1. Overview
Patrick Tse Yin (born 謝家鈺Tse Ka-yukChinese; August 9, 1936, though some sources indicate September 15, 1936) is a highly influential and versatile Hong Kong actor, producer, screenwriter, and director. With a career spanning over six decades, he is widely recognized across Asia for his significant contributions to both Hong Kong cinema and television. Tse's longevity and adaptability have allowed him to portray a wide range of characters, establishing him as a prominent leading man and a cultural icon whose work and personal life have deeply resonated within society. His career reflects the dynamic evolution of Hong Kong's entertainment industry, from its golden age to modern times, showcasing an enduring impact on its artistic and social landscape.
2. Early Life and Education
Patrick Tse Yin's formative years were shaped by his family background and early experiences in China and Hong Kong, leading him to pursue a career in acting.
2.1. Birth and Family Background
Patrick Tse Yin was born Tse Ka-yuk (謝家鈺Chinese) in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, Republic of China, on August 9, 1936. However, some sources also state his birth date as September 15, 1936. He was the fourth of eight children in his family, leading to him often being referred to as "Fourth Son" by his family. His paternal grandfather, Xie Yi (謝誼Chinese), was of Han nationality, a renowned businessman in the region, and also served as the director of a private hospital. In the 1920s, the family faced severe economic hardship due to the impact of the Chinese Civil War, which prompted them to relocate and establish a new home in Hong Kong.
2.2. Education
After moving to Hong Kong, Tse Yin completed his primary education, graduating from the sixth grade at Alma Mater Primary School. He then continued his studies at Li Che Secondary School (麗澤中學Chinese), a municipal government school located in Kowloon, where his aunt served as a manager. He completed the third year of junior secondary school (equivalent to Secondary 3). Despite his academic progress, he decided not to pursue further high school education. This decision was influenced by a close friend who encouraged him to apply for acting training.
2.3. Nationality
Throughout his life, Patrick Tse Yin has held both Chinese and Canadian nationalities. His family's origins are rooted in China, and he later immigrated to Canada during a period of retirement from acting.
3. Career
Patrick Tse Yin's career in the entertainment industry spans over 60 years, marked by his versatility as an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, and his enduring popularity across film and television.
3.1. Debut and Early Career
Patrick Tse Yin entered the Hong Kong entertainment industry in 1953 as a Cantonese acting trainee with the Lingguang (靈光Chinese) company, an agency that supplied actors to film studios. Following the completion of his acting course, he joined Di Hua Film Enterprise Company (迪華電影企業公司Chinese) in 1953. He made his film debut the following year, in 1954, with a supporting role in the film Taps Off, Downstairs!. His distinctive looks and charismatic personality quickly led to him being cast in leading roles in subsequent films, marking his emergence as a "rising star" in the film industry.
3.2. Film Career
Tse Yin made significant contributions to Hong Kong cinema, evolving from a leading man in Cantonese films to a versatile actor across various genres and eras.
3.2.1. Early Films and Rise to Stardom
After his debut, Patrick Tse Yin quickly gained popularity in the film industry. A pivotal role in his early career was his portrayal of Yang Guo in the 1958 film adaptation of The Return of the Condor Heroes. He is notable for being the first actor to ever play the character of Yang Guo in a film. In 1959, Tse Yin joined Shaw Brothers Studio (which had been established the previous year), where he achieved significant popularity in Hong Kong. By the early 1960s, he had become one of the leading Cantonese actors at Shaw Brothers, alongside Tsang Kong (曾江Chinese) and Cheung Chung (張沖Chinese). He continued to star in numerous films for several decades, until Shaw Brothers ceased film production in 1986.
3.2.2. Notable Films and Roles
Throughout his extensive film career, Patrick Tse Yin appeared in a wide array of notable films, showcasing his versatility. Some of his successful later works include Mahjong Heroes (1981), Challenge of the Gamesters (1981), Winner Take All (1982), and Hongkong Playboy (1983). In the 21st century, he continued to appear in significant roles, such as Hung in Shaolin Soccer (2001), a cameo in A Beautiful Moment (2018), and roles in Missbehavior (2019) and Forensic Heroes IV (2020) as Long Siu-tin. His performance as Chau in the 2021 film Time earned him widespread critical acclaim.
3.2.3. Filmography
Patrick Tse Yin's filmography includes a diverse range of productions:
| Year | English Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | The Stormy Night (aka The Roar of the Earth) | Film debut. | |
| 1957 | She Married an Overseas Chinese (aka China Wife) | Tsang Tai-Sing | |
| 1957 | The Whispering Palm (aka Moon Over Malaya) | Ngor Ming | |
| 1964 | The Beau | Ka Bo | |
| 1966 | The Spy with My Face | Cheung Man Fu and #1 | |
| 1967 | Diamond Robbery | ||
| 1967 | Man from Interpol | ||
| 1967 | The Professionals | Kam Chun-Yue | |
| 1967 | Revenger | ||
| 1967 | The Story of a Discharged Prisoner (aka Upright Repenter) | Lee Cheuk-hung | |
| 1967 | To Rose with Love | ||
| 2001 | Shaolin Soccer | Hung | |
| 2018 | A Beautiful Moment | ||
| 2019 | Missbehavior | ||
| 2020 | Forensic Heroes IV | Long Siu-tin | Cameo appearance |
| 2021 | Time | Chau |
3.3. Television Career
Patrick Tse Yin also achieved significant success in television, particularly with TVB, where he starred in many popular drama series.
3.3.1. Notable Series and Roles
In the late 1970s, Patrick Tse Yin joined TVB as a television actor. He starred in numerous popular drama series, with his role as Law Sei Hoi (羅四海Chinese) in the classic 1980 period drama The Shell Game becoming particularly iconic and synonymous with his image. In this series, he notably co-starred with popular actress Wang Ming-chuan (汪明荃Chinese), making it one of TVB's timeless classics. Other notable television appearances include Over the Rainbow (1979), The Bund II (1980), The Shell Game II (1981), Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1982) as Duen Ching-sun, and The Legend of the Condor Heroes (1983) where he played Yeung Tit-sum across its three parts. He also appeared in The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain (1985) as Miu Yan-fung, Heir to the Throne Is... (1986) as Cheung Leung, and The Legend of Wong Tai Sin (1986) as Prince Lung. In more recent years, he featured in Central Affairs (2005) and Forensic Heroes IV (2020).
3.3.2. Television Filmography
Patrick Tse Yin's television career includes:
| Year | English Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Xiao Shi Yi Lang | Xiao Shi Yi Lang | |
| 1979 | Over the Rainbow | To Yat-tin | 85 episodes, directed by Lee Tim Shing. Co-starred with Liza Wang, Adam Cheng, Carol Cheng, Alan Tam, Sarita Leung San, Kwan Hoi Shan, Lau Dan. |
| 1980 | Li Bie Gou | Qi Qing Yun | |
| 1980 | The Shell Game | Law Sei Hoi | 25 episodes, directed by Wong Tin-Lam. Co-starred with Liza Wang, Yeung Kwan, Simon Yam, Tsang Ching-yu, Sheren Tang. |
| 1980 | Yesterday's Glitter | 25 episodes. Co-starred with Damian Lau and Liza Wang. | |
| 1980 | The Bund II | Tik Wan-chi | |
| 1981 | Tình Mê | Vy Văn Hãn | |
| 1981 | Thiên Vương Quần Anh Hội | Do Nhat Tieu | Co-starred with Chow Yun-fat. |
| 1981 | Hong Nhan | Van The Hoa | |
| 1981 | The Shell Game II | Law Sei Hoi | 20 episodes, directed by Wong Tin-Lam. Co-starred with Liza Wang, Chow Yun-fat, Simon Yam, Wong Wan-choi. |
| 1982 | Love and Passion | 30 episodes. Co-starred with Liza Wang, Ray Lui, Kenneth Tsang, Eddie Kwan. | |
| 1982 | Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils | Duen Ching-sun | Co-starred with Leung Ka-yan, Wong Hang-sau. |
| 1982 | Van Thuy Thien Son | Nguyen Dinh Tham | Co-starred with Liza Wang. |
| 1983 | Tai Kien Thap Cuu Tue | Fung Yeuk Lai | Co-starred with Lee Sze Kei. |
| 1983 | The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Iron-Blooded Loyalists | Yeung Tit-sum | |
| 1983 | The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Eastern Heretic and Western Venom | Yeung Tit-sum | |
| 1983 | The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Duel on Mount Hua | Yeung Tit-sum | |
| 1984 | Qiu Jin | Wong Ting Kwan | |
| 1985 | Wu Lam Sai Ga | Fong Chun Sun | Co-starred with Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Cheung Lui. |
| 1985 | The Flying Fox of Snowy Mountain | Miu Yan-fung / Miu Ka Wan | Co-starred with Tsang Wah-tin, Jamie Chik, Kenneth Tsang. |
| 1986 | Heir to the Throne Is... | Cheung Leung | Co-starred with Andy Lau, Nam Kit-ying, Lau Dan. |
| 1986 | The Legend of Wong Tai Sin | Prince Lung | Co-starred with Adam Cheng, Lai Mei-han, Chong Ching-yee, Sheren Tang, Au Yeung Pui-san, Chan Sau-chu. |
| 1986 | Xue Gang Fan Tang | Sit Ding San | Co-starred with Lau Ching-wan, Lau Mei-kuen, Eddie Kwan, Francis Ng. |
| 1986 | Ying Hung Gu Si | Tung Kong | Co-starred with Alex Man, Nam Kit-ying, Lai Mei-han. |
| 1987 | Yam Ma Giang Ho | Cheung Kwong Yuen | Co-starred with Eddie Kwan, Au Yeung Pui-san, Au Sui-wai, Lau Mei-kuen, Maggie Siu. |
| 1988 | Luu Tru Minh Thien | Lok Man Hin | Co-starred with Chan Ting Wai, Kung Chi Yan. |
| 1996 | The Bund Returns | Long Si | Co-starred with Michelle Yim, Kristy Yang, Lau Chung-yan, Kung Suet-fa. |
| 2005 | Central Affairs | ||
| 2017 | Du Thanh Quan Anh Hoi Van Bai Dinh Menh | Heung Mo Ming | Co-starred with Charmaine Sheh, Kenneth Ma, Raymond Wong Ho-yin. |
| 2020 | Forensic Heroes IV | Long Siu-tin (Dai Lung Sang) | Co-starred with Michelle Yim. |
3.4. Directorial, Production, and Screenwriting
Beyond acting, Patrick Tse Yin also took on significant roles behind the camera as a film director, producer, and screenwriter, particularly during the 1970s. He established his own film production company. During the early to mid-1970s, when romantic drama films from Taiwan were highly popular, Tse Yin focused on producing and directing romantic films primarily for the Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese markets. His directorial and production credits include:
- Madness of Love (1972) - Director
- If Tomorrow Comes (1973) - Producer/Director
- One Year's Fantasy (1974) - Writer/Director
- Love in Cubicle (1974) - Writer/Director
- Farewell Dearest (1974) - Director
- The Splendid Love in Winter (1974) - Writer/Director
- Love in Hawaii (1976) - Producer/Director
- Confused Love (1977) - Director
3.5. Retirement and Comeback
Patrick Tse Yin temporarily ceased his acting career in the 1990s after immigrating to Vancouver, Canada. However, he made a notable return to the entertainment industry in 1999. While some sources indicate his last film before his comeback was Colour of the Truth in 2003, he has continued to be active in recent years, demonstrating his enduring presence in Hong Kong cinema.
4. Personal Life
Patrick Tse Yin's personal life has been a subject of public interest, marked by his marriages, divorces, and long-term relationships.
4.1. Marriages and Children
Tse Yin has been married twice. His first marriage was in 1974 to Zhen Zhen (甄珍Chinese), a Beijing-born Taiwanese actress. Their marriage concluded in divorce in 1978.
His second marriage was to Deborah Lee (狄波拉Chinese), a Hong Kong actress. With Deborah Lee, he has two children: his son, the prominent Hong Kong actor and singer Nicholas Tse, and his daughter, actress and model Jennifer Tse. After his retirement from acting in the 1990s, Tse and his family resided in Vancouver, Canada, before eventually returning to Hong Kong. He and Deborah Lee divorced in 1996.
4.2. Relationships
In 2005, Patrick Tse Yin began a relationship with Coco, a woman from Shanghai who is 49 years his junior. The couple reportedly broke up in late 2017 but reconciled in late 2018, continuing their long-term partnership.

5. Awards and Accolades
Patrick Tse Yin has received significant recognition for his extensive contributions to the arts and entertainment industry, particularly in his later career.
5.1. Major Awards
In 2022, Patrick Tse Yin achieved a significant milestone by winning his first-ever Best Actor award from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society for his role in the 2021 film Time. For the same performance, he also received the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor and the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild Award for Best Actor, cementing his critical acclaim in the twilight of his career.
5.2. Critical Reception
Throughout his career, Patrick Tse Yin has been widely regarded as a versatile and popular actor, consistently playing leading male roles. His performances have been well-received by both film critics and the public, establishing his prominent standing in the industry. Even in his eighties, he has maintained an impressive physique and health, becoming an idol for many in terms of self-care and physical maintenance, further contributing to his enduring public image.
6. Legacy and Impact
Patrick Tse Yin's lasting influence extends across Hong Kong cinema and broader cultural spheres, shaping the industry and resonating within society.
6.1. Contributions to Hong Kong Cinema
Patrick Tse Yin's career, spanning over 60 years, has left an indelible mark on the development and evolution of Hong Kong cinema. He was a prominent figure in Cantonese cinema, particularly during his time as a leading actor at Shaw Brothers in the early 1960s, alongside other notable stars. His versatility allowed him to transition seamlessly between film and television, contributing significantly to both mediums. His enduring presence, from early stardom to recent critical acclaim, highlights his adaptability and sustained relevance in a rapidly changing industry. He is remembered for his iconic roles and for being a consistent presence in Hong Kong's entertainment landscape for generations.
6.2. Cultural Influence
Beyond his professional achievements, Patrick Tse Yin's persona and family life have also had a significant cultural impact. His long and active career, coupled with his dedication to maintaining his physique and health even in his later years, has made him a role model for many. Furthermore, his family, particularly his son Nicholas Tse, has become a prominent fixture in the entertainment industry, extending the Tse family's legacy and intertwining their personal lives with Hong Kong's popular culture. His enduring popularity reflects his status as a beloved and respected figure in the public eye.
