Richard Ng Man-Tat

Biography

Richard Ng Man-Tat (Chinese: 吳孟達; 2 January 1952 - 27 February 2021) was a distinguished figure in the Hong Kong film industry, celebrated for his extensive body of work. Ng gained significant recognition through his collaborations with the renowned actor and director Stephen Chow in a series of "mo lei tau" films, a unique genre of slapstick comedy characterized by its absurd and nonsensical humor. Their partnership began with the TVB series "Dun Fei Final Combat" in 1989 and continued to flourish with the hit film "All for the Winner" in 1990, where Ng portrayed Chow's uncle. This successful collaboration led to numerous other films in the same comedic style.

Despite his fame largely stemming from his work with Chow, Ng proved to be a versatile actor, adept at tackling a variety of roles. One of his most notable performances was as Sister 13's father in "Portland Street Blues," showcasing his ability to portray complex characters dealing with deep emotional pain. He also took on a more serious role as Andy Lau's sidekick in the "Lee Rock" series. In Hong Kong, he was affectionately referred to as "Uncle Tat," a nickname reflecting his frequent roles alongside Chow. Although he cherished his friendship with Chow, Ng chose to diversify his career and stepped back from their collaborations to avoid being solely recognized as “Stephen Chow’s Sidekick.” Occasionally, he was credited simply as Richard Ng, further highlighting his individual talent.