Sammo learned acting, acrobatics and martial arts at the Peking Opera School. He then worked as a stuntman and action director. He directed his first film, The Iron Fisted Monk, in 1977, which he followed with a series of kung fu comedy films, including Enter the Fat Dragon. Later on he collaborated with two of his Opera School classmates, Jackie Chan and Yuen Biao in a string of successful movies, including Winners and Sinners. He also directed Eastern Condors, Once Upon a Time in China and America, and Mr Nice Guy.