Chow Yun Fat is a charismatic, athletically built, and energetic Asian-born film star who initially gained recognition among Western audiences through his roles in high-octane, blazing guns action films directed by the maverick Hong Kong director John Woo.
Born in 1955 on the quiet island of Lamma, which is part of the then-British colony of Hong Kong, near its famous Victoria Harbour, Chow's family moved to urban Hong Kong in 1965. His mother worked as a vegetable farmer and cleaning lady, while his father was employed by the Shell Oil Company tanker.
