Lau's prolific film career began with 1981's Shanghai 13. Among Lau's 115-plus hits are Infernal Affairs, A World Without Thieves, Blood Brothers and The Magic Kitchen. In 2004, Lau played Leo in the internationally acclaimed House of Flying Daggers.
In addition to his many film credits, Lau is considered one of the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Hong Kong pop singers, along with Leon Lai, Jacky Cheung and Aaron Kwok. He won a 1998 MTV Movie Award as the "Most Multi-Talented Artiste in Asia," one of his record-breaking 292 music awards.