Andy Lau Tak-wah (born 27 September 1961 in Tai Hang Village, Tai Po, Hong Kong), born Lau Fuk-wing, is an actor, singer, film producer and lyricist, known as one of Cantopop's 'Four Heavenly Kings'. He entered TVB's tenth artist training class in 1981 and went on to work across television, film and music. On television he appeared in his first series in 1981, drew attention with The Emissary in 1982, made his film debut the same year in Once Upon a Rainbow, and became a household name playing Yeung Gwo in The Return of the Condor Heroes in 1983; with Felix Wong, Michael Miu, Kent Tong and Tony Leung he was named one of TVB's 'Five Tiger Generals'. He has starred in more than 160 films, winning the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor three times, for Running Out of Time, Running on Karma and A Simple Life, the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor twice, for Infernal Affairs III and A Simple Life, and the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Protégé (2007). Notable films include A Moment of Romance, God of Gamblers II, A Fighter's Blues, the Infernal Affairs trilogy and The Warlords, and he has recently starred in major productions such as Shock Wave 2 (2020) and The Wandering Earth II (2023). In music he released his first album in 1985, and in the early 1990s he was named one of the 'Four Heavenly Kings' alongside Jacky Cheung, Leon Lai and Aaron Kwok, with hits such as Water of Forgetfulness and Chinese People. He set up the Andy Lau Charity Foundation in 1994, and in 2006 his Focus: First Cuts scheme invested in Ning Hao's low-budget hit Crazy Stone. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most awards won by a Hong Kong male singer. A contract dispute with TVB in 1985 led to his being shelved for about 400 days, after which he concentrated on film, and in 1991 he founded the production company Teamwork Motion Pictures. Besides Infernal Affairs III, for which he won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actor, he has long worked as a producer and lyricist.
Andy Lau straddled singing and cinema, becoming one of the figures through whom 1990s Hong Kong pop culture reached audiences across the Chinese-speaking world. Over many years he has invested in and produced films, and through his Focus: First Cuts scheme supported new directors, contributing to the cultivation of talent in the local film industry. His sustained output and approachable image have made him a cross-generational pop idol in Chinese-speaking societies.
Achievements
- 1981 · Entered TVB's artist training class, beginning his performing career
- 2000 · Won Best Actor at the 19th Hong Kong Film Awards for Running Out of Time
- 2012 · Won Best Actor at both the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards for A Simple Life