Al Leong of Die Hard and Lethal Weapon fame hospitalized after a stroke

Al Leong is recovering in California after a stroke. The actor and stuntman is a familiar face from many classic action films.

What the family says

People close to his family say he was rushed to a hospital last week. They did not say whether he is still there or share details on how he is doing. Relatives have asked for privacy.

A career of memorable bad guys

Leong made his film debut in 1981 as a circus performer in "Going Ape." Five years later he played a hatchet man in "Big Trouble in Little China."

His first big part came in 1987's "Lethal Weapon." He played Endo, a torture specialist working for a shadowy outfit, opposite Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.

Uli and beyond

His best-known role followed in 1988. In "Die Hard" he played Uli, one of the gunmen who seize Nakatomi Plaza before Bruce Willis's John McClane takes him out.

A year later he was Genghis Khan in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" with Keanu Reeves. On TV he turned up on "T.J. Hooker," "The Fall Guy" and "Knight Rider."

Leong is a trained martial artist. The Martial Arts History Museum added him to its Hall of Fame in 2014.