Andy Lau Saved Dicky Cheung From Going Bankrupt

The dramatic ups and downs in Dicky Cheung’s (張衛健) career cannot be easily forgotten. The 50-year-old actor is perhaps best known for his role as the Monkey King in TVB’s television adaptation of Journey to the West <西遊記>, but little do people know that Dicky’s entry to the entertainment industry was through a singing competition.

Ironically, it was Dicky’s acting career that jumpstarted his singing career. After shooting to fame in the 1991 TVB comedy drama One Step Beyond <老友鬼鬼>, he released his debut album Real or Fake <真真假假> and topped music charts. In 1996, he starred in yet another popular television drama, Journey to the West, which pushed his fame in worldwide Chinese markets.

Though his acting career was going well, his singing career failed to pan out. While many of his peers became successful singers, Dicky struggled to release an album. Dicky, however, never blamed his company for neglecting him.

He admitted, “I know how far my abilities can go. I’m not good at singing nor dancing, and I can’t compose music. Why should the company [promote] me?”

In addition to a stump in his singing career, Dicky experienced a financial shock. Hit by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Dicky lost a lot of money and almost had to file for bankruptcy. Fortunately, Dicky had help in his struggle. “Andy Lau (劉德華) cast me in one of his films. He also lent me money. I am very thankful, even to this day.”

Having experienced many high peaks and low valleys in his career, Dicky surrounded himself with positive energy and supportive friends, whom helped him to not give up.

“In my best times, I was offered at least one movie a day. I was guaranteed a spot. In my worst times, I had no job at all. I’ve learned that you should work your hardest no matter what. Only then will you get results. You need to continuously train yourself, and encourage yourself to improve, so you will be ready for every challenge.”

Source: Sina.com 

This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.

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Responses

  1. Dicky should really write a novel about his life…I think it’d be a really great sell.

    And whoever told Dicky that he sucks at singing needs to piss off. He’s a great singer. One of his songs, from Duke of Mt Deer for instance, has been THE song I’ve always listened to when I think about how I want my future partner to treat me. I still also listen to his classics like Jun jun Ga Ga and of course his famous song from Journey to the West.

    Unlike other artists who sing songs that have zilch meaning, his songs are very meaningful and sweet with a lot of heart.

    1. @coralie I agree! Dicky is an amazing singer and his songs are so meaningful. I also really like his song “I just want to be healthy” where he talks about being ill and not being able to take care of his partner and making her worry and how he wishes to recover and be healthy and live together with her forever and ever. To me he is both a talented singer and actor!

    2. @coralie
      I agree and I love Dicky’s singing but it is hard to get his CDs. But luckily I found some online years ago but they are all sold out now. His songs truly have a lot of meaning. I read about his life at one of his sites years ago and was very touched. He is truly a good inspiration to everyone who is experiencing ups and downs in life. He really should publish a biography of his life. It truly would be interesting.

  2. I think #AndyLau has a very generous nature. He’s known to help out artistes financially when they had financial troubles. Aside from #DickyCheung, Andy has also helped #YammieNam by lending her money when he realized she had mental illness.

    1. @jayne
      Yes, Andy is a very good friend and is generous with his money. Andy seems to remember and value everyone that he has worked with or knows. I remember him and Dicky together in the short series The Heavenly Swordsmen and the Spoiled. It was a short series but they had such touching friendship and chemistry that I am glad that it has extended to real life. How sweet and touching.

      1. @hetieshou I had forgotten which projects Andy and Dicky collaborated on until you mentioned the title. Andy seems to really treasure the people in his life and lend a helping hand when needed.

        Btw, it is good to see you register on JayneStars. Finally the edit button is available!

      2. @jayne
        You really forgot Jayne? I remember because I am an 80s child amd grew up seeing ancient Tvb series and The Heavenly Swordsman and the Spoiled was one of my most favorite series that I watched over and over again,so I always remember. I also wished Andy and Dicky were buddies in real life. Therefore,I am so happy to hear that they are and that Andy helped Dicky in real life. In the series, Dicky helped Andy find the cure for his injury while Andy risked his life to save him. They had to beg this one princess to save Andy and she at first refused but was then so touched by Andy and Dicky’s friendship because they risked their lives for each other,therefore,she finally agreed to save Andy. It was so sweet and touching. I love that series but too bad it was too short and became even shorter after it was put on vcd. They cut out some of my most favorite scenes. What a big pity. I think that is the only time that they worked together but then I am not sure. I wonder if they did any other projects together? If not,then that shows how sweet Andy is since he only worked with Dicky just that once but yet treasures him so much to help him during his toughest times.

        That is one of my most favorite traits of Andy. He seems like a great person but sadly some haters hate him so much about his wife issue. Haters just have to hate.

        Thanks and I was supposed to register earlier but got so lazy but finally did. Yes,I am so happy that the edit button is finally available.

      3. @hetieshou I think Andy Lau has admirable traits in treasuring friendship, as indicated by the old friends he has been able to maintain over the years.

        Critics have more to say over his intensive privacy in guarding his personal life. While fans would appreciate it if he were more open in sharing, I think most mature and understanding fans are happy as long as he is happy.

  3. I used to like Dicky! He’s s great actor but dunno why he went disappear suddenly. He’s a funny guy, I find him funnier than Stephen Chow, but he didnt get the popularity as much as him. Hope he’s doing well in China.

  4. Whenever he comes back to TVB for a gameshow or award presentation, he seem to always mention one series that didn’t do well or was controversial? I don’t know the details of it but he always seem to mention it.

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