Andy Lau
Andy Lau Tak-wah (born 27 September 1961) is a Hong Kong actor, singer, and film producer. Widely regarded as one of the most popular and commercially successful film stars in Asia, he has starred in more than 170 films since 1981, which have grossed over HK$10 billion at the Hong Kong box office, and US$2.6 billion worldwide.
Lau is also a successful singer, having released over 60 albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide. He has won numerous awards for his work in film and music, including three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor, two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
In addition to his acting and singing career, Lau is also a successful businessman, having invested in various industries including real estate, fashion, and technology. He is also a philanthropist, having donated millions of dollars to charities and educational institutions.
Personal life
Lau was born in Tai Po, Hong Kong, on 27 September 1961. He is the youngest of four children. His father, Lau Wah-siu, was a firefighter, and his mother, Lau Sik-fong, was a housewife. Lau attended the St. Francis Xavier's College in Tai Po, where he was a member of the school's drama club.
In 1981, Lau was discovered by a talent scout while he was performing in a stage play. He was offered a contract with TVB, a Hong Kong television station, and made his acting debut in the television series The Emissary. Lau quickly became a popular actor, and in 1983 he made his film debut in Once Upon a Time in China.
Lau has been romantically linked to a number of women over the years, but he has never been married. He is currently in a relationship with Carol Chu, a Malaysian model and actress.
Career
Acting
Lau has starred in over 170 films since 1981, including A Better Tomorrow, Infernal Affairs, and The Warlords. He has won numerous awards for his work in film, including three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor, two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
Lau is known for his versatility as an actor, and he has played a wide variety of roles, from action heroes to romantic leads to comedic characters. He is also a skilled martial artist, and he has often performed his own stunts in his films.
Singing
Lau is also a successful singer, having released over 60 albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide. He has won numerous awards for his work in music, including a Golden Melody Award for Best Male Mandarin Singer and a World Music Award for Best-Selling Asian Artist.
Lau is known for his ballads and his energetic stage performances. He has toured extensively throughout Asia and the world, and he has performed at some of the most prestigious venues, including the Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Business ventures
In addition to his acting and singing career, Lau is also a successful businessman. He has invested in various industries, including real estate, fashion, and technology. He is also the owner of a production company, Teamwork Motion Pictures.
Lau is a shrewd businessman, and he has been able to parlay his success in the entertainment industry into a number of successful business ventures. He is estimated to be worth over US$1 billion.
Philanthropy
Lau is also a philanthropist, having donated millions of dollars to charities and educational institutions. He is a supporter of a number of causes, including education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
In 2008, Lau established the Andy Lau Charity Foundation, which provides scholarships to underprivileged students and supports a variety of other charitable causes. Lau has also been involved in a number of fundraising efforts, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake relief effort.
Awards and honors
Lau has won numerous awards for his work in film and music. Some of his most notable awards include:
- Three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor
- Two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor
- A Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
- A Golden Melody Award for Best Male Mandarin Singer
- A World Music Award for Best-Selling Asian Artist
Lau has also been honored with a number of other awards, including the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2000 and the Hong Kong Film Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018.
Legacy
Andy Lau is one of the most popular and commercially successful film stars in Asia. He has starred in over 170 films, which have grossed over HK$10 billion at the Hong Kong box office, and US$2.6 billion worldwide. He is also a successful singer, having released over 60 albums and sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Lau is known for his versatility as an actor, and he has played a wide variety of roles, from action heroes to romantic leads to comedic characters. He is also a skilled martial artist, and he has often performed his own stunts in his films.
In addition to his acting and singing career, Lau is also a successful businessman and philanthropist. He is estimated to be worth over US$1 billion, and he has donated millions of dollars to charities and educational institutions.
Lau is a role model for many young people in Asia, and he is considered to be one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry. He is a respected actor, singer, and businessman, and he has made a significant contribution to the cultural landscape of Asia.