From Stitches to Riches, Chow Yun Fat Talks About His Childhood Days
While it may sound unfathomable to some when international superstar Chow Yun Fat (周潤發) said he would donate his $5.6 Billion HKD fortune to charity, the 63-year-old actor discusses his upbringing and the effects it had on his simple lifestyle.
Days as “Little Dog”
Prior to being known as Chow Yun Fat, he was nicknamed “Little Dog” by his family. Like many families living in Lamma Island, Hong Kong in the 1960s, Little Dog’s family was very poor and had no electricity in their home. His childhood consisted of going to the fields near mountain sides to release cows and feed them. In his spare time, he would assist his mother in pulling grass from the fields and do house chores.
Although he had a free-spirited childhood, Fat Gor reminisced the memories of when he was younger, explaining the simplicity of life back then. In his younger days, his meals mainly consisted of mixing pork lard and pickled radish with rice.
Due to his father’s deteriorating health, Chow Yun Fat dropped out of high school and applied for various jobs – ranging from working at restaurants to washing cars.
Becoming an Actor
In 1973, Fat Gor applied to TVB’s acting class, which would change his destiny. “If I didn’t become an actor, I would be a farmer today,” said Fat Gor.
At that time, Ng Man Tat (吳孟達), who was in the same class, told Fat Gor that his dark skin and thinness made him suitable to play a guard. Working hard, Fat Gor gained more opportunities and went from being a faceless actor, to landing the most iconic roles in Chinese television history.
Playing the lead role in TVB’s The Bund <上海灘>, Chow Yun Fat’s stardom grew overnight. He was a pillar in Hong Kong films in the 1980s and 1990s. Learning English slowly, Fat Gor landed roles in Anna and the King and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon <臥虎藏龍>, which increased his prominence in the United States and globally.
Continues Simple Lifestyle
Never forgetting his roots and where he came from despite four decades of stardom, Fat Gor is known for his simple lifestyle and friendly personality. He is often seen taking pictures with fans on the streets, restaurants, and even on his jogs. Since Fat Gor takes the subway everywhere he goes, many Hong Kong residents have probably been on the same train as the actor at one point in time.
Voicing his preference on taking the public transit, Fat Gor smiled, “I think a lot of people don’t understand why I’m like this. To be honest, I’m just like any normal person! For example, a police officer may work eight hours a day, but when he goes home, he’s no longer a cop! You are yourself.”
He added amusingly that at home, he does everything to make his wife of 32 years, Jasmine Tan (陳薈蓮), comfortable. “At home, I have to cook dishes, clean the floor, and make coffee for her.”
Fat Gor believes that “Life is hard to understand. It’s okay to live a foolish life! I’ve learned to let go a long time ago.”
Although his film output has slowed down in recent years, Fat Gor loves acting and has no plans to retire. He commits his free time to charity work, and has spoken about donating his massive fortune to charity. Stating that the money is not his, and he won’t be able to bring the money with him after he dies, Fat Gor hopes to honor his promise of giving back to the community instead.
Source: Ettoday
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
He is protecting the money he is going to donate very tightly. He wouldn’t even lend any to his good friend before 吳孟達 when he needed help.
@mike He didn’t lend money because Ng Man Tat was addicted to gambling.
@mike
do we know if ah-channg reach out to him when his business failed? i think they were in a few dramas together but could be wrong
@mike
You right he is not humble nor simple as the news mentioned.. when he was in Hollywood shooting he and his wife demanded for luxury accommodations at one time and demanded alot of request I heard.
@lucida to be fair how long can you help a friend or friends? And to be fair again why should Asian stars accept substandard filming treatment from the West? Btw, most negotiations are done by his Manager aka his wife as Jasmine mentioned in one of the interview that CYF is in charge of the Creative part whereas she looks after the Management part. She also said as his wife she will always looked after the welfare of her husband when negotiating deals which I think is fair & valid.
I will stay away from friends who treat me as their banker. I have learnt that if you lend monies to friends or families, be prepared to lose it.
His wife is shrewd.
As for enigmatic Mr Chow – I have also enjoyed his tongue in cheek humour and sarcasm. And down to earth – the subway, the coming out of car to clear branches in typhoon. And I like his philosophy re: PEACE of mind, being more imp than financial ‘baggage’ (friends like that are also baggage imo … ie who hang around you for agendas, rather than who you are as a person).
Many wealthy have tons of groupies and ‘friends’ – bec of who they are, what they own/$/clout – networking, strings that can be pulled etc by hanging around you. And generous gifts to share (well some folks like to BUY friends that way, or impress).
At the end of the day, imo that’s not genuinely WHO you are, it’s superficially what you have … and those are transient.
Ditto for those who are envious/oooohing and ahhhing of Cathy Tsui’s yacht, as a gift. So what really? Material Goods, a lifestyle displaying Hermes on FB and photo ops of charity moments, while scheming over whose kids will inherit more fr Grandpa – quite transparent to see. Hence the artificial surrogate for her brother in law.
More important is: how genuine real/kind/considerate/thoughtful and sincere is she as a person … that makes someone a person a friend.
@nomad822 “Ditto for those who are envious/oooohing and ahhhing of Cathy Tsui’s yacht, as a gift. More important is: how genuine real/kind/considerate/thoughtful and sincere is she as a person … that makes someone a person a friend.”
Thanks for sharing your insight, totally agree. Cathy Tsui does look like she has it all, with a loving husband and tons of money. But with such a rich husband, Cathy is also living a life full of facades, where she has to socialize with other socialites for their status rather than choose friends freely.