Ng Man Tat’s turbulent friendship with Stephen Chow is familiar to all but not everyone knows that the comedian also had a drama-filled relationship with Chow Yun Fat.

Man Tat, 69, and Yun Fat, 65, have been pals since they were classmates in TVB’s actor training course in 1973. While we can’t imagine living in a world where Chow Yun Fat isn’t a superstar, Man Tat actually made it big before his friend. In 1979, his TVB drama Chor Lau-heung became a mega-hit and his popularity skyrocketed. At that time, Yun Fat was a bit actor relegated to supporting roles.

It’s said that when Man Tat became popular, he started to indulge in the pleasures that came along with fame and fortune. He gambled and drank and gambled and drank some more. It was around this time that Yun Fat was cast in The Bund, which, for those not in the know, is one of the most popular TV series of all time. (Seriously, just ask your mum.)

After the drama aired in 1980, Yun Fat shot to superstardom but unlike his pal Man Tat, he continued working hard, shunning the seductive vices that showbiz offered.

By the time the ’80s rolled along, Man Tat was earning big bucks, especially in Taiwan, where he reportedly received film offers every day. At the same time, he was also making it rain in nightclubs and expensive restaurants, and had developed a passion for high stakes gambling. He was basically spending money faster than earning it.

Man Tat once revealed in an interview that he didn’t think too much about his life during that era. He only knew that he was very happy getting drunk and showing up at gambling sessions he was invited to.

He also recalled that in that one year of living in Taiwan, he had incurred HK$300,000 (S$51.2K) in credit card debt. When he returned to Hongkong in 1981, he was broke and in debt. He had also been blacklisted by TVB. With the banks hounding him for money every day, a desperate Man Tat approached Yun Fat for help.

But Yun Fat refused to lend him money, and even told Man Tat: “Settle it yourself.” The actor’s harsh words reportedly hurt Man Tat greatly and he contemplated committing suicide.

Just as Man Tat, who had to declare bankruptcy, hit rock bottom, a director cast him in a movie which helped his financial situation a little. He went on to bury himself in work and managed to pay off his debts in three years. And In 1991, he won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the Andy Lau movie A Moment of Romance at the Hongkong Film Awards. His comeback was finally complete.

Yun Fat was at the awards too and so he approached Man Tat to congratulate him. However, Man Tat totally blanked him, which pissed off the director who had offered him the role back when the comedian was at the lowest point of his life. He would tell Man Tat that the only reason he had cast him in the movie was because of Yun Fat’s recommendation. If it wasn’t for the actor, he would never had considered him, the director added.

When he heard this, Man Tat immediately regretted all that animosity he had towards Yun Fat for 10 years and they became friends again.

Years later, Man Tat said in an interview that Yun Fat eventually revealed why he had refused to lend him money all those years ago. According to Yun Fat, if he had helped out his friend financially, Man Tat would not have kicked his gambling habit and would have continued to be on a downward spiral. So even though he knew that Man Tat would hate him, he still stuck to his guns.

“If he had helped me, I would have continued to rely on him. He wanted me to learn how to pick myself up when I fall down,” Man Tat said.

Photos: Sin Chew, Weibo