--- name: "Sean Lau" canonical: "https://film.one/person/lau-ching-wan" fi1m_id: "lau-ching-wan" imdb_id: "nm0490513" tmdb_id: 940339 wikidata_id: "Q707329" roles: ["Actor"] born: "16 February 1964" reviewed_on_fi1m: 1 average_as: "actor" average_over: 1 updated: "2026-10-05T15:38:03.928447+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." --- # Sean Lau ## Identity Sean Lau - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lau-ching-wan - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** lau-ching-wan - **IMDb ID:** nm0490513 - **TMDB ID:** 940339 - **Wikidata ID:** Q707329 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Lau, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707329, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0490513/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/940339 Actor. Born 16 February 1964 in Hong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China]. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 16 February 1964, Hong Kong, British Crown Colony [now China] - **Also known as:** Lau Ching-Wan, شان لائو چینگ-وان, Lau Ching-wan, 刘青云, 劉青雲 - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Lau, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707329, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0490513/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/940339 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Shock Wave 2*](https://film.one/film/shock-wave-2.md) (65) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Sean Lau > Sean Lau makes troubled men credible without spelling out every feeling. We value his restraint and his steadiness in a thriller, though neither can make an overcomplicated script worth following. Sean Lau can suggest a troubled mind with little change of expression. That suits the unconventional policemen and investigators he so often plays, giving us something to watch without making every thought obvious. We value an actor who lets us pay attention. The reservation is that keeping things low-key can also make a character seem insufficiently troubled by what is happening to him. His leading-man breakthrough came with *C’est la vie, mon chéri* (1993), before he became a regular in Johnnie To’s Milkyway Image films from the mid-1990s. The crime films gave him repeated opportunities to make an investigator interesting beyond the demands of the case. In To’s *Running Out of Time* (1999), opposite Andy Lau, he is effective both in high-stakes action and in the quieter dramatic scenes. In Herman Yau’s *Shock Wave 2* (2020), the limits of what a dependable actor can do are easier to see. Lau plays Tung Cheuk Man, while Andy Lau’s Poon Shing Fung supplies the film’s main human focus. The latter’s physical commitment helps to hold together action that takes his character’s disability seriously. Sean’s presence is welcome, but the screenplay burdens the cast with explanations the story hardly needs, and the film is only a qualified recommendation. We grew impatient with *Shock Wave 2* because its tangled explanations were less interesting than the bomb disposal. Somebody has a dangerous job to finish, and the physical problems already give an actor plenty to do. Erica Li, Eric Lee and Yau’s screenplay adds complications without examining its moral questions with the same care. It is a useful caution when choosing a Lau film: a cast with this much presence still needs characters worth all that explanation. *Mad Detective* (2007), made with To and Wai Ka-fai, offers an eccentric investigator and a test of Lau’s ability to suggest psychological complexity without overplaying it. That restraint can cost the character urgency. Start with *Running Out of Time* if action and quieter character scenes are the combination you want. ## Biography Sean Lau Ching-Wan, also credited as Lau Ching-Wan or Sean Lau, is a Hong Kong actor. He joined TVB acting classes in 1983 and made his television debut the following year in the drama *Draw Out the Rainbow*. He gained prominence with his role in the 1992 series *The Greed of Man*. Lau has appeared in numerous films, including *Police Story 2* (1988), *Black Mask* (1996), *Running Out of Time* (1999), *Mad Detective* (2007), *Overheard* (2009), *The White Storm* (2013), *Shock Wave 2* (2020) and *Warriors of Future* (2022). He has won several Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor, including for *My Name Is Fame* (2006), *Overheard 3* (2014), *Detective vs Sleuths* (2022) and *Papa* (2024). His wife is former actress and Miss Hong Kong Amy Kwok. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (1) - *Shock Wave 2* (2020), Fi1m 65, as Tung Cheuk Man — [page](https://film.one/film/shock-wave-2.md) ## Complete filmography (156) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Sons of the Neon Night* (2025), as Wong Chi-tat - *Papa* (2024), as Yuen Wing Nin - *Crisis Negotiators* (2024), as Cheuk Man Wai - *The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell* (2023), as Suchat - *Warriors of Future* (2022), as Johnson Cheng - *Detective vs. Sleuths* (2022), as Lee Chun - *Shock Wave 2* (2020), as Tung Cheuk Man — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/shock-wave-2.md) - *My Dear Elephant* (2019), as 齐伟 - *Integrity* (2019), as Chan King Chi - *Dealer/Healer* (2017), as Chen Hua - *Heartfall Arises* (2016), as Calvin Che - *Call of Heroes* (2016), as Yang Kenan - *The Vanished Murderer* (2015), as Song Donglu - *A Tale of Three Cities* (2015), as Fang Daolong - *Insanity* (2015), as Fan Kwok Sang - *Overheard 3* (2014), as Luk Kam Keung - *I Can't Live Without A Dream* (2013), as Poon Ka Fai (Voice) - *The White Storm* (2013), as Ma Ho-Tin - *Out of Inferno* (2013), as Dai Kwan - *The Kick* (2012), Actor - *The Bullet Vanishes* (2012), as Inspector Song Donglu - *Fairy Tale Killer* (2012), as Inspector Wong Wai-han - *The Great Magician* (2011), as Lei Bully - *Life Without Principle* (2011), as Three-Legged Panther - *Overheard 2* (2011), as Manson Law - *Vivian Chow Deep V 25th Anniversary Concert 2011* (2011), as 嘉宾 - *Poker King* (2009), as Uno Cheuk - *Overheard* (2009), as Johnny Leung - *Written By* (2009), as Tony Tong - *Mad Detective* (2007), as Inspector Chan Kwai Bun - *The Secret of the Magic Gourd* (2007), as Magic Gourd (voice) - *My Name Is Fame* (2006), as Fai - *The Shopaholics* (2006), as Dr. Choosey Lee - *Himalaya Singh* (2005), as Panic - *Itchy Heart* (2004), as Poon Chi-Man - *The Attractive One* (2004), as Hugo - *Three of a Kind* (2004), as Frankie - *Driving Miss Wealthy* (2004), as Jack Chen / Mario - *Fantasia* (2004), as Director Man - *Lost in Time* (2003), as Hale - *1:99 Shorts* (2003), as (segment "Rhapsody") - *Good Times, Bed Times* (2003), as Magistrate Raymond - *Colour of the Truth* (2003), as 7 Up - *Mighty Baby* (2002), as Johnny Hung - *My Left Eye Sees Ghosts* (2002), as Ken Wong / Sam Wong - *Fat Choi Spirit* (2002), as Mahjong Master - *Running Out of Time 2* (2001), as Insp. Ho Sheung-Sang - *La Brassiere* (2001), as Johnny - *Lunch with Charles* (2001), as Tong, Songs - *Divine Retribution* (2000), series, as Fong San-hap - *Victim* (1999), as Manson Ma - *Running Out of Time* (1999), as Insp. Ho Sheung-Sang - *Where a Good Man Goes* (1999), as Michael Cheung - *The H.K. Triad* (1999), as Ho - *A Hero Never Dies* (1998), as Martin - *Expect the Unexpected* (1998), as Sam - *Step Into the Dark* (1998), as Dr. Care Kwan - *The Longest Nite* (1998), as Tony - *My Dad Is a Jerk* (1997), as Li Lap Cheong - *Full Alert* (1997), as Inspector Pao - *Yesterday You, Yesterday Me* (1997), as Yeung Shing Bo at 32 (Narrator) - *Too Many Ways to Be No. 1* (1997), as A Gau - *Final Justice* (1997), as Father Li Chi Ho - *Lifeline* (1997), as Chief Yau Sui - *Viva Erotica* (1996), as Derek Yee - *Black Mask* (1996), as Inspector 'Rock' Shek Wai-Ho - *Beyond Hypothermia* (1996), as Long Shek - *Muto Bontie* (1996), as Lam Chak Chi / Kidnapper - *Big Bullet* (1996), as Sergeant Bill Chu - *Tri-Star* (1996), as Lau Ching Fat - *The Golden Girls* (1995), as Chun-Wai - *Only Fools Fall in Love* (1995), as Chiu Ford - *Romantic Dream* (1995), as Kong Chi Lung - *Loving You* (1995), as Inspector Lau Chun-Hoi - *Sea Root* (1995), as Root - *New Tenant* (1995), as Joe [cameo] - *Once in a Lifetime* (1995), as Gei On - *Happy Hour* (1995), as Chong Tsang - *Tricky Business* (1995), as Ko Hing - *Mother of a Different Kind* (1995), as Supt Cheung Hung - *Doctor Mack* (1995), as Chiu - *The World of Treasure* (1995), as Lion Dancer - *Oh! My Three Guys....* (1994), as Ching Yu Hoi - *Beginner's Luck* (1994), as Big Mac - *Tears and Triumph* (1994), as Xie Shi-Wen - *Bomb Disposal Officer: Baby Bomb* (1994), as Peter Chan - *Over the Rainbow, Under the Skirt* (1994), as Narrator - *The Tragic Fantasy: Tiger of Wanchai* (1994), as Dee - *Return to a Better Tomorrow* (1994), as Lobster Tsui - *I Wanna Be Your Man* (1994), as Liu Che-Mo - *Shanghai Fever* (1994), as 阿伦 - *The Most Wanted* (1994), as Black Cat / Ho Chi Yung - *The Third Full Moon* (1994), as Inspector Lau - *Hello! Who Is It?* (1994), as Officer Ma Fai - *Don't Shoot Me, I'm Just a Violinist* (1994), as Mozart - *I've Got You, Babe!!!* (1994), as Charcoal - *It's a Wonderful Life* (1994), as Hou Chung - *C'est La Vie Mon Cheri* (1993), as Kit - *Heroic Trio 2: Executioners* (1993), as Tak - *Thou Shalt Not Swear* (1993), as Inspector Lau - *Crazy Hong Kong* (1993), as John - *All Men Are Brothers - Blood of the Leopard* (1993), as Tso Wu - *Edge of Justice* (1993), as Officer Chung Siu Wan - *Pink Bomb* (1993), as Daniel - *Angel Hunter* (1992), as Jack Chow Man Kit - *The Greed of Man* (1992), series, as 方展博, 方新侠 - *The Shootout* (1992), as Inspector Liu - *Empress Da Yu Er* (1992), series, Actor - *Tulips in August* (1992), Actor - *The Happy Massage Girls* (1992), Actor - *The Roar of the Vietnamese* (1991), as Fan Wan Tin - *Heartbreak Blues* (1991), series, Actor - *The Challenge of Life* (1990), series, as 刘志光 - *A World Apart* (1990), series, Actor - *A Time of Taste* (1990), series, Actor - *It Runs in the Family* (1990), series, Actor - *Story of Nam* (1989), as Nam - *My Son-In-Law* (1989), series, Actor - *Live Hard* (1989), as Patriarch Fai - *My Dear Son* (1989), as Maddy - *鐵血大旗門 (數碼修復版)* (1989), series, as 云铮 - *The Sect of Blood & Iron* (1989), series, as 云铮 - *The Shanghai Conspiracy* (1989), series, Actor - *The Fatal Game* (1989), Actor - *The Shanghai Mafia* (1989), as 唐虎 - *Blue Hour* (1988), Actor - *Set Me Free!* (1988), Actor - *Twilight of a Nation* (1988), series, Actor - *And Yet We Live* (1988), series, as 陈国浩 - *Police Story 2* (1988), as CID in Restaurant - *Police Cadet 1988* (1987), series, as 倪峰 - *Genghis Khan* (1987), series, as 赤老温 - *The Dragon Sword* (1987), series, as 青龙 - *Born to Be a King* (1987), series, Actor - *The Grand Canal* (1987), series, Actor - *The Superlative Affections* (1986), series, Actor - *When Silken Hands Get Rough* (1986), series, Actor - *Destined to Rebel* (1986), series, as 薛刚 - *Silent Love* (1986), as Kelly Mak - *The Flying Fox Of Snowy Mountain* (1985), series, Actor - *皇上保重 (數碼修復版)* (1985), series, as 赵南星 - *Take Care Your Highness* (1985), series, Actor - *The Battle Among the Clans* (1985), series, Actor - *The Fallen Family* (1985), series, as 陈二牛 - *The Movie Maze* (1985), series, as 翟明 - *Police Cadet* (1984), series, as 倪峰 (Fit佬), 倪峰 (Fit佬) Fit Lo - *Qiu Jin: A Woman To Remember* (1984), series, Actor - *The Duke of Mount Deer* (1984), series, as 御前侍衛 - *It's A Long Way To Home* (1984), series, Actor - *Rainbow Round My Shoulder* (1984), series, as 罗家勤 - *The Rise & Fall Of A Stand-In* (1984), series, Actor - *The Fearless Duo* (1984), series, as 跑龍套 (路人、店小二、看客) - *The Foundation* (1984), series, as 刺客 - *Sandwiches* (1983), series, Actor - *Nemesis In The Dark*, Actor - *The Night Manager*, series, as Kwok Lai-yu ## Gallery - ![Sean Lau](https://film.one/media/person/6056841/gallery-b26f311f2c42.jpg) Sean Lau — Runawaymo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Sean_Lau_at_the_2026_Shanghai_International_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Sean_Lau_at_the_2026_Shanghai_International_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Sean Lau](https://film.one/media/person/6056841/gallery-c56c42bda5fa.jpg) Sean Lau — Image via TMDB - ![Sean Lau](https://film.one/media/person/6056841/gallery-9ba388ec6a45.jpg) Sean Lau — Image via TMDB - ![Sean Lau](https://film.one/media/person/6056841/gallery-00ebca907596.jpg) Sean Lau — Image via TMDB - ![Sean Lau](https://film.one/media/person/6056841/gallery-7dccc65f0a96.jpg) Sean Lau — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 6 won - Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor 2023: Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor (won), for *Detective vs Sleuths* - Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor 2015: Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor (won), for *Overheard 3* - Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor 2012: Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actor (won), for *Life Without Principle* - Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actor 2007: Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actor (won), for *My Name Is Fame* - Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor 2007: Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor (won), for *My Name Is Fame* - Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actor 2000: Golden Bauhinia Award for Best Actor (won), for *Where a Good Man Goes* *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/lau-ching-wan