Chow Yun-fat, born on May 18, 1955, on Lamma Island, Hong Kong, is a renowned actor known for his versatility in action, melodrama, comedy, and historical drama. Raised in a farming community, his early life was marked by simplicity, helping his mother sell herbal jelly and Hakka tea-pudding on the streets.

His family moved to Kowloon when he was ten, and at seventeen, he left school to support his family through various odd jobs, including being a bellboy, postman, camera salesman, and taxi driver. His passion for acting led him to respond to a newspaper advertisement for TVB's actor training program in 1973, which marked the beginning of his illustrious career.

His career took off with TVB dramas such as "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" (1979) and "The Bund" (1980), which made him a star across Asia. His collaboration with filmmaker John Woo in action films like "A Better Tomorrow" (1986), "The Killer" (1989), and "Hard Boiled" (1992) brought Hong Kong gangster films to global prominence.

Chow Yun-fat made his Hollywood debut in "The Replacement Killers" (1998) and gained further recognition with roles in "Anna and the King" (1999) and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000), the latter earning him international acclaim. His other notable films include "God of Gamblers" (1989), "Curse of the Golden Flower" (2006), and "Let the Bullets Fly" (2010).

In his personal life, he was first married to Candice Yu in 1983, but the marriage ended in divorce the same year. He later married Jasmine Tan in 1986, and the couple has remained together since.

Known for his humility and down-to-earth nature, he leads a relatively modest lifestyle despite his fame. He is often seen using public transportation and dining at local eateries. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, having pledged to donate his entire fortune to charity.

His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor and two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor. In 2023, he was named Asian Filmmaker of the Year at the 28th Busan International Film Awards.