Sharla Cheung Man, a talented actress of Shanghainese origin, was discovered by renowned director Jing Wong, who cast her in numerous productions throughout the early 1990s. Her breakthrough role in the 1989 film God of Gamblers catapulted her to stardom, followed by her iconic performance in the Stephen Chow smash hit All for the Winner in 1990. This film not only propelled her to widespread recognition but also launched Stephen Chow's career, solidifying their partnership as a dynamic duo in numerous subsequent comedies.
The pair worked together on a string of box office hits, including God of Gamblers II, Fight Back to School, Royal Tramp, and King of Beggars, with Cheung often playing the role of Chow's love interest. This collaborative period spanned approximately 10 films, concluding with Hail the Judge in 1994.
Andy Lau was another frequent co-star, appearing alongside Cheung in films such as God of Gamblers, God of Gamblers II, Dances with Dragon, Lee Rock, and Handsome Siblings. Cheung is also notable for her extensive work in fantasy/martial arts films, including adaptations of Louis Cha's novels like Swordsman, Royal Tramp, Kung Fu Cult Master, The Sword Stained with Royal Blood, The Sword of Many Lovers, and The Maidens of Heavenly Mountains.
Notable roles outside of her fantasy/martial arts repertoire include Holy Weapon, Flying Dagger, Legend of the Liquid Sword, and the parody Last Hero in China. After a prolific career in the early 1990s, during which she starred in approximately 50 films between 1990 and 1995, Cheung transitioned into producing with Yat chin ling yat yeh ji mung jung yan in 1995.
However, she was dissatisfied with the film's reception and remade it as Romantic Dream, both of which ultimately failed to impress audiences. Cheung subsequently retired from the film industry to focus on various business ventures. In the early 2000s, she made a comeback in acting with Leung go duk lap bau jong dik nui yan, a modern urban drama about women facing difficult romantic choices.
Cheung also ventured into television, portraying Diao Chan, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China, in Diao Chan opposite Ray Lui. She went on to star in TV shows such as Feng man lou alongside Nicky Wu and Fan fu da yuan alongside Honglei Sun.
