Philip Tan
Biography
Philip Tan was born in Singapore on July 22, 1960. He spent his childhood in Singapore before moving to the United Kingdom at the age of five. He began his athletic career as a gymnast, becoming the British Youth Tumbling champion and a member of the British squad for many years. Later, he entered martial arts and became the Men's British Tae Kwon do Champion. His first film break was as an actor and fight choreographer in the film Le complot diabolique du docteur Fu Manchu in 1980, which starred Peter Sellers. Following that, he spent a year working on Greystoke, la légende de Tarzan in 1984 as both an actor and a trainer for Christopher Lambert. He was subsequently contacted by Steven Spielberg and Robert Watts.
Career overview
Philip Tan was born in Singapore on July 22, 1960, and spent his childhood there before moving to the United Kingdom at the age of five. He began his athletic career as a gymnast, becoming the British Youth Tumbling champion and spending many years as a member of the British squad. He later transitioned into martial arts, eventually becoming the Men's British Tae Kwon do Champion.
Tan's career encompasses work as a stunt performer, actor, second unit director, and assistant. His first film break came as an actor and fight choreographer in the 1980 film Le complot diabolique du docteur Fu Manchu, which starred Peter Sellers. Following this work, he spent a year on Greystoke, la légende de Tarzan in 1984, serving as both an actor and a trainer for Christopher Lambert. He was subsequently contacted by Steven Spielberg and Robert Watts. Throughout his career, he has accumulated known credits across film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
94 titles- Absolute Dominion (2025) Stunt Coordinator
- Phoenix (2023) as Bolt
- Bullet Train (2022) Stunts
- The Commando (2022) Second Unit Director
- The Commando (2022) Stunt Coordinator
- The Commando (2022) Producer
- Trail Blazers (2022) as Toki
- Trail Blazers (2022) Stunt Coordinator
- 6-Headed Shark Attack (2018) Stunt Coordinator
- Empire of the Sharks (2018) as Thelonious
- Gravity of Love (2018) as Top
- S.W.A.T. (2017) as TSA Agent Kurata
- Teleios (2017) as Crewman Dang
- Awaken (2015) as Todd
- Awaken (2015) Stunt Coordinator
- Lift (2015) as Mystical Man
- Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) Stunts
- Free Fall (2014) Stunt Coordinator
- Olympus Has Fallen (2013) as Korean Terrorist (uncredited)
- Safe (2012) as Underground Casino Patron (uncredited)
- Red Dawn (2012) Stunts
- Workaholics (2011) as Alan
- Inception (2010) Stunts
- Raising Hope (2010) as Floyd
- The Hangover (2009) Stunt Double
- The Hangover (2009) Stunts
- Crank: High Voltage (2009) Stunts
- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) Stunts
- The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009) Stunt Double
- Californication (2007) as Kim
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Stunts
- Disturbia (2007) Stunts
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) Stunts
- The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) Stunts
- 7 Seconds (2005) Stunts
- Confessions of an Action Star (2005) as Bruce Rhee
- No Rules (2005) as Hino
- Wake of Death (2004) as Han
- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life (2003) Stunts
- Timecop: The Berlin Decision (2003) as Chinese Waiter
- Minority Report (2002) Stunts
- Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002) as Grilled Face Fighter
- Pearl Harbor (2001) Stunts
- Alias (2001) as Taiwanese Security Officer
- Planet of the Apes (2001) as 2nd Ape Teenager / Gossiping Male Ape
- Extreme Honor (2001) as Chinese Businessman
- Big Momma's House (2000) as Kang
- Chain of Command (2000) as Wu
- Wild Wild West (1999) Stunt Coordinator
- Sugar Town (1999) as Karate Instructor
- Bangkok - Ein Mädchen verschwindet (1999)
- The Breaks (1999) as Asian Driver
- Martial Law (1998) as Johnny
- Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) as Waiter
- Two of a Kind (1998) as Sensei
- The Pass (1998) Stunts
- Perfect Assassins (1998) as Sensei Assassin
- The Assault (1998) as Patch
- City of Industry (1997) as Jimmie
- Bloodsport II (1996) as John
- Sliders (1995) as Asian Man
- Congo (1995) as Gorilla
- Deadly Target (1994) as Han
- seaQuest DSV (1993) as Commando
- Demolition Man (1993) Stunts
- Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) Stunts
- The Three Musketeers (1993) as Parker
- National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (1993) Stunts
- Surf Ninjas (1993) as Captain Ming
- The Criminal Mind (1993) as Wing
- Batman Returns (1992) Stunts
- Mission of Justice (1992) as Drug Dealer #2
- Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991) as Tanaka
- The Perfect Weapon (1991) as Desk Guard
- China Cry (1990) as Colonel Cheng
- Martial Law (1990) as Wu Han
- Martial Law (1990) Stunt Coordinator
- Family Matters (1989) as Snap's Gang Member
- Batman (1989) as Goon
- Tango & Cash (1989) as Chinese Gunman
- Willow (1988) Stunts
- Vroom (1988) as Shane
- Soursweet (1988) as Jackie Fung
- Crossbow (1987)
- Up Line (1987) as N'Yung Ki
- Grand Larceny (1987) as Shomin
- Shanghai Surprise (1986) as Ship's Officer
- Return to Oz (1985) as Wheeler
- Underworld (1985) as Tung
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) as Chief Henchman
- Me & My Girl (1984) as Barry
- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) as Primate
- Privates on Parade (1983) as Lee
- The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980) as Dacoit
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Philip Tan best known for?
Philip Tan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Bullet Train (2022), 6-Headed Shark Attack (2018), S.W.A.T. (2017), Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014).
When and where was Philip Tan born?
Philip Tan was born on July 22, 1960 in Singapore.
How many credits does Philip Tan have?
Philip Tan has accumulated over 94 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1980 to 2025.
What is Philip Tan's background in cinema and television?
Philip Tan was born in Singapore on July 22, 1960. He spent his childhood in Singapore before moving to the United Kingdom at the age of five. He began his athletic career as a gymnast, becoming the British Youth Tumbling champion and a member of the British squad for many years. Later, he entered martial arts and beca...
Philip Tan by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- S.W.A.T. (2017) as TSA Agent Kurata — aged about 56
- Californication (2007) as Kim — aged about 46
- Sliders (1995) as Asian Man — aged about 34
- Workaholics (2011) as Alan — aged about 50
- Raising Hope (2010) as Floyd — aged about 49
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) as Chief Henchman — aged about 23
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