Catching Up with Former TVB “Green Leaf” Actor Ken Lok

No television drama would be successful without its backbone of “green leaf” actors, and while viewers may not be able to identify them by name, their importance is definitely recognized.

One of TVB’s most famous former “green leaf” actors is Ken Lok (駱達華). The 53-year-old ex-TVB actor made his debut in 1984 through ATV before transitioning to TVB with Nick Cheung (張家輝) in 1996. Though Ken never managed to get his big break like Nick, who went from a leading television actor to a Film King winner, Ken had a prominent on-screen career, becoming one of Hong Kong’s most recognizable supporting actors.

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Ken Lok with Carina Lau.

Ken appeared in numerous classic television dramas during his time with TVB. He is best known for his role as Tsui Kei in the 1997 comedy drama Old Time Buddy <難兄難弟>, starring alongside Francis Ng (吳鎮宇) and Gallen Lo (羅嘉良). He earned acclaim as one of the main villains in the Armed Reaction <陀槍師姐> franchise, and left behind memorable acting performances in 2000’s The Heaven Sword & the Dragon Sabre <倚天屠龍記>, Whatever It Takes <天子尋龍>, Take My Word for It <談判專家>, and Maidens’ Vow <鳳凰四重奏>.

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In 2011, after marrying Mainland Chinese actress Lu Yan (盧燕), Ken moved to Shanghai and switched his focus to filming Chinese dramas. Ken now has a thirteen-year-old daughter with Yan and has opened up a lobster snack bar in Shanghai.

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Ken Lok with Michelle Yim.

Due to the celebrity effect, Ken’s snack bar is quite popular in Shanghai. Tony Leung (梁朝偉) and Carina Lau (劉嘉玲) are regular guests and are friends with Ken. Carina once treated Ken and his investors to drinks at her own pub. Ken’s Maidens’ Vow costars Joe Ma (馬德鐘) and Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) visit Ken whenever they are in Shanghai. Eric Suen (孫耀威) and Michelle Yim (米雪) have also been spotted at Ken’s snack bar before.

Source: Eastweek

This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.

Responses

  1. wow totally forgot about this guy… is TVB also trying to get him back on board? I remember him in many villain roles but sad he didn’t had a breakthrough role. Good to know he still doing fine all these years and looking great.

    1. @vodka Not sure if TVB is trying to recruit Ken back or not, but in all honesty, there is absolutely no need for him to return to TVB, since he’s obviously doing well in Mainland.  Acting-wise, he’s actually more known in Mainland now than in HK, so there’s no point for him to ‘downgrade’ himself by returning to TVB. 

      I actually saw a Mainland variety show that Ken and his wife went on awhile back ago and it was very sweet to hear how much he dotes on his wife and daughter.  His wife said that he is completely opposite of the tough guy/villain personas he plays onscreen and is actually a very attentive husband and father – for example, knowing that his wife doesn’t know how to cook, he promised her when they married that he would not need her to step foot in the kitchen, so he goes home during his filming breaks (sometimes still dressed in his costume from the series he’s filming) and prepares lunch/dinner for her and their daughter before returning to the filming studio..it’s something he enjoys doing and has become part of his regular routine now. 

      I actually like hearing these types of positive stories about artists who were able to find success outside of TVB, especially artists like Ken who either got little or no recognition back when they worked for the station…further proof that in many of these instances, their decision to leave TVB was the right one….

  2. i remember this guy. he was a good actor, if it was at different time, he may have had more opportunities.

  3. I also remember him as one of the TVB better young “Green Leaf” during the 90s! Ken Lok could handle bad or comedic roles very well. Too bad Tvb didnt give him bigger roles..Well at least hes doing well with his business! Happy for him!! Almost everyone in Tvb went to China….:( I thought they cant speak Mandrin!

  4. I enjoyed him as an actor in HK. Happy to hear that he’s doing well and nice to see old friends visiting him!

  5. I still remember the first drama I saw him in was Ten Brother from ATV. He’s a versatile actor.

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