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Mei-Sheng Fan

Mei-Sheng Fan

Actor · Born September 13, 1942 (84) · Shandong Province, China

Fan Mei-sheng (樊梅生; born 13 September 1942) also known as Fan Mui-dang, is a prolific Hong Kong Cantonese actor. Fan Mei-sheng started acting in movies from 1964; his first movie was The Story of Sue San. He made his name in Shaw Brothers Studio productions, including the role of 'Black Whirlwind' in All Men Are Brothers. Through the 1970s and 1980s, he was often cast as the villain in many Hong Kong martial arts films and thrillers. In 1979, Fan replaced Simon Yuen (who died during filming) in The Magnificent Butcher. That, as well as his role as an explosives man in The Postman Fights Back, became one of his best known performances. He also acted in the Michael Cimino film, Year of the Dragon; and in total has acted in one hundred films. In addition, he has directed one film, Amsterdam Connection in 1978, and produced another, Dark Side of Chinatown in 1989.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 13, 1942 (84)
From
Shandong Province, China
Works as
Actor
Titles
36 on MovieCove · 89 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 28Up 5% in 30 days

What are Mei-Sheng Fan's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action23 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd 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
Morality
42%
Bonds
18%
Survival
14%
Self
12%
Power
12%
Society
2%
Justice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge5 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Heightened: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their heightened movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 0 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 15

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 11 · Intense 14

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 16 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 11

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

Casual 9 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 12 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Threshold guardian
1 of 3
Trickster
1 of 3
Ally
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Thrilling
19
Melancholic
7
Absurd
5
Joyful
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous2

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 Mei-Sheng Fan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 36 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mei-Sheng Fan'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

89 credits, 36 with a MovieCove page.

  • Attrition(2018)

    as Sifu

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Riki-Oh: The Story of Ricky(1991)

    as Assistant Warden

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Dark Side of China Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Cheung

  • Project A 2(1987)

    as Black Bear

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Rich and Famous(1987)

    as Fan Tit Tau

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Millionaires' Express(1986)

    as Mountain Bandit

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Year of the Dragon(1985)

    as White Powder Ma

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Denouement of Chu Liu Hsian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • The Postman Strikes Back(1982)

    as Bu

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Green Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Hitman in the Hand of Buddha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Beggar Fan (Feng)

  • Dreadnaught(1981)

    as Marshal Pao

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Eagle's Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Chin Pai To

  • The Buddhist Fist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • The Young Master(1980)

    as Bull

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Magnificent Butcher(1979)

    as Beggar King

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Blooded Treasury Fight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • The 36 Deadly Styles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Yu Ti's father

  • The Great General (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Flying Sword Lee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Mysterious Footworks of Kung Fu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Amsterdam Connection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Director · Actor

  • Palace Carnage(1978)

    as Li Sing Nan

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Pursuit of Vengeance(1977)

    as Yi Da-Jing

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Sentimental Swordsman(1977)

    as Chuan Jia

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Brave Archer(1977)

    as Odd Immortal Leung Sin-Yung

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • To Kill a Jaguar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Cheung Sam

  • Death Duel(1977)

    as Mute

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Fangs of the Cobra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Xu Xiang's boss

  • The Jade Tiger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Zhao Zhong

  • The Criminals, Part 3: Arson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Ah Hsin

  • King Gambler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Sha Wu Lin

  • The Magic Blade(1976)

    as Painting Wu

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Dragon Missile(1976)

    as Miu Fei

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Killer Clans(1976)

    as Ma Fang-chung

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • All Men Are Brothers(1974)

    as Black Whirlwind / Li Kui

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Gambling Syndicate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Jin Gang

  • Temperament of Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Kidnap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Chao Hai Chuan

  • Five Tough Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Wei Jin-Bao

  • Hong Kong 73 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Big Beard

  • The Bamboo House of Dolls(1973)

    as Japanese Officer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Da hai dao(1973)

    as Hua Er Dao

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Kiss of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Wong Tai

  • Dynasty of Blood(1973)

    as Mountain Bandit Leader Yin

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Delinquent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Big Sean

  • Intimate Confessions of a Chinese Courtesan(1972)

    as Wu Hua-Tian

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The 14 Amazons(1972)

    as General Chiao Ting Kuai

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Young People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Pursuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Monk Lu Zhi Shen

  • The Young Avenger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Hunchback Liu Tuo

  • Ji xiang du fang(1972)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Water Margin(1972)

    as Black Whirlwind, Li

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Duel for Gold(1971)

    as Chiu Fu

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Swift Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Constable Ji Fu

  • The Jade Faced Assassin(1971)

    as Yu Chi Zhou Guang

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Iron Buddha(1970)

    as Master Luo

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Twelve Gold Medallions(1970)

    as Bangling Trio Member

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Valley of the Fangs(1970)

    as Instructor Ma

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Nü xia mai ren tou(1970)

    as Wan Sanju

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Golden Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Guan Xiyang

  • Temptress of a Thousand Faces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Incompetent Police Sergeant

  • Dragon Swamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Ding Hu (beggar)

  • The Jade Raksha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Yan Long Er

  • That Fiery Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as 2nd Chief of Hulu Valley

  • The Rainbow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • The Angel Strikes Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Bomb Gang's thug

  • The Magnificent Swordsman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as villain who kills a woman

  • The Silver Fox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Ching Ching's Helper

  • Black Butterfly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Little Poue

  • Lady Jade Locket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Secretary Tong's servant capturing Wei

  • Rape of the Sword(1967)

    as Lo's Man

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • One-Armed Swordsman(1967)

    as Guo Sheng / Brother Hua

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The King with My Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Wan Chao

  • Operation Lipstick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Chu Lung gangster

  • The Goddess of Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Dancing Soldier · as Dancing soldier

  • The Trail of the Broken Blade(1967)

    as Hu Zi

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • That Man in Chang-An (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Cao Wu's waiter

  • Angel with the Iron Fists (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Agent 403 at nightclub

  • The Knight of Knights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Zhaoqing snr monk

  • The Golden Buddha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • The Monkey Goes West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as 3rd Prince of West Dragon King

  • Squadron 77 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Chinese Patriot

  • The Lark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Sons of the Good Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Shi Tou

  • The Story of Sue San (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Master Fan

  • The Shepherd Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Village youth at campfire

  • Pan Jin Lian(1964)

    as Neighbor at wake

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Between Tears and Smiles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Opera Customer

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 89 titles from 1964 to 2018; peak year 1979.

Highest rated

One-Armed Swordsman (1967)

Midcredits 88th

Most popular right now

The Young Master (1980)

Film career

19642018

Peak 1979 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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
Acting89 of 89: 88 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score68thDirecting1 of 89: 0 only directing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s28 · acting1970s46 · 46 acting · 1 crew1980s13 · acting1990s1 · acting2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
6777

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 Mei-Sheng Fan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 36; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 66th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 36 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 36 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Attrition (2018)

78th percentile spread · 61% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

One-Armed Swordsman (1967)

Midcredits 88th · 78% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 22 reviewed titles; fans 74, 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.

Who does Mei-Sheng Fan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mei-Sheng Fan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Hsing-Lung Chiang shares the most, 14.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles