Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1955-05-18
- Born Place: Hong Kong, China
Also Known As:
주윤발, 发哥, 小马哥, Fat Tsai, Châu Nhuận Phát, Yun-fat Chow, چو یون فا, Donald Chow, Aman Chow, Chow Yun-Fatt, Chow Yuen-Fat, Zhou Runfa, چو یون فات
Chow Yun-Fat
Chow Yun-fat (born May 18, 1955, on Lamma Island, Hong Kong) is a legendary Hong Kong-born Chinese actor and filmmaker whose illustrious career spans over four decades. He emerged in the 1980s as one of Asian cinema's most popular leading men, particularly renowned for his roles in action films, and later achieved success in Hollywood.Born to a poor farming family, Chow began working at a young age before being accepted into TVB's actor training program in 1973. He quickly rose to fame through television dramas like "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" and "The Bund," becoming a household name in Hong Kong.His breakthrough in film came with a series of collaborations with director John Woo, starting with "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), which made him a box-office superstar across Asia. Their subsequent action films, including "The Killer" (1989) and "Hard Boiled" (1992), cemented his iconic status as a charismatic and stylish action hero. Chow's versatility, however, extended beyond action, encompassing melodramas, comedies, and historical dramas. He has won numerous accolades, including three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor and two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor.In the late 1990s, Chow transitioned to Hollywood, starring in films like "The Replacement Killers" (1998) and "Anna and the King" (1999). He achieved international acclaim for his role as Li Mu Bai in Ang Lee's martial arts epic "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), which won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. His later Hollywood roles include "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" (2007).Chow Yun-fat remains a highly respected and active figure in the global film industry, continuing to star in major Chinese productions such as "Let the Bullets Fly" (2010), "Project Gutenberg" (2018), "The Goldfinger" (2023), and is slated for a special appearance in the upcoming "Detective Chinatown 1900" (2025). Beyond his acting prowess, Chow is also known for his humble lifestyle and significant philanthropic efforts, including pledging to donate the majority of his wealth to charity.
