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Chow Yun-fat

The latest news on Chow Yun-fat, Hong Kong actor and filmmaker, including celebrity news and updates.

Born

18 May 1955

Industry

Entertainment, Film

Job Title

Actor, Filmmaker

Chow Yun-fat in a still from Let the Bullets Fly (2010).

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Was Chow Yun-fat’s mainland Chinese film career a success or a flop?

We look at five films that Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat made in mainland China, with roles including a sleazy con man and Confucius.

7 Dec 2025 - 5:15PMvideocam

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

MAMA Awards in Hong Kong to be downsized, Mirror withdraws, in wake of fire

29 Nov 2025 - 5:01PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong veteran actor ‘Benz Hung’ Hui Shiu-hung dies at age 76

28 Oct 2025 - 5:12PMvideocam

First Mention

When rumours swirled around the cause of Cantopop star Danny Chan’s death

Chow Yun-fat, Sally Yeh, Anita Mui and Pansy Ho attended his funeral. It was speculated that attempted suicide, Aids or a drug overdose caused his death.

16 Oct 2025 - 6:15PM

Singer Danny Chan Pak-keung puts one of his albums in a time capsule in 1991. Photo: SCMP Archive

SCMP Highlights

Hong Kong stars’ surprise wedding, royal Thai cuisine: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a Hong Kong teen feeding the city’s ‘cardboard grannies’ to royal Thai food, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

16 Oct 2025 - 3:34PM

Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | How Chow Yun-fat became one of Hong Kong’s most down-to-earth superstars

The professed ‘country bumpkin’ made it big in Hong Kong movies and broke Hollywood. But that doesn’t stop him from living a ‘simple life’.

20 Oct 2025 - 10:36AM

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Ringo Lam’s Prison on Fire films mixed action and social commentary

Lam’s Prison on Fire (1987) focuses on the harshness of prison life, while Prison on Fire II (1991) goes all out on the violence.

21 Sep 2025 - 5:15PMvideocam

Chow Yun-fat (centre) and Roy Cheung Yiu-yeung (right) in a still from Prison on Fire (1987)

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Have you seen these films by star Hong Kong directors Ronny Yu and Tsui Hark?

Chow Yun-fat and Sally Yeh charmed in Yu’s 1984 horror The Occupant, while Tsui joined Joey Wong and Sam Hui in 1985 comedy Working Class.

27 Jul 2025 - 3:18PMvideocam

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Hong Kong director Wai Ka-fai’s first 3 films revealed his versatility

Wai Ka-fai’s Peace Hotel, Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, and Needing You featured stars including Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat and Cecilia Yip.

22 Jun 2025 - 12:15PMvideocam

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Recap | Hong Kong cinema legends and greats open up about their careers

What’s it like working with Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-fat, Jackie Chan, Dwayne Johnson, John Woo and Wong Kar-wai? These film and TV legends tell all.

22 Apr 2025 - 7:00AM

Tim Yip in his studio in Beijing, China. The art director, who got his start on John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow and won an Oscar for his art direction on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is focused more on art than movies nowadays. Photo: Simon Song

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

10 best Golden Princess films, including John Woo and Tsui Hark classics

A library of Hong Kong films, including the likes of A Chinese Ghost Story and Hard Boiled, has been bought – good news for fans overseas.

22 Jan 2025 - 8:32AMvideocam

Chow Yun-fat in a still from A Better Tomorrow (1986). Photo: Cinema City & Films

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

4 notable Monkey King adaptations in Hong Kong cinema. One stars Donnie Yen

We recall Journey to the West film adaptations, from Stephen Chow’s turn in the title role to one in which Donnie Yen plays the Monkey King.

10 Jan 2025 - 12:09PMvideocam

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

8 classic Hong Kong movies that influenced filmmaking in the city

Hong Kong filmmaking underwent successive evolutions thanks to films like Fist of Fury, Infernal Affairs and John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow.

10 Jan 2025 - 12:08PMvideocam

Hong Kong property

Outlook for Hong Kong’s high-end homes to brighten in 2025

Luxury property prices to rise as much as 5 per cent next year, with rents also set to increase by the same level, Ricacorp’s Derek Chan says.

13 Jan 2025 - 9:27PM

View of residential buildings in Mid-Levels and The Peak, two sought after addresses in Hong Kong. Photo: Nora Tam

Hong Kong property

Even Chow Yun-fat is no match for Hong Kong’s real estate slump

Cutting the price of his home on The Peak, the film star joins other celebrities and tycoons selling high-end homes at a discount.

13 Jan 2025 - 8:23PM

An aerial view of residential buildings on The Peak. Photo: Roy Issa

Heidi Klum

Recap | Want to bump into Beyoncé, Beckham, William and Kate, Rihanna or Clooney? Celebrity vacation spots revealed!

Discover the top holiday destinations in Europe, Asia and around the world where Hollywood A-listers, superstar singers and all the top celebrities like to take their vacations.

7 Nov 2024 - 6:00PM

SCMP Highlights

Philippines’ Sabina Shoal dilemma, war on drugs in Malaysia: 5 weekend reads

From the Philippines’ Sabina Shoal dilemma to the failed war on drugs in Malaysia, here are five weekend reads you may have missed.

9 Sep 2024 - 12:30PM

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Andy Lau and Chow Yun-fat led Hong Kong’s gambling movie craze

Wong Jing set Hong Kong’s gambling movie genre in motion in 1989. We recall three of the best, including a parody that saw the most success.

8 Sep 2024 - 10:24AMvideocam

Andy Lau in a still from Casino Raiders (1989). Photo: Eureka Entertainment

Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung and Stephen Chow were all in this 80s TV show

Many future stars appeared in TVB’s comedy series Angels and Devils, including Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Stephen Chow, but it was the former who stole the show with his screwball antics.

8 Sep 2024 - 10:22AM

American cinema

Review | The Killer: John Woo’s gender-flipped remake of his classic is a dud

John Woo’s Paris-set remake of his action masterpiece, with Nathalie Emmanuel and Omar Sy in place of Chow Yun-fat and Danny Lee, lacks the original’s dynamism and seems destined to die a quick death.

23 Aug 2024 - 3:00PMvideocam

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Is Bullet in the Head John Woo’s best film? A deep dive into the movie

John Woo’s Bullet in the Head, loved by critics and fans alike, is an anti-war film centred around male friendship, a frequent theme for the director, and a political commentary on Hong Kong of its era.

18 Aug 2024 - 11:15AMvideocam

Tony Leung Chiu-wai (left) and Jacky Cheung (right) in a still from Bullet in the Head, a John Woo film that has long been loved by critics and fans alike.

Art

Street photography veteran Greg Girard passes on his skills in Hong Kong

Since Canadian Greg Girard arrived in East Asia in 1974 he’s photographed its changing cityscapes. He’ll guide participants in an upcoming workshop to capture the essence of Hong Kong and Taipei.

10 Aug 2024 - 9:41AM

Detail from Plaza Grill and Wine, 1974, Hong Kong, shot by Greg Girard and an example of the street photography that is the subject of a workshop, split between Hong Kong and Taipei, that he will be hosting later this year. Photo: Greg Girard

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s historic Shatin Inn Restaurant to close in September after 60 years

Crowds flock to famous open-air diner used in 1989 Chow Yun-fat drama and many other local films, after word spread of its imminent closure.

8 Aug 2024 - 8:30AM

Old Hong Kong

How Frances Yip helped put Cantopop on the map, seen in a new exhibition

Yip is in Hong Kong to give 2 concerts and to attend the exhibition ‘Soundtrack of Our Lives: Joseph Koo x James Wong x the Rise of Cantopop’ held at Tai Kwun, where she was once an auxiliary policewoman

29 Jul 2024 - 2:14PM

Hong Kong

Star-studded Hong Kong film trailers in focus at exhibition

Coming to a Theatre Near You, at the Hong Kong Film Archive, presents 100 stand-out film trailers featuring stars including Chow Yun-fat, Bruce Lee, and shows how skilful editing grabbed viewers’ attention.

19 Jun 2024 - 4:15PMvideocam

Bruce Lee in a still from Thunderstorm. Photo: HKFA

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Is Simon Yam Hong Kong cinema’s hardest working actor?

Adults-only and mainstream crime films, sex films, and serious dramas with Alex Law and Ann Hui – Simon Yam has done them all. Good-looking and with an expressive face, he has a work ethic second to none.

16 Jun 2024 - 4:15AMvideocam

Simon Yam at the 2017 Hong Kong Film Awards presentation ceremony. Photo: Edward Wong

Hong Kong culture

Opinion | To tell a good story, Hong Kong films must first be authentic

Unlike last year’s generic ‘Warriors of Future’, ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ has hit the spot with its authenticity and homage to Hong Kong’s cinematic legacy. Its success proves that many people remain interested in Hong Kong’s heartbeat.

24 May 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

American cinema

How Hollywood made a mockery of manga in Dragonball Evolution

In 2009, Dragonball Evolution adapted Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball for the big screen, but the result was a low-budget, laughably bad movie that sidelined Asians and debased the iconic manga series.

11 May 2024 - 5:38AMvideocam

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Chow Yun-fat

Was Chow Yun-fat’s mainland Chinese film career a success or a flop?

We look at five films that Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat made in mainland China, with roles including a sleazy con man and Confucius.

MAMA Awards in Hong Kong to be downsized, Mirror withdraws, in wake of fire

Hong Kong veteran actor ‘Benz Hung’ Hui Shiu-hung dies at age 76

When rumours swirled around the cause of Cantopop star Danny Chan’s death

Chow Yun-fat, Sally Yeh, Anita Mui and Pansy Ho attended his funeral. It was speculated that attempted suicide, Aids or a drug overdose caused his death.

Hong Kong stars’ surprise wedding, royal Thai cuisine: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From a Hong Kong teen feeding the city’s ‘cardboard grannies’ to royal Thai food, here are seven stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Profile | How Chow Yun-fat became one of Hong Kong’s most down-to-earth superstars

The professed ‘country bumpkin’ made it big in Hong Kong movies and broke Hollywood. But that doesn’t stop him from living a ‘simple life’.

How Ringo Lam’s Prison on Fire films mixed action and social commentary

Lam’s Prison on Fire (1987) focuses on the harshness of prison life, while Prison on Fire II (1991) goes all out on the violence.

Have you seen these films by star Hong Kong directors Ronny Yu and Tsui Hark?

Chow Yun-fat and Sally Yeh charmed in Yu’s 1984 horror The Occupant, while Tsui joined Joey Wong and Sam Hui in 1985 comedy Working Class.

How Hong Kong director Wai Ka-fai’s first 3 films revealed his versatility

Wai Ka-fai’s Peace Hotel, Too Many Ways to Be No. 1, and Needing You featured stars including Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat and Cecilia Yip.

.css-t3o2dm{color:#4585FF;}Recap | Hong Kong cinema legends and greats open up about their careers

What’s it like working with Michelle Yeoh, Chow Yun-fat, Jackie Chan, Dwayne Johnson, John Woo and Wong Kar-wai? These film and TV legends tell all.

10 best Golden Princess films, including John Woo and Tsui Hark classics

A library of Hong Kong films, including the likes of A Chinese Ghost Story and Hard Boiled, has been bought – good news for fans overseas.

4 notable Monkey King adaptations in Hong Kong cinema. One stars Donnie Yen

We recall Journey to the West film adaptations, from Stephen Chow’s turn in the title role to one in which Donnie Yen plays the Monkey King.

8 classic Hong Kong movies that influenced filmmaking in the city

Hong Kong filmmaking underwent successive evolutions thanks to films like Fist of Fury, Infernal Affairs and John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow.

Outlook for Hong Kong’s high-end homes to brighten in 2025

Luxury property prices to rise as much as 5 per cent next year, with rents also set to increase by the same level, Ricacorp’s Derek Chan says.

Even Chow Yun-fat is no match for Hong Kong’s real estate slump

Cutting the price of his home on The Peak, the film star joins other celebrities and tycoons selling high-end homes at a discount.

Recap | Want to bump into Beyoncé, Beckham, William and Kate, Rihanna or Clooney? Celebrity vacation spots revealed!

Discover the top holiday destinations in Europe, Asia and around the world where Hollywood A-listers, superstar singers and all the top celebrities like to take their vacations.

Philippines’ Sabina Shoal dilemma, war on drugs in Malaysia: 5 weekend reads

From the Philippines’ Sabina Shoal dilemma to the failed war on drugs in Malaysia, here are five weekend reads you may have missed.

How Andy Lau and Chow Yun-fat led Hong Kong’s gambling movie craze

Wong Jing set Hong Kong’s gambling movie genre in motion in 1989. We recall three of the best, including a parody that saw the most success.

Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung and Stephen Chow were all in this 80s TV show

Many future stars appeared in TVB’s comedy series Angels and Devils, including Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Stephen Chow, but it was the former who stole the show with his screwball antics.

Review | The Killer: John Woo’s gender-flipped remake of his classic is a dud

John Woo’s Paris-set remake of his action masterpiece, with Nathalie Emmanuel and Omar Sy in place of Chow Yun-fat and Danny Lee, lacks the original’s dynamism and seems destined to die a quick death.

Is Bullet in the Head John Woo’s best film? A deep dive into the movie

John Woo’s Bullet in the Head, loved by critics and fans alike, is an anti-war film centred around male friendship, a frequent theme for the director, and a political commentary on Hong Kong of its era.

Street photography veteran Greg Girard passes on his skills in Hong Kong

Since Canadian Greg Girard arrived in East Asia in 1974 he’s photographed its changing cityscapes. He’ll guide participants in an upcoming workshop to capture the essence of Hong Kong and Taipei.

Hong Kong’s historic Shatin Inn Restaurant to close in September after 60 years

Crowds flock to famous open-air diner used in 1989 Chow Yun-fat drama and many other local films, after word spread of its imminent closure.

How Frances Yip helped put Cantopop on the map, seen in a new exhibition

Yip is in Hong Kong to give 2 concerts and to attend the exhibition ‘Soundtrack of Our Lives: Joseph Koo x James Wong x the Rise of Cantopop’ held at Tai Kwun, where she was once an auxiliary policewoman

Star-studded Hong Kong film trailers in focus at exhibition

Coming to a Theatre Near You, at the Hong Kong Film Archive, presents 100 stand-out film trailers featuring stars including Chow Yun-fat, Bruce Lee, and shows how skilful editing grabbed viewers’ attention.

Is Simon Yam Hong Kong cinema’s hardest working actor?

Adults-only and mainstream crime films, sex films, and serious dramas with Alex Law and Ann Hui – Simon Yam has done them all. Good-looking and with an expressive face, he has a work ethic second to none.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | To tell a good story, Hong Kong films must first be authentic

Unlike last year’s generic ‘Warriors of Future’, ‘Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In’ has hit the spot with its authenticity and homage to Hong Kong’s cinematic legacy. Its success proves that many people remain interested in Hong Kong’s heartbeat.

How Hollywood made a mockery of manga in Dragonball Evolution

In 2009, Dragonball Evolution adapted Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball for the big screen, but the result was a low-budget, laughably bad movie that sidelined Asians and debased the iconic manga series.

Profile | How Chow Yun-fat became one of Hong Kong’s most down-to-earth superstars

Recap | Hong Kong cinema legends and greats open up about their careers

Opinion | To tell a good story, Hong Kong films must first be authentic