Andy Lau: Hardest Working Man in Asia
November 23rd, 2006 by dd
Like a fine wine, Andy Lau seems to be getting better with age. The 45-year-old actor has evolved from modest television actor in the 1980s to pop idol in the 1990s to film star and producer/ mentor to a new generation of Asian directors in the 2000s. According to Sinchew, “Good looks can give you a headstart in the cut-throat world of show business, but a Puritan work ethic will guarantee longevity.”
Born to a poor family in Hong Kong and collecting water for his family because their house had no running water, the hardworking Lau has always been known as a workaholic in showbiz circles. One oft-repeated anecdote recounts how he juggled three films and a recording session in one day by catching only a few hours sleep in his car.
As a case in point, Andy has a new film opening, A Battle Of Wits, his 132nd movie credit in a 26-year career, while busy shooting his next film, Protege, an underworld drug drama directed by Derek Yee. Meanwhile, he is already busy with pre-production for a period remake of the Shaw classic, Blood Brothers, which will co-star Jet Li and Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Most impressive perhaps is his effort to nurture new talent through his production company, Focus Films, which launched the First Cuts series of films last year saying, “While I have this power, I want to try to create possibilities for newcomers. They need support.”
Posted in Hong Kong, Film, Jet Li, Andy Lau, Derek Yee, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Shaw Brothers | 
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