Ray Lui (Chinese: 呂良偉; born 22 December 1956 (age 68)) is a Vietnam-born Hong Kongactor renowned for his extensive career in television and cinema, particularly his breakout role as the charismatic gangster Ting Lik in the iconic TVB period drama The Bund (1980), which propelled him to stardom alongside Chow Yun-fat and Angie Chiu.[1][2] Over four decades, he has appeared in over 100 films and numerous television series, transitioning from TVB productions to Hong Kong cinema and later Mainland Chinese dramas, while also working as an assistant director on select projects.[3][1] His versatile performances, often portraying complex anti-heroes and historical figures, have earned him critical acclaim, including a Best Actor nomination at the 1992 Hong Kong Film Awards for his role as real-life triad leader Ng Sek-ho in the crime drama To Be Number One (1991).[4]Born into a Chinese family in Vietnam, Lui immigrated to Hong Kong with his family in 1968 at the age of 12, where he later trained at TVB's sixth artist training class, graduating in 1976 and signing as an actor the following year.[1] His early television roles in series like Kung Fu Master of Fat Shan (1981) and The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain (1985) showcased his martial arts prowess and dramatic range, building on his debut in the film Dangerous Encounter – 1st Kind (1980) directed by Tsui Hark.[1] By the late 1980s, after leaving TVB in 1989 to pursue film, he starred in high-profile action and gangster movies such as A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon (1989) and Flash Point (2007), and made a rare Hollywood appearance as a military leader in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014).[5][1]In recent years, Lui has focused on television projects in Mainland China while maintaining a presence in Hong Kong cinema, with roles in films like Firestorm (2013) and ongoing series that highlight his enduring appeal as a seasoned performer.[1] As of 2025, at age 68, he remains active, crediting a disciplined lifestyle—including regular exercise and a balanced diet—for his youthful vitality, as evidenced by a biological age test in 2025 indicating 39.[6][1]
Personal life and education
Early life
Ray Lui was born on December 22, 1956, in Chợ Lớn, the Chinese quarter of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), South Vietnam, to parents of Chinese descent who had relocated there from China in the 1940s seeking business opportunities.[7] His father worked as a small-scale businessman,[8] while the family navigated the growing tensions of the Vietnam War during his early years.[8] As the third eldest among five siblings, Lui grew up in a modest Hoa (ethnic Chinese) household immersed in Chinese cultural traditions, including exposure to Cantonese opera and media that would later influence his career path.[9]Lui's childhood in Vietnam was marked by the escalating political instability and violence of the Vietnam War, which brought economic hardships, hunger, and displacement to many families like his own.[10] The war's impact disrupted daily life, exposing him to the realities of conflict from a young age and fostering resilience amid familial struggles to maintain stability. In 1968, at the age of 12, Lui and his family fled the worsening conditions, immigrating to Hong Kong to join relatives and escape the ongoing turmoil.[11]Upon arriving in Hong Kong, the family faced significant adjustment challenges, including stark poverty that contrasted with their previous life and forced young Lui to drop out of secondary school. To support the household, he took on grueling jobs such as factory work and odd deliveries, enduring financial strain and the pressures of integration into a new society.[12] These early experiences of hardship shaped his determination. After working to support his family, encouraged by his father, Lui enrolled in TVB's sixth artist training class, graduating in 1976 and signing a contract with the station in 1977.[1]
Marriages and family
Ray Lui has been married three times, with reports of a possible fourth marriage emerging in 2011. His first marriage was to Hong Kong actress Kathy Chow in 1988, but it ended in divorce after only five months, as both parties, in their twenties, admitted they did not fully understand love at the time.[13] His second marriage to singer Cally Kwong took place in 1996 and lasted approximately 18 months before ending in divorce in 1997.[14]In 2011, Hong Kong media reported that Lui had secretly married a fourth time in the early 1990s, based on claims from an individual identifying as his undisclosed daughter, though Lui's representatives denied the allegations, stating the woman was his niece.[15][16] No further children from previous marriages have been confirmed.Lui's current marriage is to Chinese businesswoman Yang Xiaojuan, whom he wed in 2001 in France; she is 14 years his junior.[13] The couple welcomed a son, Lui Sin-yeung, later that year.[2]Yang, known for her sharp investment acumen, has significantly contributed to the family's wealth, with their net worth estimated at NT$4.3 billion (approximately S$200 million) as of 2020, derived largely from her business ventures in entertainment and other sectors.[2] The family maintains a luxurious lifestyle, exemplified by their 2025 European vacation, during which Yang was photographed with a limited-edition Hermès Ghillies Birkin handbag valued at around HK$400,000.[17]The Lui family has also been involved in philanthropy. In 2012, Yang, alongside actress Rosamund Kwan, donated 300,000 yuan to rebuild a primary school affected by an earthquake in China.[18] Lui and Yang attended the PSG Charity Dinner in Hong Kong in 2014, supporting youth initiatives through the event organized by Paris Saint-Germain.[19] They were present at the amfAR Gala in Hong Kong in 2019, a fundraiser for AIDS research, where Lui supported fellow actor Donnie Yen amid an on-site controversy.[20]
Acting career
Television beginnings and rise to fame
After completing his secondary education in Hong Kong, Ray Lui enrolled in Television Broadcasts Limited's (TVB) performing artist training programme in 1976.[1] Upon graduation, he signed a contract with TVB and began his acting career, initially taking on minor roles in television series during the late 1970s.[21] These early appearances, often small and supporting, allowed him to hone his skills as part of TVB's sixth artiste training class, which included classmates such as Idy Chan and Liu Wai-hung.[21]Lui's breakthrough came in 1980 with his portrayal of Ting Lik in the TVB period drama The Bund, set amid the gang rivalries of 1930sShanghai.[1] As Ting Lik, a determined young immigrant from rural China who rises through the criminal underworld via loyalty, ambition, and moral conflicts—particularly his deep friendship with the hot-headed Fung Jing-yeung and romance with the resilient Man-yin—Lui embodied a compelling anti-hero navigating betrayal and power struggles.[22] The series, often dubbed the "Godfather of the East," achieved massive viewership across Hong Kong households, becoming a cultural phenomenon that defined 1980s television and boosted Cantopop through its theme song.[22][23] Its success propelled TVB's dominance in regional entertainment and marked a pivotal moment in Hong Kong's pop culture history, blending gangster intrigue with themes of brotherhood and resilience.[24]Following The Bund, Lui reprised Ting Lik in the sequels The Bund II (1980) and The Bund III (1980), solidifying his status.[1] In the 1980s, he starred in several key TVB period dramas, showcasing his versatility in complex anti-hero roles, such as the historical Emperor Kangxi in Lu Siniang (1985), where he depicted a ruler grappling with palace intrigues and personal dilemmas, and Hong Xiuquan in Twilight of a Nation (1988), portraying the charismatic yet fanatical leader of the Taiping Rebellion amid ideological turmoil and civil war.[1][25] These performances highlighted his ability to convey layered characters torn between duty, ambition, and morality in turbulent historical settings.[1]By the mid-1980s, Lui had risen to stardom as one of TVB's leading young actors, alongside talents like Tony Leung Chiu-wai, with his roles earning widespread media coverage and a devoted fan base that spanned Hong Kong and beyond.[21] His success in The Bund and subsequent series transformed him from a trainee into a household name, contributing to TVB's golden era of drama production.[22]
Film career and breakthroughs
Ray Lui began transitioning from television to film in the early 1980s, taking on supporting roles that showcased his versatility beyond his TV persona. His debut film appearance was in The Informer (1980), directed by Wang Chung, where he played the supporting role of Detective Hua in a cops-and-robbers thriller.[3] That same year, he appeared in Tsui Hark's Dangerous Encounter – 1st Kind (1980) as Officer Lu, contributing to the film's gritty portrayal of urban youth and violence, which initially faced censorship for its intensity.[3][1] These early roles, including a part in A Grand Statement (1981), helped establish his presence in Hong Kongcinema while he continued building his reputation through television.[3]Lui's major breakthrough came in the gangster genre with To Be Number One (1991), directed by Poon Man-kit, where he portrayed Ng Sik-ho, a real-life triad boss and heroin dealer known as "Crippled Ho" who fled mainland China in the 1960s to build a criminal empire in Hong Kong.[1][26] The film, produced by Stephen Shiu, chronicled Ho's rise from poverty to infamy, drawing from historical events and emphasizing themes of ambition and betrayal in Hong Kong's underworld.[27] It achieved significant box office success, grossing HK$38 million, and was critically acclaimed for Lui's intense performance, which marked a shift toward more complex, morally ambiguous characters.[1]Throughout the 1990s, Lui solidified his status in the gangster film genre with roles that built on his To Be Number One success, including the lead in Queen of the Underworld (1991), where he played a triad leader navigating power struggles.[3] His collaboration with director Poon Man-kit extended the raw, epic style of their 1991 project, influencing subsequent triad biopics.[1] Films like The 13th of January (1993) and Gangster Lawyer (1994) further highlighted his ability to embody hardened criminals, evolving his on-screen image from the heroic figures of his television days to gritty anti-heroes driven by survival and vengeance.[3] This period represented the peak of his film career, with multiple releases cementing his reputation as a leading man in Hong Kong's action-crime cinema.[1]By the mid-1990s, Lui took a temporary hiatus from films, influenced by personal challenges including divorces and the 1997 Asian financial crisis, which strained his finances due to alimony obligations from prior marriages.[2] This break followed a prolific early decade run, allowing him to step back before resuming projects in the late 1990s.[3]
Later career and international projects
After a period of reduced visibility in Hong Kong entertainment during the late 1990s, Ray Lui shifted his focus to mainland Chinese television productions, marking a revival in his acting career through the 2000s.[1] He took on prominent roles in historical dramas, including portraying Zhao Tuo in King of Nanyue Kingdom (2007), a series centered on the ancient kingdom's ruler, and Zhan Hao in the wuxia series Ao Jian Jiang Hu (2007).[28] These projects on mainland networks allowed Lui to explore complex historical characters, often in ensemble casts that highlighted his veteran presence alongside emerging talents.[1]Lui's television work extended to other notable series, such as Seven Swordsmen (2006), where he played Prince Dokado in a tale of martial arts and loyalty, further solidifying his role in the burgeoning mainland Chinese TV industry.[28] While maintaining occasional Hong Kong film appearances like Flash Point (2007), his primary output during this era emphasized dramatic depth in period pieces broadcast on platforms like CCTV.[1] This phase represented a strategic pivot, leveraging his experience from earlier decades to contribute to the growing demand for historical narratives in Chinese media.[5]Lui achieved an international breakthrough with a supporting role in the Hollywood blockbuster Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), directed by Michael Bay, where he appeared as a motorcycle owner in a high-stakes action sequence.[29] This cameo marked his entry into Western cinema, bridging his Hong Kong roots with global franchises and exposing him to a broader audience beyond Asia.[11]In recent years, Lui has embraced action-oriented supporting roles in ensemble films across Hong Kong and mainland China. In A Legend (2024), a fantasy adventure directed by Stanley Tong, he portrayed King Tudie, the father of a key antagonist, contributing to the film's blend of historical intrigue and modern heroism alongside stars like Jackie Chan and Lay Zhang.[30] Similarly, in The Prosecutor (2024), directed by and starring Donnie Yen, Lui played Yin Sang, a pivotal figure in a story of judicial corruption and redemption, emphasizing themes of justice in contemporary Hong Kong.[31] These collaborations with younger actors and established action icons underscore his adaptability in high-energy narratives.[5]In 2025, Lui appeared in the historical action filmThe King Rise Again, where he joined a cast led by Louis Fan Siu-wong in a tale of royal intrigue and warriors.[32] He also starred as Hu in Assassin, a period thriller set in 1930sShanghai involving resistance fighters and gangsters, directed by Jiuqin Zhou.[33] His ongoing involvement in Hong Kong and Chinese cinema and television reflects sustained demand for his seasoned performances, often in supporting capacities that enhance ensemble dynamics with rising stars.[11]
Awards and recognition
Hong Kong Film Awards nominations
Ray Lui received his sole nomination from the Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor at the 11th ceremony, held in 1992, for his leading role as the real-life gangster Ng Sik-ho (known as Crippled Ho) in the biographical crime film To Be Number One (1991).[34][35]The nomination recognized Lui's portrayal of Ng's dramatic rise from a impoverished immigrant in 1950s Hong Kong to a powerful triad leader and drug trafficking kingpin, followed by his eventual downfall through betrayal and imprisonment, capturing the character's ambition, ruthlessness, and vulnerability in a performance that blended intensity with pathos.[36] He competed against a formidable field of established stars, including Stephen Chow for Fight Back to School, Chow Yun-fat for Once a Thief, Eric Tsang (who ultimately won for Alan & Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye) for Alan & Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye, and Andy Lau for Lee Rock.[34][35]Although he did not win, the nomination underscored Lui's successful pivot from television stardom to cinematic acclaim, enhancing his reputation as a versatile character actor capable of anchoring high-stakes gangster narratives and paving the way for subsequent roles in similar underworld-themed productions that defined much of his 1990s film output.[1]
Other awards and honors
In addition to his film accolades, Ray Lui received a nomination for Best Actor at the 42nd TVB Anniversary Awards in 2009 for his portrayal of Marcus Cheuk in the period drama Born Rich, marking his return to television after a hiatus.Lui's contributions to cinema earned him the Chinese Film Performance Outstanding Achievement Award at the 6th Macau International Movie Festival in 2014, recognizing his longstanding impact on the industry.[4]He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 2018 Asia-Pacific Film Festival for his role in Tomorrow Is Another Day, highlighting his nuanced performance in a drama exploring family and societal pressures.[4]In 2018, Lui also garnered a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Chinese Film Media Awards for the same film, Tomorrow Is Another Day.[4]More recently, in 2024, he won the Best Actor award at the 4th Macau Asian International Youth Film Festival for Ultimate Revenge (also known as Retaliate), affirming his continued relevance in contemporary storytelling.[37]These honors, spanning television series from TVB and international film festivals, underscore Lui's versatility as an actor capable of embodying complex characters across genres, from historical dramas to modern thrillers, and reflect his enduring influence in Hong Kong and broader Asian cinema.[4]
Filmography
Films
Ray Lui's film career spans numerous roles in Hong Kong cinema and beyond, with appearances in over 100 feature films from 1980 to 2024.[3][5]
1980s
The Informer (1980) as Detective Hua[3]
One Step Ahead (1980)[3]
Dangerous Encounter - 1st Kind (1980) as Officer Lu[3]
A Grand Statement (1981)[3]
Murderer Pursues (1981) as Ruan Da Chang/Yuan Tat-Chung[3]
Ray Lui's television appearances span several decades, primarily with TVB in Hong Kong during the early years and later mainland Chinese productions.[38]1970s
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1978) as supporting role, Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
1980s
The Bund (1980) as Ting Lik (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
The Bund Season 2 (1980) as Ting Lik (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
The Bund Season 3 (1980) as Ting Lik (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
In Love and War (1981) as Ng Han Sing (Support Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
Love and Passion (1982) as main role, Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
The Old Miao Myth (1983) as Chin Pong (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
Two More Heroes (1983) as Chan Siu Fuk (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
The Legend of the Ching Lady (1985) as Hong Hei (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
The Rough Ride (1985) as Kong Tin Wai (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain (1985) as Wu Fei / Wu Yat-do (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
Happy Spirit (1985) as Ha Kar Kwong (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
Heir to the Throne (1987) as Cheng Sing Gong (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
Behind the Silk Curtains (1988) as guest role, Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
Kwong Loong (1988) as Kwong Long (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
Twilight of a Nation (1988) as Hung Sau-chuen (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
1990s
New Justice Bao (1995) as Zhan Zhao (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
2000s
Da Mo Zu Shi (2000) as Da Mo (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Golden Finger (2004) as main role, Chinese Drama.[38]
Seven Swordsmen (2006) as Princes Dokado (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Ao Jian Jiang Hu (2006) as Zhan Hao (Main Role), Taiwanese Drama.[38]
The Sword and the Chess of Death (2007) as Guan Yu Tian (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
King of Nanyue Kingdom (2007) as Zhao Tuo (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Born Rich (2009) as Marcus Cheuk (Main Role), Hong Kong Drama (TVB).[38]
The Legend and the Hero Season 2 (2009) as Di Xin / King Zhou of Shang (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
2010s
Wind Song (2010) as main role, Chinese Drama.[38]
She Xiang Fu Ren (2011) as Ai Cui (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Water Margin (2011) as main role, Chinese Drama.[38]
Wipe Out the Bandits on Wulong Mountain (2012) as Zuan Shan Bao (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Turbulence of the Mu Clan (2012) as Mu Qing (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
New Age of Love (2013) as Xiang Fei (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Legend of Hua Mulan (2013) as Jin Can Zi (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
The Legend of Kublai Khan (2013) as Tuo Lei (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
The Lure of the Hua Xu Song (2015) as Su Heng [Old] (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
The Shaw Eleven Lang (2016) as Xiao Yao Hou (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
War And Peace (2016) as Huang Chu Heng (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
The Last Gateway of the Nation (2016) as Yang Fan (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
The Legend of the Condor Heroes (2017) as Yi Deng [Master] (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Huang Fei Hong (2017) as Huang Qi Ying (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
The Legend of Yongle Emperor (2019) as Zhu Di (Main Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
2020s
Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (2021) as Wang Jian Tong (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]
Side Story of Fox Volant (2022) as Ma Xing Kong (Support Role), Chinese Drama.[38]