Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1942-09-03
- Born Place: Panyu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Also Known As:
許冠文, Guanwen Xu, Koon-Man Hui, Michael Hui Koon-Man, Hui Kuan-Wen, Xu Guan-Wen, 许冠文, Michael Hui, Hui Koon-Man, Goodman Hui
Michael Hui Koon-Man
Michael Hui Koon-man (許冠文), born on September 3, 1942, in Panyu, Guangdong, China, is a legendary Hong Kong actor, comedian, scriptwriter, and director, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Hong Kong comedy cinema. He is the eldest of the acclaimed "Hui brothers," which also include Ricky and Sam Hui, who collectively dominated the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1970s and 1980s. After studying sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hui began his career in television, gaining popularity as a host of quiz shows and the "Hui Brothers Show."In 1974, he transitioned to film, establishing the Hui Film Company with Golden Harvest and his brothers. This partnership led to a series of highly successful Cantonese comedies like Games Gamblers Play (1974), The Private Eyes (1976), The Contract (1978), and Security Unlimited (1981), the latter of which earned him the first Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor. These films, often featuring the trio trying to make quick money and navigate the complexities of Hong Kong society, were wildly popular, particularly among the working class. In the 1980s, Hui evolved his style, developing a more satirical and character-driven comedy that capitalized on his signature deadpan timing, reflecting on consumerism and societal quirks. His filmography also includes Hollywood appearances like The Cannonball Run (1981) and later roles in critically acclaimed films such as Rob-B-Hood (2006) alongside Jackie Chan, Godspeed (2016), and most recently, The Last Dance (2024), for which he received a Best Actor award at the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Awards, and as Judge George Hui in The Prosecutor (2024).
