Kenneth Tsang Kong never wanted to be an actor, yet today he's one of Asia's best known screen faces, a veteran of over 140 films and countless TV series. We can't do better than quote his agent: 'comedies, actioners, thrillers, horror, dramas - you name it and he's been in it, directed it, written it or produced it.' Tsang has also received considerable international recognition, never more so than in recent years.

Born Kenneth Tsang Kong in 1934 in Shanghai, he moved with his parents to Hong Kong in 1949. Accounts vary about when his film career began, but the International Movie Database has him appearing in the 'Romeo' role in a Shaw Brothers romance, THE FEUD (1955), based on Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET. Despite a follow-up appearance in WHO ISN'T ROMANTIC (1956), Kenneth chose to go to an American high school in Texas, which led to a degree in architecture from the University of California.

In the early 1960s he returned to Hong Kong to put this knowledge to work, but the lure of the klieg lights outweighed his desire to design buildings. This may well have had something to do with the success of his actress sister, Jeanette Lin Tsui, who since 1954 had been carving out a lucrative career in films.

In 1963 Kenneth appeared in THE BIG CIRCUS, a big-budget spectacle directed by Jeanette's husband of the time, Kim Chun. The all-star cast included Landi Chang, whom Kenneth was to marry in 1968.

In 1965 his first real break came when he teamed up with his sister and brother-in-law in (what clumsily translates as) BLUNDERING WOMAN DETECTIVE. His good looks and personable style won him many fans, but it was his move into Cantonese films that brought him true prominence.

Although the number of these went through a steep decline in the late 1960s, the period saw Kenneth emerge as one of Hong Kong's leading men, notching up dozens of film credits, most notably in successes like the two DARK HEROINE MU LANHUA films, TRAGEDY IN A FISHING VILLAGE, and as Leung Foon in the Wong Fei-Hung series of classic kung fu movies.

With his American experience, Tsang was one of few Asian actors around at the time who spoke fluent English, which landed him his first 'international' role in Columbia Pictures' DEMONSTRATOR (1971), shot in Australia. Later in the 1970s, an upsurge in the demand for Mandarin movies led him into high-profile Hong Kong films such as VILLAGE ON FIRE (1973), on which later famous action director Yuen Woo Ping cut his teeth. Other stand-outs of the genre included THE EXTRAS (1978) directed by Yim Ho and the murder mystery CRAZY DISASTER (1979), Ann Hui's first (and probably best) film.

At the same time, Kenneth was carving himself out a career as a director in television, at the short-lived CTV station (1976-8) and later at RTV/ATV and TVB. As an actor, he graduated over the years from playing romantic leads to taking on more character roles. As his work in THE BLACK SHEEP AFFAIR shows, Kenneth can radiate charm and warmth, but also does a neat line in nasty. In this department, he's perfected a superbly maniacal laugh - conjuring up an image of real evil, not to mention dangerous insanity. One notable role where this part of his armament was on display was as the white-haired General Tsao in Tsui Hark's beautifully shot action comedy PEKING OPERA BLUES (1986). With these roles, Tsang became Hong Kong's 'go-to' man whenever a convincing villain was needed. Films that spring to mind are ANGEL TERMINATORS and PRINCESS MADAM (both 1990), together with Jackie Chan's POLICE STORY 3 (aka SUPERCOP) and BARE-FOOTED KID (both 1993).

Tsang's overseas fan base was growing, thanks to great performances he gave in a succession of films which earned John Woo similar international recognition: A BETTER TOMORROW 1 & 2 (1986), THE KILLER (1989) and ONCE A THIEF (1991).

In more recent years, the respect Kenneth has earned abroad has been reflected tangibly by invitations to appear in a number of Hollywood films. These include THE REPLACEMENT KILLERS (with Chow Yun Fat; 1997), ANNA AND THE KING (1999), RUSH HOUR 2 (with Jackie Chan; 2001) and THE TOUCH (with Michelle Yeoh; 2002), not to mention even more prestigious international projects like JAMES BOND, DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002) and MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (2005).

Despite overseas commitments, Kenneth maintains his Hong Kong connections, living there with his second wife, former Shaw brothers' star Chiao Chiao Li-na. They appeared together as parents of a gay policeman in BISHONEN (1998), and Kenneth continues to star in locally produced films like SIX STRONG MEN (2005) and THE DRUMMER (2007) which recently competed at the Sundance Film Festival 2008.