Michael Tao
Michael Tao | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 26, 1963 Hong Kong |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Work in Hong Kong television, notable TVB and ATV dramas |
Michael Tao Dai Yu (, born 26 August 1963) is an actor from Hong Kong known for his work in television.
Career
Tao launched his acting journey during the 1980s with TVB, where he gained the moniker "Housewife Killer" due to his strong popularity among Hong Kong’s main TV viewership, establishing himself as a prominent TVB leading actor.
In 1997, following disagreements over contracts with TVB, Tao transitioned to rival network ATV. His ATV drama Flaming Brothers achieved higher ratings than concurrent TVB programs, representing a notable triumph for ATV. Additionally, Tao participated in productions across China and Singapore. He made a return to TVB in 2004 but departed once more in 2009 over contractual conflicts, thereafter concentrating primarily on mainland Chinese projects with occasional roles in Hong Kong.
Renewed attention came to Tao in 2021 when clips of his distinctive performances of Andy Lau's 1996 song "Reverse The Earth" gained traction online. From 2020 onward, he has been performing Cantonese and Mandarin pop songs at commercial venues within Chinese shopping centers. This exposure led to viral recreations on platforms such as Douyin and YouTube, inspiring fan communities to humorously promote his singing career. Tao has welcomed this spotlight, sharing his enjoyment of entertaining audiences and lightheartedly remarking about competing with established singers at major Hong Kong music award ceremonies.
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Yang's Saga | Poon Fu | |
| 1986 | New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre | Fan Yiu | |
| 1987 | Genghis Khan | Muk Wah-lai | |
| 1988 | Twilight of a Nation | Lee Chiu-sau | |
| 1989 | Looking Back in Anger | Herman | |
| 1991 | The Breaking Point | Hui Ka-kui | |
| On the Edge | Yeung Chi-piew | ||
| 1992 | File of Justice | Michael Kong Shing-yu | |
| The Greed of Man | Ting Yik-hai | ||
| 1993 | File of Justice II | Michael Kong Shing-yu | |
| 1994 | Glittering Moments | Szeto Lap-chau | |
| File of Justice III | Michael Kong Shing-yu | ||
| 1995 | File of Justice IV | Michael Kong Shing-yu | |
| Detective Investigation Files | Cheung Tai-yung | ||
| 1995-1996 | Detective Investigation Files II | Cheung Tai-yung | |
| 1996 | Ambition | Kwok Ka-bo | Released internationally in 1993; broadcast locally on TVB Jade in 1996 |
| 1997 | File of Justice V | Michael Kong Shing-yu | |
| Detective Investigation Files III | Cheung Tai-yung | Final TVB production before transferring to ATV | |
| 1998 | The New Adventures of Wisely | Wisely | Singaporean series aired by TCS |
| 1999 | Flaming Brothers | Steven Lee Siu-tin | First series with ATV after departing from TVB |
| 2000 | Showbiz Tycoon | Wan Yuet-ting | |
| 2001 | To Where He Belongs | Mao Jun | ATV production |
| 2002 | Love Scar | Ah Chuan | Series by CTS |
| 2004 | Mystic Detective Files | Yip Sing-fai | Series produced by i-cable |
| Shine On You | Cheng Zhing-leung | Marked Tao’s return to TVB | |
| 2005 | Love Bond | Lam Yat-kong | |
| Fantasy Hotel | Bob Kam Chi-kit | ||
| 2007 | On the First Beat | Cheung King-fung | Nominated for Best Actor (Top 20) |
| 2008 | Wasabi Mon Amour | Chung Lai-wo | |
| 2010 | Sisters of Pearl | Hung Yiu-sang | Last TVB series prior to contract termination in 2009 |
| 2014 | Wait for Happiness | — | Mainland China production |
| ' 'Heroes in Sui and Tang Dynasties' ' | — | Cantonese dubbed version |
|- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- |- | ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Remarks | 2016 !! The Hiddens !! Cheong Soon-on !! Espionage drama from Hong Kong produced by Gary Tang; broadcast on Astro Wah Lai Toi Malaysia and MyTV SUPER Hong Kong |}
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Network | Position | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Hot Chef | ViuTV | Presenter | Culinary contest program |