Brad Allan

Bradley James Allan (14 February 1973 – 7 August 2021) was an Australian martial artist, action choreographer, actor, and stunt performer. He worked in the Hong Kong film industry as a member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team and choreographed action scenes in Hollywood films. He is best known for his role as Alan on Gorgeous (1999).

Brad Allan
Born
Bradley James Allan

(1973-02-14)14 February 1973
Melbourne, Australia
Died7 August 2021(2021-08-07) (aged 48)
Other namesBai-Hu (White Tiger)
Bradley Allan
Occupation(s)Action choreographer, actor, stuntman, assistant director, choreographer, stunt co-ordinator, martial artist
Years active1994–2021
Height1.63 m / 5ft 4in
Awards1 won (World Stunt Awards)
3 nominated (Screen Actors Guild Awards)

Biography

Brad Allan began boxing and karate training around age 10. He studied Wushu and gymnastics from age 14, spending two years learning under Beijing Wushu Team members Liang Chang-xing and Tang Lai-wei, compatriots of actor Jet Li.[1] He was also trained in a number of other martial arts including Karate, Aikido, Hapkido, Taekwondo, Wing Chun, Boxing, and Kickboxing. He later spent time at the Shanghai Institute of Sport and learned Mandarin. In 1993, he made his first film appearance in the unofficial sequel film Drunken Master III. He briefly joined the Australian stunt team New Generation Stunts.[citation needed]

He was a member of the Australian team at the fourth World Wushu Championships in Rome, in November 1997.[2] Later that year, he heard Jackie Chan was filming Mr. Nice Guy in Melbourne and knew some of the Australian crew. He was invited to demonstrate his martial arts style for action film director Cho Wing. Allan made a brief appearance in the film and was signed for a role in Chan's next Hong Kong film, Who Am I? (1998), where he would double for Ron Smoorenburg and Michelle Ferre. He was subsequently invited to join Chan's stunt team, 'Sing ga ban', as their first non-Asian member.[1] Allan progressed through the stunt team, and ultimately became team leader.

In the 2000s, in addition to being a member of Chan's stunt team, Allan gained action choreography/direction roles in major Hollywood films including The Chronicles of Riddick and Hellboy II: The Golden Army.[3]

In 2010, Allan teamed up with British director Edgar Wright for the making of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World as second unit director. Allan and his team again teamed up with Wright in 2011 and 2012 for Cuban Fury and The World's End, respectively.[citation needed]

On 7 August 2021, Allan died of an apparent heart attack[4] at the age of 48. News of his death was first announced by Chan on social media.[5] Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, released in September 2021, is dedicated to Allan.[6] His final film, Argylle, released in February 2024, pays tribute to him.[7]

Filmography

Television and other work

YearTitleRoleNotes
1998Raw FMJackABC TV series (Australian TV)
Good Guys/Bad GuysDriverLe Mesurier Films (Australian TV)
1999Noah's ArkStuntman and stuntdouble
ThunderstoneStuntdoubleTV series
2000Saturday Night LiveOpening monologue thugEpisode: "Jackie Chan/Kid Rock"
Uncredited
2002Mutant XComputer sparring partnerEpisode: "Interface"
Uncredited
2011Our DealStunt coordinatorMusic video director: Drew Barrymore

Films

YearTitleDirectorRoleNotes
1994Drunken Master IIILau Kar-leungForeigner on busUncredited
1997Mr. Nice GuySammo HungStunt performerUncredited
1998Who Am I?Jackie Chan
Benny Chan
as Bradley Allan
Hot WarJingle MaUncredited
1999GorgeousVincent Kokas Bradley Allan
Gen-X CopsBenny Chan
Jackie Chan: My StuntsJackie Chan
2000Shanghai NoonTom DeyStunt performer
Assistant fight choreographer
2001The Accidental SpyTeddy ChanStunt performer
Stunt co-ordinator
as Bradley James Allen
Rush Hour 2Brett RatnerStunt performeras Bradley James Allan
2002The TuxedoKevin DonovanStunt performer
2003Shanghai KnightsDavid DobkinStunt performer
Action choreographer
Uncredited (S.P.)
The MedallionGordon ChanStunt performeras Bradley James Allan
Peter PanP.J. HoganFight co-ordinator
2004New Police StoryBenny ChanStunt choreographer
The Chronicles of RiddickDavid TwohyStunt co-ordinator
2005The PacifierAdam ShankmanStunt performer
Fight choreographer
Uncredited (S.P.)
2006EragonStefen FangmeierStunt rigger
2007Rush Hour 3Brett RatnerStunt co-ordinatoras Bradley James Allan
2008Hellboy II: The Golden ArmyGuillermo del ToroAction director
Stunt co-ordinator
Bedtime StoriesAdam ShankmanAction choreographer
2009Ninja AssassinJames McTeigueStunt performer
A Christmas CarolRobert ZemeckisStunts
AvatarJames CameronStuntsUncredited
2010Percy Jackson & the Lightning ThiefChris ColumbusStuntsUncredited
Kick-AssMatthew VaughnStunt co-ordinator
A Nightmare on Elm StreetSamuel BayerFight choreographer
Scott Pilgrim vs. the WorldEdgar WrightStunt co-ordinator
Second unit director
2011Mars Needs MomsSimon WellsStunts
I Am Number FourD.J. CarusoStunt co-ordinator
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the UnicornSteven SpielbergStuntsUncredited
2012Chinese ZodiacJackie ChanAction co-ordinator
2013Pacific RimGuillermo del ToroAction designer
The World's EndEdgar WrightStunt co-ordinator
Second unit director
IcemanAriel VromenAction co-ordinator
2014Cuban FuryJames GriffithsStunt co-ordinator
Second unit director
WolvesDavid Hayter
2015Kingsman: The Secret ServiceMatthew Vaughn
Little BoyAlejandro Gómez MonteverdeStunt co-ordinator
Insidious: Chapter 3Leigh WhannellStunts
Sinister 2Ciaran FoyStunts
2017Wonder WomanPatty JenkinsStunts
Kingsman: The Golden CircleMatthew VaughnStunt co-ordinator
Second unit director
2018Solo: A Star Wars StoryRon Howard
2021Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten RingsDestin Daniel CrettonSupervising Stunt co-ordinator
Second unit director
Posthumous release
The King's ManMatthew VaughnStunt co-ordinator
Second unit director
Posthumous release
2024ArgylleStunt co-ordinatorPosthumous release; Final film

References