Top 7 Unbelievable Facts about Leslie Cheung

Top 7 Unbelievable Facts about Leslie Cheung

Leslie Cheung legacy by Ding Yuin Shan from Wikimedia Commons

Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing, who unfortunately killed himself after suffering from despair, died 17 years ago. Cheung, who died at the age of 46, had a remarkable life as a Canto-pop icon, an award-winning actor known across the world, and an LGBTQ+ pioneer.

It is fair to pay tribute to this outstanding Hongkonger on the first anniversary of his death, April 1. Whether you’re a dedicated fan who knows every word to every song or simply know him from Wong Kar-Days wai’s of Being Wild, here are some facts about “Gor Gor” you may not have known.

1. His family background 

Cheung was the youngest of ten children in a huge family. Cheung Wut-hoi, his father, was a well-known Central tailor who designed suits for Marlon Brando, Cary Grant, and Alfred Hitchcock.

As a consequence, Cheung majored in textile management at university. In an interview with RTHK, Cheung confessed all of this, adding, “Fate played a very crucial part.” All of the classes I was taking had nothing to do with the entertainment industry. If I had been truly interested in the entertainment industry, I would have studied music while abroad, but that was not the case. In the end, I couldn’t avoid my fate of working in show business.”

2. His local idols were Cantonese opera actors

Jane Fonda by Georges Biard from Wikimedia Commons

Cheung confessed to loving a number of “overseas idols.” Jane Fonda, Robert Redford, and Barbra Streisand were among the celebrities he mentioned throughout his teens. His idols were sought in movies rather than music.

His favourite artists closer to home were Cantonese opera actors, particularly Yam Kim-Fai and Pak Suet-sin, whom his nanny used to take him to see when he was a child.

3. He began his musical career singing American Pie

Cheung began his professional singing career in 1977 when he entered the Rediffusion Television Asian Amateur Singing Contest (the future ATV). He had been playing with a folk band named Onyx – “which stands for a distinctive and dazzling black stone” – at the time, so he chose the well-known Don McLean song American Pie, despite the fact that he knew the song would have to be shortened for television. Cheung famously did not win and had to settle with second place.

4. He was initially a flop as a singer

Leslie Cheung by Chureemfuo from Wikimedia Commons

Cheung was not initially well-known as a professional vocalist, despite his subsequent success. He was chastised for being immature and having a “chicken-like voice.” Cheung was booed offstage at a pop-folk music event that also included The Wynners, a group fronted by Alan Tam, another Canto-pop star in the making.

“The audience shouted at me, saying ‘Get off the stage!’,” Cheung later recalled. “It was the first time I performed in public after the singing contest. In those days when everything was full of uncertainty … I remember well that my singing career at the early stage was like a person running into a rock’, full of despair and obstacles.”

Cheung had to wait eight years before he felt popular enough to have his own concert.

5. He was a generous philanthropist

Cheung, although originating from a middle-class family, was generous with his money when he eventually made it big. When an earthquake devastated Taiwan in 1999, Cheung took part in a charity function and promptly contributed HK$250,000 (US$32,250) after tasting Chan Po-fried chu’s rice.

He also contributed all of the proceeds from his platinum-selling record Salute to the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, which is equally noteworthy. Cheung’s family created the Leslie Cheung Memorial Scholarship at the university after his death to aid excellent students as well as students from low-income homes.

6. In his early acting career, he made sure to applaud his performances when in the cinema

Cheung used to appreciate his own performance when he was just starting out in movies, according to Hong Kong writer and socialite Eunice Lam. “Every time he saw himself on the large screen, he would clap his hands excitedly,” she recounted. ‘Why did you clap your hands every time you saw yourself?’ I inquired. ‘If I don’t clap first, who will?’ he remarked innocently. I’ll have to guide them in that direction.’ Actually, when the crowd heard applauding coming from [the balcony], they joined in.”

7. He directed only one film

Despite being a leading performer in a number of films, Cheung has only ever directed once. Following the government’s decision to make him an anti-smoking ambassador, this was for a non-profit anti-smoking video.

Cheung co-starred in the film From Ashes to Ashes with fellow legends Anita Mui and Karen Mok. The almost 40-minute short centres on two stressed-out parents (Cheung and Mok), who smoke heavily to unwind. Unfortunately, their child will develop cancer as a result of their second-hand smoking.

Cheung then embodies the finest of Hong Kong, with his personal golden years mirroring the city. When his star shone brightly, so did Hong Kong’s, and when his shine faded, so did his home.