The beloved “Ming Sir,” whose career stretched from pioneering Hong Kong dance to unforgettable film and television roles, has died after decades in the spotlight.
Hong Kong’s entertainment and performing-arts community is mourning the death of veteran actor and dancer Lau Siu Ming, who passed away at the age of 94 on Sept. 2, 2026.
Lau, affectionately known as “Ming Sir,” died at around 6 p.m., according to reports citing fellow actor and voice artist Ding Yue, who confirmed the news to Hong Kong media. His cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
His death marks the loss of one of Hong Kong’s most distinctive performers — an artist who helped shape the city’s dance scene before becoming a familiar face in some of the most memorable films and television dramas of the late 20th century.
From dance pioneer to iconic character actor
Long before audiences knew him from the screen, Lau was already making history in dance.
Born in Hong Kong in 1931, he was among the early generation of Hong Kong dancers to pursue professional training in Europe. He received a scholarship in the 1960s to study at the Rosella Hightower School of Dance in Cannes, France, and later worked with the Brussels Ballet du XXe Siècle.
After returning to Hong Kong in 1967, Lau dedicated himself to dance education and choreography. He worked with television organizations and helped nurture younger performers, eventually becoming an influential figure in the development of Hong Kong’s dance community.
His influence extended well beyond acting.
Hong Kong authorities noted that Lau founded and advised several dance and arts organizations and served on an arts advisory panel involved in developing new talent and expanding audiences.
His film breakthrough came at 47
Lau entered the film industry relatively late compared with many actors.
In 1979, director Tsui Hark cast him in The Butterfly Murders, marking the beginning of a screen career that would span more than four decades.
He subsequently appeared in numerous Hong Kong films and television productions.
But one role would make him particularly unforgettable to international audiences.
The role that made “Ming Sir” unforgettable
For many movie fans, Lau will forever be associated with Lao Lao, the sinister tree demon, in the classic 1987 fantasy-horror film A Chinese Ghost Story.
The character’s eerie appearance and distinctive performance helped make the film a landmark of Hong Kong fantasy cinema.
The Hong Kong Film Archive also identifies Lau as the Tree Demon in the original A Chinese Ghost Story, alongside Leslie Cheung, Joey Wong and Wu Ma.
He also appeared in the film’s sequels and delivered notable performances in movies including Swordsman and other major Hong Kong productions.
His television credits included the hugely popular 1983 adaptation of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, further cementing his place among the familiar faces of Hong Kong’s golden entertainment era.
A respected mentor, not just an actor
Lau’s legacy wasn’t limited to the characters he played.
He was widely respected by younger performers who regarded him as a mentor and senior figure.
Hong Kong actress Charmaine Sheh previously recalled lessons Lau gave her about acting, including his use of water as a metaphor for natural, flowing performance. Other younger stars also continued to maintain relationships with him later in his life.
Hong Kong lawmaker Kenneth Fok also remembered visiting Lau in hospital earlier in 2026, describing him as weak physically but still passionate about passing his hopes for the industry to the next generation.
A career recognized by Hong Kong
Lau received numerous honors for his contribution to the arts.
He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and later received major recognition from Hong Kong’s arts and television communities.
The Hong Kong government confirmed that he received the Medal of Honour in 2013, while TVB presented him with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its 2013 anniversary awards. The Hong Kong Arts Development Council also recognized his contribution to the arts.
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law issued a tribute following his death, saying Lau had devoted his life to dance and the performing arts and that his talent and dedication would be remembered.
His final years were quieter
Lau largely withdrew from public life as he grew older.
Reports said he suffered from multiple health problems and used a wheelchair in his later years. He spent his 93rd birthday in hospital, according to Hong Kong media reports.
His last acting role was in the 2020 Hong Kong drama ** The Gutter (歎息橋)**, after which he largely stepped away from the screen.
His last reported public appearance came in October 2025 at a Hong Kong reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Lau was also deeply affected by the death of his wife, Cheung Wai Ling, in 2012 after more than five decades of marriage. Following her death, he stepped back from acting for a period and spoke about losing much of his motivation to work.
A legacy that goes beyond the screen
Lau Siu Ming’s career tells a larger story about Hong Kong entertainment.
He was not simply an actor who appeared in famous movies. He was part of an earlier generation that helped build Hong Kong’s dance, television and film industries from the ground up.
From European dance schools to Hong Kong television studios, from choreography to unforgettable supernatural villains, Lau spent decades moving between different forms of performance.
For generations of viewers, “Ming Sir” will remain recognizable as the haunting tree demon from A Chinese Ghost Story.
For Hong Kong’s performing-arts community, however, his legacy is considerably larger.
He leaves behind a career that helped shape both the stage and screen — and a generation of artists who learned from him along the way.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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