Tai Bo, whose tall, lanky frame is instantly recognizable, has had an illustrious career in film since his debut in 1973. With over 250 films to his credit, Tai Bo has portrayed a wide range of characters from crooks and cops to waiters and executives. Whether in thrillers, comedies, martial arts blockbusters, or indie projects, he brings consistent skill and professionalism to every role.
Currently in New York for the first time, Tai Bo is set to receive the Star Asia Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Asian Film Festival, a recognition previously awarded to filmmaker Yuen Woo-ping. “To be considered in the same category makes me feel very humble,” he says. “When I started as a 17-year-old, I never imagined I would be in this position.”
Born Cheung Ka-nin in Hong Kong in 1950, Tai Bo began his career as a script supervisor before moving up to assistant director. Encouraged by Jackie Chan, he transitioned to stunt work and acting, appearing in classics like Police Story and Project A. “What I learned during that period was how to protect my body,” he recalls with a laugh.
The 1980s were a prolific time for Tai Bo, who appeared in numerous films, working with innovative directors like Wu Ma and Corey Yuen Kwai. One pivotal role was in 1984’s Law with Two Phases, earning him his first acting award nominations. Yet, he remained a character actor, often cast for his reliability and professionalism.
A significant career shift occurred when Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-hsien cast him in A City of Sadness (1989), exposing Tai Bo to global cinema. While continuing to take roles in big-budget films, he also embraced smaller, quirkier projects. In 2000, he won a Golden Horse award for best supporting actor in the Taiwanese film The Cabbie.
Tai Bo’s international acclaim continued with his role in Ray Yeung’s Suk Suk (2019), where he played an aging taxi driver and closet homosexual. The film garnered global attention, and Tai Bo won the Best Actor award at the 2020 Hong Kong Film Awards. “The script was based on a book of short stories about men in their twilight years trying to find happiness,” he explains.
Recent roles have showcased Tai Bo’s depth and versatility, including a ruthless gangster in Hand Rolled Cigarette and a remorseful father in For Alice. In All Shall Be Well, he plays Shing, the brother of a deceased woman, in a drama that won the prestigious Teddy Award at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival.
Reflecting on his career, Tai Bo remains enthusiastic about working with new talent. “Some of these new directors watched me in films while they were growing up,” he says. “What I like is that a lot of them write their own stories. They bring a fresh perspective to filmmaking. I’m honored that they ask me to go on these journeys with them.”
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