Back in the '80s, Hongkong actor Alex Man, 63, was a big star in TVB and had starred in a series of high-profile productions.

Alex also mentored a number of up-and-coming artistes, including future comedy legend Stephen Chow. According to reports, Alex thought so highly of Stephen that he made sure to put in a good word for Stephen with every director that he worked with.

The men became pals but rumours of a falling out between the two started swirling in the early ‘90s.

Recently, Hongkong actor Wong Yat San, who made his name as a supporting actor in many Stephen Chow movies, touched on Alex and Stephen’s alleged falling out in a new episode of his online show where he shares snippets and anecdotes about Hongkong showbiz movies.

According to Yat San, Alex and Stephen’s conflict started when they both starred in the 1989 TVB drama, The Justice Of Life, where Alex was the lead and Stephen a supporting character.

However, Stephen’s mo lei tau (Cantonese for 'nonsensical') style of acting was so well-received in the drama, it completely eclipsed Alex’s performance. Even now when people bring up The Justice Of Life, it's Stephen and not Alex whom they remember.

Yat San then went on to reveal that Alex was not happy at all about this. In face, he claimed that the entire ordeal affected Alex’s mental health so much, he developed bipolar disorder.

Yat San also backed up his claim with a small anecdote about the time he interviewed Alex. At that time, he’d asked: “When it comes to Stephen’s performance, what comments do you have on his mo lei tau style acting’?”

However, Alex was very displeased with that question, and immediately started scolding Yat San.

Yat San added that he did not take Alex’s scolding to heart, as he knew by then that the actor was struggling with his mental health.

“I hope that Alex ge will be able to forget the past, pull himself together, bounce back again and appear in more good productions for us to enjoy. Alex ge, we support you!” Yat San said.

Photo: Wong Yat San/Weibo, Alex Man/Weibo