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Billy Lau

Billy Lau

Actor · Born July 3, 1954 (72) · Hong Kong, British Crown Colony

Billy Lau Nam-kwong (Chinese: 樓南光, born 3 April 1954) is a Hong Kong film actor. He is best known for playing the Police Captain in Mr. Vampire (1985), and went on to be cast in similar roles. He has appeared in many comedy and horror films.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 3, 1954 (72)
From
Hong Kong, British Crown Colony
Works as
Actor
Titles
31 on MovieCove · 138 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 27% in 30 days

What are Billy Lau's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Action10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
38%
Survival
25%
Society
16%
Morality
15%
Ideas
5%
Self
2%
Survival8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTradition vs change2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 2 · Wry 2 · Earnest 9

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 12 · Serious 2 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 0 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 5

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 12

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 3

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 7 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
2 of 4
Trickster
2 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
8
Thrilling
8
Joyful
5
Tense
4
Warm
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Fun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet6
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Billy Lau's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 31 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on The Criterion Channel (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Billy Lau's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

138 credits, 31 with a MovieCove page.

  • Huckster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Police Chief

  • Justice Is Mine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Shushan Devil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Jia Zhengjing

  • Exorcism (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Uncle Maoshan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • The Puppet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Huang Dacheng

  • Judge Bao: Intrigues at Academy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Qian Zhong, Minister of Rites

  • The Haunting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Actor

  • Executioner's Strange Talk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Mystery of Muye: The Dragon Seeker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Junior Agent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Zhu Dafu

  • King of the New Beggars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as So's Father

  • Taoist Priest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Old City Manager

  • The Human Cannon 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Kingdom of Womanhood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Lotus Lantern (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Lion Rock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Ip Man and Four Kings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Master Fang

  • Five Elements (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Shen Xie

  • White Fish Town 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Younger Cousin

  • Master Z: The Ip Man Legacy(2018)

    as Kwan's Board Member

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Lucid Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Uncle Lam

  • Demon Catcher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Master Wu

  • Big Brother(2018)

    as Gladys' Father

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • VR Exorcist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Bio Raiders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Lei Wanlong

  • Dealer/Healer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Drug den boss

  • Deadly Hangover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Nowhere to Hide! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Yin Yang Xian Sheng Zhi Mo Dai Tian Shi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as A Long

  • Just Another Margin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Rigor Mortis(2013)

    as Cook

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • A Simple Life(2011)

    as Mobster A

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Pye-Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Mr Leung

  • Kung Fu Mahjong 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Mahjong Cheat

  • Go! Go! Daddy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 20 episodes · as 曾敬慈

  • 偷情宝鉴之俠骨淫心 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • 偷情宝鉴之欲海无涯 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Sex & Zen Vol.3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Sex & Zen Vol.4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Sex and Zen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Sex and Zen - The Prostitute in Jiang Nan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Thank You Grandpa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 25 episodes · Actor

  • 偷情宝鉴之十二性夜 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Guys and a Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Screenplay · Actor

  • 偷情宝鉴之金枪不倒 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • The Temptation of Office Ladies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Johnny Koo

  • The Hong Kong Happy Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Tender Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Only Fools Fall in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Sha Sam

  • Detective Investigation Files (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 60 episodes · as 丁守礼 Ding Sau Lai

  • Don't Give a Damn(1995)

    as Fainted Policeman (CID)

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Modern Republic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Shade of Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • The Gods Must Be Funny in China(1994)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Don't Shoot Me, I'm Just a Violinist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Kidnapper

  • Woman Killer's Rampage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • The Spirit of Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Blade of Fury(1993)

    Assistant Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Inspector Wears Skirts IV (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Lou Nan Pin

  • Mad Mad Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Landlord

  • Skin Striperess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mr. Lau

  • Mr Vampire 1992 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as General

  • Lethal Contact (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • A Kid from Tibet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Jail Warden

  • Ghost in Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Xiao Lin

  • Sisters of the World Unite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • The Banquet(1991)

    as Soccer Player

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Slickers vs. Killers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Man at Mall

  • Vampire Kids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Fatty

  • Devil's Vendetta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Tan Tin Kong

  • The Nocturnal Demon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Master Snake

  • The Inspector Wears Skirts III (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Nam

  • A Tale from the East (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Chu Tai-Lit

  • Vampire Settle On Police Camp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as 黎良伟

  • Here Comes a Vampire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Yung

  • The Spooky Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • The Fortune Code (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Donald Duck

  • Vampire vs. Vampire(1989)

    as General

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Miracles: The Canton Godfather(1989)

    as Ah Tung

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Funny Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Killer Ho

  • Operation Pink Squad II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Big Nose

  • Little Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Vice Squad Insp.

  • Unfaithfully Yours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Mr. Smart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Kuang / Kwong

  • Pedicab Driver(1989)

    as Coolie

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Inspector Wears Skirts II(1989)

    as Nan

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • My Dream is Yours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • The Beloved Son of God (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Operation Pink Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Big Nose

  • Spooky, Spooky(1988)

    as Four Eyes

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Police Story 2(1988)

    as Ticketed Truck Driver

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Carry On Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Billy

  • Miss Magic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Billy Tung

  • Bet on Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Club Patron

  • Top Squad(1988)

    as Nam

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Haunted Cop Shop II(1988)

    as Lazy Bone

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • No Compromise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Mr Chan

  • Into the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Burglar

  • Mr. Vampire Part 3(1987)

    as Captain Chiang

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Haunted Cop Shop(1987)

    as Sneaky Ming

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • You're My Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Traffic Cop

  • Eastern Condors(1987)

    as Chin Dai-Hoi

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Final Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Dirty Nose

  • United We Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • My Heavenly Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Mr. Vampire II(1986)

    as Chicken

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Naughty Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Detective Ah Fu

  • Lucky Stars Go Places(1986)

    as Libbogen / Lib-Bogen

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Sweet Sixteen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as 楼老师

  • Millionaires' Express(1986)

    as Train Captain

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • My Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • The Strange Bedfellow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Yes, Madam!(1985)

    as Parking Inspector

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Mr. Vampire(1985)

    as Wai

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • City Hero(1985)

    as Old Bachelor

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars(1985)

    as Play Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Those Merry Souls(1985)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Affectionately Yours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Ruddy's buddy

  • My Lucky Stars(1985)

    as Mental Patient

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Friendly Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Tuo cuo che(1985)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Chase a Fortune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Billy

  • Hong Kong 1941 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Foreman

  • The Ghost Informer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Double Trouble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • The Intellectual Trio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Simon Tang

  • Heaven Can Help (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Banana Cop(1984)

    as HK policeman

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Esprit D'amour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Assistant Director · as Ming's Colleague

  • Men from the Gutter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Brainless

  • Mad Mission Part 2: Aces Go Places(1983)

    as Bull's thug

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • It Takes Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Bing's Thug

  • He Lives by Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Cashier

  • A House is Not a Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 110 episodes · Actor

  • Chaser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • 凡夫俗女 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 138 titles, 136 of them dated from 1977 to 2026; peak year 1986.

Biggest box office

Rigor Mortis (2013)

$3M worldwide

Highest rated

Mr. Vampire (1985)

Midcredits 89th

Most popular right now

Miracles: The Canton Godfather (1989)

Film career

19772026

Peak 1986 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1983Screen debut· Aces Go Places II
  • 1987Career best· Mr. Vampire III

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting137 of 138: 135 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score52ndWriting1 of 138: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleOther crew2 of 138: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s57 · 57 acting · 1 crew1990s30 · 29 acting · 1 crew2000s15 · 15 acting · 1 crew2010s17 · acting2020s16 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
8388

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Billy Lau's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52nd percentile, the median of all 31; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 31 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

The Gods Must Be Funny in China (1994)

83rd percentile spread · 58% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

A Simple Life (2011)

Midcredits 95th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Billy Lau work with?

People who share at least 2 of Billy Lau's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Wu Ma shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles