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Chow Yun-Fat Biography

Birth Name:Chow Yun Yun-Fat

Birth Place:Lamma Island, Hong Kong

Profession Actor, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Named Star of the Decade by the Asian Theatre Owners Convention
Earned the award for best actor in 1984 for "Dang doi lai ming" as the Asian Pacific Film Festival
Quote: "Working in front of the camera keeps my alive․"
Quote: "In the West audiences think I am a stereotyped action star, or that I always play hitmen or killers․ But in Hong Kong, I did a lot of comedy, many dramatic films, and most of all, romantic roles, lots of love stories․ I was like a romance novel hero․"
Attended his first casting call at 18-years-old and eventually earned heartthrob status throughout much of China by the early '80s
Often collaborates with filmmaker John Woo
An avid photographer, he released his first book in 2008, a compilation of personal photos, the proceeds of which were donated to help the victims of the recent Sichuan earthquake
Gained widespread attention from American audiences after starring in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" in 2000
Was the first actor offered the role of Morpheus in "The Matrix" trilogy, but turned it down

Awards

1984APFF Award-Best Actor: winner
1985Golden Horse Award-Best Leading Actor: winner
1985Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1986Golden Horse Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
1986Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1987Golden Horse Award-Best Leading Actor: winner
1987Hong Kong Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1987Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1988Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1988Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1988Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1989Hong Kong Film Award-Best Original Film Song: nominated
1990Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: winner
1990Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1990Hong Kong Film Award-Best Original Film Song: nominated
1992Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1995Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1996Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1998Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
2001Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Action Team (Internet Only): nominated
2001Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2007NETPAC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2007HKFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2008Hong Kong Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2008HKFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2010Iron Elephant Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Asian Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011People's Choice Award-Favorite Actor: winner
2011NETPAC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011Huabiao Film Award-Outstanding Abroad Actor: winner
2011Huading Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2012China Film Directors' Guild Award-Best Actor: nominated
2013Golden Lotus Awards-Best Actor: nominated
2015Huading Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2018Golden Angel Award-Best Actor: winner
2019Hong Kong Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2019HKFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2019Huading Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2020Hundred Flowers Award-Best Actor: nominated