Hui Tianci

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 20 July 20255 sources

Austin Wai was a Hong Kong male actor, born in Shandong. He was reportedly a descendant of the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner Yehe Nara clan. His ancestors were once wealthy landlords, and his hometown in Shandong still has a Wai Family Manor. He was the fourth child in the family and the elder brother of actress and Hong Kong Film Award winner Kara Wai.

Biography

Due to his father's bankruptcy from being deceived, Austin Wai grew up in poverty. He studied Peking opera at the Spring and Autumn Drama Academy and apprenticed under the famous performer Pink Chrysanthemum. He entered the film industry in his early teens, starring in action films such as "Full Moon Scimitar", "Heroic Tears", and "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber", becoming one of Hong Kong’s well-known action stars. In the 1980s, he transitioned to television and began acting in TVB dramas, starting with "The Twelve Imperials". In February 1984, Austin Wai and Kara Wai performed the Cantonese opera "The Love and Hatred of the Phoenix Pavilion" on "Enjoy Yourself Tonight", showcasing Northern-style kung fu and creating a sensation in Hong Kong. After retiring from the entertainment industry, he focused on business while occasionally appearing in films. His final film, "Kung Fu Wing Chun", was a collaboration with his sister Kara Wai.

In 1999, he was nominated for Best Action Choreography at the 36th Golden Horse Awards for "Cao Cao".

Marriage

Austin Wai was married twice, both ending in divorce. His first wife was Betty Chan, a former executive at ATV and TVB. They married in 1980 and divorced in 1991, having two daughters (Wai Sung-ling, 1982; Wai Hoi-ling, 1984)^[1]. After the divorce, his ex-wife raised the children.

In 1996, he married Ban Ban (real name Lai Siu Man) and had a son, Wai Kin-ho (1996)^[1]. They announced their divorce in 2001^[2].

Death

On September 21, 2012, he posted his last message on Weibo, revealing that his health was deteriorating. He suffered from arthritis, excessive phlegm, and coughing, and was seeing internal medicine and ENT specialists. On October 4, Kara Wai announced his passing on Sina Weibo^[3]^[4]. According to Kara Wai, his death may have been caused by excessive dieting^[5].

Filmography

Films

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Television Series (TVB)

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Television Series (ICAC)

1992: "ICAC Investigators 1992", Episode 7 – Ruthless Iron Bars, as Senior Investigator Chan Chun-kit

Television Series (RTHK)

2010: "Elite Brigade", Episode 3 – Heatwave Mission, as Fire Chief Lam Chi-wah

Television Series (ATV)

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Television Series (CTV Taiwan)

1990: "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" – as Qiao Feng

Television Series (CCTV China)

2009: "Lotus Rain" – as Yan Tian

Others

2007: "White Rest Note" – as Chung Yu-yuk

Assistant Martial Arts Director

"The Wrong Couplets" (1979)
"The Tigers" (1979)
"Jungle Rescue" (2011)

Action Choreographer