Hong Kong Actor and Dancer Lau Siu-Ming Dies Aged 94

Veteran actor and dancer Lau Siu-Ming (劉兆銘) has died at the age of 94. Lau, affectionately known as Ming Sir, died on September 2, 2026.

Born in Hong Kong in 1931, Lau began dancing at a young age and later travelled to France on a scholarship to study at the Rosella Hightower school in Cannes. He went on to work professionally in Europe, including with the Ballet du XXe Siècle in Brussels, before returning to Hong Kong in 1967.

Lau continued working in dance after his return and became a dance director and choreographer for television. His acting career began with Tsui Hark’s ‘The Butterfly Murders’ (1979), and he soon began taking on television roles as well.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Lau appeared regularly in Hong Kong films, often in supporting roles. One of his best-known performances was as the Tree Demon in ‘A Chinese Ghost Story’ (1987), and he went on to appear in both sequels. His film work also included ‘Righting Wrongs’ (1986), ‘Swordsman’ (1990), and ‘China Strike Force’ (2000).

Dance remained an important part of Lau’s life even after he became an actor. He helped establish and advise several arts organisations, and was made an Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2007. He later received the Life Achievement Award at the 2018 Hong Kong Arts Development Awards.

Lau continued acting in his later years, making his final screen appearance in the ViuTV drama ‘The Gutter’ in 2020.