Andy Lau, Hong Kong actor and singer, on his ‘good enough’ career, being a ‘very lucky guy’, and why Hollywood didn’t tempt him

One of the ‘four heavenly kings of Cantopop’, Andy Lau has appeared in everything from popular commercial films to art-house movies, and been a film producer

In interviews with the Post he has talked about how he rates himself, why he enjoys being busy, not being drawn to Hollywood and accepting his own limitations

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Andy Lau in 2001. The Hong Kong singer and actor, who calls himself a “very lucky guy”, revealed his thoughts on his life and career in several interviews with the Post down the years. Photo: SCMP

Published: 4:15am, 5 Feb 2023Updated: 10:26am, 6 Mar 2023

Andy Lau Tak-wah has long been Hong Kong’s most popular entertainer.

He began his career oscillating between television and film work, and scored his first success in movies with a role in Boat People in 1982. As the decade wore on, he established himself as both a Cantopop singer and a movie star, and achieved superstar status by the 1990s.

Lau, known as one of the “four heavenly kings of Cantopop” for his singing career, has appeared in everything from popular commercial films to action films and art-house movies. Notable performances include those in the smash hit Infernal Affairs, and Johnnie To Kei-fung’s clever Running Out of Time.

Lau has also worked as a film producer, putting his notable business acumen – “I don’t have a problem with money as I spend less than I earn,” he once told the Post – to work nurturing fresh talent.

Andy Lau and Deanie Ip celebrate after winning the award for best actor and best actress in the film “A Simple Life” at the 31st Hong Kong Film Awards in 2012. Photo: SCMP

Below, we recall what Lau has said about his career and the Hong Kong film industry in interviews with the Post.

On always being rushed off his feet, in an interview in 1992:

“I don’t mind being so busy. Because I’m in both careers, acting and singing, it takes a lot of my time. I do prefer singing over acting, but really I love to do both.”