Hong Kong screen legend Tony Leung extended his winning record at the Hong Kong Film Awards when he won Best Actor for the sixth time last night (Apr 15).
He beat fellow nominees Dayo Wong, Bowie Lam, Lo Chun Yip and Da Peng to take home the trophy for his performance in The Goldfinger.
The 61-year-old has been nominated for Best Actor 12 times in the past 37 years. His last win was in 2004 for his role in 2046.
Tony, who wasn’t able to attend the ceremony as he is filming in Germany, gave his acceptance speech via video link.
But what we didn’t expect was the cute banter between Tony and wife Carina Lau, 57, when she accepted the trophy on his behalf.
Tony started his speech saying how happy he was to win Best Actor as it’s been more than a decade since he last won at the Hong Kong Film Awards.
He then suddenly asked Carina, “Should I start talking about my feelings of winning now?” causing the audience to burst into laughter.
When he did not hear her reply, he went, “Carina Jie?”
It was only after getting the green light from her that Tony expressed his gratitude to the movie’s director Felix Chong and his fellow nominees.
“And of course, I have to thank you too,” said Tony.
Carina teased him by asking, “Thank me, or are you thanking (award presenters) Anita Yuen and Lau Ching Wan (who was ill and replaced by Louis Koo)?” to which Tony replied with a laugh, “Thank you, Carina Jie… for your encouragement and support throughout the years.”
When he finished his speech, Carina paid tribute to Tony, saying, “I know when Tony Leung wins an award, many people will say, ‘Again?! Oh my god, give others a chance.’ But I’ve been by his side for so many years, I think Tony Leung is a great actor.”
Hearing this, a flustered Tony interjected, “Please don’t say that. It’s okay to call me a good actor, but not great one,” leaving audiences in stitches.
But Carina continued, “An actor may put in 100 or 200 per cent effort, but Mr Tony Leung will put in 500 or 1,000 per cent effort.”