Veteran performer opens up about career ups and downs, a painful on-set injury, and why he believes “the best arrangement is no arrangement at all”
HONG KONG — After more than 30 years in the entertainment industry, Hong Kong actor Philip Tam has learned one thing: some things simply cannot be calculated. In a recent interview on Metro Radio’s program “Afterlife Dialogue,” the 55-year-old reflected on the unpredictable nature of show business, recalling how two of his films are being released simultaneously after a 27-year gap—a pattern he first experienced in 1999 with “The Conman” and “Extreme Crisis.”
“Sometimes, that’s just how things work,” Tam said. “When you’ve accumulated enough, everything erupts at once.”
The actor, who rose to fame after winning the New Talent Singing Awards, expressed resignation about forces beyond his control. Many films now face multiple layers of regulatory approval, he noted, with completed projects sometimes waiting years for release. His own film “Where the Wind Blows” took six years to reach theaters.
“A lot of things are beyond our control,” Tam said with a laugh. “What I know is that I truly enjoy right now—just being myself. The best arrangement is no arrangement at all. You really can’t calculate it.”
‘Heartfelt’ Post Sparks Concern
Tam recently drew attention after posting the Cantonese phrase “心灰意冷” — meaning “disheartened” — on social media, following the announcement of Hong Kong Film Award nominations. The cryptic message sparked speculation, but Tam downplayed its significance.
“It’s nothing serious,” he explained. “Many friends showed concern, so I’ll write more often to express my feelings. Don’t take it too seriously. Thank you everyone for caring.”
He emphasized the post was merely a spontaneous emotional outlet, not a critique of the awards system.
On-Set Accident: Three Fractured Ribs
Tam also recounted a harrowing experience while filming “Escape from the Prison.” During a scene involving a rolling ambulance, he was suspended by wire and lowered into the vehicle when he accidentally struck a wooden crate, fracturing three ribs.
Determined not to delay production, he endured excruciating pain to complete the night’s shoot. “If I had said I couldn’t go on, we would have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars that night,” he said.
He returned home hoping rest would heal the injury, but the next morning he could not get out of bed. A violent sneeze triggered such intense pain that he screamed, prompting his son to call his wife in panic. A family doctor provided emergency treatment, and Tam spent over two months recovering.
From Dance Floor to Screen
Before acting, Tam worked as a backup dancer for Cantopop legend Paula Tsui. Growing up poor, he learned to dance by watching television and visiting discos. “I would have done it for free just for fun,” he joked.
After winning a singing competition, he entered the industry but eventually transitioned to acting due to contractual issues. At age 24, Tam had to relearn his craft under the guidance of film directors, enduring brutal schedules at television stations where he might wrap at 4 a.m. and resume work by 6:30 a.m.
He cautioned against comparing eras directly. While the past offered more opportunities and greater equality, he acknowledged that today’s younger actors, despite fewer resources, at least have time to sleep.
A Grounding Force at Home
Married for over two decades with two children, Tam credited his wife with helping him stay grounded. “For an artist, it’s extremely difficult not to be self-centered,” he admitted. “But my wife is very down-to-earth. Watching her interact with everyone, I just stand there twiddling my thumbs.”
He said his wife’s influence has made him more humble and accepting of life’s realities. Aware of the demands of full-time parenting, he makes a conscious effort to spend time with his family.
As for whether his children will follow him into showbiz, Tam set clear boundaries. His 15-year-old daughter must decide by age 16 whether she wants to pursue acting. “Unless she truly wants to try, and she enrolls in a singing competition herself, I won’t help her,” he said, adding that he would prefer they avoid the industry altogether given the shrinking opportunities available today.
Philip Tam’s latest projects are currently awaiting release in Hong Kong and mainland China.
