Hongkong Actor, Best Known For Playing Ru Hua In Stephen Chow Films, Partially Paralysed After Suffering A Stroke

Hongkong actor Lee Kin Yan, best known for his cross-dressing roles in Stephen Chow’s comedies, has been left partially paralysed after suffering a stroke last year.

According to Hongkong media reports, the 59-year-old was at a sauna in Shenzhen when he suddenly had a severe headache and collapsed. Kin Yan’s assistant rushed him to the hospital where doctors said he had suffered a stroke.

Thankfully, they managed to save him but the stroke left Kin Yan paralysed on the right side of his body. Kin Yan, who also lost his ability to talk, is now recovering in Hongkong.

When contacted by the media, Kin Yan’s wife confirmed that the actor, who is the family’s sole breadwinner, had a stroke but did not wish to discuss his illness.

“I hope that everyone will give him time and space to recover,” she told a reporter, adding that the family-of-five is getting by financially.

Before Kin Yan made his name playing nose-digging bearded lady Ru Hua in Stephen Chow’s films such as Hail the Judge and The God of Cookery, he used to work behind the scenes and was also once the iconic Hongkong star's assistant. In fact, he and Stephen go way back and were classmates in high school.

Though Kin Yan yearned for a chance to be in front of the camera, he didn't have much luck clinching acting jobs so Stephen created the role of Ru Hua just for him. He went on to make frequent cameo appearances in Stephen’s movies and has been focusing on his career in China in recent years.

Photos: Lee Kin Yan/Weibo