He was an early star of wuxia films associated with the Hong Kong New Wave, thanks to his roles in A Touch of Zen (1971) and The Fate of Lee Khan (1973), both directed by King Hu.

His deep voice and fluency in multiple languages, including English, also made him a popular actor for Western filmmakers working in Hong Kong.

He notably played supporting roles in Ferry to Hong Kong (1959), Enter the Dragon (1973), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), The Protector (1985) and Bloodsport (1988).

[2] Recognized as a handsome leading man, in the 1959 film, Ferry to Hong Kong, Chiao played the part of the Americanized Johnny Sing-Up, a black leather jacket, blue jean wearing Elvis styled gangster from America.

[3] Sing-Up was the partner of a pirate called Yen (played by Milton Reid) who board a ferry that has been battered in a storm and drifting near the China Coast.

[citation needed] In a type of send-up of his award-winning role in Summer Snow, Chiao played the part of the Alzheimer disease stricken grandfather of Tung Tzun in the 1996 film Blind Romance.