Chow Yun-Fat

May 18, 1955 (age 71) Hong Kong, China
IMDb

Chow Yun-Fat (Chinese: 周潤發, born 18 May 1955), previously known as Donald Chow, is a Hong Kong actor. He is perhaps best known for his collaborations with filmmaker John Woo in the five Hong Kong action heroic bloodshed films: A Better Tomorrow, A Better Tomorrow II, The Killer, Once a Thief and Hard Boiled, and in the West for his roles as Li Mu-bai in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Sao Feng in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. He mainly plays in drama films and has won three Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor and two Golden Horse Awards for Best Actor in Taiwan. Chow started his career in movies in 1976 with Goldig Films, the third largest film company at the time.

His titles like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Dragonball Evolution, and Bulletproof Monk - his biggest roles first.
Last updated: August 18, 2026

Watched: 0/93
Weighted avg: 5.92 /10
  • 1
    1
    Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Chinese
    2000July 2000 by Ang Lee
    Lead role as Li Mu Bai
    Lead role as Li Mu Bai
    7.02 Good++
  • 2
    2
    Dragonball Evolution
    2009March 2009 by James Wong
    Starring as Master Roshi
    Starring as Master Roshi
    2.47 Bad+
  • 3
    3
    Bulletproof Monk
    2003March 2003 by Paul Hunter
    Lead role as The Nameless Monk
    Lead role as The Nameless Monk
    5.02 Okay--
  • 4
    4
    Hard Boiled Cantonese
    1992April 1992 by John Woo
    Lead role as Insp. 'Tequila' Yuen
    Lead role as Insp. 'Tequila' Yuen
    7.12 Good++
  • 5
    5
    The Killer Cantonese
    1989March 1989 by John Woo
    Lead role as Jong
    Lead role as Jong
    7.19 Good++
  • 6
    6
    Curse of the Golden Flower Chinese
    2006December 2006 by Zhang Yimou
    Lead role as Emperor Ping
    Lead role as Emperor Ping
    6.45 Good-
  • 7
    7
    The Replacement Killers
    1998February 1998 by Antoine Fuqua
    Lead role as John Lee
    Lead role as John Lee
    5.84 Okay+
  • 8
    8
    Anna and the King
    1999December 1999 by Andy Tennant
    Starring as King Mongkut
    Starring as King Mongkut
    6.34 Good-
  • 9
    9
    A Better Tomorrow Cantonese
    1986August 1986 by John Woo
    Starring as Mark Lee
    Starring as Mark Lee
    6.91 Good+
  • 10
    10
    Let the Bullets Fly Chinese
    2010December 2010 by Jiang Wen
    Starring as Huang Silang
    Starring as Huang Silang
    7.30 Excellent--
  • 11
    11
    The Corruptor
    1999March 1999 by James Foley
    Starring as Nick Chen
    Starring as Nick Chen
    5.66 Okay
  • 12
    12
    God of Gamblers' Return Cantonese
    1994December 1994 by Wong Jing
    Lead role as Ko Chun
    Lead role as Ko Chun
    6.12 Good--
  • 13
    13
    God of Gamblers Cantonese
    1989December 1989 by Wong Jing
    Lead role as Ko Chun
    Lead role as Ko Chun
    6.68 Good
  • 14
    14
    Once a Thief Cantonese
    1991February 1991 by John Woo
    Lead role as Red Bean Puddin / Joe
    Lead role as Red Bean Puddin / Joe
    6.29 Good--
  • 15
    15
    City on Fire Cantonese
    1987February 1987 by Ringo Lam Ling-Tung
    Lead role as Ko Chow
    Lead role as Ko Chow
    6.39 Good-
  • 16
    16
    A Better Tomorrow II Cantonese
    1987December 1987 by John Woo
    Supporting as Ken Lee
    Supporting as Ken Lee
    6.58 Good
  • 17
    17
    A Better Tomorrow III: Love and Death in Saigon Cantonese
    1989October 1989 by Tsui Hark
    Lead role as Mark
    Lead role as Mark
    5.95 Okay++
  • 18
    18
    Project Gutenberg Cantonese
    2018September 2018 by Felix Chong Man-Keung
    Lead role as Painter
    Lead role as Painter
    6.58 Good
  • 19
    19
    Full Contact Cantonese
    1992July 1992 by Ringo Lam Ling-Tung
    Lead role as Jeff / Gou Fei
    Lead role as Jeff / Gou Fei
    6.26 Good--
  • 20
    20
    The Monkey King Chinese
    2014January 2014 by Soi Cheang
    Supporting as Jade Emperor
    Supporting as Jade Emperor
    5.24 Okay-
  • 21
    21
    Confucius Chinese
    2010February 2010 by Hu Mei
    Lead role as Confucius
    Lead role as Confucius
    5.62 Okay
  • 22
    22
    Shanghai
    2010June 2010 by Mikael Håfström
    Starring as Anthony Lan-Ting
    Starring as Anthony Lan-Ting
    5.68 Okay+
  • 23
    23
    The Children of Huang Shi Chinese
    2008April 2008 by Roger Spottiswoode
    Starring as Chen Hansheng
    Starring as Chen Hansheng
    6.15 Good--
  • 24
    24
    Prison on Fire Cantonese
    1987November 1987 by Ringo Lam Ling-Tung
    Starring as Chung Tin Ching
    Starring as Chung Tin Ching
    6.41 Good-
  • 25
    25
    From Vegas to Macau Cantonese
    2014January 2014 by Wong Jing
    Lead role as Ken
    Lead role as Ken
    5.20 Okay--
  • 26
    26
    Cold War II Cantonese
    2016July 2016 by Leung Lok-Man
    Starring as Oswald S.C. Kan
    Starring as Oswald S.C. Kan
    5.88 Okay+
  • 27
    27
    Tiger on the Beat Cantonese
    1988March 1988 by Lau Kar-leung
    Lead role as Sergeant Francis Li
    Lead role as Sergeant Francis Li
    6.03 Okay++
  • 28
    28
    The Assassins Chinese
    2012September 2012 by Zhao Linshan
    Lead role as Chancellor Cao Cao
    Lead role as Chancellor Cao Cao
    5.60 Okay
  • 29
    29
    An Autumn's Tale Cantonese
    1987July 1987 by Mabel Cheung Yuen-Ting
    Lead role as Samuel Pang
    Lead role as Samuel Pang
    6.56 Good
  • 30
    30
    Detective Chinatown 1900 Chinese
    2025January 2025 by Chen Sicheng
    Starring as Bai Xuanling
    Starring as Bai Xuanling
    5.87 Okay+
  • 31
    31
    All About Ah-Long Cantonese
    1989March 1989 by Johnnie To
    Lead role as Ah Long
    Lead role as Ah Long
    6.49 Good-
  • 32
    32
    From Vegas to Macau III Cantonese
    2016February 2016 by Wong Jing
    Lead role as Ken Shek / Ko Chun
    Lead role as Ken Shek / Ko Chun
    4.74 Mediocre+
  • 33
    33
    From Vegas to Macau II Cantonese
    2015February 2015 by Wong Jing
    Lead role as Ken / Ko Chun
    Lead role as Ken / Ko Chun
    5.21 Okay--
  • 34
    34
    Prison on Fire II Cantonese
    1991June 1991 by Ringo Lam Ling-Tung
    Lead role as Chung Tin Ching
    Lead role as Chung Tin Ching
    6.19 Good--
  • 35
    35
    The Last Tycoon Chinese
    2012December 2012 by Wong Jing
    Lead role as Cheng Daqi
    Lead role as Cheng Daqi
    5.97 Okay++
  • 36
    36
    Peace Hotel Cantonese
    1995April 1995 by Wai Ka-Fai
    Lead role as Wong Ah Ping
    Lead role as Wong Ah Ping
    5.73 Okay+
  • 37
    37
    Wild Search Cantonese
    1989June 1989 by Ringo Lam Ling-Tung
    Lead role as Sgt. Lau Chun-Pong
    Lead role as Sgt. Lau Chun-Pong
    6.17 Good--
  • 38
    38
    Beginning of the Great Revival Chinese
    2011June 2011 by Han Sanping
    Starring as Yuan Shikai
    Starring as Yuan Shikai
    5.09 Okay--
  • 39
    39
    Flaming Brothers Cantonese
    1987July 1987 by Joe Cheung Tung-Cho
    Lead role as Tin
    Lead role as Tin
    5.98 Okay++
  • 40
    40
    Tragic Hero Cantonese
    1987February 1987 by Taylor Wong Tai-Loi
    Lead role as Lee Ah Chai
    Lead role as Lee Ah Chai
    5.85 Okay+
  • 41
    41
    God of Gamblers II Cantonese
    1990December 1990 by Wong Jing
    Minor role as Ko Chun
    Minor role as Ko Chun
    6.34 Good-
  • 42
    42
    The Seventh Curse Cantonese
    1986November 1986 by Lam Nai-Choi
    Supporting as Wesley
    Supporting as Wesley
    6.16 Good--
  • 43
    43
    Hong Kong 1941 Cantonese
    1984November 1984 by Leong Po-Chih
    Lead role as Yip Kim-Fay
    Lead role as Yip Kim-Fay
    5.94 Okay++
  • 44
    44
    Rich and Famous Cantonese
    1987May 1987 by Taylor Wong Tai-Loi
    Lead role as Lee Ah Chai
    Lead role as Lee Ah Chai
    6.06 Okay++
  • 45
    45
    The Romancing Star Cantonese
    1987June 1987 by Wong Jing
    Lead role as Wong Yat Fat
    Lead role as Wong Yat Fat
    5.84 Okay+
  • 46
    46
    Diary of a Big Man Cantonese
    1988July 1988 by Chor Yuen
    Lead role as Chow Ting Fat
    Lead role as Chow Ting Fat
    6.05 Okay++
  • 47
    47
    Office Chinese
    2015September 2015 by Johnnie To
    Starring as Ho Chung Ping
    Starring as Ho Chung Ping
    5.60 Okay
  • 48
    48
    Treasure Hunt Cantonese
    1994January 1994 by Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai
    Lead role as Jeffrey Chang Ching
    Lead role as Jeffrey Chang Ching
    5.82 Okay+
  • 49
    49
    City War Cantonese
    1988December 1988 by Sun Chung
    Lead role as Dick Lee
    Lead role as Dick Lee
    6.11 Okay++
  • 50
    50
    Triads: The Inside Story Cantonese
    1989August 1989 by Taylor Wong Tai-Loi
    Lead role as Lee Man Ho
    Lead role as Lee Man Ho
    5.90 Okay++
  • 51
    51
    A Hearty Response Cantonese
    1986October 1986 by Norman Law Man
    Lead role as Ho Ting-Bon
    Lead role as Ho Ting-Bon
    6.02 Okay++
  • 52
    52
    The Postman Strikes Back Cantonese
    1982June 1982 by Ronny Yu
    Starring as Fu Jun
    Starring as Fu Jun
    6.05 Okay++
  • 53
    53
    100 Ways to Murder Your Wife Cantonese
    1986June 1986 by Kenny Bee
    Lead role as Soccer Fat
    Lead role as Soccer Fat
    5.77 Okay+
  • 54
    54
    Witch from Nepal Cantonese
    1986February 1986 by Tony Ching Siu-Tung
    Lead role as Joe
    Lead role as Joe
    5.77 Okay+
  • 55
    55
    One More Chance Cantonese
    2023June 2023 by Anthony Pun Yiu-Ming
    Lead role as Water Ng
    Lead role as Water Ng
    5.78 Okay+
  • 56
    56
    The Fun, the Luck & the Tycoon Cantonese
    1990January 1990 by Johnnie To
    Lead role as Lam Bo Sun / Mr. Stink
    Lead role as Lam Bo Sun / Mr. Stink
    5.99 Okay++
  • 57
    57
    The Story of Woo Viet Cantonese
    1981April 1981 by Ann Hui
    Lead role as Woo Viet
    Lead role as Woo Viet
    5.99 Okay++
  • 58
    58
    The Eighth Happiness Cantonese
    1988February 1988 by Johnnie To
    Starring as Fang Chien Lang / Fong Kim Long
    Starring as Fang Chien Lang / Fong Kim Long
    5.99 Okay++
  • 59
    59
    Fractured Follies Cantonese
    1988July 1988 by Wong Chung
    Lead role as Joe Leung
    Lead role as Joe Leung
    5.92 Okay++
  • 60
    60
    The Bund Cantonese
    1983January 1983 by Dennis Chiu Jan-Keung
    Lead role as Hui Man Keung
    Lead role as Hui Man Keung
    5.87 Okay+
  • 61
    61
    The Bund Cantonese
    1980
    Lead role as 许文强
    Lead role as 许文强
    6.42 Good-
  • 62
    62
    The Postmodern Life of My Aunt Chinese
    2007August 2007 by Ann Hui
    Starring as Zhichang Pan / 潘知常
    Starring as Zhichang Pan / 潘知常
    5.80 Okay+
  • 63
    63
    Spiritual Love Cantonese
    1987October 1987 by Taylor Wong Tai-Loi
    Lead role as Pu Yung Tsai
    Lead role as Pu Yung Tsai
    Needs more reviews
  • 64
    64
    The Greatest Lover Cantonese
    1988July 1988 by Clarence Ford
    Lead role as Qian Jin / Nelson Chow
    Lead role as Qian Jin / Nelson Chow
    Needs more reviews
  • 65
    65
    Women Cantonese
    1985June 1985 by Stanley Kwan Kam-Pang
    Lead role as Derek Sun
    Lead role as Derek Sun
    Needs more reviews
  • 66
    66
    Waiting Alone Chinese
    2005September 2005 by Dayyan Eng
    Minor role as Fa Ge (cameo)
    Minor role as Fa Ge (cameo)
    6.14 Good--
  • 67
    67
    The Head Hunter Cantonese
    1982March 1982 by Lau Shing-Hon
    Lead role as Yuen Lik / Nguen Dich
    Lead role as Yuen Lik / Nguen Dich
    Needs more reviews
  • 68
    68
    The Lunatics Cantonese
    1986June 1986 by Derek Yee Tung-Sing
    Supporting as Chung
    Supporting as Chung
    6.26 Good--
  • 69
    69
    Love Unto Wastes Cantonese
    1986August 1986 by Stanley Kwan Kam-Pang
    Supporting as Detective Lam Chun-Keung
    Supporting as Detective Lam Chun-Keung
    6.07 Okay++
  • 70
    70
    Love in a Fallen City Cantonese
    1984August 1984 by Ann Hui
    Starring as Fan Liu-Yuan
    Starring as Fan Liu-Yuan
    5.99 Okay++
  • 71
    71
    The Monkey King: The Legend Begins Chinese
    2022November 2022 by Soi Cheang
    Starring as Jade Emperor
    Starring as Jade Emperor
    5.92 Okay++
  • 72
    72
    Dream Lovers Cantonese
    1986April 1986 by Tony Au Ting-Ping
    Lead role as Song Yu
    Lead role as Song Yu
    Needs more reviews
  • 73
    73
    Cold War 1994 Cantonese
    2026May 2026 by Leung Lok-Man
    Supporting as Oswald S.C. Kan
    Supporting as Oswald S.C. Kan
    Needs more reviews
  • 74
    74
    Story of Rose Cantonese
    1986February 1986 by Yonfan
    Lead role as Charles / Ga Ming
    Lead role as Charles / Ga Ming
    Needs more reviews
  • 75
    75
    The Occupant Cantonese
    1984September 1984 by Ronny Yu
    Starring as Insp Valentino Chow
    Starring as Insp Valentino Chow
    Needs more reviews
  • 76
    76
    Now You See Love... Now You Don't Cantonese
    1992February 1992 by Alex Law Kai-Yui
    Lead role as Ng San Shui
    Lead role as Ng San Shui
    Needs more reviews
  • 77
    77
    The Bund Part II Cantonese
    1983January 1983 by Dennis Chiu Jan-Keung
    Lead role as 许文强
    Lead role as 许文强
    Needs more reviews
  • 78
    78
    Last Affair Cantonese
    1983December 1983 by Tony Au Ting-Ping
    Starring as Kwong Ping
    Starring as Kwong Ping
    Needs more reviews
  • 79
    79
    Code of Honor Cantonese
    1987March 1987 by Billy Chan Wui-Ngai
    Starring as Fai
    Starring as Fai
    Needs more reviews
  • 80
    80
    The Good The Bad The Ugly Cantonese
    1979–1980
    Starring
    Starring
    Needs more reviews
  • 81
    81
    The Executor Cantonese
    1981March 1981 by Chan Chuen
    Lead role as Ng Tao
    Lead role as Ng Tao
    Needs more reviews
  • 82
    82
    The Romancing Star II Cantonese
    1988January 1988 by Wong Jing
    Minor role as Big Mouth Fat [cameo]
    Minor role as Big Mouth Fat [cameo]
    5.70 Okay+
  • 83
    83
    Scared Stiff Cantonese
    1987March 1987 by Lau Kar-Wing
    Supporting as Inspector Chow
    Supporting as Inspector Chow
    Needs more reviews
  • 84
    84
    The Smiling Proud Wanderer Cantonese
    1984
    Lead role
    Lead role
    Needs more reviews
  • 85
    85
    Why Me? Cantonese
    1985October 1985 by Kent Cheng Jak-Si
    Starring as Mr. Chow
    Starring as Mr. Chow
    Needs more reviews
  • 86
    86
    The Yang's Saga Cantonese
    1985
    Supporting as Lui Dong-bun
    Supporting as Lui Dong-bun
    Needs more reviews
  • 87
    87
    The Shell Game Cantonese
    1980–1981
    Starring
    Starring
    Needs more reviews
  • 88
    88
    Conflict Cantonese
    1978–1979 by Lee Tim-Sing
    Lead role as 徐承熙
    Lead role as 徐承熙
    Needs more reviews
  • 89
    89
    The Battle Among the Clans Cantonese
    1985
    Lead role
    Lead role
    Needs more reviews
  • 90
    90
    The Legend of Master So Cantonese
    1982 by Thomas Ng Yun-Chuen
    Supporting as 苏灿
    Supporting as 苏灿
    Needs more reviews
  • 91
    91
    Angels And Devils Cantonese
    1983
    Starring
    Starring
    Needs more reviews
  • 92
    92
    Dream Of The Red Chamber Cantonese
    1975
    Supporting as 蒋玉涵
    Supporting as 蒋玉涵
    Needs more reviews
  • 93
    93
    The Giants Cantonese
    1978
    Supporting
    Supporting
    Needs more reviews
Co-starring with:
Andy Lau 11 titles
Simon Yam 6 titles
Tony Leung Chiu-wai 5 titles
Maggie Cheung 4 titles
Anthony Wong 3 titles
Donnie Yen 2 titles
Gong Li 2 titles
Robin Shou 2 titles
Yuen Wah 2 titles