Hong Kong Dance Pioneer and Actor Ming Sir Lau Siu-ming Dies at 94, Government Pays Tribute
SingTao · 13 SOURCES16 minutes ago8 MIN
Summary
Lau Siu-ming (劉兆銘), affectionately known as Ming Sir, died on September 2, 2026, at the age of 94, closing the chapter on one of Hong Kong's most distinguished performing arts careers. Veteran entertainer Ding Yu confirmed the news, stating that Lau passed away at 6pm. Despite battling seven chronic illnesses and requiring wheelchair assistance in his final years, Ming Sir remained a towering figure in both dance and film until his last days, having last appeared in public at a National Day reception in October 2025. The government has expressed deep sorrow over his passing, with officials highlighting his invaluable contributions to Hong Kong's cultural landscape.
Key Points
- Ming Sir was born in 1931 and became Hong Kong's first locally-born dancer to study in Europe, receiving a scholarship to attend the Rosella Hightower School of Dance in Cannes, France, in the early 1960s .
- He was the first Chinese choreographer to work with a French dance company, serving as dancer and choreographer at the Belgium National Ballet before returning to Hong Kong in 1967 to pursue dance education and television choreography .
- In 1979, director Tsui Hark discovered Lau for the film "The Butterfly Murders" (蝶變), launching an illustrious film career that included iconic roles in the "A Chinese Ghost Story" trilogy (1987, 1990, 1991), "Swordsman" (1990), and "A Chinese Ghost Story" (倩女幽魂) .
- His portrayal of Granny (姥姥) in "A Chinese Ghost Story" (1987) became one of his most memorable performances, alongside roles in numerous TVB dramas such as "The Legendary Swordsman" (笑傲江湖) and "The Palladin" (原振俠) .
- As a revered mentor, Lau trained generations of stars including award-winning actors Andy Lau (劉青雲), Wu Zhenyu (吳鎮宇), Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼), Chow Yun-fat (周潤發), and Tony Leung Chiu-wai (梁朝偉) .
- He received numerous accolades including the Hong Kong Dance Awards 2002, the TVB Anniversary Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2013 at age 82, and was named an Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2007 .
- His wife Cheung Wai-ling (張慧玲) passed away from cancer in 2012, leaving him so devastated that he withdrew from acting for five years until returning for the 2017 series "The Man from Macau" (賭城群英會) .
- Culture, Sports and Tourism Secretary Lo Shuk-yee expressed deep condolences, stating that Ming Sir dedicated his life to dance and performing arts, and his talent and dedication will be remembered .
Why It Matters
Lau's passing represents the loss of a rare bridge between Hong Kong's dance and film industries during the city's entertainment golden age. His dedication to nurturing young talent, his philosophy of continuous artistic engagement until his final years, and his pioneering role as the first Hong Kong-born dancer to achieve international recognition set a standard for artistic excellence that will influence generations to come. The government's official tribute underscores how his contributions transcended entertainment, forming an integral part of Hong Kong's cultural heritage .
Lau's passing represents the loss of a rare bridge between Hong Kong's dance and film industries during the city's entertainment golden age. His dedication to nurturing young talent, his philosophy of continuous artistic engagement until his final years, and his pioneering role as the first Hong Kong-born dancer to achieve international recognition set a standard for artistic excellence that will influence generations to come. The government's official tribute underscores how his contributions transcended entertainment, forming an integral part of Hong Kong's cultural heritage .