The veteran male star of The Condor Heroes has passed away, and his funeral was held almost a month later.

News of the passing of veteran actor Zheng Lei is attracting significant attention from the Chinese film community, especially those who have a fondness for classic Hong Kong martial arts films.

According to the obituary released by his family, Cheng Lei passed away on March 25, 2026, and his funeral was held in Hong Kong on April 12. This information quickly spread through the media and social networks, attracting the attention of many generations of viewers. The obituary confirmed that he passed away peacefully. A wake was held at a funeral home in Hong Kong before the burial ceremony. The official announcement by his family also dispelled previous rumors that he had died years earlier or had settled permanently in Canada.

Sources from family and friends in the industry indicate that misinformation about Zheng Lei's death has been circulating since around 2024. The main reason stems from his withdrawal from the entertainment industry and his long period of seclusion, leading to a lack of accurate public information. On social media, some posts even claimed he had passed away years prior, causing prolonged confusion. Although rebuttals occasionally surfaced, the rumors continued to spread without official confirmation.

This confirmation also clarifies many details about the actor's life. Despite discrepancies in age information from various sources, many believe he lived to be over 80 years old, possibly even older, based on his artistic career spanning the 1960s to the 1980s. Zheng Lei is considered one of the first generation of martial arts actors in Hong Kong cinema, having worked with Shaw Brothers during its golden age.

Originally a bodybuilder, he entered the film industry after participating in a large-scale casting call organized by a film studio. Thanks to his strong physique and robust appearance, Zheng Lei quickly became a familiar face in martial arts films. He often played strong supporting or villainous roles, contributing to the diversity of the works. Although not a top star, he still left his mark thanks to his solid acting and ability to convincingly perform action scenes.

In the memories of many television viewers, Zheng Lei frequently appears in classic martial arts films, especially those adapted from Jin Yong's novels. He has appeared in "The Condor Heroes," "The Smiling Proud Wanderer," and films like "Chen Zhen," playing characters with depth and creating a distinct impression. With his serious demeanor and distinctive appearance, he is often cast as a martial arts master, a skilled fighter, or a villain with a complex inner life, contributing to the dramatic tension of the story.

Beyond television, Zheng Lei also participated in numerous films during Shaw Brothers' heyday. He stood alongside big names in martial arts films, contributing to the generation of actors who laid the foundation for the Chinese action genre. Although primarily playing supporting roles, his presence always helped to complete the character structure and add depth to the works.

After stepping away from the spotlight, Zheng Lei chose a quiet life. His absence from public activities meant his image gradually faded from the media, especially among younger generations. However, for those who followed Hong Kong films during its golden age, he remains a familiar face, associated with memories of the flourishing era of martial arts films.

Notably, in late 2025, some rare images of him were shared online showing clear signs of aging, yet his mind remained sharp. These images were used to refute rumors of his death, but were not enough to completely put an end to speculation. Only after his family officially confirmed his death was the information clarified. The passing of Cheng Lei closes a chapter in Hong Kong cinema, leaving behind a deep sense of loss for many fans of classic martial arts films.

Du Mo Lien - "TVB bad girl": Obsessed with parents' divorce, it is better to stay at the price and not let men touch Hoàng Phúc07:16:44 18/01/2022If you are a hardcore fan of Hong Kong movies, everyone must be familiar with actress Du Mu Lien. She is an actress who specializes in supporting roles in hundreds of TVB dramas, especially the role of an old lady collecting garbage, so every time the audience sees her, the...