John Shum

Infobox Chinese-language singer and actor
name = John Shum
tradchinesename = 岑健勳
simpchinesename = 岑建勋
pinyinchinesename = Sam Gin Fan
jyutpingchinesename = Shum Kin-Fun
birthdate = 1952
birthplace = Hong Kong
othername = John Sham
Sham Kein
Curly
occupation = actor, producer
yearsactive = 1980 - present
spouse = Tina Lau (div.)
children =
parents =
website =
hongkongfilmwards = Best Picture
1987 "An Autumn's Tale"

John Shum Kin-Fun is a Chinese actor and film producer. His English name is sometimes written as John Sham.Whilst known primarily for his comedic acting roles in Hong Kong cinema, he also spent time as a political activist.He is easily recognisable from his spectacles and curly hair.

Biography

Shum graduated from the University of Hong Kong, and subsequently undertook further study in the UK and US. Upon his return to Hong Kong, he co-founded "City Magazine" with John Chan, and worked as its editor. At the same time, he began working in television and radio.

In 1983, he set up film production company D&B Films, along with Sammo Hung and Dickson Poon. He later founded another film company with John Chan, Maverick Films Ltd. [cite web
title = HKMDb entry
work = John Shum Kin-Fun
url=http://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=5153&display_set=eng
accessdate = 2008-04-23 ]

Shum's most prolific period working as an actor was during the 1980s. Of the 45 films he has appeared in, 33 were during this period. Notable appearances include Sammo Hung's Lucky Stars films "Winners and Sinners" (1983) and "Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Stars" (1985), and starring roles alongside comedy partner Richard Ng in the Pom Pom series (1984 - 1986).

Shum is credited as a producer on over 20 films including "Hong Kong 1941" (1984), Legacy of Rage" (1986) and "The Banquet (1991).He worked as assistant director on the 1987 Michelle Yeoh film "Magnificent Warriors" and also has credits on a number of other films, with roles such as planning, executive production and presentation.

In 1992, Shum co-hosted the Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony.

Throughout much of the 1990s, films took a back seat as Shum was heavily involved with the Pro-Democracy movement in Hong Kong. [cite web
title = Hong Kong Cinemagic entry
work = John Sham Kein
url=http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/people.asp?id=130
accessdate = 2008-04-23 ]

In 2005, he was appointed the Executive Secretary of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, by the govenrment-sponsored Film Development Committee (FDC). [cite web
title = The Film Services Office
work = Appointments to Film Development Committee
url=http://www.fso-tela.gov.hk/accessibility/eng/FDC_01.cfm
accessdate = 2008-04-23 ] In December 2007, he was enrolled as an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild. [cite web
title = HAF (Hong Kong Asian Film Financing)
work = Kingdom of Fire - Tiantang Meirongshi
url=http://www.haf.org.hk/haf/pdf/project05/project15.pdf
accessdate = 2008-04-23 ]

His latest role is as executive producer, alongside Jackie Chan, for the forthcoming film "Wushu" (2008), which will be directed by Anthony Szeto and will star Sammo Hung.

References

External links

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