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Roy Chiao

Roy Chiao

Actor · Died April 15, 1999, aged 72 · Shanghai, China

Roy Chiao was a Chinese actor most famous in the Western world for playing the minor villain Lao Che in the 1984 movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Senzo Tanaka in Bloodsport.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 16, 1927
Died
April 15, 1999 (aged 72)
From
Shanghai, China
Works as
Actor
Titles
20 on MovieCove · 106 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 6% in 30 days

What are Roy Chiao's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Action12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
36%
Morality
30%
Power
12%
Survival
11%
Self
8%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 6 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 1 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 6 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 8

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 7
Shadow
2 of 7
Mentor
2 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Thrilling
10
Tense
8
Absurd
5
Joyful
3
Warm
2
Other
6

How their films linger

Fun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Roy Chiao's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 20 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Roy Chiao's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

106 credits, 20 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Sometimes, Miracles do Happen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • All's Well, Ends Well 1997(1997)

    as Mr. Lo

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Age of Miracles(1996)

    as Messenger of Death in White Suit

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Blind Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Tung's Grandfather

  • Only Fools Fall in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Ford's Great Uncle

  • Summer Snow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Lin Sun

  • Treasure Hunt(1994)

    as Uncle Bill

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Happy Odd Couple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 60 episodes · Actor

  • Angel of the Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Cageman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Fatso

  • A Kid from Tibet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Lawyer Robinson

  • Bamboo In Winter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • King of Gambler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Boss Ho

  • Shadow of China (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Lee Hok Chow

  • Burning Ambition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Hwa's Father

  • Lady Reporter(1989)

    as Prosecutor Yu

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Mr. Fortune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Boss Cha

  • Bloodsport(1988)

    as Tanaka

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dragons Forever(1988)

    as Judge Lo Chun Wai

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Life is a Moment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Astrologer

  • Inspector Chocolate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Captain K.W. Kiu

  • Righting Wrongs(1986)

    as Judge

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Family Strikes Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Professor

  • Mad Mission 4: You Never Die Twice(1986)

    as Professor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Protector(1985)

    as Mr. Ko

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Musical Singer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom(1984)

    as Lao Che

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Lost Generation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Concert Guest

  • I Do! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as (segment "Please, Please Me")

  • Shadow Ninja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • The Land Of Rebirth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Happy Sixteen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Once Upon a Mirage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • The Wheeler Dealer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 15 episodes · Actor

  • Krazy Kops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • The Mad, Mad, Mad Sailors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Game of Death II(1980)

    as The Abbot

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Second Class Resident (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Do-Re-Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Blowing in the Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 80 episodes · Actor

  • Killer Wears White (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • God Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Ghost Eye Chu Tung Shen

  • Crazy Hustlers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Itchy Fingers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Inspector

  • A Title Rewon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Enter the Fat Dragon(1978)

    as Uncle Chiu

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Game of Death(1978)

    as Henry Lo

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • ICAC: Investigation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Follow the Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Drunken Sheng

  • Guardian Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 14 episodes · Actor

  • Old Soldiers Never Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Foxbat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Doctor Vod

  • The Good, the Bad and the Loser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as The Loser

  • Rise of Tang Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 35 episodes · Actor

  • Revenge of the Patriots(1976)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Let's Rock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Ghost Under the Cold Moonlight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • The Last Message (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Mr. Chiang Wo

  • 老夫子 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Lucky, Lucky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Games Gamblers Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Man at Milk Bar Getting Parking Ticket

  • Blood Reincarnation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • The Valiant Ones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Yu Da You

  • Golden Needles(1974)

    as Lin Tao

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Blue Lamp in Winter Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • The Fate of Lee Khan(1973)

    as Tsao Yu-kun

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Enter the Dragon(1973)

    as Shaolin Abbott (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Call Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Cheat to Cheat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Black Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Cheating in Panorama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • 雪路血路 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Dial for Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Inspector Chan

  • A Touch of Zen(1971)

    as Abbot Hui-yuan

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • 嫁不嫁 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • The Arch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Captain Yang

  • Escorts Over Tiger Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • 雁翎刀 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Travels with a Sword (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Cockeyed Tiger

  • The Blue Poisonous Bees (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Lung King-tin

  • You Are My Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Ling Chi-Chiu 凌志超

  • Five Golden Dragons(1967)

    as Inspector Chiao

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Gold Button (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Double Exposure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as 林伯器

  • A Debt of Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Ma Jen-shan

  • The Black Musketeer 'F' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Bureau Chief Fong

  • Romance of the Forbidden City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Hong Chengchou

  • The Story of Three Loves: Part 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • The Story of Three Loves: Part 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • The Imperial Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Four Brave Ones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Because of Her (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Jin Shiming

  • Ladies First (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Wang Shu

  • Lily of the Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • It's Always Spring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Xu Zhaofeng

  • You Were Meant for Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Zhuoran

  • Death Traps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Luo Shou-Li

  • Between Tears and Laughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Zheng Dajiang

  • Happily Ever After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • June Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mai Qin

  • Devotion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Yuan Chi Tang

  • Sister Long Legs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Hsiao Chin

  • Ferry to Hong Kong(1959)

    as Johnny Sing-Up

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Air Hostess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Lei Tai-Ying

  • Spring Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Buffalo

  • The Alishan Uprising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 106 titles from 1950 to 1999; peak year 1985.

Biggest box office

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

$333M worldwide

Highest rated

A Touch of Zen (1971)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

Film career

19501999

Peak 1985 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting106 of 106: 106 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score51st

By decade

1950s4 · acting1960s27 · acting1970s33 · acting1980s28 · acting1990s14 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 13% of 15 roles
7080

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Roy Chiao's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 20; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 57th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 20 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

None of their 20 titles divides audiences: 9 are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed9

Most loved · actor

Enter the Dragon (1973)

Midcredits 96th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 59/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 67, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Roy Chiao's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 76 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 46 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 77 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Roy Chiao work with?

People who share at least 2 of Roy Chiao's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Raymond Man-Wai Chow shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles