Biography for
Tony Leung Chiu Wai

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Tony Leung Chiu Wai was born in Hong Kong on 27 June 1962. He and his younger sister were raised by their mother after his father left them. In 1982, after passing the training courses of TVB, Tony became a TV actor and became famous for his comedy style in such TV shows as Lu ding ji (1983) or Jue dai shuang jiao (1979). However, he didn't limit himself to television and began showing his versatility in films like Sha shou hu die meng (1989) and Bei qing cheng shi (1989). After he starred in several movies directed by 'Kar wai Wong'; such as Chung Hing sam lam (1994) and Chun gwong cha sit (1997), he gained more respect as an actor and finally received the Best Actor Award at the Cannes International Film Festival for his outstanding performance in Fa yeung nin wa (2000). In addition to his acting career, he is also known as a singer.

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Trivia

Longtime companion of Carina Lau since 1989.

Has co-starred frequently with Maggie Cheung.

He frequently plays brooding, rebellious, dark anti-heroes who often hesitantly team up with (and arise misplaced suspicion in) more clean-cut protagonists.

His father left his mother and him at the age of 7.

He and Andy Lau made 7 movies together: A Fei zheng chuan (1990), Fan dou ma liu (1992), Haomen yeyan (1991), Wu hu jiang zhi jue lie (Jin pai wu hu jiang) (1991), Mou gaan dou (2002), Mou gaan dou III: Jung gik mou gaan (2003), and Zhong Huan ying xiong (1991). They also starred together in two short-lived tv-series: "Yang ka cheung" (1986) and "Luk ding gei" (1984).

He and Maggie Cheung made 7 movies together: 2046 (2004), A Fei zheng chuan (1990), Dung che sai duk (1994), Fa yeung nin wa (2000), Haomen yeyan (1991), Se diu ying hung ji dung sing sai jau (1993), and Ying xiong (2002). They also starred together in a short-lived tv-series: "San jaat si hing" (1984).

Has been called the Asian Clark Gable.

He met his sweetheart Margie Tsang (his first public relationship) in 1983. In a span of four years, they broke off and reunited three times before finally calling off the relationship in 1989. In that year, he started dating Carina Lau.

Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu Wai were called the Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart of Chinese cinema by the Straits Times of Singapore on January 22, 2003. They said that they could not ever be lovers because of personality differences.

Was encouraged by Stephen Chow to try out acting as TVB was holding acting classes. They have acted in one movie called Xi yan (1993).

Has said numerous times in interviews that he would like to work with Martin Scorsese.

Lists Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Nicole Kidman as his favorites in English-language cinema.

Can speak fluent English.

Often goes on skiing vacations in Japan with longtime girlfriend Carina Lau.

He was one of the Five Tigers in TVB with Andy Lau, Felix Wong, Kiu Wai Miu, and Ken Tong in the 1980s.

In Hong Kong, he is called Short Tony to distinguish him from fellow actor Tony Leung Ka Fai, known as Big Tony.

Announced that he will marry longtime girlfriend Carina Lau in 2008.

Personal Quotes

"I like not knowing from one day to the next. It keeps me from thinking and allows me to just be in my character. Too much information restricts your creativity." [on working with Wong Kar-wai who doesn't use scripts.]

"Acting has always been a way for me to express the emotions I had buried. If I hadn't acted, I would have gone insane. In my acting class, I could let out my real tears and everyone thought it was the character. But no, it was me." (On acting.)

"Kar-wai is very demanding, and we never have a real script. [But he] challenges me. He is always pushing me to go deeper, to become that person. I like it." (on Wong Kar Wai, while working on 2046)

'She looks for happiness, and will do whatever makes her happy. I'm very pessimistic. Sometimes, out of the blue, she will want to do all sorts of things. I can't deal with that, I have to plan everything properly first.' (On co-star, Maggie Cheung.

"Hero [2002] was the first time I had ever worked on a mainland Chinese production. It was great to work with such a good cast that included Maggie, Jet Li, Chen Daoming, and Zhang Ziyi. I was particularly excited to work with Yimou, a director whose work I have always admired. When I first heard the story, I thought of Kurosawa's Rashomon [1950]. At that time, Yimou gave me a choice of playing the narrator, like Leslie Cheung did in Ashes of Time [1994]. In the end, I did what Yimou wanted and played Broken Sword, who is the lover of Flying Snow, played by Maggie. Because I have a baby face, I was quite concerned about my looks in this film because I was to play a martial arts hero. I did not want to look unconvincing. I spent a lot of time working with Emi Wada, who designed all the film's costumes, on the look of my character, as the wardrobe was very important to play this heroic figure living in ancient China."(On working with Zhang Yimou in the movie, Hero)

"Absolutely. I found myself buried in the character. I need some time to tune myself out." (On whether the character Chow Mo Wan has entered his life)

"Maybe it's because I came from a broken home. I wasn't so happy in my childhood. My parents broke up when I was six. Before, I was a very active, naughty child, but after my father left me I stopped talking. I became very good at hiding my emotions. I felt so ashamed of telling others that I didn't have a father, because that was not common in the 1960s. People didn't break up - even if they didn't love each other - in traditional Chinese families. Not like today." (On the origins of his mournfulness)

"I wanted to take a different approach. I wanted this character to be very optimistic, always with a smile on his face, but I just wasn't able to put it into the scenes. I don't know why." (On his character Chan Wing Yan in Infernal Affairs)

"My character has the same background as 'In the Mood for Love,' the same hairstyle, the same costume, it's filmed on the same set and because it's Kar Wai I don't have a script. I need something to get hold of, and I said, 'Can I have a mustache at least?'" (On discussions with Wong for his character, Chow Mo Wan)

As an Asian actor, I would like once in my life to do just one Hollywood movie. It would be a memorable experience.

John Woo is very prepared. He respects his actors very much...he gives you a lot of freedom to create your character. So I improvise a lot.

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