated movements while also understanding how those movements would appear on screen.

Lew proved to be exactly that kind of professional.