[Obituary] The Two Films That Were Inspired by Stanley Ho’s Life
On May 26, 2020, Stanley Ho’s (何鴻燊) family confirmed to the media that he had passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. He was 98.
The Macau-based casino tycoon, also known as one of Hong Kong’s first billionaires, lived a legendary life. He was credited for spurring the gambling empire in Macau, transforming it into the casino haven it is known today. Stanley was infamous for having a large family, akin to an emperor’s royal harem. He is survived by his three wives and fourteen children.
Stanley’s life inspired two blockbuster films: 1992’s Casino Tycoon <賭城大亨之新哥傳奇> and Casino Tycoon 2 <賭城大亨II之至尊無敵>, starring Andy Lau (劉德華), Joey Wong (王祖賢), Chingmy Yau (邱淑貞), Alex Man (萬梓良), and Lau Siu-ming (劉兆銘).
Directed by Wong Jing (王晶), the Casino Tycoon films can be regarded as a loose biography of Stanley’s life. The films’ main character Benny Ho San, portrayed by Andy Lau, is based on Stanley Ho. Kwok Ying-nam, portrayed by Alex Man, is based on Henry Fok (霍英東), and Nip Ngo-tin, based on Yip Hon (葉漢), is portrayed by Lau Siu-ming. Mui, portrayed by Chingmy Yau in the film, is based on Clementina Leitão (黎婉華), Stanley’s first wife who passed away in 2004. (Coincidentally, the TVB drama The Greed of Man <大時代>, released that same year, also featured a charactered called Ho San, which was confirmed to be based on Stanley Ho as well. The two franchises, however, are not related.)
Benny, born into a wealthy Hong Kong family, loses his father to suicide after going bankrupt. With only his mother at his side, Benny grows up learning that he must rely on himself to change his fate. When Hong Kong is surrendered to the hands of Imperial Japan in 1941, Benny and his friend Kwok Ying-nam escape to Macau. Benny returns to Hong Kong years later to invest in real estate. He and Kw
ok befriend the businessman Nip Ngo-tin, and together the trio start an entertainment establishment in Macau. Benny becomes the new company’s chairman, and works toward building a casino empire in the city.
While the film is not an accurate portrayal of Stanley Ho’s life, there are a few similarities: like Benny, Stanley left Macau for a period of time to invest in real estate in Hong Kong. He invested in an architectural firm, and after achieving financial success, he returned to Macau to continue building his casino empire. Like Benny, he allied with Yip Hon and Henry Fok to collaborate in a gambling contract with the Macau government.
Benny’s involvement in the triads to kickstart his financial kingdom had some historical basis, but the film greatly dramatized the events. In an interview, Stanley’s ninth daughter Sabrina Ho (何超盈) revealed that she had asked her father if he was ever threatened with a gun to the head like in the film; Stanley responded with just a smile.
In the sequel Casino Tycoon 2, which is set 18 years later, Benny and Nip Ngo-tin are at odds. Benny is also on the search to find his son’s killer, as he believes that the car crash which killed his son was no accident. This is a direct reference to Stanley’s eldest son Robert Ho (何猷光), who passed away from a car crash in 1981. Robert’s wife Suki Portier also died in the crash. It was said that Robert’s death was one of the triggers that led to his sister Jane Ho (何超英) to suffer from mental illness. Jane passed away in 2014.
Stanley reportedly found the Casino Tycoon films entertaining, and allegedly told Wong Jing that he approved of Andy Lau’s casting, saying that “he was handsome enough” for the role. It was said that Stanley had always enjoyed watching casino-themed films and Stephen Chow (周星馳) comedy films to pass time.
Andy Lau was reached out by media to comment on his death. He said, “Dr. Ho made great contributions to society in his life. May he walk well and rest in peace.”
Source: HK01.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Whew. Stanley Ho lived a long and really interesting life. He definitely changed the landscape of Macau. I hope he passed with no regrets.
That being said, the large family with multiple “factions” is straight out of a TVB plot… I feel like I should grab some popcorn for the invitable upcoming drama over the family fortune.
Stanley was definitely a one of a kind character. He lived a very colorful life. RIP!
he’s a legend and got it all, women, fame wealth, power, and families.
@m0m0
Yup he had it all… I think he lived a long and fulfilling life with no regrets.
I’m guessing it’s time to fight over money?
@cutie777
He might have left a will who knows? But if not, then yes maybe they will all be fighting over his money.
@hetieshou Of coz he would have left a will, but I don’t think that is going to stop them from fighting though.
@prettysup1
If he has already left a will then it would be sad if they still fight over everything.
@hetieshou the other article seems to imply that the inheritance has already Been divided? But then the children were trying to get married left and right and popping out children for a bigger share, so maybe there are more lol!
@littlefish
Oh yes and this sounds like a series where the father dies and everyone is fighting left and right for whatever wealth that they can get. I find that extremely sad… If everything has been divided then hope they can just take what is left and do business, invest or whatever and not fight to get more.
@hetieshou we would hope so but based on their behaviour last year, it seems there are more. He has each house (wives) managed/has a share in a branch, so that at least they have something and not in constant fighting. But there are more, because otherwise, why would they all popped out children last year lol. What certain is this gonna be the juiciest drama we are getting this year lol. Based from what I’ve seen, it seems Stanley Ho favoured his 4th wife the most currently, plus his only great grandson is from that house, so that house will possibly get the most
@littlefish
Oh brother they will be fighting for more then as there is never and end to greed. This is what happens when you have multiple wives and so many kids. They fight for as much as they can get sadly.
@cutie777
there’s probably a trust fund. my thinking is that once you pop out a kid, you get a lump sum and monthly stipend. i would do that if i were him.
@m0m0 i see! Lol, as many trust funds as they can get!