Hong Kong actor Simon Lui, best known for his roles in the city’s horror films and supernatural-themed productions, has died at the age of 62.
Lui reportedly died on Sept 7 in Guangzhou, China, after a battle with stomach cancer. His wife, Chinese streaming host Ma Li, confirmed his death, according to Hong Kong media reports.
His family is expected to hold a private funeral, with relatives requesting privacy following his death.
Known by fans as the “King of Ghosts”, Lui became one of the most recognisable faces in Hong Kong’s horror-comedy genre during the 1990s.
He entered the entertainment industry after joining TVB’s acting class in 1988. His career soon expanded beyond television, and he became particularly associated with supernatural films and programmes at a time when Hong Kong’s horror-comedy productions were hugely popular.
Lui gained widespread attention through the 1997 comedy-horror film Troublesome Night, which went on to become one of Hong Kong cinema’s most enduring horror franchises.
The series eventually produced 20 instalments, with Lui appearing in 13 of them. His frequent appearances helped establish his reputation as a familiar figure in Hong Kong supernatural cinema.
Unlike actors known primarily for conventional leading-man roles, Lui built much of his career around horror, comedy and character-driven performances. His distinctive presence made him a recurring figure in films aimed at audiences who enjoyed Hong Kong’s blend of ghosts, humour and supernatural folklore.
His career was also remarkably prolific.
Lui worked as an actor, writer and producer, and was involved in dozens of films and television projects. At the height of his career, he appeared in a particularly large number of productions, becoming a familiar face across Hong Kong’s entertainment industry.
He later moved into other aspects of filmmaking and entertainment, including writing and producing, while continuing to make occasional screen appearances.
Lui married Ma Li in 2012. She was 21 years younger than him, and the couple had a son together.
In his later years, Lui largely stepped away from the spotlight and lived with his family in Guangzhou.
His health had reportedly deteriorated after his stomach cancer relapsed about a year before his death.
News of his passing has prompted renewed attention to the actor’s contribution to Hong Kong’s horror-film culture, particularly among audiences who grew up watching the Troublesome Night series.
Lui’s death comes during a period in which Hong Kong has lost several veteran performers who helped define earlier generations of the city’s entertainment industry.
For fans of Hong Kong horror cinema, however, Lui occupies a particularly distinctive place.
He was not simply another supporting actor in supernatural films. His long association with ghost stories, horror comedies and paranormal entertainment earned him a unique identity that followed him throughout his career.
From Troublesome Night to numerous other supernatural productions, Simon Lui helped shape an era of Hong Kong horror that combined scares with irreverent humour.
He leaves behind his wife, their son and a body of work that continues to be remembered by fans of the genre.
The actor who became known as Hong Kong’s “King of Ghosts” is now being remembered not for the characters he played from beyond the grave, but for the decades he spent bringing them to life.
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