Stephen Chow

Stephen Chow Sing-chi (, born 22 June 1962) is a Hong Kong filmmaker, former actor and comedian, known for Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle. Early life and education Stephen Chow was born in Hong Kong on 22 June 1962 to Ling Po-yee, an alumna of Guangzhou Normal University, and Chow Yik-sheung, an immigrant from Ningbo, Zhejiang. Chow has an elder sister named Chow Man-kei and a younger sister named Chow Sing-ha. Chow's given name "Sing-chi" derives from Tang dynasty (618–907) Chinese poet Wang Bo's essay Preface to the Prince of Teng's Pavilion. After his parents divorced when he was seven, Chow was raised by his mother. Chow attended Heep Woh Primary School, a missionary school attached to the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China in Prince Edward Road, Kowloon Peninsula. When he was nine, he saw Bruce Lee's film The Big Boss, which inspired him to become a martial arts star. Chow entered San Marino Secondary School, where he studied alongside Lee Kin-yan. After graduation, he was accepted to TVB's acting classes. Career Chow began his career as an extra for Rediffusion Television. He later joined TVB in 1982. He captured the attention of the public as host of the TVB Jade children's program 430 Space Shuttle. Chow made his film debut in the 1988 film Final Justice, which won him the Golden Horse Award for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Horse Awards.