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Lai Yiu-cheung (; born 4 May 1964), better known as Wayne Lai, is a Hong Kong actor. He became one of Hong Kong's most successful television actors after starring in TVB hit drama series Rosy Business. Lai won three TVB Anniversary Awards for Best Actor, making him only one of three actors who have three wins in that category.
After graduating from TVB artistes' training program, he made his acting debut in 1986, playing supporting roles. He first rose to popularity for his role as Zhu Bajie in the 1996 fantasy drama Journey to the West. In 2008, he won Best Supporting Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards for his role in The Gentle Crackdown II. His performance as Chai Kau in the period drama Rosy Business received critical acclaim and earned him the TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor. Lai again won Best Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards for starring in No Regrets (2010) and The Confidant (2012).
Lai began working at television network TVB in 1983 as a clerk in the administration department. In 1985, he resigned from the position and enrolled in TVB's artistes training program. After completing the program, he joined TVB as an actor. He appeared in various Educational Television programs, in which he played supporting roles. He made his television series debut in the 1986 docu-drama Price of A Green Card (p=). From 1986 to 1989, Lai played various roles and made appearances as an extra in over 50 drama series.
Lai portrayed Zhou Botong in four Jin Yong television adaptations, including Rage And Passion (1992), The Condor Heroes Return (1993), The Legend of the Condor Heroes 1994, and The Condor Heroes 95.
Lai gained popularity as Zhu Bajie in the commercial success Journey to the West. After starring in Anti-Crime Squad in 1999, he left TVB to pursue opportunities in the film industry. He appeared in the films Bio-Zombie (1998) and Happy Go Lucky (2003), and starred in a few Asia Television productions after joining the network for a year.
In 2002, unable to earn a steady source of income from film projects, Lai returned to TVB. He starred in the television series Greed Mask, in which Lai portrays a transgender man.
Lai won Best Supporting Actor at the 2008 TVB Anniversary Awards for his role in The Gentle Crackdown II. In 2008, Lai starred in Pages of Treasures, marking his first role as the male lead along with Paul Chun. His breakthrough year was 2009 when Lai portrayed Chai Kau in the critically acclaimed period drama Rosy Business, starring opposite Sheren Tang. His performance was met with overwhelming critical acclaim. Chai Kau became a Hong Kong pop culture icon and spawned the catchphrase "How many decades are in a lifetime?" (p=). At the 2009 TVB Anniversary Awards, Lai won Best Actor, My Favourite Male Character, and the TVB.com Popularity Award.
In 2010, Lai once again won Best Actor at the TVB Anniversary Awards for his role Lau Sing in the second installment of Rosy Business, No Regrets, becoming the second actor to win consecutive awards in this category after Gallen Lo who won in 1997 and 1998. Over the years, Lai continues to call the role of Lau Sing as his favourite among all the characters he has played and considers it his representative work. He has stated that No Regrets deeply affected him due to its patriotic theme and that the series is the best drama he has worked on. In 2011, Lai starred in the police procedural Forensic Heroes III as Pro Sir. In 2012, Lai starred as Li Lianying in the palace drama The Confidant. He won Best Actor for the third time at the 2012 TVB Anniversary Awards.
In 2015, Lai made a guest appearance in the drama Master of Destiny, and starred in the period fantasy drama Under the Veil. He portrays Kung Siu San in Lord of Shanghai, starring alongside Anthony Wong and Kent Tong. Lai then starred in the period comedy Short End of the Stick, a series about the lives of eunuchs after the fall of the Qing dynasty. Lai starred in the sitcom . In 2016, he starred in a dual role portraying twins in the third installment of the Rosy Business franchise, No Reserve. In 2020, Lai starred in the action drama Death by Zero, portraying the role of an assassin.
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| 1988 | The Final Verdict | Paralegal | Cameo |
| 1994 | Mary's Choice | TV movie | |
| The Final Option | Traffic officer | ||
| 1997 | Killing Me Tenderly | ||
| Troublesome Night 2 | Bobby | ||
| Intruder | Chan Kai-ming | ||
| Haunted Karaoke | Chicken Wings | ||
| Armageddon | |||
| Those Were the Days | – Legends of the Condor Heros (1998 film) | ||
| 1998 | A Long and Forgotten Ghost Story | Sze Fu-kwai | |
| Bio Zombie | Cavity Kui (Kui Gor) | ||
| The Storm Riders | Mud Buddha | ||
| F***/Off | |||
| A Killer's Expiry Date | Cheung Sai-din | ||
| Nightmare Zone | |||
| 1999 | Gen-X Cops | Inspector Tang | |
| Fourteen Days Before Suicide | Richard | ||
| The Victim | |||
| 2000 | Sound from the Dark | ||
| Queen of Kowloon | |||
| 2001 | Visible Secret | ||
| Strangers Meet on the Way | Man in suit | ||
| The Young Ones | |||
| Vampire Controller | Professor Mo | ||
| Cheung Ngoi Sim Chan Dik Yam Fu | |||
| 2002 | Frugal Game | Lai Siu-cheung | |
| Headlines | |||
| Sam Ko Sam-yeung | |||
| Sam Ko Sam-yeung | |||
| Money Suckers | |||
| Modern Cinderella | Wu Ah-kau | ||
| Dizzy Date | Sam | ||
| 2003 | Man in Blues | Jackie Lai | |
| Looking for Mister Perfect | Grace's Superior Officer | ||
| Happy Go Lucky | Chu Kwok-cheung (Kid Cheung) | ||
| The Assailant | |||
| 2004 | Escape from Hong Kong Island | police officer | |
| 2005 | The House | Kam Kwok-keung | |
| 2006 | Dog Bite Dog | Cheung | |
| Confession of Pain | Chan Wai-keung | ||
| Heavenly Mission | Crazy | ||
| McDull, the Alumni | God of Cooking | ||
| My Name is Fame | Wai | ||
| Love Undercover 3 | Gangster Bro | ||
| A Chinese Tall Story | Lizard King | ||
| 2007 | Hooked on You | Porky | (voice-over) |
| Eye in the Sky | thief | ||
| The Detective | Kwan Sai-wing | ||
| House of the Invisibles | Chung | ||
| Loving You Is Wrong | |||
| 2009 | 愛情三結義 | department store owner | |
| Turning Point | Mo | ||
| Up | Dug | Cantonese voice-over | |
| 2010 | 72 Tenants of Prosperity | Astro | Cameo |
| Despicable Me | Gru | Cantonese voice-over | |
| Forget Me Not | |||
| 2011 | The Road Less Traveled | ||
| I Love Hong Kong | Wayne Lai | Cameo | |
| 2014 | The Beggar Hero | Chan Tai-lik | |
| 2016 | Sky on Fire | ||
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| 1986 | Dharma – Founder of Shaolin | Minor Role/Extra | |
| New Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre | Mongol General | ||
| Turn Around and Die | |||
| The Legend of Wong Tai Sin | eunuch | ||
| The Twin Heirs | |||
| Heir to the Throne Is... | Imperial chef | ||
| The Feud of Two Brothers | |||
| The Ordeal Before the Revolution | Yip Man | ||
| Siblings of Vice and Virtue | |||
| Movie Maze | |||
| 1987 | Beastly Beings | ||
| The Making of a Gentleman | |||
| The Legend of the Book and the Sword | Mang Kin-hung | ||
| The Seasons | |||
| Fate Cast in the Wind | Chuen Fuk | ||
| Born to be a King | |||
| The Greenhorns | |||
| The Dragon Sword | |||
| The Price of Growing Up | |||
| 1988 | Two Most Honorable Knights | ||
| Twilight of a Nation | |||
| Everybody's Somebody's Favourite | Lam Wai Keung | ||
| The Final Verdict | Raymond | ||
| A Friend in Need | |||
| The In-between | |||
| The Tribulation of Life | |||
| 1989 | I Love Amy | ||
| The Black Sabre | Drink Seller in Episode 12 | ||
| The Shanghai conspiracy | |||
| The Reincarnated of Wai | |||
| The Vixen's Tale | |||
| Mut Toi Tin Sze | |||
| Greed | |||
| Flying Squads | |||
| The Justice of Life | Chung | ||
| Song Bird | Chuk Kwok-ho | ||
| 1989–90 | Ode to Gallantry | ||
| 1990 | Three in a Family | Ching Chi-nam | |
| Blood of Good and Evil | Tai Ha | ||
| A Time of Taste | Choi | ||
| Silken Hands | Hung Ngau-kan | ||
| 1990–91 | Challenge of Life | Cockroach | |
| 1991 | Wong To Yan Ching | Kat Cheung | |
| Mystery of the Parchment | Beggar in ep 11 | ||
| The Black Sabre | |||
| Rainbow | Big D | ||
| Live for Life | |||
| Land of Glory | Kong Kwan-loi | ||
| The Big Family | Chan Foon-yan | ||
| 1991–92 | Police on the Road | Man | |
| The Survivor | Shek Chi-kei | ||
| 1992 | The File of Justice | Lee Chi-lap | |
| Rage and Passion | Zhou Botong | ||
| All Men are Brothers | Yeung Siu-chat | ||
| Tales From Beyond | Minor Role | ||
| 1993 | The Vampire Returns | Cheung Nam-king | |
| The File of Justice II | Andy Hung Chun-tung | ||
| Man of Wisdom | Lee Lin-ying | ||
| All About Tin | Luk Yeh-yin | ||
| 1993–1994 | The Edge of Righteousness | Peter | Minor Role |
| 1994 | The Condor Heroes Return | Zhou Botong | |
| The Last Conquest | Cheung Kei | ||
| Remembrance | Chow Kwok-cheung | ||
| Crime and Passion | Wong Pak-yeung | ||
| The Legend of the Condor Heroes | Zhou Botong | ||
| The File of Justice III | Yeung Ping | ||
| Instinct | Lawyer Poon | Minor role | |
| Eternity | Ah Tung | ||
| 1994–95 | Filthy Rich | Mo Hak-kan | |
| 1995 | To Love with Love | Tang Nai-keung | |
| From Act to Act | Ho Kwok-po | ||
| The Return of the Condor Heroes | Zhou Botong | ||
| The File of Justice IV | Anthony Yau Wing-kin | ||
| Justice Pao II | Wan Hiu-fung | ||
| 1995–96 | Detective Investigation Files II | Ho Sing-choi | |
| 1996 | State of Divinity | Lau Ching-fung | |
| Nothing to Declare | So Tung | ||
| Journey to the West | Zhu Bajie | ||
| 1996–97 | In the Name of Love | Cheung | |
| 1997 | Show Time Blues | Lo Chi-choi | |
| The File of Justice V | Anthony Yau Wing-kin | ||
| A Road and a Will | Ng Kin-ngai | ||
| A Recipe for the Heart | Snake | ||
| 1998 | A Measure of Love | Lam Wing-ching | |
| Journey to the West II | Zhu Bajie | ||
| 1999 | Anti-Crime Squad | Hoh Fei-fan | |
| 2000 | Battlefield Network | Fong Siu-keung | |
| Showbiz Tycoon | Hoh Chi-cheung | ||
| Hong Kong Yat Ga Yan | |||
| 2001 | New Legend of Chu Liuxiang | Hu Tiehua | |
| Su Dong Po | Chan Kwai-sheung | ||
| 2002 | Law 2002 | Lawyer Poon | |
| 2003 | Seed of Hope | Liu Chi-kan | |
| The Driving Power | Lok Kui-kei | ||
| To Love With No Regrets | Yue Koo | ||
| 2004 | The Conqueror's Story | Han Xin | |
| ICAC Investigators 2004 | |||
| 2005 | Bizarre Files | ||
| Scavengers' Paradise | Tse Kwan-min | Nominated – TVB Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Top 5) | |
| The Gentle Crackdown | Sze Kei-wong | ||
| Fantasy Hotel | Hon Shan | ||
| Hidden Treasures | Kwan Bing-hung | ||
| 2005–06 | When Rules Turn Loose | Hung Chi-tat | |
| 2006 | Greed Mask | Au Man-wai | |
| Safe Guards | Sheung Chung | Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor (Top 5) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 20) Astro Drama Awards for My Favourite Show Stealer Cast Astro Drama Award for My Favourite Unforgettable Scene | |
| Trimming Success | Ho Cho-sing | ||
| 2007 | Best Bet | Tsang Tak-sing | |
| Devil's Disciples | Tungfong Mo-ngai | ||
| Steps | Lee Lik-keung | Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 20) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 24) | |
| 2007–08 | Best Selling Secrets | Yuen Man-cheung | Recurring Role |
| 2008 | The Gentle Crackdown II | Tai Chung-man / Tai Chung-mo | TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| Moonlight Resonance | Nin Chi-yung | ||
| 2008–09 | Pages of Treasures | Fong Sam-ming | |
| 2008–10 | Off Pedder | Yue Ka-sing | Sitcom regular Nominated – Ming Pao 42nd Anniversary Award for Outstanding Actor in Television nominated – Nam Fong Sing Din 2011 Annual Television Awards for Most Popular Actor |
| 2009 | Rosy Business | Chai Kau | TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character TVB Anniversary Award for TVB.com's Popularity Award Mingpao Magazine Entertainment Award for Most Outstanding Male Artiste Yahoo! Asia Buzz Award for Most Popular Actor Next Magazine Award Top 10 Television Artistes |
| 2010 | In the Eye of the Beholder | Wong Tai-bak | Guest |
| Some Day | Simon Ming Sai-on | Sitcom regular | |
| No Regrets | Lau Sing | TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Drama Character (1 of 10) Ming Pao 43rd Anniversary Award for Outstanding Actor in Television Next Magazine Award Top 10 Television Artistes Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5) Nominated – My AOD Favourites Award for My Favourite Actor in a Leading Role | |
| 2011 | Forensic Heroes III | Dr. Jack "Pro Sir" Po Kwok-tung | My AOD Favourites Award for Favourite Drama Character (1 of 15) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5) Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5) |
| 2012 | The Greatness of a Hero | Wu Chengsi | Previously warehoused; first released overseas in 2009 |
| King Maker | Yu Jing | ||
| The Confidant | Li Lianying | TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5) | |
| 2013 | Bullet Brain | P. Inspector Columbo Ko / Ko Tai-hei | |
| Will Power | Yu Ying-wai | Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character (Top 5) | |
| 2014 | Rear Mirror | Sunday Kei Yat-sing | |
| Overachievers | Mike Chiang Yuen | Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Male Character | |
| 2015 | Master of Destiny | Cho Wan-hon | Guest star |
| Under the Veil | Chu Yi-Dan/Mr. Lui Yat Pan-Heung's husband (aka Dry Thunder) | ||
| Lord of Shanghai | Kung Siu-san | Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5) | |
| 2016 | Short End of the Stick | Lee Suk-kung | |
| Koo Hiu-San | Modern Sitcom | ||
| No Reserve | Suzuki Kazuo / Kong Sheung-hung | ||
| First Mainland Chinese Series | |||
| 2020 | Death By Zero | Yim Mo | Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 5) |
| 2021 | The Ringmaster | Shek Ngo-shan | Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 10) Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Onscreen Partnership (with Winki Lai) Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Favourite TVB Actor in Malaysia |
| 2022 | Go With The Float | Hung Shap-yat | Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actor (Top 10) Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Male Character Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Favourite TVB Actor in Malaysia |
| 2024 | No Return | Chai Sap Cat (柴十七) | |
| Pre-production | The Father-Son Separation Storm (父離子風暴) |
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| 2025 | Underworld Travel (江湖見) | co-host | Martial arts classics travel show |
|- ! colspan="3" style="background: #DAA520;color:black;" | TVB Anniversary Awards |-
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