''It's The Only Way To Survive''

In Memoriam

Shifu Mark Houghton

(1962–2026)

Honoring the life and legacy of the British stuntman, actor, and Hung Gar kung fu master who made Hong Kong his home.

1980s Action Cinema

From England to Hong Kong

In the 1980s, Mark Houghton left England for Hong Kong to pursue his passion for martial arts cinema. Working in the high-stakes environment of Hong Kong action film sets, he forged a reputation as a fearless stuntman and relentless on-screen fighter.

His endurance and physical skill earned him lasting respect among veteran Hong Kong stunt crews and directors during the golden age of kung fu filmmaking.

Kung Fu Lineage

Disciple of Lau Kar Leung

In Hong Kong, Mark became the direct student and disciple of legendary Hung Gar master Lau Kar Leung. Under Lau's guidance, he mastered authentic traditional kung fu, absorbing decades of martial heritage and screen combat choreography.

Following Lau Kar Leung's passing, Mark took over the mantle of Hung Gar, residing in Hong Kong until his passing in October 2026 at age 64. Over the years, he suffered from recurring injuries, and through hard times, he gave up practising Martial arts for some time. But through finding a new path, Mark reignited his love of martial arts and started training again. It also helped that his daughter, Charlene, was keen to learn from his teachings.

In 2019, Mark Houghton made a documentary about his journey from his beginnings as a young man to his legacy as the Master who carried on Lau Kar Leung's teachings.

Remembering a Master

A true warrior leaves behind an unshakeable legacy of lineage, brotherhood, and dedication to the art.

It was quite sad to hear of the Passing of Mark Houghton and a shock as well, but there's one thing on a positive note I will add. As martial artists, martial arts fans, or action film fans, we all dream of what it could be like to live a life where you actually get to do what you love.

We all live for our dreams. Mark Houghton was able to make his come true when he took the leap back in the 1980's to uproot himself from the UK and go by himself to pursue his dream. And through hard work, he managed it. Yes, there were tough times for a White Westerner back in the 80s. But Mark Houghton succeeded where many failed to last. In a way, he lived for all of us watching those films back in the day.

He inspired many who saw him on screen and thought, " Hey, if this English guy from Warwickshire can go and make it out there and be accepted, there's a chance for others..

Mark got to work with some of the biggest Hong Kong stars of the time. Across numerous films. He chased a dream and made it happen and entertained us all on the way.

RIP Master Houghton

Mark Houghton at the Kung Fu Cafe in September 2022

Below is the article I published on the old website. It dates back to 2022, when Mark Houghton came over to England for a family affair. Being friends with Rick Baker, he agreed to do a visit at the Kung Fu cafe while he was over in the UK. It was a great insight into Hong Kong cinema, and all who attended got to meet the man who broke down the barriers for Western martial artists to work in Hong Kong.

A Day with Mark Houghton at the Kung-Fu Cafe

My friend and Hong Kong Cinema expert Rick Baker hosted another of his Kung Fu Cafe sessions this past weekend.

What made this one special was his guest, a Student of the late great Lau Gar Leung, Sifu Mark Houghton.

Mark, who from his early years was a fan of Martial arts and films, made his dream come true by actually getting to meet his hero and ended up not just being taught by him but actually working for him in the Hong Kong film industry of the 80s and 90s.

Mark already was an established Martial artist in the UK when he left for Hong Kong.

And ended up staying forever.

By the time I arrived, the event was underway, and Mark was mingling with the many die-hard fans that frequent these events.

Must admit it was the busiest I had seen at the Kung Fu cafe, but then I don't always get to them all due to other commitments.

I was also happy to see my old friend John Brennen and Ron Ivy, who had a table at the event selling some of their collection.

Also on hand was Rick Baker's partner in crime, Toby Russell.

What's great about these types of events is that they're very low-key and just people mingling.

Also appearing was Mark Houghton's daughter Charlene Houghton, who is also a martial artist and actress in Hong Kong TV and film.

Once everyone was in, Rick Baker hosted an interview where Mark talked about his career, his relationship with the legendary Lau Gar Leung, and working with Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan.

There were definitely some intriguing stories about how Sammo Hung gave him multiple more days' pay to sleep on set because he had respected him for letting Sammo lay into him in their fight scenes in Skinny Tiger Fatty Dragon.

Mark Houghton appeared in some sixty films in those years and got to star alongside some of Hong Kong's leading players like Moon Lee, Yuen Biao, and many more.

Being the gwei-lo, or ghost face as the Hong Kong people used to call caucasian people.

Mark told us about how most Westerners had a hard time adapting to working in the Hong Kong industry.

Where you had to grin and bear it to succeed, amidst racial abuse, and even to the point of throwing yourself off a rooftop three floors up with nothing but old mattresses and cardboard boxes to break your fall. Even though you knew you didn't want to do it.

Mark also went into his reasons for packing it all in, due to injury and depression, for nigh on fifteen years until the death of Master Lau in 2013.

But you can understand when you have burnt out your body, where you need two hip replacements and a new knee to carry on.

Arriving a little later, martial artist and stuntman Winston Ellis arrived. Mark and Winston know each other, so we had an alternative insight into some of the shenanigans they all got up to while working together out in Hong Kong.

We also got to learn about Charlene Houghton, who Mark has a trilogy of scripts for her to star in. One of the names is Paradise.

Charlene has her father's gusto when it comes to fighting, and you can see the energy she wants to unleash. Well, we did learn at Age 6 she beat up a boy by kicking him in the head.

We hope to see more of her on our screens soon.

Events like these are few and far between nowadays. And for us aficionados of Hong Kong action cinema, they are a breath of fresh air.

There's nothing like meeting someone you have admired and mingling with whilst having a cuppa.

All courtesy of Rick Baker / Toby Russell and Eastern Heroes.

Whatever you do, don't retire, guys cause who will carry the lantern?

Till the next one!

Sertes Nake

September 2022.