Charles Heung Wah-Keung is a renowned presenter and producer in Hong Kong, with a complex and controversial background due to his family's triad affiliation. He began his career as an actor in Taiwan during the 1970s, making Kung Fu action films.
Heung's personal life was marked by a tumultuous marriage to Betty Ting Pei, who was famous for discovering Bruce Lee's body in her apartment. After the marriage ended, Heung married Tiffany Chen, a Taiwan native, with whom he had a long and successful partnership in the film industry.
Despite his family's triad ties, Heung attempted to distance himself from their reputation by creating a safe haven for his company, Win's Entertainment Ltd., which he founded with his brother Jimmy in 1984. The company became one of the most successful film studios in Hong Kong, with a roster of major stars including Jet Li, Andy Lau, and Johnnie To.
Heung's acting career was also notable, with his most famous role being that of Lung Wu, the bodyguard of the God of Gamblers in the film series. He also appeared in other notable films such as Arrest the Restless, Prince of Temple Street, and Casino Raiders.
However, Heung's partnership with his brother Jimmy ended in 1992 due to disagreements over business practices. Charles felt that Jimmy's methods were too similar to those of a Triad member, and the two brothers went their separate ways.
In 1992, Heung founded the China Star Entertainment Group, which he chaired and CEO. He employed his wife Tiffany Chen as vice-chairman and administrative producer, despite her lack of industry knowledge. Today, she is one of the most respected film producers in Hong Kong.
Heung acknowledges his family's "Mafia background," but claims to have little knowledge of the Triad and has worked hard to overcome the stigma. He also admits that some people may fear him, but asserts that his business philosophy is built on getting top talent to work with him because they like him.
Apart from producing films, Heung is a bar-owner and has plans to open a casino run by China Star. He continues to produce and distribute films, focusing on big-budget productions that appeal to a mass audience. Following the split with his brother, Heung closed down Win's Entertainment Ltd. in 2000 and has since continued to produce and present films under China Star Entertainment, which is now one of the most powerful and successful film companies in Hong Kong.
