Why actor Alex Man allegedly fell out with Stephen Chow, whom he once mentored

Alex Man (left) and Stephen Chow's relationship was rumoured to have soured in the 1990s. Photo: The Star

When actor Stephen Chow, 59, started out in the Hong Kong showbiz scene in the 1980s, he apparently had the support of then extremely popular TVB actor Alex Man, 63.

While the two got along well in the beginning, their relationship was rumoured to have soured in the 1990s.

A news portal recently reported that Hong Kong comedian Wong Yat San spoke on the the two men's purported feud on his online show.

Wong has appeared in many of Chow’s comedies in the 1990s like Fight Back To School, Hail The Judge and Love On Delivery.

He alleged that the dispute between Man and Chow began when they both starred in the 1989 TVB drama The Justice Of Life.

While Man was the show’s lead actor, it was Chow who got all the attention for the drama even though his was a supporting character.

According to Wong, Man was angry about being overshadowed by the younger actor. He further claimed that Man developed bipolar disorder as the whole thing affected him mentally.

On his online show – where he shares behind-the-scene stories on Hong Kong showbiz – Wong also recalled the time he interviewed Man.

One of the questions he posed to Man was: “When it comes to Stephen’s performance, what comments do you have on his style of acting?”

Wong said, Man wasn’t happy about the question and even scolded him.

However, Wong didn't mind the scolding as he was aware of Man's mental state. He hopes Man would appear in more good productions in the near future.

Man announced his retirement in 2016.

But he made a comeback with the 2019 film I'm Livin' it, for which he got nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards. He's also said to be quite popular in China.