Patrick Dunn Dang Chi-fung

I was born in 1962. I went to La Salle Primary School. In my childhood I was chubby and naughty. I always failed exams.

Once, I stole my father’s chop and stamped my school results [so his parents would not see them]. My teacher found out and asked to see my parents. Then I pretended I was my father and typed a letter refusing her.

With all the grammatical mistakes, obviously she found out. She called my parents. My father hit me with a feather duster. I didn’t forget that.

Playing football and cycling were the only fun things during my childhood. I didn’t like to study at all.

I wasn’t born with the desire to perform. I wasn’t that talkative as a child.

I went to America to study in a city called Cambridge, north of Boston. I didn’t have any friends there, so I could only concentrate on my studies. I got into Boston University and studied accounting.

After graduation, I moved to Toronto and was an accountant for four years. It was never my dream. I decided to do something interesting after coming back to Hong Kong.

I applied to be a DJ at Commercial Radio to host programs and talk shows with [comedian] Dayo Wong Tze-wah and [cartoonist] Craig Au-Yeung Ying-chai.

I also volunteered part-time for the British army at that time. Every weekend we went to the Frontier Closed Area to practice shooting. We disbanded around 1995.

Later on, I joined ATV and hosted current affairs programs.

I enjoy working, but I’ve never liked the workflow of the TV industry: the need to produce day and night.

I started taking part in soap operas in 1994. Most people know me from “Triumph in the Skies” in 2003.

But the most unforgettable experiences were from “The Last Breakthrough.” We went to Kenya for three weeks. Yes, at that time TVB had more budget to produce soap operas.

We had to finish everything before 4pm in the wild, or the lions would come out. My image on screen is always positive, the perfect fit for lawyers and policemen.

But to be a good actor you can’t have just one side. And to be a good director you need to explore the different sides of an actor.

In the past most of my jobs were as an MC, talking seriously. In “Dragon Loaded,” I was playing a serious character who came across as funny. It brought my talents into full play.

Nowadays I am getting picky with scripts. I really want people to cast me because the role fits Patrick Dunn, not because they need some random man who is my age.

To keep working your entire life is meaningless. I’d prefer to jump out of the loop and reflect, then plan for my next milestone.

That’s why I have so many hobbies. I have a single-engine private pilot license, and I’ve hit 2,000 hours of aerobatics in the last two years. I formed a band with some old friends a few years ago.

Being an MC is like playing golf: you have to focus and no one is going to disturb you. Don’t keep thinking of the mistakes you’ve made. You also won’t know what happens next.

There are never setbacks in my life. Life is a mixture of ups and downs: see the downs as a break and pave your way to the ups.

I used to buy gold and property but it devalued all the time, so now I have turned to collecting antique things like leather and classic guitars. At least I can play with them.

Many people call me “Buzz” since they think I look like Buzz Lightyear. What do you think?

There was a rumor that I was going to sue Disneyland, but it was a joke.

Learn to control your mind and be positive. This always benefits you, especially artists.

Always keep a beginner’s mindset when you do things. Keep your curiosity as if it’s your first time. It’s refreshing.

See Patrick Dunn in “Smooth Talker,” Mon-Fri, 9:30pm on TVB Jade.

Need to Know…
Patrick Dunn is a celebrity MC and a soap and film star, possibly best known for a recurring role as bumbling cop “Deng Sir” in the “Dragon Loaded” movie series. Dunn saw internet fame thanks to a perceived likeness to “Toy Story” character Buzz Lightyear: A rumor claims that he sued Disneyland for copyright infringement.