Leslie Cheung was the youngest of ten siblings, with his father being a tailor who catered to the esteemed actor William Holden. His parents' divorce at a young age significantly influenced his disinterest in marriage, a sentiment he would later express. After completing his secondary education, Leslie pursued higher studies at Leeds University in the United Kingdom.
Following his return to Hong Kong, he entered the 1976 ATV Asian Music Contest, where he secured a second-place finish. He then ventured into stage performances, television appearances, and teeny-bopper movies. Leslie's acting career gained momentum with his role as "Kit" in John Woo's critically acclaimed film, A Better Tomorrow (1986). He went on to collaborate with renowned directors such as Kaige Chen, Wong Kar-Wai, Hark Tsui, and John Woo, starring in some of Hong Kong's most iconic films of the past decade.
In 1992, Leslie relocated to Canada, but his stay was short-lived, as he returned to Hong Kong, signifying his intention to remain in the colony following the 1997 handover to China. He demonstrated his commitment by acquiring real estate and opening a coffee shop in the territory.
Tragically, Leslie Cheung took his own life by jumping from the iconic Mandarin Oriental hotel in the heart of Hong Kong's central business district on April 1st, 2003. A suicide note was discovered on his body.
