Danny Lau Dan

Biography

Danny Lau Dan, known as "丹爺", is a Hong Kong actor, voice artist and television host. Born on 13 January 1944 in Weihai, Shandong, his original name is Lau Ching-kei. His family fled to Hong Kong when he was four years old, and he grew up in various areas including Rennie's Mill, Cha Kwo Ling and Sham Shui Po. His father worked as a watchman and later as a traffic policeman. He attended Sze Shan Public School and Tang King Po School. He began his acting career after joining the second training course at Cathay Film Company in 1968, where his stage name "Lau Dan" was given by the class supervisor, inspired by a poetic line. He acted in Shaw Brothers films such as "The Deadly Breaking Sword" (1971), "The Bold Eunuch" and "The Devil's Mirror", and appeared twice as "Lei Heng" in films adapted from "Water Margin". He transitioned to television in 1975, appearing in works like "Liao Zhai" and "Ten Major Criminal Cases". He became widely known for playing Fung King-yiu in "The Bund" in 1980, and holds the record for portraying the classic Jin Yong wuxia character "Hong Qigong". His notable works include "A Kindred Spirit" and "Come Home Love", and he is regarded as one of the pillars of Hong Kong sitcoms. He received the "TVB Anniversary Award for Lifetime Achievement" in 2019. He also served as a Sai Kung District Councillor from 2000 to 2007.