Recognized globally for his charisma and unparalleled acting prowess, Tony Leung Chiu-wai has left an indelible mark on the landscape of Asian cinema. From his humble beginnings as a TV actor to reaching the pinnacle of international fame, Leung’s career is a testament to his talent and versatility. This narrative presents a glimpse into the life and accomplishments of this celebrated actor as he prepares to celebrate his 61st birthday on June 27.
In 1981, Leung was inspired by his close friend Stephen Chow Sing-chi to join TVB’s acting class. Even though Chow was the one who encouraged him, it was only Leung who made the final cut. Graduating the following year at the age of 20, Leung embarked on an eight-year journey with TVB, where he primarily did comedy work. His talent didn’t go unnoticed, and he was soon playing lead roles in popular prime-time series like The Duke of Mount Deer (1984), Police Cadet ’84 (1984), and New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre (1986).
Leaving TVB in 1990 to pursue a career in film, Leung had by then already performed in several movies, earning him nominations for the Hong Kong Film Award for roles in Stanley Kwan Kam-pang’s Love Unto Waste (1986) and Derek Yee Tung-sing’s People’s Hero (1987). His talent truly shone through when he started working with acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai, eventually becoming Wong’s favored leading man.
Leung and Wong collaborated on seven films, including Ashes of Time (1994), Chungking Express (1994), Happy Together (1997), In the Mood for Love (2000), 2046 (2004), and The Grandmaster (2013). Between these movies, Leung collected an impressive 12 best actor awards, including one from the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2000.
Even with his outstanding success, Leung has remained a humble figure, known for his high-quality performances and versatility. With a net worth of US$20 million, he holds the record for the most best actor wins at both the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards. His performance in the Infernal Affairs trilogy (2002-2003) alone fetched him three best actor awards.
Leung’s extraordinary talent was also recognized by renowned Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee, who commended his performance in the 2007 film Lust, Caution. For this film, Leung won best actor at both the Golden Horse Awards and the Asian Film Awards.
Despite his film output dropping in the 2010s, Leung continued to break boundaries. In 2021, he made history as the first Hong Kong actor to feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the role of Xu Wenwu in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. This marked a significant achievement for Leung, who reportedly earned US$7.7 million for his role in the first Marvel Studios film with a predominantly Asian cast.
In 2023, Leung’s contributions to the film industry were further recognized as he became the first Chinese actor to receive a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement by the Venice Film Festival.
Despite his fame, Leung has remained private, maintaining an introverted personality and sharing little of his personal life with the public. He only joined social media platforms such as Instagram and Douyin recently, primarily to promote his film Shang-Chi. Regardless of his public persona, there’s no denying that Tony Leung Chiu-wai’s impact on Asian cinema is everlasting. His body of work continues to inspire and will resonate with cinema lovers for generations to come.
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