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Louis Koo

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In thisHong Kong name,thesurnameisKoo.In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Louis Koo and the Chinese-style name is Koo Tin-lok.
Louis Koo
Cổ thiên nhạc
Koo in August 2017
Born
Koo Tin-lok

(1970-10-21)21 October 1970(age 53)
British Hong Kong
Occupations
  • Actor
  • model
  • singer
  • film producer
Years active1993–present
AwardsHong Kong Film Awards–Best Actor
2018 'Paradox'

Asian Film Awards–Best Actor
2018 'Paradox'

TVB Anniversary Awards– Best Actor
1999 'Detective Investigation Files IV'
2001 'A Step into the Past'
Chinese name
Traditional ChineseCổThiênNhạc
Simplified ChineseCổThiênNhạc
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinGǔ Tiānlè
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingGu2 Tin1-Lok6
Websitewww.kootinlok.com/blog

Louis Koo Tin-lok(Chinese:Cổ thiên nhạc;born 21 October 1970) is aHong Kongactor, singer and film producer.[1][2]He began his professional career as an actor in local television series, receiving recognition for his roles inThe Condor Heroes 95(1995),Detective Investigation Files IV(1999), andA Step into the Past(2001). After 2001, Koo shifted his focus to films and became one of the stalwarts of theHong Kong film industry.[3]

His notable film credits includeRob-B-Hood(2006),Run Papa Run(2008),Connected(2008),Overheard(2009),Drug War(2012),The White Storm(2013),Paradox(2017), andA Witness Out of the Blue(2019). For his performance inParadox,Koo was awarded theHong Kong Film Award for Best Actor,Asian Film Award for Best Actorand the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Award for Best Actor.

Early life

[edit]

Koo Tin-lok was born in Hong Kong on 21 October 1970, and educated there. His father was an actor who later became a businessman. Koo is an alumnus ofSt. Teresa's School Kowloonand Carmel Secondary School.[4]

Teenage life

[edit]

Koo, along with his friends, were convicted by the court because of robbing in November 1990. Koo was sentenced to 22 months in the Correctional Services Lai King Training Centre.[5]He neither mentioned nor acknowledged the event to the public after joining the entertainment industry, only after being exposed by the media in 1994.[6]

Career

[edit]

During 1992 to 1993, Koo was a modelling agent, sometimes he worked as a model for advertisements and karaoke videos.

Television actor

[edit]

In 1993, Koo signed as a contract artist withTVB(Television Broadcasts Limited).

Koo started gaining wide recognition in 1995 with his leading role in a costume dramaThe Condor Heroes 95,a popular series based on a classicwuxianovel. In 1997, Koo began sporting an extreme tan (for which he is well known), which apparently enabled him to take on more contemporary roles. In 1999, Koo received TVB's Most Popular Actor Award forDetective Investigation Files IV.In 2000, Koo received TVB's Most Favorite Character Award forAt the Threshold of an Erall.Koo took a different approach to his role inA Step Into the Past.This deviation from his usual cool aloof on-screen persona to a funnier, carefree and down-to-earth one resonated with the audience and widened his acting range. In 2001, Koo was given TVB's Most Popular Actor Award and Favorite Character Award Award once again forA Step into the Past.He then went on an indefinite hiatus from television and has since focused on his film career.

Due to the popularity of TVB dramas in the late 1990s, Koo amassed a sizeable fan base in Hong Kong,Taiwan,mainland China and South-east Asia.

Film actor

[edit]

Since 1994, Koo began taking on roles in films, such as the paranormalTroublesome Nightseriesand many action films including Wilson Yip'sBullets Over Summer(1999). Koo acted as a mute boy living on rural island in romantic literary filmSealed with a Kiss(1998).

During 2001 to 2004, Koo signed contract withChina Star Entertainment Groupand starred in many romantic comedies, such asLa BrassiereandNaked Ambition.

In 2004, Koo took on the role of Sze-to Bo, a perpetually drunk and despondent former judo champion with hereditary eye disease, inJohnnie To’sThrow Downwhich was premiered at the61st Venice International Film Festival.The movie was a marked departure from his usual commercial genres, and he also began his long-term collaboration with To andMilkyway Image.

Koo later received international acclaim[7]for his chilling performance inJohnnie To'sElection 2(a.k.a.Triad Election), which was screened at the "Out of Competition" section at the 59thCannes Film Festival(Electionwas competitive film at the 58th Cannes Film Festival). He won the award for Most Beloved Actor in the Hong Kong UA Film Awards 2006 through public voting for his role inElection 2.

In a female perspective romantic filmHappy Birthday(2006) adapted bySylvia Changfrom 'Rene Liu's novella, Koo portrayed a sensitive man who continued to take care of his ex-girlfriend after his death.[8]

Koo also took supporting roles in action movies, such asJackie Chan'sRobin B Hood(2006),Donnie Yen'sFlash Point(2007).

His character as an unscrupulous drug addict inDerek Yee'sProtégé(2007) differed from his previous performances, as he forwent his suave image for an emaciated look. The supporting role earned him positive critical feedback and Best Supporting Actor nominations at theHong Kong Film Awardsand theGolden Horse Awards.

InSylvia Chang's female perspective gangster filmRun Papa Run(2008), Koo played a reckless triad leader who tried to shield his daughter from his past misdemeanours. Koo earned Best Actor nominations in the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Award for this role, which required him to portray a character from his late teens to his fifties.[9]Since then Koo took more challenging father roles and middle-aged roles.

In the remake ofCellular,Connected(2008) directed byBenny Chan,he played an average Joe[10]cast in a race against time to save a stranger.

InSoi Cheang'sAccident(2009) which was a competitive film at the66th Venice International Film Festival,Koo acted as a highly-strung killer-group leader who was good at disguising murders as accidents.

InOverheard(2009) directed byAlan MakandFelix Chong,he put on 30 pounds’ weight to take the role of a middle-aged cop and father of four more convincingly,[11]and earned Best Actor nominations inHong Kong Film Critics Society Awards.This film was successful and was then made into a series with the same cast and directors but different stories.

In 2010 Koo signed pre-paid contracts with Pegasus Motion Pictures, then appeared in itsAll's well, ends wellcomedy series, and it's anti-corruption film series (Z Storm,S Storm).

In costumeA Chinese Ghost Story(2011), Koo acted as a Chinese Taoist "Exorcist" who fell in love with afox-fairyand sacrificed himself in the end. Koo made a return to his romantic comedy roots inDon't Go Breaking My Heartand sequelDon't Go Breaking My Heart 2(2014) directed by Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Hui, acting as a dissolute stock broker.

InDrug War(2012) directed by Johnnie To, Koo took on the role of a ruthless and deliberate Hong Kong drug lord who dared to do anything to get away from mainland China's death penalty.

Koo received aHong Kong Film Award for Best Actornomination again for his undercover cop role in Benny Chan's 2013 filmThe White Storm.

InOut of Inferno(2013), Koo acted as a resigned firefighter who encountered a fire in a high-rise building.

InOverheard 3(2014), he acted as a revenger with artificial limb.

InSoi Cheang'sSPL II: A Time for Consequences(2015), Koo took the role of an ill and evil mastermind of a criminal organization. In Johnnie To'sThree(2016), Koo acted as a cop leader at the edge of crime.

InShed Skin Papa(2017), a competitive film at the 29thTokyo International Film Festival,Koo acted as a frustrated director who came to understand his father after his mother's funeral and a series of fantastic incidents.

InParadox(2017), Koo played a cop who was determined to avenge his daughter, and performed most of the film's action sequences without the use of a stunt double. For his performance in the film, Koo wonAsian Film Award for Best Actorat the12th Asian Film Awardsas well the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Award for Best Actor at the 12th Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Award in March 2018. Koo's performance also won him the Best Actor award at the37th Hong Kong Film Awardsheld on 15 April 2018.

Film producer

[edit]

Koo was captivated byStar Warsfilm series when he was a child. After a decades-long acting career in the film industry, he anticipated the rise of China's ownSci-fifilms, so he purchased severalVisual effectsandProsthetic make-upcompanies. In 2013, Koo founded "One Cool Group Limited".As of 2018, One Cool Group has produced 20 films. The sci-fi action filmWarriors of Future,which Koo produced and stars in, was released on 25 August 2022.

One Cool Group was to set up an entertainment company with Media Asia in 2021, forming a new group named Cool Style. Investors included Hong Kong model and actressAngelababyYang Ying, Angelababy's agent Kim Chou and Hong Kong film directorStephen Fung’s production company Film Magic Pictures. Cool Style's business scope includes artist management and related businesses aiming to cultivate new forces with abundant resources and platforms.[12]

Koo was able to acquire the rights of the seriesA Step into the Pastin 2015 and adapt it for the big screen -Back to the Past.Production for the film officially wrapped on 7 July 2019. Koo will also star in the film reprising his role from the series.[13]

In 2021, Koo served as executive producer for two Hollywood animation films,The Mitchells vs. the MachinesandVivo,with the former being nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Animated Featureat the94th Academy Awards.[14]

Koo will be also be executive producing the upcomingThe Garfield Movie,set for theatrical release on 24 May 2024.[15]

Social work in film industry

[edit]

Koo has been the ambassador ofHong Kong International Film Festival[16]from 2014 to 2018.

In 2015, Koo joined the board of Fresh Wave International Short Film Festival[17]held in Hong Kong.

In Jan 2018, Koo was elected as the president ofHong Kong Performing Artistes Guild.[18]

Other works

[edit]

Writer

[edit]

Koo has published several books over the years including his photo albumsPresent(1999) andCool(2001), as well as his autobiographyFind Happiness(2002).[19]He also releasedToys Battle(2008), a book chronicling his love for comic book characters and movie superheroes, and donated all proceeds toUNICEF.[20]Koo has been writing blogs everyday on his own website since December 2006.[21]

Singer

[edit]

Koo recorded several theme songs for the TVB dramas he had starred in and several TV advertisement songs he had endorsed. He had also cut four albums:BoyfriendandPopular Louisin 2000,optimismin 2001,Mr.Coolin 2003.[22]

Designer

[edit]

Koo was a designer of his own eyewear brand ZeroX, Level Nine, and Louis Koo. He also participated in designs of his own books, websites, company logos and some endorsed brands.

Brand spokesperson

[edit]

With a career spanning two decades, Koo has endorsed a large number of brands in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Some of the major brand endorsements include, Pepsi,[23]Brooks Brothers,Samsung Galaxy,[24]Xbox 360 Kinect,[25]Toyota Corolla,Yokohama Tire,[26]Lay's, Lipton, Lotte chewing gum, Tropicana,[27]Gillette,OSIM,[28]Tag Heuer,Epsonprinter, Matisse, Johnnie Walker, Pentax camera, Clinique,Hugo BossPerfume, Bally, Puma, DBS Black World MasterCard.

Charity

[edit]

In July 2012, Chinese microblogs caught on to the news of Koo's low profile philanthropy in China, which became a trending topic, more and more people born in different remote rural areas found that local elementary schools were built with donation of Koo, and upload photos to the microblogs. Major Chinese dailies further reported that he had helped build 49 schools to help the underprivileged in remote areas in rural China for the past three years[29]without any publicity. Koo was reluctant to comment on the issue but it was learnt that Koo set up his charity foundation after witnessing the devastation from the Sichuan earthquake in 2008.[30]According to "Grace charity" website,[31]Koo has helped build 97 elementary school buildings, 18 clinics and 751 small water supply projects in remote undeveloped areas of rural China through "Grace Charity Foundation Limited" and local government by 2017.

Koo is also aUNICEF(United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) ambassador[32]since 2007.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Organized Crime & Triad Bureau Tung's underling
Let's Go Slam Dunk basketball player
1996 On Fire
Man Wanted 2 Rung
Street of Fury Lung
1997 Troublesome Night Ken Ng Chi-keung
Troublesome Night 2 Sam
1998 Troublesome Night 3 Cheng Lik
T.H.E. Professionals Officer Kong
God.com Officer Chan
The Suspect Don Lee
Troublesome Night 4 Wing
1999 Troublesome Night 5 Lam Chung-fat
Troublesome Night 6 Inspector Wong
Rules of the Game David Chow
Super Car Criminals
Bullets Over Summer Brian
Century of the Dragon Wong Chi-shing
Sealed with a Kiss Kam Sui
The Masked Prosecutor Tong Hiu-tai
The Young Ones Cameo
2000 For Bad Boys Only Jack Shum
Troublesome Night 7 Lok
Conman in Tokyo Cool
2001 Born Wild Tan Ho
The Legend of Zu Red
La Brassiere Wayne
2002 The Lion Roars Seasonal Chan
Fat Choi Spirit Louis
Dry Wood Fierce Fire Ryan Li
Women From Mars Servant of Hell Cameo
Mighty Baby Wayne
2003 Love for All Seasons Tiger Hung
Why Me, Sweetie?! Dong
Good Times, Bed Times Paul Ko Chi-keung
Naked Ambition Andy Also producer
Lost in Time Ah Man Special appearance
2004 Fantasia Sam
Love on the Rocks Wong Kai-ming
Throw Down Sze-to Bo premiered at61st Venice International Film Festival
2005 Election Jimmy Lee competitive film at 58th Cannes Film Festival
2006 Election 2 Jimmy Lee "Films out of Competition" at 59th Cannes Film Festival
Rob-B-Hood Octopus premiered at 62nd Venice International Film Festival
Happy Birthday Nam
2007 Protégé Jane's Husband Nominated - 27thHong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated - 44th Golden Horse Award For Best Supporting Actor
Triangle Fai "Films out of Competition" at 60th Cannes Film Festival
Flash Point Wilson
2008 Run Papa Run Tiger Lee Tin-yun Nominated - 28thHong Kong Film Award for Best Actor
Nominated - 45th Golden Horse Award For Best Actor
Connected Bob
2009 Accident Brain competitive film at66th Venice International Film Festival
All's Well, Ends Well 2009 Dick Cho
On His Majesty's Secret Service Royal Dog
Poker King Jack Chang
Overheard Gene Yeung Nominated- 6th Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards for Best Actor
2010 All's Well, Ends Well 2010 Emperor
Triple Tap Ken Kwan
2011 The Road Less Traveled Hui Shing-leung
All's Well, Ends Well 2011 Sammy Shum
Mr. and Mrs. Incredible Gazer Warrior
Don't Go Breaking My Heart Sean Cheung
A Chinese Ghost Story Yin Chek-ha
Overheard 2 Jack Ho Chi-keung
Magic to Win Wood Magician Cameo
2012 All's Well, Ends Well 2012 Peng Kin
Romancing in Thin Air Michael Lau
2013 Drug War Timmy Choi Tim-ming
Out of Inferno Keung
The White Storm So Kin-chow Nominated - 33rd Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor
premiered at 10th International Rome Film Festival
2014 Hello Babies Cameo
Golden Chickensss Jiangmen Louis Koo Cameo
Naked Ambition 2 Naoki Nagasaki Cameo
Also producer
Aberdeen Cheng Wai-to
Overheard 3 Lau Wing-jau
Z Storm William Luk
Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 Sean Cheung
2015 An Inspector Calls Inspector Karl
12 Golden Ducks Rocky Cameo
Triumph in the Skies Branson Cheung
Little Big Master Tse Wing-tung
SPL II: A Time for Consequences Mr. Hung Special appearance
Paris Holiday Lam Chun-kit
Wild City T-Man
2016 Three Ken Chan
League of Gods Shen Gongbao
Line Walker Shiu Chi-long
Call of Heroes Cho Siu-lun
S Storm William Luk
Shed Skin Papa Tin Lik-hang competitive film at 29th Tokyo International Film Festival
2017 Dealer/Healer Halley Special appearance
Meow Ng Sau-lung
Paradox Lee Chung-chi Won - 12thAsian Film Award for Best Actor[33]
Won - 12th Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Award for Best Actor[34]
Won - 37th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor
Always Be With You Sam
2018 L Storm William Luk
Kung Fu Monster Feng Si-hai
2019 A Home with a View Wong Siu-choi
P Storm William Luk
Chasing the Dragon II: Wild Wild Bunch Sky Ho
The White Storm 2: Drug Lords Jizo Nominated - 39th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Original Film Song
Line Walker 2: Invisible Spy Cheng Chun-yin
A Witness Out of the Blue Sean Wong Nominated - 39th Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Actor
2021 Dynasty Warriors Lü Bu
Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong Hank Chan
All U Need Is Love Captain of the Epidemic Prevention Operation Unit
The Mitchells vs. the Machines Executive producer only[35]
Vivo Executive producer only[36]
Anita Eddie Lau Nominated - 40th Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
G Storm William Luk
2022 Warriors of Future Tyler Also producer
Marmaduke Executive producer only
New Kung Fu Cult Master 1 Cheung Chui-shan
New Kung Fu Cult Master 2 Cheung Chui-shan
2023 The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell Au Chi-yuen
Death Notice Wong Siu-ping
Vital Sign
2024 The Garfield Movie Executive producer only[15]
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In Cyclone
TBD Sons of the Neon Night Ching Man-sing Post-production
Back to the Past Hong Siu-lung Post-production
Beyond the Sin Post-production
The Trier of Fact Car Che Post-production
Behind the Shadows Post-production
Storm Cloud 3D Duen Long Pre-production
The Strangled Truth Pre-production
When It All Begins Pre-production
Un Coevr D'Artichaut Pre-production
Under Control Pre-production
Chasing the Dragon III: Chinatown Pre-production

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Knot to Treasure Wah Ching-hou
Class of Distinction Luk Gin-choi
1995 Happy Harmony Sung Gwai
The Condor Heroes 95 Yeung Kuo
1996 Cold Blood Warm Heart Yip Sing-hong
1997 The Hit Man Chronicles Yan Hua
War & Remembrance 4th Prince
Against the Blade of Honour Ding Pang
I Can't Accept Corruption Fong Cheuk-man / Lee Sing-man
A Recipe for the Heart Kiu Pak-ko Nominated - 2ndTVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor
1998 Burning Flame Lau Hoi-pak
1999 Man's Best Friend Tai Jin Sek
Detective Investigation Files IV Tsui Fei Won - 3rd TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor
At the Threshold of an Era Nick Cheung Chi-lik
2000 At the Threshold of an Era II Nick Cheung Chi-lik Won - 4th TVB Anniversary Award for Top Favourite Television Characters
2001 A Step into the Past Hong Siu-lung Won - 5th TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor
Won - 5th TVB Anniversary Award for Top Favourite Television Characters

Honors

[edit]

In 2018,55382 Kootinlok,amain-beltasteroid discovered byBill Yeungat theDesert Eagle Observatoryin 2001, was named in honor of Koo.

On May 20, 2021, Weibo Starlight Awards 2020 ceremony was held online. The winners were all over the world, including Koo,Katy Perry,Taylor Swift,Takuya Kimura,etc. Koo, was awarded the "Starlight of Fame (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan)" and "Starlight Influential Actor of the Year".[37]

In2023,Koo was honoured byNew York Asian Film Festivalwith Extraordinary Star Asia Award.[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Louis Koo".chinesemov.com.RetrievedMarch 24,2010.
  2. ^"TV".Louis Koo Tin-Lok Official Website.Retrieved8 January2013.
  3. ^"2012 phúc bố tư trung quốc danh nhân bảng".Forbes China.Retrieved11 January2013.
  4. ^"2004 niên chu ký".Louis Koo Tin-Lok Official Website.Retrieved13 January2013.
  5. ^"Lưu án để ảnh hưởng nhất sinh"[Criminal records bring lifelong impact].The Sun.19 October 2007.Retrieved14 May2021.
  6. ^"Bộc cổ thiên nhạc thiệp hắc kinh lịch: 18 tuế tằng nhân hành kiếp phục hình 22 cá nguyệt"[Louis Koo's triad-linked past exposed: Sentenced to 22 months because of robbery at 18].ent.qq.com.2 April 2013.Retrieved14 May2021.
  7. ^Kerr, Elizabeth."Election 2".Hollywood Reporter.
  8. ^Ho, Yi (19 January 2007)."A nostalgic romance".Taipei Times.Retrieved11 January2013.
  9. ^Ho, Yi (25 April 2008)."When the going gets tough, the tough get soft".The Taipei Times.
  10. ^Elley, Derek (3 October 2008)."Connected".Variey.Retrieved9 January2013.
  11. ^Lee, Edmund."Louis Koo interview".Time Out.Retrieved8 January2013.
  12. ^"Media Asia joins hands with Louis Koo, Angelababy".The Standard. 2021-01-29
  13. ^"《 tầm tần ký 》 điện ảnh bản dự cáo bộc quang cổ thiên nhạc lâm phong tương cách nhập niên tái đối quyết".Sing Tao News. 2021-03-16
  14. ^"Oscars 2022: 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines,' executive produced by Hong Kong actor Louis Koo, nominated for best animated feature".9 February 2022.
  15. ^ab"'The Garfield Movie' Trailer Teases New Era of Lasagna-Loving Cat Featuring Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson ".The Hollywood Reporter.13 November 2023.
  16. ^"HKIFF".www.hkiff.org.hk.
  17. ^Tiên lãng triều quốc tế đoản phiến tiết
  18. ^Hương cảng diễn nghệ nhân hiệp hội
  19. ^"Publication".Louis Koo Tin-Lok Official Website.Retrieved8 January2013.
  20. ^Mak, Clara (15 March 2008)."Koo's comic book capers".South China Morning Post.Retrieved8 January2013.
  21. ^"Louis Koo International Fansclub".
  22. ^"Music".Louis Koo Tin-Lok Official Website.Retrieved8 January2013.
  23. ^Chan, Candy."PepsiCo's Thirst For China Continues".Marketing Magazine.Retrieved9 January2013.
  24. ^Ng, Erica."Samsung Eyes Apple's Dominance".Marketing Magazine.Retrieved9 January2013.
  25. ^"News".Archived fromthe originalon 21 February 2012.Retrieved9 January2013.
  26. ^"Louis Koo is the brand ambassador for Yokohama Tire".Yokohama Tire.Retrieved9 January2013.
  27. ^Watson, Mark (16 May 2012)."Tropicana Launches New Thematic TVC And Interactive Campaign".China Smack.Retrieved11 January2013.
  28. ^"Advertisement".Louis Koo Tin-Lok Official Website.
  29. ^"Louis Koo helped build 49 schools".The Star.Retrieved8 January2013.
  30. ^"Mặc mặc phù bần 3 niên cổ tử nội địa kiến 49 học giáo".Apple Daily Hong Kong.Retrieved8 January2013.
  31. ^"Từ ân cơ kim hội".
  32. ^"Hong Kong UNICEF Ambassadors".Archived fromthe originalon 5 July 2014.Retrieved9 January2013.
  33. ^"Asian Film Awards: 'Youth' Wins Top Prize From 'Demon Cat'".Variety.March 17, 2018.
  34. ^"Louis Koo wins another Best Actor award".Archived fromthe originalon March 23, 2018.
  35. ^Rooney, David."'The Mitchells vs. the Machines': Film Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.
  36. ^Massuda, Lauren (29 July 2021)."First 'Vivo' Trailer Offers Colorful Animation and Catchy Songs on Netflix".Collider.
  37. ^"Cổ tử phủng tưởng bất vong hu võng dân xanh cảng phiến".SingTao news. 2021-05-22
  38. ^"NYAFF 2023 Unveils Special Guests, Award Honorees and Second Wave of Films".NYAFF. 1 July 2023.Retrieved8 July2022.
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