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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 (left) and Cora Miao in a still from Love in a Fallen City (1984), directed by Ann Hui.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

What happened when Ann Hui adapted Eileen Chang’s classic stories?

Director Ann Hui has adapted three of Eileen Chang’s stories for the big screen. We look at two: Love in a Fallen City and Eighteen Springs.

5 Apr 2026 - 7:15PMvideocam

On Our Radar

Greg Girard’s photo exhibition shows five decades of Hong Kong and Tokyo

3 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 Anthony Wong films from the early 90s that show his wide acting range

29 Mar 2026 - 11:15AMvideocam

Hong Kong cinema

‘A fantastic roller coaster’: Hugh Bonneville, Aidan Gillen on Cold War 1994

Actors Hugh Bonneville and Aidan Gillen discuss starring in Cold War 1994, as well as what they got up to in Hong Kong while filming.

21 Mar 2026 - 12:15PM

Cold War 1994 stars Hugh Bonneville (left) and Aidan Gillen in a gripping Hong Kong political thriller set during the 1997 handover. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | From TVB queen to YouTube star, how Carol ‘Dodo’ Cheng does it all

Hong Kong icon Carol “Dodo” Cheng has worn many hats – actor, television host, content creator – continually reinventing herself across five decades.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:15AMvideocam

Icons and Influencers

In their words: Kevin Poon’s favourite trends in Hong Kong and beyond

The cultural entrepreneur is one of the city’s most connected creatives, with Pharrell Williams, David Beckham – and, of course, Clot co-founder Edison Chen – on his speed dial.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:46PM

Hong Kong society

On This Day | Legendary Hong Kong actor Ng Man-tat dies at 70 in 2021 – SCMP archive

On this day 5 years ago, the iconic comedy star died of liver cancer aged 70.

27 Feb 2026 - 11:15AM

Hong Kong actor Ng Man-tat. Photo: Weibo

Lunar New Year

Being Chinese | The great Chinese New Year divide and how I bridged it

After sitting through the Spring Festival Gala with mainland Chinese friends, I had to introduce them to a delightful ritual from Singapore.

4 Mar 2026 - 10:10AM

SCMP Highlights

Why your brain needs fat, advice for Year of the Horse: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From navigating romantic hurdles in Hong Kong to feng shui advice for the Lunar New Year, here are five stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

12 Feb 2026 - 4:29PM

SCMP Highlights

China accused of secret nuclear tests, Eileen Gu’s wake up call: 5 weekend reads

From China’s companies keeping Ukraine’s lights on to pushing endurance limits, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

9 Feb 2026 - 12:15PM

Eileen Gu was all smiles after eventually qualifying for the final in second place. Photo: AP

Wellness

How people like 70-year-old Chow Yun-fat keep pushing their endurance limits

Chow ran a half-marathon last year, while silver stars like Natalie Grabow, Jeannie Rice and Hiromu Inada are breaking records. Here’s how.

10 Feb 2026 - 10:54AM

Actor Chow Yun-fat (middle) runs in the 10km event at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026. The 70-year-old is part of a growing number of older people competing in endurance races. Photo: Eugene Lee

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Why Ronny Yu’s The Postman Fights Back is an unusual wuxia gem

Starring Leung Kar-yan and with a young Chow Yun-fat on the cast, 1982’s The Postman Fights Back is an intriguing mix of Western and wuxia.

18 Jan 2026 - 5:15PMvideocam

Hong Kong Marathon

Wong Tsz-to, Tsang Hiu-tung not getting carried away with 10km wins

In race that also featured movie star Chow Yun-fat, Hong Kong triathlete Wong repeats 2023 victory, while Tsang wins for third straight year.

18 Jan 2026 - 3:35PM

World of performing arts

Hong Kong magician wants to change public perception, one trick at a time

Magic is more a performing art than entertainment, says Zenneth Kok, whose Hong Kong show, The Memory Wall, is coming to the Fringe Club.

3 Jan 2026 - 5:15PMvideocam

Zenneth Kok says magic, especially mentalism and mind-reading, is more of a performing art than pure entertainment. Photo: Zenneth Kok

Asian cinema: Chinese films

7 film stories from 2025 that readers loved, including a Chow Yun-fat profile

Profiles of Chow Yun-fat, Faye Wong and Deanie Ip and a look at Donnie Yen’s early films were among stories popular with readers this year.

25 Dec 2025 - 4:15PM

Chow Yun-fat at an interview with the Post in 2003. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

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

12-member boy band announces it will not appear at Asia’s largest K-pop award show, set to take place at Kai Tak Stadium on Friday, Saturday.

29 Nov 2025 - 5:01PM

Hong Kong society

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

Friend of actor says Hui had died at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital due to ‘multiple organ failure caused by cancer’.

28 Oct 2025 - 5:12PMvideocam

Hui Shiu-hung had appeared in numerous TV dramas and films in Hong Kong since the 1970s. Photo: Instagram/benz_hui

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

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

Chow Yun-fat at an interview with the Post in 2003. The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star can still be found taking the bus in Hong Kong or buying food at his local market, despite his global success. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

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

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Chow Yun-fat

What happened when Ann Hui adapted Eileen Chang’s classic stories?

Director Ann Hui has adapted three of Eileen Chang’s stories for the big screen. We look at two: Love in a Fallen City and Eighteen Springs.

Greg Girard’s photo exhibition shows five decades of Hong Kong and Tokyo

3 Anthony Wong films from the early 90s that show his wide acting range

‘A fantastic roller coaster’: Hugh Bonneville, Aidan Gillen on Cold War 1994

Actors Hugh Bonneville and Aidan Gillen discuss starring in Cold War 1994, as well as what they got up to in Hong Kong while filming.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Profile | From TVB queen to YouTube star, how Carol ‘Dodo’ Cheng does it all

Hong Kong icon Carol “Dodo” Cheng has worn many hats – actor, television host, content creator – continually reinventing herself across five decades.

In their words: Kevin Poon’s favourite trends in Hong Kong and beyond

The cultural entrepreneur is one of the city’s most connected creatives, with Pharrell Williams, David Beckham – and, of course, Clot co-founder Edison Chen – on his speed dial.

On This Day | Legendary Hong Kong actor Ng Man-tat dies at 70 in 2021 – SCMP archive

On this day 5 years ago, the iconic comedy star died of liver cancer aged 70.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Being Chinese | The great Chinese New Year divide and how I bridged it

After sitting through the Spring Festival Gala with mainland Chinese friends, I had to introduce them to a delightful ritual from Singapore.

Why your brain needs fat, advice for Year of the Horse: 7 Lifestyle highlights

From navigating romantic hurdles in Hong Kong to feng shui advice for the Lunar New Year, here are five stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

China accused of secret nuclear tests, Eileen Gu’s wake up call: 5 weekend reads

From China’s companies keeping Ukraine’s lights on to pushing endurance limits, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

How people like 70-year-old Chow Yun-fat keep pushing their endurance limits

Chow ran a half-marathon last year, while silver stars like Natalie Grabow, Jeannie Rice and Hiromu Inada are breaking records. Here’s how.

Why Ronny Yu’s The Postman Fights Back is an unusual wuxia gem

Starring Leung Kar-yan and with a young Chow Yun-fat on the cast, 1982’s The Postman Fights Back is an intriguing mix of Western and wuxia.

Wong Tsz-to, Tsang Hiu-tung not getting carried away with 10km wins

In race that also featured movie star Chow Yun-fat, Hong Kong triathlete Wong repeats 2023 victory, while Tsang wins for third straight year.

Hong Kong magician wants to change public perception, one trick at a time

Magic is more a performing art than entertainment, says Zenneth Kok, whose Hong Kong show, The Memory Wall, is coming to the Fringe Club.

7 film stories from 2025 that readers loved, including a Chow Yun-fat profile

Profiles of Chow Yun-fat, Faye Wong and Deanie Ip and a look at Donnie Yen’s early films were among stories popular with readers this year.

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

12-member boy band announces it will not appear at Asia’s largest K-pop award show, set to take place at Kai Tak Stadium on Friday, Saturday.

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

Friend of actor says Hui had died at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital due to ‘multiple organ failure caused by cancer’.

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.

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-blnnrq{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.

Profile | From TVB queen to YouTube star, how Carol ‘Dodo’ Cheng does it all

Being Chinese | The great Chinese New Year divide and how I bridged it

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