[2017.04.01] VETERAN ACTION ACTRESS PHILIP KO PASSED AWAY

Philip Ko last month was in good spirit

Jimmy tearfully remembers his father Philip Ko

Philip Ko made many films and worked in Malaysia and the Philippines

Oscar Leung ran into Philip Ko on the soccer field years ago and asked for a photo
courtesy of on.cc

Philip Ko passed away at the hospital from end stage prostate cancer
courtesy of singtao.com

Ken Ho posts a photo of his late friend

Nat Chan and Philip Ko played soccer and made movies together
courtesy of mingpao.com

Veteran action actor Philip Ko Fei was hospitalized for illness and passed away two nights ago at age 65. Artist Ken Ho Ka King yesterday confirmed the news of Ko Fei's passing online.

Originally named Lam Pak Hung, Ko Fei was known for playing villains. In the 70s he joined the film industry and appeared as an extra in the film DRAGON GATE INN. In 1981 Ko Fei began his journey as a director with DIRTY ANGEL in Taiwan. Since then he directed several dozen action films in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He participated in over 100 films and contributed a lot to the film industry as a producer, a director, an actor, an action designer, a screen writer and in other posts. Ko Fei with his great kung fu skills participated mostly in action films. He discovered Japanese action actress Yukari Oshima. At the time Ko Fei and Oshima were rumored to have wed, but both denied the matter.

Andy Lau Tak Wa who was still recovering from his injuries was saddened about Ko Fei's passing. "Another close action friend has left, my heart doesn't feel right and has regrets. I have known Ko Fei for many years, since the star soccer team. After leaving television I worked with him on movies. He was a great elder and taught us a lot. I wish a safe journey for Ko Fei, my condolences to his family. We will always remember him."

Fellow star soccer team members like Alan Tam Wing Lun and Cheung Kwok Keung shared their memories of Ko Fei. Alan was surprised and saddened ot hear the news. "He was a member of the star soccer team, but in the 90s he immigrated to the Philippines. I haven't seen him in over a decade. He and I worked together on YOU ARE MY DESTINY. We ran into each other in the stairway in one scene, as soon as we saw each other we fought......sigh, I really don't know what to say. You really have to cherish people around him, to properly take care of your body!" Cheung Kwok Keung and Ko Fei made a great pair on the star soccer team. "We knew each other for over 30 years. On the field his jersey number was 7 and mine was 11. When we were on the field to defend we would say '7-11', there was always one nearby. In the mid 80s, we had happy times on the field; in film he gave me two lead actor opportunities. I wish him a safe journey."

Simon Yam Tat Wa was upset. Actually Ko Fei once as executive producer invited Brother Wa to make KILLER'S ROMANCE, on the soccer field they also worked together many times. Brother Wa said, "He was a great person, he really took care of actors. He started as an action actor, he had a kind heart."