Raised in Hong Kong by his mother

Signed by TVB shortly after graduating high school

Hosted a children's TV program

Starred in the Police Cadet series; first worked with a then unknown Maggie Cheung

First feature collaboration with director John Woo, "Bullet in the Head"

Reteamed with Woo for "Hard-boiled"

Directed by Wong Kar-wai in two features, "Chungking Express" and "Ashes of Time"

Starred in title role in Trahn Ahn Hung's "Cyclo"

Headlined the Cannes-screened "In the Mood for Love"

Reteamed with actress Maggie Cheung to star in Yimou Zhang's "Hero"

Co-starred with Ziyi Zhang in the sci-fi "2046" directed by Kar Wai Wong

Cast in Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" a thriller set in WWII-era Shanghai; earned an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Lead Actor