Ronald Cheng Chung-kei (born 9 March 1972) is a Hong Kong singer, actor and presenter, the son of music executive Norman Cheng. Born at Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital in Happy Valley and educated at St Louis School, he went on to study business administration and music at Mt. San Antonio College in the United States. A keen singer since childhood, he often visited the PolyGram offices and studios and came to know songwriters and producers such as Chow Kai-sang and Howard Yip. In 1995, while Jacky Cheung was recording in the United States, Cheng was spotted by producer Au Ting-yuk, sang backing vocals on his records and studied singing alongside Cheung, his route into the industry. In 1996 he launched his debut Mandarin album in Taiwan, whose title duet with Cheung made his name at once, and a second album that year also sold strongly across Asia. After a low period in the early 2000s, he reinvented himself as a comedian in films such as My Lucky Star, Dragon Loaded 2003 and I Do, winning audiences with a self-mocking style. He won Best Supporting Actor at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards for Vulgaria in 2013 and Best Original Film Song for Concerto of the Bully in 2018. He has also hosted television shows and starred in the drama series Single Papa. He married Charlene Choi in 2006, divorced in 2010, and remarried Sammie Yu in 2011, with whom he has a son and a daughter.
From a music-business family, Ronald Cheng first made his name with Mandarin love songs in the 1990s before reinventing himself as a comedian and picking up major film awards. Moving freely between singing, screen acting and hosting, he typifies the crossover entertainer in Hong Kong popular culture.
Achievements
- 1996 · Released his debut album, whose title duet with Jacky Cheung made his name.
- 2013 · Won Best Supporting Actor at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards for Vulgaria.
- 2018 · Won Best Original Film Song at the 37th Hong Kong Film Awards for Concerto of the Bully.