The ‘king of comedians’ had real ‘Hong Kong spirit’: Diamond Restaurant brand owner on his grandfather Leung Sing-por, a TV and movie star
- Andrew Leung is not only the grandson of Kam Shui-fai, the founder of Hong Kong’s Yung Kee Restaurant, he is also a descendant of actor-comedian Leung Sing-por
- He reflects on his memories of his actor grandfather, who starred in more than 450 films and countless stage performances, and became a comedian in his 40s
Andrew Leung Tze-wung has not one but two famous grandfathers.
Andrew Leung was born in the UK in 1978 but, when he was three months old, his family moved back to Hong Kong after discovering that Leung Sing-por was suffering from stomach cancer. The actor died in 1981 at the age of 73.
“At least I had the opportunity to spend three years with my paternal grandfather in Hong Kong. In my memory, he was very nice and gentle, and loved me very much,” he recalls.
“My grandfather [Leung Sing-por] was very concerned about the education of his children, while he also respected their choice of career. He sent my father to La Salle College in Hong Kong and later to the UK to pursue his [medical] studies.
“For his other children who joined the film industry, my grandfather also gave them all the freedom and his support to pursue their dreams.”
Leung Sing-por had seven children, four girls and three boys. Three of his daughters entered show business, while the rest of his children chose different career paths: one daughter became a flight attendant, and his other two sons joined the hotel sector and the catering industry.
“My aunties Leung Po-chu, Leung Po-ching and Leung Po-man [who is widely known by her stage name Man Lan] were in many of my grandfather’s movies,” Andrew Leung says. “My grandmother Koo Man-kuen was the producer – you can say those movies were family-run.”
Andrew Leung says he is a big fan of his actor grandfather and saw many of his films.
“His movies are more than just a comedy. Many of them also send a positive message to the audience as to stay optimistic, honest and to care for others. These were also my grandfather’s motto in real life,” he says.
“He [became] a comedian to make everyone happy and stay positive. The change of his career has proven to be a success.”
Leung Sing-por starred in more than 450 films and countless stage performances over a career that started in 1940. He was also awarded an MBE – a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire honour – by the Hong Kong government in 1976 for bringing “enjoyment to millions”.
“I feel so proud of both of my very outstanding grandfathers, who had remarkable achievements in their own fields,” Andrew Leung says.
