If you see how he talks, he's actually very intelligent guy and he was part of the gang of comedians who really brought up HK movies in the 80s.

He was never the leading man in movies. Mostly supporting actors and comic sidekicks. He became taikor mainly because he was director and was popular hosting shows. I am sure you’ve seen his game show and it’s really popular in HK. Aces Go Places was his big box office movie that made him taikor

He doesn’t have the looks and physique

But he is funny and has good oratory skills to make up what he is lacking 

That’s a quality that not many actors has

Humor sometimes can compensate your appearance

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