Keith Lee Siu-kei was born in Shunde, Guangdong, on 4 December 1949 and died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital on 2 June 2019, aged 69; he was known as 'Ko Fei', 'Kei Gor' and 'Chui Shui Kei'. In his youth he lived in Tsz Wan Shan Estate in Wong Tai Sin and was one of the most ruthless enforcers of the youth gang 'Thirteen Tai Po', with a long history of drug use, before being persuaded by its leader Chan Shun-chi to reform and rejoin society. In the 1980s he was brought into films by director Ringo Lam, working as an adviser on Prison on Fire (1987), and he also worked behind the scenes at TVB and appeared in its drama series. His grass-roots looks and unusual background led to roles as small-time hoods and blustering toughs, and he frequently served as a consultant on triad films; he is best remembered as the fence-sitting 'Chui Shui Kei' in the Young and Dangerous series. In 1994 he produced his first film, and in 1995 he made his first appearance as an executive producer, backing a further production. He also appeared in Stephen Chow comedies including The God of Cookery (1996), Lawyer Lawyer (1997), The Lucky Guy and King of Comedy (1999). With Wong Kwong-leung, Shing Fui-on and Ho Ka-kui he was counted one of the 'Four Great Villains' of Hong Kong cinema, and the 2017 film Dealer/Healer was based on the Thirteen Tai Po story. Besides acting he ran a film investment company as producer and writer, appearing in more than a hundred films and working alongside actors such as Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai. After suffering strokes from around 2015 he was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2018, and he is still remembered fondly by filmgoers.
Drawing on his genuine gangland past, Lee gave his supporting triad roles, such as the fence-sitting 'Chui Shui Kei' in the Young and Dangerous series, a grass-roots authenticity; one of the 'Four Great Villains' of Hong Kong cinema, he was among the most recognisable character actors in 1990s triad films and Stephen Chow comedies, and his life story itself became film material.
Achievements
- 1987 · Brought into films by Ringo Lam, working as an adviser on Prison on Fire
- 1994 · Took his first producer credit, on a historical chamber drama
- 1996 · Appeared as the fence-sitting 'Chui Shui Kei' in Young and Dangerous
- 1999 · Appeared in Stephen Chow's comedy King of Comedy