Michael Chow is a Chinese-American actor, interior designer, and restaurateur with a $300 million net worth. Michael Chow is well known as the founder of the premium Mr Chow restaurant chain, which first debuted in London, England in 1968.
Since then, other locations have opened, including three restaurants in London and several shops in New York, Las Vegas, Miami, and Beverly Hills. His acting credits include “The Savage Innocents,” “Joanna,” “Hammett,” “Lethal Weapon 4,” and the “Rush Hour” series.
Who is Michael Chow?
Michael Chow was born Zhou Yinghua on March 7, 1939, in Shanghai, China. His father was the famed Peking Opera actor Zhou Xinfang, while his mother came from a wealthy tea dynasty family. Chow has a sister, Tsai Chin, who is an actor, singer, and director.
At the age of 12, Chow was sent to a boarding school in the United Kingdom. He went on to study at Saint Martin’s School of Art and subsequently the Hammersmith School of Building and Architecture.
How old is Michael Chow?
He is currently 84 years old.
What is Michael Chow’s net worth?
He is estimated to be worth $300 Million.
What is Michael Chow’s career?
Chow began his entrepreneurial career with the London hair salon Smith and Hawes, which he co-founded with Robin Sutherland. Later, the two sold the company to renowned hairdresser Leonard of Grosvenor Square, who renamed it Leonard & Twiggy.
Mr Chow, Chow’s most successful firm, was launched in early 1968. The upmarket restaurant, which serves Pekinese Chinese food, opened in London’s Knightsbridge neighborhood. To create a posh ambiance, Chow purchased and displayed works by prominent artists such as David Hockney, Allen Jones, and Peter Blake. In London, Mr Chow drew a number of notable diners, including Federico Fellini, Jeanne Moreau, Frank Sinatra, and the Beatles.
Mr Chow opened its first store outside of London in Beverly Hills, California, in 1974. The restaurant was frequented by celebrities such as Jack Nicholson, Billy Wilder, and Anjelica Huston. Another location opened in Manhattan in 1978, and it, like the others, attracted notable eaters such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Madonna. Mr Chow opened restaurants in Miami Beach, Florida, Malibu, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Chow made his film acting debut in 1958’s juvenile delinquent drama “Violent Playground,” co-starring with his sister Tsai Chin. Two years later, he appeared in Nicholas Ray’s adventure picture “The Savage Innocents.” This was followed by the historical action films “Marco Polo” and “55 Days at Peking.”
In 1966, Chow starred in Joseph Losey’s spy comedy “Modesty Blaise,” alongside Monica Vitti and Terence Stamp. The same year, he co-starred with his sister in the crime film “The Brides of Fu Manchu.” Chow and his sister reunited in 1967’s James Bond blockbuster “You Only Live Twice.” In 1968, Chow appeared in the dramas “The Touchables” and “Joanna.”
After a decade away from the big screen, Chow returned in 1978 for a role in the black comedy mystery thriller “Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?” Four years later, he starred in Wim Wenders’ neo-noir “Hammett,” which was based on Joe Gores’ novel of the same title.
Chow then took another lengthy absence from film acting until returning in 1993 for the sensual thriller “Dream Lover.” He next played himself in the 1996 biographical drama “Basquiat.” Chow went on to feature in the buddy action films “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Rush Hour,” and “Rush Hour 2,” as well as “Rush Hour 3.”
In 2009, he played a doctor in the emotional drama “My Sister’s Keeper,” based on Jodi Picoult’s novel.
