Cover Benz Hui leaves behind a glorious career in Hong Kong cinema (Photo: courtesy of IMDB)
Benz Hui leaves behind a glorious career in Hong Kong cinema (Photo: courtesy of IMDB)
1 / 1
Hong Kong film and TV actor Benz Hui has died at 76 on October 28, 2025. Here are five films to remember him by
Hong Kong film and television actor Benz Hui Siu Hung, affectionately known as “Brother Benz”, died of cancer‑related organ failure on October 28, 2025, at the age of 76. Over more than four decades and across more than 100 film credits, Hui became one of Hong Kong’s most recognisable supporting actors.
Across genres—from crime thrillers to family comedies—Hui’s artistry lay in his ability to craft layered, memorable personalities out of supporting roles. His humility, professionalism and distinct local wit helped define the golden age of Hong Kong film and television. Hui’s passing marks the end of an era, but his performances continue to inspire future generations of storytellers and audiences alike.
Whether portraying the quick‑witted underworld figure Foon Hei Gor in Line Walker (2014–20) or the kindly Officer Chung in Love Undercover (2002), Hui consistently brought warmth and authenticity to every role.
Here are five defining performances that encapsulate Hui’s enduring legacy in Hong Kong television and cinema.
Chief Inspector Wong Kai‑fat in ‘Running Out of Time’ (1999)
Above A post of ‘Running Out of Time’ (1999), which features Benz Hui (Image: courtesy of IMDB)
A post of ‘Running Out of Time’ (1999), which features Benz Hui (Image: courtesy of IMDB)
1 / 1
In this acclaimed crime thriller, Hui’s portrayal of a bumbling yet sincere police inspector opposite Andy Lau marked an early high point in his career. The film’s tense pacing and moral complexity revealed Hui’s knack for blending humour with humanity. The role earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Hong Kong Film Awards and cemented his status as a master of nuanced comedy within the crime genre.
Foon Hei Gor in ‘Line Walker’ (2014–20)
Above Benz Hui as Foon Hei Gor in the 2017 version of ’Line Walker’ (Image: courtesy of TVB)
Benz Hui as Foon Hei Gor in the 2017 version of ’Line Walker’ (Image: courtesy of TVB)
1 / 1
It was in the television crime thriller Line Walker that Hui created his most iconic character: Foon Hei Gor, an undercover agent masquerading as a retired triad boss. The role’s charm lay in Hui’s effortless balance between menace and paternal affection. His portrayal became a cultural touchstone, so beloved that the character returned across subsequent seasons and spin‑offs—a testament to Hui’s magnetic screen presence and impeccable comedic timing.
Officer Chung in ‘Love Undercover’ (2002)
Above A still from ’Running Out of Time’, which features Benz Hui (1999) (Image: courtesy of IMDB)
A still from ’Running Out of Time’, which features Benz Hui (1999) (Image: courtesy of IMDB)
1 / 1
As Officer Chung, the supportive supervisor to a rookie officer played by Miriam Yeung, Benz Hui delivered gentle humour that lent warmth to this romantic comedy. His deadpan delivery and understated wit transformed a minor supporting part into a standout role. Many fans still recall his subtle comedic beats, which lightened the film’s undercover intrigue and framed him as one of Hong Kong’s most relatable father‑figure characters.
Iron Chan in ‘The Grand Grandmaster’ (2020)
Above A poster of ‘The Grand Grandmaster’, which features Benz Hui (2020) (Image: courtesy of IMDB)
A poster of ‘The Grand Grandmaster’, which features Benz Hui (2020) (Image: courtesy of IMDB)
1 / 1
In this tongue‑in‑cheek homage to Wong Kar‑wai’s The Grandmaster (2013), directed by Dayo Wong, Hui portrayed Iron Chan, the proud father of a champion boxer who knocked off a grandmaster’s descendant (Wong) in the street. Hui’s dexterous comic timing elevated what might have been simple parody into an affectionate send‑up of martial‑arts clichés. His performance reminded audiences of his agility in shifting between gravitas and absurdity even in his later years.
Long Juanfeng in ‘Queen of Mahjong’ (2025)
Above A still from ‘Queen of Mahjong’, which features Benz Hui (2025) (Image: courtesy of Lotus Five Star)
A still from ‘Queen of Mahjong’, which features Benz Hui (2025) (Image: courtesy of Lotus Five Star)
1 / 1
One of Benz Hui’s final roles, Queen of Mahjong is a festive comedy set during Chinese New Year. He played Long Juanfeng, village chief and patriarch of the Long family, whose four children navigate love, rivalry and closely‑guarded secrets. Hui infused the character with warmth and authority, anchoring the ensemble with quiet charisma. The film stands as a fitting farewell—a celebration of family, resilience and the spirit of Hong Kong cinema that he so dearly embodied.
Topics
Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
