Great Kung Lao

Kung Lao
Mortal Kombat character
Kung Lao in Mortal Kombat X (2015)
First game	Mortal Kombat II (1993)
Created by	Ed Boon and John Tobias
Designed by	John Tobias (early games) Luis Mangubat (Deadly Alliance, MK:D, MK:A)
Voiced by	Jin Hyong (MK2011) Will Yun Lee (MKX)
Portrayed by	Anthony Marquez (MKII, MK3, UMK3, MKT) Paolo Montalbán (Konquest) Mark Dacascos (Legacy)
Fictional profile
Origin	China (Earthrealm)
Fighting styles	Mantis (MK:DA, MK:SM) Shaolin Fist (MK:DA, MK:SM,MK:A) Chinese Kempo (MK:SM) Wing Chun (MK:SM)
Weapon	Razor-rimmed Hat Battle Axe (MKG) Broadsword (MK:DA, MK:A)

Kung Lao (Chinese: 功老; pinyin: Gōnglăo) is a video game character in the game franchise Mortal Kombat. A major hero in the Mortal Kombat series, introduced as a player character in Mortal Kombat II in 1993. He is a former Shaolin monk and a former member of the White Lotus Society who stands in the shadow of his great ancestor, the Great Kung Lao. Kung Lao is the best friend of the series' male protagonist named Liu Kang and together they were the main characters and heroes of the spin-off game Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks. He gained considerable popularity and favorable critical reception, in large part because of his famous weapon, which resembles Oddjob's hat.

Kung Lao is possibly (next to Liu Kang) the last known descendant of the Great Kung Lao, a former Champion of Mortal Kombat, who lost the title and his life to Goro 500 years previously, resulting in the start of Shang Tsung's rule over the tournament. Kung Lao was originally the one to represent the Shaolin in the Mortal Kombat tournament but he declined, knowing of the consequences of becoming champion. As a result, Liu Kang was chosen and emerged as the winner.

When the Shaolin temple was attacked by Baraka and his Tarkatan soldiers, Liu Kang and Kung Lao resolved to travel through the portal to the Outworld and avenge their fallen Shaolin brothers. Kung Lao's ultimate goal was however to rebuild the White Lotus Society at the Wu Shi Academy in order to train a new generation of warriors for the coming ages. Following Shao Kahn's defeat at Liu Kang's hand, the monks returned to Earth and began training the next generation of Shaolin warriors. (Kung Lao's character bio was not included in the arcade version of Mortal Kombat 3, but was later made available for the home versions.)