Lau Siu-ming, revered as a founding father of modern dance in Hong Kong and a distinguished figure in film and television, passed away on June 2 at the age of 94. Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry, with colleagues and former students honoring his legacy of humility and artistic devotion.
Known affectionately as Ming Sir, Lau’s death was confirmed by friends and industry sources. His career spanned seven decades, bridging the worlds of classical dance and cinematic storytelling. He is widely credited with pioneering contemporary dance in Hong Kong during the 1960s, founding the city’s first professional dance company and later mentoring generations of performers.
Actor Tse Kwan-ho, a former student, posted a moving tribute on Instagram. He recalled a defining moment when Lau visited the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. “He stood up, bowed deeply to us—a room full of young students—and said, ‘Thank you.’ It wasn’t politeness. It was a master’s respect for the future of theater,” Tse wrote. “His passion and reverence for art were taught through that single gesture. Ming Sir, I am endlessly grateful.”
Lau’s transition to acting came later in life, but he left an indelible mark on Hong Kong cinema. He appeared in over 100 films, including Wong Kar-wai’s Days of Being Wild and Johnnie To’s The Mission, often playing wise elders or morally complex patriarchs. His performance in The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce earned critical praise abroad.
Despite his fame, colleagues described him as humble and approachable. He frequently attended student productions, offering quiet encouragement from the back row. “He never acted like a star,” said director Derek Yee. “He treated every stagehand and extra with the same courtesy he showed leading actors.”
Lau’s death marks the passing of a generation that shaped Hong Kong’s cultural identity. The city’s dance community plans a retrospective showcase later this year, and several film archives have announced special screenings of his classic works.
For young artists, his life offers a lasting lesson: true greatness lies in lifting others. As Tse wrote, “He taught us to respect the stage, our peers, and every person who loves theater. That is his gift to us all.”
