Phil Tan's remarkable journey began in Singapore, where he spent his childhood before relocating to the UK at the tender age of five. This move marked the beginning of a remarkable athletic career, as Phil discovered his passion for gymnastics. He went on to become the British Youth Tumbling champion, a title he proudly held for many years. In addition to his gymnastics prowess, Phil also developed his skills in martial arts, ultimately earning the prestigious title of Men's British Tae Kwon do Champion.
Phil's foray into the world of film began with a bang, as he made his debut as an actor and fight choreographer in the 1980 film "The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu" alongside the legendary Peter Sellers. His next project was the 1984 film "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes," where he played a pivotal role as an actor and trainer for the talented Christopher Lambert. Phil's impressive work did not go unnoticed, as he soon received a call from the esteemed duo of Steven Spielberg and Robert Watts, who requested his expertise in training the principal actor, Jonathan Ke Quan, for the iconic film "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984).
In 1986, Phil was invited to join the prestigious British Stunt Register, marking the beginning of his illustrious stunt career. Today, Philip Tan resides in LA, where he has established himself as a 2nd Unit Director, stunt, and fight coordinator on some of Hollywood's biggest and most beloved films.