Underated Actors

by **PAUL MARTINEZ** » Thu Dec 13, 2001 4:57 pm

OK who is the Actor old or new, who you think never got the recognition he deserved. I'm not talking about big stars. So no Chow Yun Fat, Ekin Cheng, Anthony Wong, Steven Chow etc. My vote is for Ng Man Tat. He has done mostly comedies but I've seen him in some dramatic roles as well.

by **PAUL MARTINEZ** » Mon Dec 31, 2001 6:16 pm

Some good entries so far. I'll definately be trying to get some of the films mentioned so far. Gotta say Yuen Biao really slipped by me. If not the most underated definately the most underused. As for Ti Lung, He was maybe the biggest star of Shaw Bros. Studios during his prime. Not sure if I would consider him underated. Although he is not as well known as some others (Venoms, Gordon Liu, etc.). Anyone else?

by **pjshimmer** » Tue Jan 01, 2002 9:00 pm

Ti Lung, Chen Kuan Tai and Fu Sheng were the biggest stars in the SB era, during which time they definitely weren't underused. But after SB closed its studio, all of its major stars' careers were doomed - Ti Lung being the only exception I can think of. As for SB stars, there are a few little-knowns whom I thought were better than the larger-than-life figures (i,e. David Chiang), but their names I don't know.

by **pjshimmer** » Tue Jan 01, 2002 9:09 pm

I think Norman Chu is underrated. He plays the coolest villain in Wing Chun, King of Beggars, and What Price Survival, while he portrayed heroes perfectly in the Magic Crane and the Bastard Swordsman series. I won't say all of his roles were played flawlessly, but he could definitely be used more than, say, Leon Lai.

by **pjshimmer** » Fri Jan 18, 2002 5:47 pm

great supporting actress for comedic relief. she has made many movies work or work better. It seems that bad things are always happening to her (usually physical) in movies.

by Mikestar* » Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:20 pm

One that I think is generally ignord is Law Ka Ying. Despite some general typecasting in comedies, this guy CAN act. Just take a look at '1945:HK on Fire' (despite it being a Wong Jing'er) or 'Kitchen' where he plays a transexual (with incredible skill and sensitivity).

by **lucidogen** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 2:39 pm

I also think that ng man tat is one of the most underated going, the mans a total hero in comic films plus also a top guy in the few serious roles ive seen him, i also think chung fat and fung hark on has to be one of the most underated martial artists in films ever.

by **AkiraRus** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 5:42 pm

Pat Ha is definitely one inderrated actress. Some time ago I saw in the row "On the Run", "Ghost Fever", "Tempting Heart" and "One Husband too Many" and she was pretty strong in each of these movies.

Teresa Mak - for "Passion 1995".

Gordon Lam - he was brilliant in "Love Me, Love My Money" and "Infernal Affairs".

by **tenshigirl** » Wed Jul 14, 2004 8:18 pm

i'll have to go with Yuen Biao, Zhao Man Chuik?, and Terry Fan Siu Wong. Just watch their movies and you'll see what I mean. Really under rated. Would really love to watch MORE of their movies. Zhao Man Chuik was in Once Upon a Time in China V, I believe and Mahjong Dragon (one of my fav). Terry Fan was with Michelle Yeoh in Project S. They need to be appreciate more. Really.

by **PAUL MARTINEZ** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:35 pm

It's nice to see an old thread of mine come back around. I have to say I really like Francis Ng's work as well and look foward to seeing him again in new projects.

by **Biozombie** » Thu Jul 22, 2004 4:01 pm

Waise Lee is always excellent and hardly ever gets a mention.

by **thomasrichardson** » Sun Jul 25, 2004 5:51 pm

She started rather well (A hero never dies, Running out of time) and now seems completely left out. I don't think she's retired yet!
Oh and yes I know she is an actress...

by **JohnR** » Fri Jul 30, 2004 4:49 pm

I don't disagree with any of the others put forth, especially Francis Ng, but this category must include Karen Mok. Not only is she an excellent actress, she challenges herself with the roles she chooses. Think of the differences between the characters she played in Chinese Odyssey, So Close, King of Comedy, and Fallen Angels for example.

by **williamwan** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 1:54 am

I vote for Daniel Wu who is versitile. Many supporting actors are method actors. One good way to judge a good actor is that they can convey the character with minimal facial movement. Watch the eye. Very hard to express an emotion unless from within.

by **AkiraRus** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 9:45 am

Totally underrated actors are Carel Wong and Ben Ng - both are great as villains.

by **arley** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 2:43 pm

Roy Cheung! Under-rated and under-used.

by **magic-8** » Tue Aug 03, 2004 4:06 pm

My vote goes to Shu Qi. She always seems to get short shrift when it comes to her acting chops. I thought she did well in her fist legit production Viva Erotica and has only gotten better. Sure, she can be shrill and too goofy, at times, but I can live with that. :lol:

by **STSH** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:04 am

Ho Ka Kui ! The greatest baddie in HK.

Cho Boon Feng - Taiwan's answer to Tsui Kam Kong. Always entertaining. (pictured at left - he's my avatar)

Shirley Cheung in The Fruit Is Ripe. Very pretty, appears full nude, then disappeared.

Tsui Man Wa - very likeable mostly soft porn actress.

Chin Gwan - what a honey ! Biggest role I recall for her was the over the top violent Trilogy Of Lust 2.

Lily Lee (not Lily Li). Only one starring role I know of (Secret Lover). Should have done more comedy - she was very funny in the right roles.

Kwan Hoi San - a terrific old trooper. Often the only person worth watching in any given film.

by **Brian Thibodeau** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 5:02 am

Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung. The pre-eminent master of likeable sleazeballs.

See: BIO-ZOMBIE, OSAKA WRESTLING RESTAURANT, BULLETS OVER SUMMER, NO PROBLEM 2, among others)