Roger Winston Tzi-Chun Yuan (born January 25, 1961^{[citation needed]}) is an American martial artist,stuntman, actor, and fight choreographer.^[1][2]

Yuan was born inCarbondale, Illinois, toTaiwanese parents Theresa and Joseph Yuan, who were in the United States to study at theSouthern Illinois University Carbondale.^[3] Yuan was sent back to Taiwan as an infant to live with his grandparents, before moving back to America at the age of 5, living with his parents inNew York City. He was inspired to pursue martial arts after seeingBruce Lee onThe Green Hornet.^[3]

Though he taught himself karate and judo from manuals, he did not begin a formal martial arts education until the age of 17, when he enrolled in aKyokushin Karate class.^[3] After moving toLos Angeles for college, he enrolled in aChun Kuk Do dojo under the direction ofChuck Norris'United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF), eventually attaining a fourthdan black belt. He subsequently studied Americankickboxing underBenny Urquidez, where he was a sparring partner forPete "Sugarfoot" Cunningham, and also trained withBill Wallace andDon "The Dragon" Wilson.^[3]

Yuan has also trained inWing Chun,Muay Thai,taekwondo, andqigong, as well asgymnastics andyoga.^[2][3] He has as blue belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

As of 2024, Yuan has performed stunts in over 40 films, including:Rapid Fire,Escape from L.A.,Spawn,Blade,^[4]Warcraft,Jason Bourne,^[5][6]John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum,Dune, andDune: Part Two.

In 2011, he trainedJennifer Lawrence andJason Flemyng inX-Men: First Class^[7] as well asHenry Cavill inImmortals. He also trainedKeanu Reeves in47 Ronin.^[8]

Yuan's first stunt double stint came in the 1986 filmHouse.^[9] His first role as a professional actor is inThe Perfect Weapon (1991), Yuan's first credited acting debut is inRed Corner (1997), alongsideRichard Gere. He also appeared inLethal Weapon 4, which isJet Li's American film debut, as the role of Chu, a Chinese Triad gangster. In 2000, he played the main antagonist in the action-comedyShanghai Noon alongsideJackie Chan, as the corrupt Imperial Guard Lo Fong, the role helped him become popular with audiences. In 2003, he appeared in the beginning ofBulletproof Monk, playingChow Yun-fat's master. InBatman Begins, he appeared as the Hazmat Technician alongsideGary Oldman and as the Chinese Engineer inSyriana. InSkyfall, he also trainedDaniel Craig and had a role as the Severine's bodyguard. Yuan also appeared in many TV series, includingWalker Texas Ranger, where he played multiple characters, with his most famous role being Lazarus in the episodes 'The Winds of Change' and 'Lazarus'.^[10]

For fifteen years Yuan was based in Ireland.^[11]

In 2016, he starred inCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, the sequel of the successful 2000 filmCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.^{[citation needed]} Besides working in the film industry, he also was invited by Country singerTim McGraw to get him in shape for his 2012Brothers of the Sun Tour.^[12]

Yuan's brother,Ron Yuan, is also a martial artist and stuntman.

• Roger Yuan atIMDb
• Roger Yuan atRotten Tomatoes

• 1961 births
• Living people
• 20th-century American male actors
• 21st-century American male actors
• American male film actors

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