Hong Kong actor and martial artist Ti Lung may be 79, but he has no plans on quitting the film industry just yet.
In a recent interview with Hong Kong media, he revealed that it was his wife, Chinese actress Tao Man Ming, who encouraged him to remain active in the industry.
"My wife told me not to retire entirely and to just slow down a little because the more friends I have, the more opportunities there are. After thinking about it, I felt that she was right," he said.
Taking her advice to heart, Ti Lung – who made his acting debut 57 years ago in 1969 – is set to return to the big screen with a new film that officially began production on Monday (June 22).
He recently earned praise from netizens after he was spotted filming under the sweltering heat.
Ti Lung's last screen appearance was in the 2023 film Lonely Eighteen, according to online entertainment database IMDb.
In the upcoming movie, he plays an elderly villager struggling with age-related illnesses. Hoping to supplement his income, the character is eventually persuaded to purchase an annuity plan.
While the storyline appears to touch on financial scams, Ti Lung – known for his roles in films such as The Duel, The Avenging Eagle and A Better Tomorrow – said he has never fallen victim to such schemes in real life, largely because he stays away from technology.
He admitted that he rarely uses a mobile phone and depends heavily on his wife to keep him connected to the outside world.
"My wife usually handles all the communication for me. I don't even know how to use WhatsApp. Sometimes, it's better not to know. It saves you a lot of trouble," he said.
