[2026.10.06] LAU KAR LEUNG'S BELOVED DISCIPILE MARK HOUGHTON PASSED AWAY AT AGE 64

Mark Houghton passed away from heart disease at age 64

Ho Mak was one of Lau Kar Leung (left)'s disciples

Charlene Houghton (right) says that her father passed away on the way to the hospital
courtesy of mingpao.com

The famous martial art actor Mark Houghton (Ho Mak) was the late Kung Fu master Lau Kar Leung's apprentice. Active in the 1980s Hong Kong action film, he died of a heart attack in the early morning yesterday at age 64. His social network page confirmed the death. His family said that due to the suddenness of the bad news, efforts were being made to get out of the grief and begin to deal with the aftermath. The funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Ho Mak loved Chinese martial arts, in the 1980s he came alone from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong to pursue the dream. He revealed in early year interviews that when he first came to Hong Kong, Lau Kar Leung was preparing for a new film. He excitedly expressed his admiration for him and performed on the spot, received praises from Lau Kar Leung who invited him to participate in ACES GO PLACES 5 (JUI GAI PAK DONG 5). When they made DRUNKEN MASTER II (JUI KUEN), Ho Mak officially became his disciple and the "fifth generation disciple of Wong Fei Hung." In addition to being proficient in Hung Fist, Ho Mak was also able to speak fluent Cantonese. In addition to working as a behind-the-scenes martial art stunt man in the golden age of Hong Kong production films, he also because of solid skills often guest starred in foreign villain roles. During Hollywood superstars Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger's visit to Hong Kong, Ho Mak was specifically appointed as their personal bodyguard.

Ho Mak's family posted an obituary on social media, "Mark Houghton was born in England and had a heart for China. His passion for Chinese martial arts led him to go to Hong Kong alone in the 1980s, forming an inseparable bond with the city. Through relentless effort, he mastered Hung Fist, mastered fluent Cantonese, and earned the trust of his mentor, director Lau Kar Leung to become the highly acclaimed fifth-generation successor of Wong Fei Hung. As he taught Hung Fist he spread the art worldwide and the Lau Clan Troupe flourished." His mentor's former wife, Mary Jean Reimer (Yung Ching Jing), left a message of condolence. "Kar Leung's most devoted disciple Mark Houghton, Ho Mak, passed away from heart disease in the early hours of yesterday without warning. Deep condolences, eternal remembrance."

Ho Mak's daughter, Charlene Houghton (Ho Chi Yan), has followed in her father's footsteps and is dubbed the "strongest action actress" as she breaks into the film industry. Yesterday she said in an interview that her father's death was so sudden. She has never noticed any health issues. In the early hours of yesterday he suddenly felt unwell and passed away en route after being taken to the hospital by ambulance around 2 p.m. Ho Chi Yin was notified and rushed to the hospital to say goodbye to her father. The funeral arrangements need to be discussed with the family and the brothers, as the incident was so sudden that they would needed time to process. She said that her father went to the mainland early to discuss work, and when he returned to Hong Kong, he was very energetic and showed no abnormalities. He has never mentioned having heart issues before.

Did Ho Mak have any last wishes or things he has not done? Ho Chi Yan said that before 'grandfather' Lau Kar Leung passed away, he left a script for Papa. Over the years her father has been making low- budget films, gaining experience in hopes of turning his mentor's final script into a movie and bringing it to the big screen. "Papa was preparing for an action film and went to Zhongshan to meet investors. I would play one of the roles in the film. Now that Father has passed away, a group of brothers want to work together to complete the film; but for now we have to handle the final arrangements first."