James Wong Jim

James Wong Jim
Born
Wong Jum-sum

(1941-03-18)18 March 1941
Died24 November 2004(2004-11-24) (aged 63)
Other namesJames Wong
Wong Jim
Uncle Jim
Alma materUniversity of Hong Kong (ph.D, mPhil ,Upper second class honoured B.A.)
Occupations
Years active1962–2004
Spouses
Wah Wa
(m. 1967; div. 1976)
Winnie Chan
(m. 1995)
Partner(s)Eunice Lam
(1976–1990)
Children3
AwardsHong Kong Film AwardsBest Original Film Score
1988 A Chinese Ghost Story
1991 Fight and Love with a Terracotta Warrior
1992 Once Upon a Time in China
1995 Butterfly Lovers
Best Original Film Song
1988 A Chinese Ghost Story
1991 The Swordsman

Golden Horse AwardsBest Original Song
1992 Once Upon a Time in China II

Musical career
OriginHong Kong, China
GenresCantopop
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • harmonica
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHuáng Zhān
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingWong4 Zim1
Wong Jum-sum
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHuáng Zhànsēn
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingWong4 Jaam3 Sam1

James Wong Jim (Chinese: 黃霑; Jyutping: wong4 zim1; Cantonese Yale: wòhng jīm; 18 March 1941 – 24 November 2004, also known as "霑叔" or "Uncle Jim") was a Cantopop lyricist and songwriter based primarily in Hong Kong. Beginning from the 1960s, he was the lyricist for over 2,000 songs, collaborating with songwriter Joseph Koo (a.k.a. Koo Kar-Fai) on many popular television theme songs, many of which have become classics of the genre. His work propelled Cantopop to unprecedented popularity.

He was also well known in Asia as a columnist, actor, film director, screenwriter, and talk show host. He took part in creative directing positions within the entertainment industry in Hong Kong.

Wong died on 24 November 2004 of lung cancer after a four-year battle at the age of 63.