Wayne Lai

Wayne Lai
Wayne Lai in 2014
Born (1964-05-04) 4 May 1964 (age 60)
British Hong Kong
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian
Years active1986 – present
Spouses
Unknown
(m. 1992; div. 1993)
Julia Leung
(m. 1997)
Children1
AwardsBest Performance – Talent Credits – New York Television Festival
2010 Rosy Business – Chai Kau
TVB Anniversary AwardsBest Actor
2009 Rosy Business
2010 No Regrets
2012 The Confidant
Best Supporting Actor
2008 The Gentle Crackdown II
My Favourite Male Character
2009 Rosy Business
TVB.com's Popularity Award
2009

Chinese name
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinLí Yàoxiáng
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationLàih Yiuh-chèuhng
JyutpingLai4 Jiu6coeng4
Websiteartiste.tvb.com/index.php?m=guest&u=waynelaitvb

Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung (Chinese: 黎耀祥; born 4 May 1964) is a Hong Kong actor. He became one of Hong Kong's most successful television actors after starring in TVB hit drama series Rosy Business. Lai won three TVB Anniversary Awards for Best Actor, making him only one of three actors who have three wins in that category.[citation needed]

After graduating from TVB artistes' training program, he made his acting debut in 1986, playing supporting roles. He first rose to popularity for his role as Zhu Bajie in the 1996 fantasy drama Journey to the West. In 2008, he won Best Supporting Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards for his role in The Gentle Crackdown II. His performance as Chai Kau in the period drama Rosy Business received critical acclaim and earned him the TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor. Lai again won Best Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards for starring in No Regrets (2010) and The Confidant (2012).

Life and career

Lai was born in Hong Kong and the youngest in his family. His father was a firefighter.[1] When Lai's father retired, his family moved to Kowloon's Shun Lee Estate.[2]

Lai began working at television network TVB in 1983 as a clerk in the administration department. In 1985, he resigned from the position and enrolled in TVB's artistes training program. After completing the program, he joined TVB as an actor. He appeared in various Educational Television programs, in which he played supporting roles. He made his television series debut in the 1986 docu-drama Price of A Green Card (Chinese: 綠卡何價).[3][4] From 1986 to 1989, Lai played various roles and made appearances as an extra in over 50 drama series.[citation needed]

Lai portrayed Zhou Botong in four Jin Yong television adaptations, including Rage And Passion (1992), The Condor Heroes Return (1993), The Legend of the Condor Heroes 1994, and The Condor Heroes 95.

Lai gained popularity as Zhu Bajie in the commercial success Journey to the West. After starring in Anti-Crime Squad in 1999, he left TVB to pursue opportunities in the film industry. He appeared in the films Bio-Zombie (1998) and Happy Go Lucky (2003), and starred in a few ATV productions after joining the network for a year.

In 2002, unable to earn a steady source of income from film projects, Lai returned to TVB. He starred in the television series Greed Mask, in which Lai portrays a transgender man.

Lai won Best Supporting Actor at the 2008 TVB Anniversary Awards for his role in The Gentle Crackdown II. In 2008, Lai starred in Pages of Treasures, marking his first role as the male lead along with Paul Chun. His breakthrough year was 2009 when Lai portrayed Chai Kau in the critically acclaimed period drama Rosy Business, starring opposite Sheren Tang. His performance was met with overwhelming critical acclaim. Chai Kau became a Hong Kong pop culture icon and spawned the catchphrase "How many decades are in a lifetime?" (Chinese: 人生有幾多個十年?).[5][6] At the 2009 TVB Anniversary Awards, Lai won Best Actor, My Favourite Male Character, and the TVB.com Popularity Award.

In 2010, Lai once again won Best Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards for his role Lau Sing in the second installment of Rosy Business, No Regrets, becoming the second actor to win consecutive awards in this category after Gallen Lo who won in 1997 and 1998. Over the years, Lai continues to call the role of Lau Sing as his favourite among all the characters he has played and considers it his representative work. He has stated that No Regrets deeply affected him due to its patriotic theme and that the series is the best drama he has worked on. In 2011, Lai starred in the police procedural Forensic Heroes III as Pro Sir. In 2012, Lai starred as Li Lianying in the palace drama The Confidant. He won Best Actor for the third time at the 2012 TVB Anniversary Awards.

In 2015, Lai made a guest appearance in the drama Master of Destiny, and starred in the period fantasy drama Under the Veil. He portrays Kung Siu San in Lord of Shanghai, starring alongside Anthony Wong and Kent Tong. Lai then starred in the period comedy Short End of the Stick, a series about the lives of eunuchs after the fall of the Qing dynasty. Lai starred in the sitcom Come Home Love: Dinner at 8. In 2016, he starred in a dual role portraying twins in the third installment of the Rosy Business franchise, No Reserve. In 2020, Lai starred in the action drama Death by Zero, portraying the role of an assassin.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1988 The Final Verdict Paralegal Cameo
1994 Mary's Choice TV movie
The Final Option Traffic officer
1997 Killing Me Tenderly
Troublesome Night 2 Bobby
Intruder Chan Kai-ming
Haunted Karaoke Chicken Wings
Armageddon
Those Were the Days

– Legends of the Condor Heros (1998 film)

1998 A Long and Forgotten Ghost Story Sze Fu-kwai
Bio Zombie Cavity Kui (Kui Gor)
The Storm Riders Mud Buddha
F***/Off
A Killer's Expiry Date Cheung Sai-din
Nightmare Zone
1999 Gen-X Cops Inspector Tang
Fourteen Days Before Suicide Richard
The Victim
2000 Sound from the Dark
Queen of Kowloon
2001 Visible Secret
Strangers Meet on the Way Man in suit
The Young Ones
Vampire Controller Professor Mo
Cheung Ngoi Sim Chan Dik Yam Fu
2002 Frugal Game Lai Siu-cheung
Headlines
The Untold Story: Sudden Vanished Sam Ko Sam-yeung
The Untold Story: The Lost World Sam Ko Sam-yeung
Money Suckers
Modern Cinderella Wu Ah-kau
Dizzy Date Sam
2003 Man in Blues Jackie Lai
Looking for Mister Perfect Grace's Superior Officer
Happy Go Lucky Chu Kwok-cheung (Kid Cheung)
The Assailant
2004 Escape from Hong Kong Island police officer
2005 The House Kam Kwok-keung
2006 Dog Bite Dog Cheung
Confession of Pain Chan Wai-keung
Heavenly Mission Crazy
McDull, the Alumni God of Cooking
My Name is Fame Wai
Love Undercover 3 Gangster Bro
A Chinese Tall Story Lizard King
2007 Hooked on You Porky (voice)
Eye in the Sky thief
The Detective Kwan Sai-wing
House of the Invisibles Chung
Loving You Is Wrong
2009 愛情三結義 department store owner
Turning Point Mo
Up Dug Cantonese voice-over
2010 72 Tenants of Prosperity Astro Cameo
Despicable Me Gru Cantonese voice-over
Forget Me Not
2011 The Road Less Traveled
I Love Hong Kong Wayne Lai Cameo
2014 The Beggar Hero Chan Tai-lik
2016 Sky on Fire

Television dramas

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Dharma – Founder of Shaolin Minor Role/Extra
New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre Mongol General
Turn Around and Die
The Legend of Wong Tai Sin eunuch
The Twin Heirs
Heir to the Throne Is... Imperial chef
The Feud of Two Brothers
The Ordeal Before the Revolution Yip Man
Siblings of Vice and Virtue
Movie Maze
1987 Beastly Beings
The Making of a Gentleman
The Legend of the Book and the Sword Mang Kin-hung
The Seasons
Fate Cast in the Wind Chuen Fuk
Born to be a King
The Greenhorns
The Dragon Sword
The Price of Growing Up
1988 Two Most Honorable Knights
Twilight of a Nation
Everybody's Somebody's Favourite Lam Wai Keung
The Final Verdict Raymond
A Friend in Need
The In-between
The Tribulation of Life
1989 I Love Amy
The Black Sabre Drink Seller in Episode 12
The Shanghai conspiracy
The Reincarnated of Wai
The Vixen's Tale
Mut Toi Tin Sze
Greed
Flying Squads
The Justice of Life Chung
Song Bird Chuk Kwok-ho
1989–90 Ode to Gallantry
1990 Three in a Family Ching Chi-nam
Blood of Good and Evil Tai Ha
A Time of Taste Choi
Silken Hands Hung Ngau-kan
1990–91 Challenge of Life Cockroach
1991 Wong To Yan Ching Kat Cheung
Mystery of the Parchment Beggar in ep 11
The Black Sabre
Rainbow Big D
Live for Life
Land of Glory Kong Kwan-loi
The Big Family Chan Foon-yan
1991–92 Police on the Road Man
The Survivor Shek Chi-kei
1992 The File of Justice Lee Chi-lap
Rage and Passion Chow Pak-tung
All Men are Brothers Yeung Siu-chat
Tales From Beyond Minor Role
1993 The Vampire Returns Cheung Nam-king
The File of Justice II Andy Hung Chun-tung
Man of Wisdom Lee Lin-ying
All About Tin Luk Yeh-yin
1993–1994 The Edge of Righteousness Peter Minor Role
1994 The Condor Heroes Return Chow Pak-tung
The Last Conquest Cheung Kei
Remembrance Chow Kwok-cheung
Crime and Passion Wong Pak-yeung
The Legend of the Condor Heroes Chow Pak-tung
The File of Justice III Yeung Ping
Instinct Lawyer Poon Minor role
Eternity Ah Tung
1994–95 Filthy Rich Mo Hak-kan
1995 To Love with Love Tang Nai-keung
From Act to Act Ho Kwok-po
The Return of the Condor Heroes Chow Pak-tung
The File of Justice IV Anthony Yau Wing-kin
Justice Pao II Wan Hiu-fung
1995–96 Detective Investigation Files II Ho Sing-choi
1996 State of Divinity Lau Ching-fung
Nothing to Declare So Tung
Journey to the West Chu Bat-gai
1996–97 In the Name of Love Cheung
1997 Show Time Blues Lo Chi-choi
The File of Justice V Anthony Yau Wing-kin
A Road and a Will Ng Kin-ngai
A Recipe for the Heart Snake
1998 A Measure of Love Lam Wing-ching
Journey to the West II Chu Bat-gai
1999 Anti-Crime Squad Hoh Fei-fan
2000 Battlefield Network Fong Siu-keung
Showbiz Tycoon Hoh Chi-cheung
Hong Kong Yat Ga Yan
2001 New Legend of Chu Liuxiang Hu Tiehua
Su Dong Po Chan Kwai-sheung
2002 Law 2002 Lawyer Poon
2003 Seed of Hope Liu Chi-kan
The Driving Power Lok Kui-kei
To Love With No Regrets Yue Koo
2004 The Conqueror's Story Hon Shun
ICAC Investigators 2004
2005 Bizarre Files
Scavengers' Paradise Tse Kwan-min Nominated – TVB Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Top 5)
The Gentle Crackdown Sze Kei-wong
Fantasy Hotel Hon Shan
Hidden Treasures Kwan Bing-hung
2005–06 When Rules Turn Loose Hung Chi-tat
2006 Greed Mask Au Man-wai
Safe Guards Sheung Chung Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 5)
Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 20)
Astro Drama Awards for My Favourite Show Stealer Cast
Astro Drama Award for My Favourite Unforgettable Scene
Trimming Success Ho Cho-sing
2007 Best Bet Tsang Tak-sing
Devil's Disciples Tungfong Mo-ngai
Steps Lee Lik-keung Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 20)
Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 24)
2007–08 Best Selling Secrets Yuen Man-cheung Recurring Role
2008 The Gentle Crackdown II Tai Chung-man / Tai Chung-mo TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor
Moonlight Resonance Nin Chi-yung
2008–09 Pages of Treasures Fong Sam-ming
2008–10 Off Pedder Yue Ka-sing Sitcom regular
Nominated – Ming Pao 42nd Anniversary Award for Outstanding Actor in Television
nominated – Nam Fong Sing Din 2011 Annual Television Awards for Most Popular Actor
2009 Rosy Business Chai Kau TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor
TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character
TVB Anniversary Award for TVB.com's Popularity Award
Mingpao Magazine Entertainment Award for Most Outstanding Male Artiste
Yahoo! Asia Buzz Award for Most Popular Actor
Next Magazine Award Top 10 Television Artistes
2010 In the Eye of the Beholder Wong Tai-bak Guest
Some Day Simon Ming Sai-on Sitcom regular
No Regrets Lau Sing TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor
My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Drama Character (1 of 10)
Ming Pao 43rd Anniversary Award for Outstanding Actor in Television
Next Magazine Award Top 10 Television Artistes
Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5)
Nominated – My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Actor in a Leading Role
2011 Forensic Heroes III Dr. Jack "Pro Sir" Po Kwok-tung My AOD Favourites Award for Favourite Drama Character (1 of 15)
Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5)
Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5)
2012 The Greatness of a Hero Mo Sing-chi Previously warehoused; first released overseas in 2009
King Maker Yu Jing
The Confidant Lei Lin-ying TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor
Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5)
2013 Bullet Brain P. Inspector Columbo Ko / Ko Tai-hei
Will Power Yu Ying-wai Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5)
2014 Rear Mirror Sunday Kei Yat-sing
Overachievers Mike Chiang Yuen Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character
2015 Master of Destiny Cho Wan-hon Guest star
Under the Veil Chu Yi-Dan/Mr. Lui Yat Pan-Heung's husband (aka Dry Thunder)
Lord of Shanghai Kung Siu-san Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5)
2016 Short End of the Stick Lee Suk-kung
Come Home Love: Dinner at 8 Koo Hiu-San Modern Sitcom
No Reserve Suzuki Kazuo / Kong Sheung-hung
2018 Daddy Cool Ho Wing-nin
2019 Legend of the Phoenix Lang Kun First Mainland Chinese Series
2020 Death By Zero Yim Mo Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5)
2021 The Ringmaster Shek Ngo-shan Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 10)
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Onscreen Partnership (with Winki Lai)
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Favourite TVB Actor in Malaysia
2022 Go With The Float Hung Shap-yat Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 10)
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Favourite TVB Actor in Malaysia
2024 No Return Chai Sap Cat (柴十七)
Pre-production The Father-Son Separation Storm (父離子風暴)

Variety Shows

Year Title Role Notes
2025 Underworld Travel (江湖見) co-host Martial arts classics travel show

[7] [8]

Awards

References

  1. ^ "周日專訪 黎耀祥:錢畀唔到我安全感". Apple Daily 蘋果日報. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  2. ^ "我來自屋邨". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  3. ^ "他是TVB里的三十年的實力老戲骨,你看過的很多港片都有他的身影" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  4. ^ 林迅景 (13 April 2018). "【逆緣】黎耀祥暫別TVB 北上發展看透局勢:所有頒獎禮都係宣傳活動". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  5. ^ "人生有多少個十年,最重要的是痛快" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  6. ^ "人生有幾多個十年 56歲黎耀祥切視帝獎座蛋糕". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Wayne Lai at douban.com". Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Wayne Lai at chinesemov.com". Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
Awards and achievements
TVB Anniversary Awards
Preceded by Best Actor
2009
for Rosy Business
Succeeded by
himself
for No Regrets
Preceded by
himself
for Rosy Business
Best Actor
2010
for No Regrets
Succeeded by
Preceded by Best Actor
2012
for The Confidant
Succeeded by
Preceded by Best Supporting Actor
2008
for The Gentle Crackdown
Succeeded by
Preceded by My Favourite Male Character
2009
for Rosy Business
Succeeded by
Preceded by TVB.com's Popularity Award
2009
Succeeded by