--- name: "Chow Yun-Fat" canonical: "https://film.one/person/chow-yun-fat" fi1m_id: "chow-yun-fat" imdb_id: "nm0000334" tmdb_id: 1619 wikidata_id: "Q181425" roles: ["Actor"] born: "18 May 1955" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 64 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-05T16:56:05.735177+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Chow Yun-Fat ## Identity Chow Yun-Fat - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/chow-yun-fat - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** chow-yun-fat - **IMDb ID:** nm0000334 - **TMDB ID:** 1619 - **Wikidata ID:** Q181425 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chow_Yun-fat, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q181425, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000334/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1619 Actor. Born 18 May 1955 in Hong Kong, China. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 18 May 1955, Hong Kong, China - **Active:** 1992–present - **Also known as:** 发哥, 小马哥, Fat Tsai, Yun-fat Chow, چو یون فا, Donald Chow, Aman Chow, Chow Yun-Fatt, Chow Yuen-Fat, Zhou Runfa - **Average Fi1m score:** 64, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (1), 2000s 60 (3), 2020s 54 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 66 to 62 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 3 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 3 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Action 5, Adventure 3, Fantasy 3, Thriller 2, Comedy 1, Crime 1 - **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,737m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chow_Yun-fat, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q181425, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000334/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1619 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*](https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon.md) (90) - **The Criterion Channel:** [*Hard Boiled*](https://film.one/film/hard-boiled.md) (86) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Chow Yun-Fat > Chow Yun-Fat makes dangerous men enjoyable company, and lets us see why somebody might trust them. We rate him most with John Woo, whose gunfights put his charm, physical poise and gift for screen partnership to good use. In *Hard Boiled* (1992), Chow Yun-Fat's Inspector ‘Tequila’ Yuen is reckless enough to worry us and charming enough to keep us watching. We enjoyed his swagger because Chow never made the policeman seem harmless. Tony Leung Chiu-wai's Alan is more guarded, and his reserve gives Chow's expansiveness something to work against. Their scenes together make the fighting personal, even when the gun-running plot gives them little help. *A Better Tomorrow* (1986) made Chow a star and began his long collaboration with John Woo. In *The Killer* (1989), his physical poise serves a hitman troubled by his conscience. The stillness, the charm and the practised handling of cigarettes and guns are familiar parts of his work, but the men he plays can also be hurt by what they do. Woo is a good director for an actor who can make loyalty credible without needing to look innocent. The move into Hollywood in the late 1990s brought narrower opportunities: *The Replacement Killers* (1998) was a formulaic vehicle with limited room for its star. As Li Mu Bai in *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* (2000), he found another use for his stoicism and chemistry with fellow actors. He has also worked in comedy, melodrama and historical drama. Treating him simply as a gunman leaves too much of that work out. In *Hard Boiled*, there are limits to what even this partnership can fix. Woo's interest in male loyalty sometimes grows solemn, the story is thin, and the violence can tire us. The precise staging and reckless humour earn much of the film's excess, but Chow and Leung provide the reason to care about who is doing the shooting. Their exchanges are worth attending to even when the writing gives them little to say. Start there for the partnership, provided the evening can accommodate a great deal of gunfire. ## Biography Chow Yun-fat is a Hong Kong actor. Born on 18 May 1955 on Lamma Island, he began his career in television with TVB dramas in the 1970s before moving into film. He rose to prominence through collaborations with director John Woo in action films including *A Better Tomorrow* (1986), *The Killer* (1989) and *Hard Boiled* (1992), in which he played Insp. 'Tequila' Yuen. He has also appeared in international productions such as *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* (2000) and *Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End* (2007). Chow has received three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor and two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, biography.com, britannica.com.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Detective Chinatown 1900* (2025), Fi1m 54, as Bai Xuanling — [page](https://film.one/film/detective-chinatown-1900.md) - *Dragonball Evolution* (2009), Fi1m 34, as Roshi — [page](https://film.one/film/dragonball-evolution.md) - *Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End* (2007), Fi1m 55, as Captain Sao Feng — [page](https://film.one/film/pirates-of-the-caribbean-at-worlds-end.md) - *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* (2000), Fi1m 90, as Li Mu Bai — [page](https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon.md) - *Hard Boiled* (1992), Fi1m 86, as Insp. 'Tequila' Yuen — [page](https://film.one/film/hard-boiled.md) ## Complete filmography (157) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Cold War 1994* (2026), as Oswald S.C. Kan - *Detective Chinatown 1900* (2025), as Bai Xuanling — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/detective-chinatown-1900.md) - *One More Chance* (2023), as Water Ng - *The Monkey King: The Legend Begins* (2022), as Jade Emperor - *Project Gutenberg* (2018), as Painter - *Cold War II* (2016), as Oswald S.C. Kan - *From Vegas to Macau III* (2016), as Ken Shek / Ko Chun - *Office* (2015), as Ho Chung Ping - *From Vegas to Macau II* (2015), as Ken / Ko Chun - *From Vegas to Macau* (2014), as Ken - *The Monkey King* (2014), as Jade Emperor - *The Last Tycoon* (2012), as Cheng Daqi - *The Assassins* (2012), as Chancellor Cao Cao - *Beginning of the Great Revival* (2011), as Yuan Shikai - *Let the Bullets Fly* (2010), as Huang Silang - *Shanghai* (2010), as Anthony Lan-Ting - *Confucius* (2010), as Confucius - *Dragonball Evolution* (2009), as Roshi — Fi1m 34, [page](https://film.one/film/dragonball-evolution.md) - *The Children of Huang Shi* (2008), as Chen Hansheng - *The Postmodern Life of My Aunt* (2007), as Zhichang Pan / 潘知常 - *The Making of Hard Boiled* (2007), Actor - *The Making of Stranglehold* (2007), Actor - *Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End* (2007), as Captain Sao Feng — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/pirates-of-the-caribbean-at-worlds-end.md) - *Curse of the Golden Flower* (2006), as Emperor Ping - *Waiting Alone* (2005), as Fa Ge (cameo) - *Bulletproof Monk* (2003), as The Nameless Monk - *Ultimate Fights from the Movies* (2002), as (archive footage) - *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* (2000), as Li Mu Bai — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon.md) - *Anna and the King* (1999), as King Mongkut - *The Corruptor* (1999), as Nick Chen - *The Replacement Killers* (1998), as John Lee - *Peace Hotel* (1995), as Wong Ah Ping · Writer - *God of Gamblers' Return* (1994), as Ko Chun - *Treasure Hunt* (1994), as Jeffrey Chang Ching - *Full Contact* (1992), as Jeff / Gou Fei - *Hard Boiled* (1992), as Insp. 'Tequila' Yuen — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/hard-boiled.md) - *Now You See Love... Now You Don't* (1992), as Ng San Shui - *Prison on Fire II* (1991), as Chung Tin Ching - *Once a Thief* (1991), as Red Bean Puddin / Joe - *God of Gamblers II* (1990), as Ko Chun - *The Fun, the Luck & the Tycoon* (1990), as Lam Bo Sun / Mr. Stink - *God of Gamblers* (1989), as Ko Chun - *A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon* (1989), as Mark - *Triads: The Inside Story* (1989), as Lee Man Ho - *Everybody Loves Somebody* (1989), series, as uncredited - *Wild Search* (1989), as Sgt. Lau Chun-Pong - *The Killer* (1989), as Jong - *All About Ah-Long* (1989), as Ah Long · Story - *City War* (1988), as Dick Lee - *Goodbye My Friend* (1988), as Hung - *When Tat Fu Was Young* (1988), Actor - *The Greatest Lover* (1988), as Qian Jin / Nelson Chow - *Diary of a Big Man* (1988), as Chow Ting Fat, Songs - *Fractured Follies* (1988), as Joe Leung - *Tiger on the Beat* (1988), as Sergeant Francis Li - *The Eighth Happiness* (1988), as Fang Chien Lang / Fong Kim Long - *The Romancing Star II* (1988), as Big Mouth Fat [cameo] - *A Better Tomorrow II* (1987), as Ken Lee - *Prison on Fire* (1987), as Chung Tin Ching - *Spiritual Love* (1987), as Pu Yung Tsai - *Flaming Brothers* (1987), as Tin - *An Autumn's Tale* (1987), as Samuel Pang - *The Romancing Star* (1987), as Wong Yat Fat - *Rich and Famous* (1987), as Lee Ah Chai - *Code of Honor* (1987), as Fai - *Scared Stiff* (1987), as Inspector Chow - *Tragic Hero* (1987), as Lee Ah Chai - *City on Fire* (1987), as Ko Chow - *The Seventh Curse* (1986), as Wesley - *My Will, I Will* (1986), as Detective - *A Hearty Response* (1986), as Ho Ting-Bon - *Love Unto Wastes* (1986), as Detective Lam Chun-Keung - *A Better Tomorrow* (1986), as Mark Lee - *The Lunatics* (1986), as Chung - *100 Ways to Murder Your Wife* (1986), as Soccer Fat - *The Missed Date* (1986), as Peter - *Dream Lovers* (1986), as Song Yu - *Witch from Nepal* (1986), as Joe - *Story of Rose* (1986), as Charles / Ga Ming - *Why Me?* (1985), as Mr. Chow - *The Yang's Saga* (1985), series, as Lui Dong-bun - *Women* (1985), as Derek Sun - *The Battle Among the Clans* (1985), series, Actor - *Hong Kong 1941* (1984), as Yip Kim-Fay - *Police Cadet* (1984), series, as 張竟成 Cheung Ging Sing - *The Occupant* (1984), as Insp Valentino Chow - *Love in a Fallen City* (1984), as Fan Liu-Yuan - *The Smiling Proud Wanderer* (1984), series, Actor - *笑傲江湖 (數碼修復版)* (1984), series, as 令狐冲 - *Last Affair* (1983), as Kwong Ping - *Angels And Devils* (1983), series, Actor - *The Super Power* (1983), series, Actor - *Bloody Money* (1983), as Bullet - *Katanyu Prakasit* (1983), Actor - *The Bund Part II* (1983), as 许文强 - *The Bund* (1983), as Hui Man Keung - *播音人 (數碼修復版)* (1983), series, as 韦业昌 - *The Radio Tycoon* (1983), series, Actor - *The Legend of Master So* (1982), series, as 苏灿 - *蘇乞兒 (數碼修復版)* (1982), series, as 苏灿 - *The Postman Strikes Back* (1982), as Fu Jun - *The Head Hunter* (1982), as Yuen Lik / Nguen Dich - *The Maverick* (1982), series, Actor - *Good Old Times* (1981), series, as 欧阳汉 - *Hero's Blood Road* (1981), series, Actor - *The Fate* (1981), series, as 倪骏 - *The Story of Woo Viet* (1981), as Woo Viet - *The Shell Game (II)* (1981), series, as 阿龙 - *The Executor* (1981), as Ng Tao - *Soul Ash* (1981), Actor - *Modern Heroes* (1980), as Sgt Chu Hwa Tai - *The Shell Game* (1980), series, Actor - *Pursuit* (1980), as Killer - *Joy to the World* (1980), as Yam Chung-Lung - *The Brothers* (1980), series, as 石晖 - *The Bund* (1980), series, as 许文强 - *God Father* (1980), as Git - *The Good The Bad The Ugly* (1979), series, Actor - *Man From Hong Kong* (1979), series, as Ben - *I Am Woman* (1979), series, Actor - *The Cheap Detective* (1979), series, Actor - *The Landlord* (1979), series, Actor - *Conflict* (1978), series, as 徐承熙 - *Disco Fever* (1978), series, Actor - *Hong Kong Story II* (1978), series, as 主持 - *The Giants* (1978), series, Actor - *Miss "O"* (1978), as Koon - *Their Private Lives* (1978), as Ko Ming Chung - *Vanity Fair* (1978), series, Actor - *Hot Blood* (1977), as Ah Cheng - *Hero* (1977), series, Actor - *A House is Not a Home* (1977), series, as 何严明 - *13* (1977), series, Actor - *Bed for Day, Bed for Night* (1977), Actor - *C.I.D.(Series 2)* (1976), series, Actor - *畸人列傳* (1976), series, Actor - *The Hunter, the Butterfly and the Crocodile* (1976), Actor - *Seven Women: Liu Wing-Sheung* (1976), Actor - *七女性* (1976), series, Actor - *Hotel* (1976), series, Actor - *Massage Girls* (1976), as Ah Gin - *Teenager* (1976), series, Actor - *The First Love* (1976), series, Actor - *Mystery Beyond* (1976), series, Actor - *Learned Bride Thrice Fools the Bridegroom* (1976), Actor - *This Generation* (1976), series, Actor - *The Reincarnation* (1976), Actor - *The Killer* (1976), series, Actor - *Dream Of The Red Chamber* (1975), series, as 蒋玉涵 - *The God of Aqua* (1974), series, Actor - *Murder of Passion* (1974), series, Actor - *Chinese Folklore* (1974), series, Actor - *歷年TVB台慶經典回顧* (1968), series, Actor - *Cold War III*, as Oswald S.C. Kan - *Cold War 1995*, as Oswald S.C. Kan - *The Golden Sting*, Actor - *七龙珠*, as 武天 ## Gallery - ![Chow Yun-Fat on the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong. (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-854ed0687bb7.jpg) Chow Yun-Fat on the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong. (2008) — dennis and aimee jonez, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Avenue_of_Stars_-_Chow_Yun_Fat.jpg/1280px-Avenue_of_Stars_-_Chow_Yun_Fat.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Just like the Grauman Chinese Theatre in Hollywood immortalizes handprints of movie stars on the pavement, the Avenue of the Stars does the same. The stars are (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-6baefc15984c.jpg) Just like the Grauman Chinese Theatre in Hollywood immortalizes handprints of movie stars on the pavement, the Avenue of the Stars does the same. The stars are (2008) — InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Avenue_of_the_Stars_%E6%98%9F%E5%85%89%E5%A4%A7%E9%81%93_%285284211634%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Chow Yun-Fat](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-7bdaba3fd584.jpg) Chow Yun-Fat — alotofmillion, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Chow_Yun_Fat_2.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Chow Yun Fat signing his name to a banner in support of preserving the Queens Pier at Edinburgh Place in Hong Kong that was later destroyed in August 2007.](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-746826c61c17.jpg) Chow Yun Fat signing his name to a banner in support of preserving the Queens Pier at Edinburgh Place in Hong Kong that was later destroyed in August 2007. — Sliceof, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Chow_Yun_Fat_for_wiki.jpg/1280px-Chow_Yun_Fat_for_wiki.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Chow Yun-Fat](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-214a2e96f698.jpg) Chow Yun-Fat — Image via TMDB - ![Chow Yun-Fat](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-7505fdc505b9.jpg) Chow Yun-Fat — Image via TMDB - ![Chow Yun-Fat](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-d8fabf87a634.jpg) Chow Yun-Fat — Image via TMDB - ![Chow Yun-fat, Aaron Kwok, and Daniel Wu attending the Hong Kong premiere at Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon in April 2026](https://film.one/media/person/82176/gallery-659acc701a08.png) Chow Yun-fat, Aaron Kwok, and Daniel Wu attending the Hong Kong premiere at Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon in April 2026 — Post 78, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/ColdWar1994HKPremiereChowKwokWu.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) ## Awards ### Other awards — 4 won - Tatler Most Influential Hong Kong 2023: Tatler Most Influential Hong Kong (won) - Silver Bauhinia Star 2003: Silver Bauhinia Star (won) - Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor 1987: Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor (won), for *An Autumn's Tale* - Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor 1985: Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor (won), for *Hong Kong 1941* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/chow-yun-fat