In 1961, Andy Lau Tak-Wah 劉德華 was born to a poor family in rural town Taipo in New Territories, HongKong. For two years, 10-year-old Andy awakes at 3am, making eight trips everyday to fetch water for his family.
One of Andy's pet hobbies is collecting 'antique' jeans from the '50s and '60s. He has more than 30 pairs, some of them which were bought used. Andy, who like to feel comfortable in his clothes, liked them as back then the emphasis was more on comfort than aesthetics. Andy also collects antique watches which has intricate designs, character and history. The most expensive watch that Andy bought was HK$8,000 in China 10 years ago. It's now worth more than HK$200,000. Andy don't wear that watch as it's too expensive to lose, because Andy had lost more than 20 watches over the years as he'll take his watch off when the cameras roll and then forget about it. There was a time Andy kept vintage cars too. He once had nine, but sold off six since he've no time to maintain them. Andy listens to everything from country music to the most progressive synthesised sounds and jazz. His most treasured possession is his collection of 10 Elvis CDs as he envy Elvis talent, image and era he lived in.... Furthermore, Andy is a big fan of Japan's character "Ultraman". He has a collections of Ultraman's items.
Andy dated Taiwanese actress 俞可欣 (Yu Ke Shing) for a few years, the only relationship that Andy openly admitted. However, they broke up in 1986 because of work commitments.She says:" I initiated the break-up, but I know that's what he wants too. He was just waiting for me to say goodbye." He says:" It was the frist time that I cried over a relationship." Andy said that he would not openly admit his relationship anymore due to the mass pressure from the media. In 1992, Andy denies rumours that he secretly married Malaysian Zhu Li Qian in Vancouver. Other female stars like Cherie Chung, Rosamund Kwan, Michelle Reis and Anita Mui were rumoured with Andy. Worst of all, there's even rumours that Andy is a gay!
" I'd want to be a very successful sportsman. It doesn't matter which sports it is, I haven't got a perference. The trouble with me is I play many games but I don't excel in any one. Being a sportsman will allow me to spend even more time making sure I'm in tip-top physical conditions. Staying healthy - that's my piority these days." That's what Andy said what he would be if he could live life again.
Andy started his acting career in 1981 when he signs up for TVB's Artiste Training Course. However, he was only given minor TV roles to act for two years. In 1982, Andy co-stars in his first movie, Ann Hui's "Boat People 投奔怒海 " - thanks to recommendation of Chow Yuen Fatt and George Lam (who stars in the movie). This movie in terms nominated Andy for best actor in HongKong's Golden Status Award.In 1983, Andy finally makes his mark with "Eagle Hunter 獵鷹 ". Huge TV serial hits like "Return Of The Condor Heroes 神雕俠侶" and "The Duke Deer 鹿鼎記" follows, marking his arrival as major TV idol. With his increase in popularity, TVB promotes and contemporaries Leung Chiu Wai, Miu Kiu Wai, Wong Yat Wah and Tong Chan Yip collectively as the Five Tigers, successfully turning them into heart-throbs of the day. In 1987, sensing Andy's potential, TVB wants him to sign a five-year contract. He refuses, and TVB retaliate by putting him in "cold storage", deliberately denying him any exposure on TV for 13 months. Andy hits depression valley. He gains 17kg, tipping the scales at 80kg. But he decides to fight back by plugging headlog into movies. Andy left TVB in 1988.
Chow Yuen Fatt help Andy by getting roles for him in the movies. Therefore, Andy got to starred 2 movies with Chow Yuen Fatt namely "Rich and Famous 江湖情" and "Tragic Hero 英雄好漢 ".This in turns launched Andy's movie career. He was nicknamed "14 Smiles" when he made 14 movies in 1988. In the same year, he was nominated for best actor in HongKong's Golden Status Award for his role in Wong Ka-Wai's "As Tears Go By 旺角卡門". In 1989, Andy won the best actor award in Taiwan's Golden Dragon Awards.
Between 1986 - 1991, Andy has a prolific film output. Of the more than 83 movies he made in his 13-year movie career, 58 are filmed during this period. It's not unusual to see two Andy Lau films screening concurrently at the cinemas. He becomes a box-office draw second only to Chow Yuen Fatt. His movie in 1995, "Full Throttle 烈火戰車 " made over HK$30 million in the box office and became Andy's #1 box office hit. This year (1998), "A True Mob Story 龍在江湖 " fare even better and break the HK's box office record on it's premiere collecting HK$200 million.
In 1991, Andy forms TeamWork Production House to produce his own films. It's maiden picture is "Saviour Of The Soul 九一神雕俠侶 " . Like several others that followed, it is artistically sound but flops at the box-office. The production house was finally sells off in 1994. Recently(1998), Andy invested in Fruit Chan's low budget film "Made in HongKong 香港制造 ". The HK$500,000 movie, about youth problems in an adult world won numerous international awards including Best Film in 34th Golden Horse (Taiwan) and 17th HK Film Awards. Andy as executive producer was overjoy. However, Andy did not won any acting awards. That's his first priority now.
Andy also signs American company ICM as agent to be on the lookout for possible Hollywood roles. Asking price per movie is reportedly US$1 million.
In 1985, Andy wants to stretch himself professionally and is determined to strike out as a singer as well. So he begins his singing career with Capital Records. However, public acceptance is slow in coming. Response to his debut Cantonese album, "I Only Know I Love You 只知道此刻愛你 " is lukewarm. Therefore resulting him failing to win any "Best Newcomer" in music awards ceremonies. In 1987, his song "Forbidden Area Of Love 感情的禁區 " became pretty popular and won one platinum. Blatedly, his music starts to make an impact in 1990. His fifth Cantonese album, "Would It Be Possible 可不可以" is the first to be honoured in HongKong's Jade Solid Awards. With popular tracks like "Would It Be Possible 可不可以 " and "Affinity Ends 緣盡 ", this album sold two platinums. His next album, "Goodbye Now再會了 " sold over three platinums.Then, his songs became very popular in Hong Kong. With his increase in popularity, Andy won the "Most Popular Male Singer" Award in TVB's Jade Solid Gold Awards. The Mandarin version of "Affinity Ends 緣盡 " -- "If You Are My Legend 如果你是我的傳說 " was very popular in Taiwan. The album sold over four platinums and therefore launched his singing career in Taiwan.
Andy's singing career takes off as fans in HongKong, Taiwan and South-east Asia snap up his albums. Since 1990, Andy had won the "Most Popular Male Singer" award in HongKong four times and also Taiwan's "Top Ten Idols" - ranked #1 for six consecutive years(1992-1997). Other than these awards, Andy had also won lots of awards in Asia. Andy is at long last recognised as a singer in his own right. In 1991, HongKong media crown him Heavenly King, together with Jacky Cheung, Aaron Kwok and Leon Lai.
His Mandarin albums are selling very well in Taiwan and Asia. For the last five years, his Mandarin albums were always in the top three of "Taiwan's Top 10 Albums". His Mandarin album in 1995, "Truely Forever 真永遠 " has sold over 800,000 copies in Taiwan.
In 1992, Andy stages his first concert - a series of 20 shows - at the HongKong Coliseum. Now a seasoned stage performer, Andy holds another 20 sell-out concerts at the HongKong Coliseum in 1994 and 1996.
Andy always bring surprises to fans in his singing career. Against all odds, Andy tries to sing in different language to open his market in Asia. He sang in Japanese -- "Embrace Once Again 再一次擁抱 " , Hokkien -- "World's First Class 世界第一等 " and recently Malay -- "Adakalanya Menghiris". Andy also attempt to sing different types of songs and music by working with different song-writers and composers. In addition, Andy also compose songs,his first compose-lyrics is ".如果你是我的傳說" .Andy also tries to compose-music, ' 天天想你 ' being his maiden work. With his determination, Andy compose up to 60 songs. His efforts are shown in recent years with more of his self-composed songs included in his album eg. the lastest album " Be My Lady 你是我的女人" contains eight of his composition. Morever, Andy also compose songs for other singers, example Eric Moo's '心酸的情歌' and Leo Ku's '親親我好嗎' etc.
Andy collaborate with saxophonist, Kenny G recently(1998) for the song " Be My Lady 你是我的女人" to make his music more international. Andy wrote the lyrics for the Cantonese version.
Since 1992, Andy's albums is produced by his own production house - New Melody Production. Whereas the distribution is handled by the record companies. Andy also set up his own recording studio too - Q-Sound Studio.
In 1993, Andy becomes the first Asian superstar to endorse Pepsi-Cola, joining the league of Western singing icons such as Michael Jackson and Tina Turner. Other than this, Andy also had other commercials like Solvil et Titus watches and Ericsson Celluar-Phones.
Andy Lau Tak-Wah 劉德華, the popular actor and singer in HongKong and around Asia. For sheer resilience and staying power, few can match him. For down-and -out TV actor to movie leading man and then singing star, the man's relentless drive is legend.
