On January 7th 2014, Sir Run Run Shaw died aged 106. As one of the legendary Shaw Brothers, the studio responsible for over 1,000 Kung-Fu features from Hong Kong, Run Run Shaw helped to produce some of the most memorable films of the genre which went on to inspire a generation of filmmakers including Quentin Tarantino and The Wachowski Siblings. Run Run Shaw set up the studio in 1958 with his elder brother Runme Shaw, who died aged 84 in 1985. The studio was responsible for classics of the genre such as THE ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN, FIVE DEADLY VENOMS, and KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM among others too numerous to name.
Sir Run Run Shaw would also go on to co-found TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited), which became Hong Kong’s first ever free-to-air television station and eventually became a multi-billion dollar empire. He retired from his post as chairman at TVB in 2011 at the age of 104. Outside of his own studio, Shaw c0-produced Ridley Scott’s classic BLADE RUNNER. Run Run Shaw was knighted in 1977 by Queen Elizabeth II and even had a small main belt asteroid named after him, 2899 Runrun Shaw. Not your everyday achievements.
Sir Run Run Shaw has left behind an incredible legacy of films for countless generations to enjoy in the future. A true legend, he is said to have died peacefully in his home with his family by his side.
