Nina Paw Hei-Ching (鲍起静)

Nina Paw Hee-Ching (born 20 July 1949) is a Hong Kong-based actress. Her parents are famous Chinese actor Pau Fong (13 November 1922 – 22 September 2006) and Liu Su. Her younger brother Peter Pau is Academy Awards-winning and five-times Hong Kong Film Awards-winning cinematographer. She was married to Henry Fong, who is also an actor. Nina Paw is a giant of Hong Kong cinema, an actor of immense depth and sincerity. Born into a legendary film family, she spent decades as a revered "green leaf" supporting player on television, famously becoming the "go-to mother" and a "pillar" of the once-struggling ATV. It wasn't until the age of 60 that she finally took center stage, delivering a career-defining performance that won her Hong Kong's highest acting honor and cemented her legacy as one of the city's most beloved actresses. Breakthrough Role: The Late-Blooming Crown Paw’s breakthrough role, which came after nearly 40 years in the business, was her quietly powerful turn as the stoic and kind-hearted supermarket worker "Sister Kwei" in Ann Hui's critically acclaimed 2008 film The Way We Are. For this naturalistic and deeply affecting portrayal of everyday life in a Hong Kong public housing estate, she won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress, proving that the most extraordinary performances are often found in the most ordinary of characters. Her victory was seen as a long-overdue recognition of her immense talent and dedication. Public Perception: A Respected Pillar of the Industry Today, at 76, Paw enjoys a singular status in the entertainment industry: a humble and relatable legend. She is widely respected for her professionalism and warm, motherly persona, often called "Paw Jie" by fans and peers alike. Even after winning a Best Actress award, she has famously stated, "I'm still just an extra, a very ordinary actor". Known for her unwavering loyalty to ATV and her "never retire, only rest" philosophy, she continues to act with zeal. Off-screen, Paw is admired for her strong work ethic and her long, stable marriage to actor and director David Fang, a union that began with their collaboration in the 1980 film The White Haired Witch and has remained a testament to enduring love in the industry.