Louis Koo Tin Lok (Chinese: 古天樂) (born October 21, 1970) is a Chinese actor.
Born in Guangdong, he once had a successful television career and even won TVB’s Best Actor award in 1999 for Detective Investigation Files IV, but in recent years he has focused on movies. Louis has become one of the more famous actors of the Hong Kong film industry, and a spokeman for Pepsi, Osim, Tag Heuer, Lotte, Zero Eyewear, Lay’s, and other Chinese products.
Before entering showbiz, Louis Koo spent several months in juvy for stealing. After that he immediately changed his life in a spectacular way by entering showbiz. Louis Koo began his career as a fashion model and a karaoke MTV actor before he became a contract artist with TVB in 1993. Since then he has starred in many popular drama series and commercials which raised his popularity to new heights in recent years. Ever since he changed his image by getting an extreme tan (which he is well known for), his career gained a huge boost. His distinctive style has captivated audiences of all ages. In 1999, Louis was honoured with TVB’s Most Popular Male Artist Award for Detective Investigation Files IV . In 2001, Louis was given the award once again for A Step into the Past and also the Most Stylish Personality Award and Men of Power 2001.
Louis Koo also starred in various TVB television dramas, most notably the 1995 remake of Return of the Condor Heroes; Detective Investigation Files IV (1999); and A Step into the Past (2001). From the cool, aloof character that he had always been cast, he took a different character in A Step Into the Past. This deviation from the cool and aloof character to a funnier, carefree and down-to-earth one opened his career to an extensive list of romantic comedy movies that now have a distinctive Louis Koo element. His silent and sincere attitude, and his devotion to his family, makes his characters more convincing, and thus earns him a wide range of fan base. He further sang a couple of the television series themes that he played in. Besides that he also has various other songs. A notable one is the album “Mr.Cool”.
The movie drama Happy Birthday (2007) introduced a sensitive character portrayed by Louis Koo. What sets this movie apart from his other romantic movies is the serious tone between dialogues. This is another first in Louis Koo’s movie career, that is to portray a sensitive man sans the comical gestures he have always done in past romantic comedies.
His most recent screen character as a drug addict in the movie Protege, has transcended from his usual charm and wit performances. In this new movie, he attempts to forego the hunk image to portray a drug addict. Little screen time did not stop him to successfully achieve this role, and thus earned him positive feedback tucked under his belt.
Louis Koo won international acclaim for his performance in Election 2 (aka Triad Election ), which was screened in Out of Competition (midnight screenings) section at Cannes Film Festival in 2006.
He has won the award for Most Beloved Actor in the Hong Kong UA Film Awards 2006 through public voting for his role in Election 2 (aka Triad Election ).
