Ng Man-tat: A Complete Biography and Professional Profile
Ng Man-tat, often credited as Richard Ng Man-tat, built a career spanning nearly five decades, transitioning from television dramas to becoming the most iconic comedic foil in modern Cantonese cinema. His life story is one of dramatic highs and lows, mirroring the characters he often portrayed on screen.
- Full Name: Ng Man-tat (吳孟達)
- Also Known As: Uncle Tat (達叔), Richard Ng Man-tat
- Born: January 2, 1952
- Birthplace: Xiamen, Fujian, China (moved to Hong Kong at age five)
- Died: February 27, 2021 (Aged 69/70)
- Cause of Death: Liver Cancer
- Training: Graduated from the TVB's 3rd Actor Training Course in 1973
- Notable Co-Stars: Stephen Chow, Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat
- Major Award: Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (1991)
- Career Span: 1973–2021
Ng Man-tat’s career began in the 1970s at Hong Kong's TVB, where he trained alongside future megastar Chow Yun-fat. While Chow Yun-fat quickly rose to fame, Ng Man-tat initially struggled, battling personal issues that led to a period of debt and professional obscurity in the early 1980s. His career revival began with the TV series Police Cadet '84, and soon after, he would meet the collaborator who would define his career.
The Undisputed King of the Golden Supporting Role
The term "Golden Supporting Actor" (黃金配角) was practically coined for Ng Man-tat. He possessed a unique dramatic range that allowed him to play everything from a pathetic, down-on-his-luck father figure to a scheming villain or a loyal, if clumsy, friend. His versatility was his superpower, enabling him to ground Stephen Chow's "mo lei tau" (nonsense) comedy with genuine emotion.
The Iconic Stephen Chow Partnership
Ng Man-tat's most famous work is undoubtedly his partnership with Stephen Chow Sing-chi, a collaboration that spanned over a decade and resulted in some of the highest-grossing and most culturally significant Hong Kong films of the 1990s. They first worked together on the 1989 TV series Dun Fei Final Combat, and their cinematic breakthrough came with All for the Winner (1990). Their on-screen chemistry, where Ng Man-tat often played the exasperated, older, or subservient figure to Chow's eccentric hero, was the engine of their success.
Key films from the Stephen Chow era include:
- All for the Winner (1990): The film that launched the partnership and Chow's comedic style.
- Fight Back to School (1991): Where Ng Man-tat played a bumbling, undercover police officer.
- Royal Tramp (1992): A classic wuxia comedy.
- The God of Cookery (1996): A unique blend of food and fantasy comedy.
- Shaolin Soccer (2001): Their final major collaboration, where Ng Man-tat played the disgraced coach 'Golden Leg Fung.'
Despite their professional success, the partnership famously ended after Shaolin Soccer. Rumors of a fallout persisted, particularly after Ng Man-tat was unable to participate in Chow's next film, Kung Fu Hustle (2004), due to scheduling conflicts and health issues. In later interviews, Ng Man-tat consistently dismissed claims of a bitter feud, stating there was "no conflict" and that they simply drifted apart due to busy schedules. Chow later attended Ng's funeral, a silent tribute to their deep, if complicated, history.
Beyond Comedy: The Dramatic Genius of Uncle Tat
To only remember Ng Man-tat for his comedic roles is to overlook the critical acclaim he garnered in serious dramatic roles. This versatility is the true measure of his talent and a key part of his enduring legacy.
The Hong Kong Film Award Triumph
Ng Man-tat’s most significant professional recognition came not from a comedy, but from his powerful dramatic performance in the 1990 film A Moment of Romance. Co-starring with Andy Lau, Ng Man-tat played a small-time triad member and a loyal, protective mentor named 'Blackie Tat.' His portrayal was so compelling and heartbreaking that he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the 10th Hong Kong Film Awards in 1991. This win proved his ability to deliver emotional depth and gravitas, solidifying his status as a genuinely versatile actor, not just a comedic sidekick.
Late-Career Resurgence in Mainland China
In the final years of his career, Ng Man-tat found a new audience and critical success in Mainland Chinese productions. His role in the 2019 sci-fi blockbuster The Wandering Earth was a major highlight. Playing the grandfather Han Zi’ang, his performance was a return to dramatic, fatherly roles, showcasing his ability to connect with a global audience in a high-budget, non-comedic setting. The film was a massive box office success, proving that 'Uncle Tat' was a draw far beyond the Hong Kong comedy genre.
Ng Man-tat's Final Years and Enduring Legacy
The last decade of Ng Man-tat's life was marked by a series of health battles, which ultimately led to his passing. He had suffered from heart failure in 2014 and later battled liver cancer. Despite his deteriorating health, he continued to take on roles, demonstrating his commitment to his craft until the very end.
His death on February 27, 2021, at Union Hospital in Tai Wai, Hong Kong, was a moment of deep sadness for the Asian film community. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife, children, and siblings. Following his death, his close friend Tenky Tin Kai-man confirmed that there was no dispute over his legacy or estate, bringing a quiet closure to his personal affairs.
Ng Man-tat's legacy is defined by his generosity as an actor. He was a master of self-effacement, always willing to make the lead actor look better, yet possessing the skill to steal any scene he was in. He taught a generation of actors that the most memorable performance is often not the lead, but the one that supports, grounds, and elevates the entire story. From the bumbling 'Blackie Tat' to the exasperated 'Golden Leg Fung,' Ng Man-tat will forever be remembered as the irreplaceable "Golden Supporting Actor" of Chinese cinema.
