Run Run Shaw
Encyclopedia
Sir Run Run Shaw CBE, GBM
(born c. November 23, 1907) is a Hong Kong
media mogul.
, Zhejiang
, China
in 1907. There has been no official or formal announcement on the exact day and month of his birth. According to A&C Black published Who's Who 2007, Shaw Run Run was born on 14 October, but his wife Mona Fong
declined to confirm this. In 2007, Markus Shaw, Run Run's nephew, said his birthday was November 23, which corresponded with the 14th day of the 10th month of the Chinese calendar
.
He received his education in American
-run schools. He is the youngest of the six sons of Shanghai
textile merchant Shaw Yuh Hsuen (1867–1920).
At age 19, during his summer holiday, he followed his third elder brother Runme Shaw
to Singapore
to start a film market and establish the Shaw Organisation. Following that, he developed a deep interest in the movie business.
He and his brother founded the South Seas Film studio in 1930, which later became Shaw Studios. In 1967, he launched TVB
(Television Broadcasts Ltd.) in Hong Kong, growing it into a multi-billion dollar TV empire ranking today as one of the top 5 television producers in the world.
His first wife Wong Mei Chun (黃美珍) died at age 85 in 1987. Shaw Studios stopped filming in the same year. He remarried in Las Vegas
in 1997 to Mona Shaw
(formerly Fong Yat-wa and deputy chairman of TVB
since 2000).
In 2000, through his company, Shaw Brothers (Hong Kong) Limited, he sold his unique library of 760 classic titles to Celestial Pictures Limited. His name is credited even in western movies which he has backed, such as in Blade Runner
under the The Ladd Company
logo.
Continuing to show perseverance, Shaw Studios entered a new era with Run Run Shaw's majority investment (through his various holding companies) in the US$180 million Hong Kong Movie City project, a 1100000 square feet (102,193.3 m²) studio and production facility in Tseung Kwan O
(Hong Kong). The facility features one of the largest, fully air-conditioned and sound and vibration-insulated soundstages in Asia, a full-service colour lab and digital imaging facility, over 20 sound and editing suites, a 400-seat dubbing and screening theatre, executive and production office space, banqueting facilities, and visual effects and animation capabilities. This facility serves as the centre-piece of Shaw Studios and indeed the whole Chinese film industry.
Sir Run Run Shaw holds significant other business interests around the world. His construction of the 41-story Shaw Tower
at Cathedral Place located in Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
is just one example of his real estate interests.
Over the years, he has donated billions of dollars to charity, schools and hospitals. His name is on many buildings in Hong Kong and China mainland due to his generous donations. The fourth constituent college
of the collegiate Chinese University of Hong Kong
is also named after Sir Run Run, whose patronage made the establishment of the college possible.
He donated $100 million Hong Kong Dollars for disaster relief after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake
. American singer/songwriter Is'real Benton recently made a contribution to a charity on behalf of Shaw and his friend the late Freddie Fields.
Sir Run Run is a member of White's
in London.
in 1977 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal
(GBM) from the Hong Kong Special Administration government in 1998.
, for scientist
s in three areas of research, namely astronomy
, mathematics
, and life and medical science. The award is up to US$1 million. The press called it the "Nobel Prize
of the East". The first prize was awarded in 2004.
. He qualified as a barrister at Gray's Inn
, London
. He has been in the family's movie business and heads a number of academic and charitable organizations.
Shaw's daughter, Violet, lives in Hawaii
and is married to former Morgan Stanley Executive Director Paul Loo.
Grand Bauhinia Medal
The Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style "The Honorable"...
(born c. November 23, 1907) is a Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
media mogul.
Overview
Sir Run Run Shaw was born in NingboNingbo
Ningbo is a seaport city of northeastern Zhejiang province, Eastern China. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, the municipality has a population of 7,605,700 inhabitants at the 2010 census whom 3,089,180 in the built up area made of 6 urban districts. It lies south of the Hangzhou Bay,...
, Zhejiang
Zhejiang
Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in 1907. There has been no official or formal announcement on the exact day and month of his birth. According to A&C Black published Who's Who 2007, Shaw Run Run was born on 14 October, but his wife Mona Fong
Mona Fong
Mona Fong Yat Wah, Lady Shaw is a Hong Kong film and television producer and production manager. A Cantonese born in Shanghai, Mona achieved fame as one of the most popular nightclub singers and recording artists in Singapore and Hong Kong in the 1950s. She often sang English covers of top hits of...
declined to confirm this. In 2007, Markus Shaw, Run Run's nephew, said his birthday was November 23, which corresponded with the 14th day of the 10th month of the Chinese calendar
Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well...
.
He received his education in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-run schools. He is the youngest of the six sons of Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
textile merchant Shaw Yuh Hsuen (1867–1920).
At age 19, during his summer holiday, he followed his third elder brother Runme Shaw
Runme Shaw
Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw, K.St.J was the chairman and founder of the Shaw Organisation of Singapore. Runme Shaw and his brother, Run Run Shaw , together known as the Shaw Brothers, were pioneers in the film and entertainment industry in Singapore and Malaya, and brought to life the movie industry in...
to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
to start a film market and establish the Shaw Organisation. Following that, he developed a deep interest in the movie business.
He and his brother founded the South Seas Film studio in 1930, which later became Shaw Studios. In 1967, he launched TVB
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
(Television Broadcasts Ltd.) in Hong Kong, growing it into a multi-billion dollar TV empire ranking today as one of the top 5 television producers in the world.
His first wife Wong Mei Chun (黃美珍) died at age 85 in 1987. Shaw Studios stopped filming in the same year. He remarried in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
in 1997 to Mona Shaw
Mona Fong
Mona Fong Yat Wah, Lady Shaw is a Hong Kong film and television producer and production manager. A Cantonese born in Shanghai, Mona achieved fame as one of the most popular nightclub singers and recording artists in Singapore and Hong Kong in the 1950s. She often sang English covers of top hits of...
(formerly Fong Yat-wa and deputy chairman of TVB
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
since 2000).
In 2000, through his company, Shaw Brothers (Hong Kong) Limited, he sold his unique library of 760 classic titles to Celestial Pictures Limited. His name is credited even in western movies which he has backed, such as in Blade Runner
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
under the The Ladd Company
The Ladd Company
The Ladd Company is a film production and distribution company founded by Alan Ladd, Jr. in 1979, after ending his job as President of 20th Century Fox. Under Warner Bros...
logo.
Continuing to show perseverance, Shaw Studios entered a new era with Run Run Shaw's majority investment (through his various holding companies) in the US$180 million Hong Kong Movie City project, a 1100000 square feet (102,193.3 m²) studio and production facility in Tseung Kwan O
Tseung Kwan O
Tseung Kwan O is a bay in Sai Kung District, New Territories, Hong Kong. In the northern tip of the bay lies the Tseung Kwan O Village....
(Hong Kong). The facility features one of the largest, fully air-conditioned and sound and vibration-insulated soundstages in Asia, a full-service colour lab and digital imaging facility, over 20 sound and editing suites, a 400-seat dubbing and screening theatre, executive and production office space, banqueting facilities, and visual effects and animation capabilities. This facility serves as the centre-piece of Shaw Studios and indeed the whole Chinese film industry.
Sir Run Run Shaw holds significant other business interests around the world. His construction of the 41-story Shaw Tower
Shaw Tower (Vancouver)
Shaw Tower located at 1067 W. Cordova St in Downtown Vancouver's Coal Harbour is home to Shaw Communications' headquarters for Lower Mainland Operations and credited to local architect James K. M. Cheng....
at Cathedral Place located in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
is just one example of his real estate interests.
Over the years, he has donated billions of dollars to charity, schools and hospitals. His name is on many buildings in Hong Kong and China mainland due to his generous donations. The fourth constituent college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
of the collegiate Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chinese University of Hong Kong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong is a research-led university in Hong Kong.CUHK is the only tertiary education institution in Hong Kong with Nobel Prize winners on its faculty, including Chen Ning Yang, James Mirrlees, Robert Alexander Mundell and Charles K. Kao...
is also named after Sir Run Run, whose patronage made the establishment of the college possible.
He donated $100 million Hong Kong Dollars for disaster relief after the 2008 Sichuan Earthquake
2008 Sichuan earthquake
The 2008 Sichuan earthquake or the Great Sichuan Earthquake was a deadly earthquake that measured at 8.0 Msand 7.9 Mw occurred at 14:28:01 CST...
. American singer/songwriter Is'real Benton recently made a contribution to a charity on behalf of Shaw and his friend the late Freddie Fields.
Sir Run Run is a member of White's
White's
White's is a London gentlemen's club, established at 4 Chesterfield Street in 1693 by Italian immigrant Francesco Bianco . Originally it was established to sell hot chocolate, a rare and expensive commodity at the time...
in London.
Awards
In 1974, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). He received a knighthoodKnight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
in 1977 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal
Grand Bauhinia Medal
The Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style "The Honorable"...
(GBM) from the Hong Kong Special Administration government in 1998.
The Shaw Prize
He recently established an international award, the Shaw PrizeShaw Prize
The Shaw Prize is an annual award first presented by the Shaw Prize Foundation in 2004. Established in 2002 in Hong Kong, it honours living "individuals, regardless of race, nationality and religious belief, who have achieved significant breakthrough in academic and scientific research or...
, for scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
s in three areas of research, namely astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
, and life and medical science. The award is up to US$1 million. The press called it the "Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
of the East". The first prize was awarded in 2004.
Children
Shaw's eldest son, Dr. Shaw Vee Meng, is head of the Shaw Foundation in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. He qualified as a barrister at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He has been in the family's movie business and heads a number of academic and charitable organizations.
Shaw's daughter, Violet, lives in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
and is married to former Morgan Stanley Executive Director Paul Loo.
See also
- Asteroid 2899 Runrun Shaw2899 Runrun Shaw2899 Runrun Shaw is a small main belt asteroid, which was discovered by astronomers at the Purple Mountain Observatory, China, in 1964. It is named after Sir Run Run Shaw, the film producer who dominated Hong Kong cinema in the 1960s and 1970s....
, named after the producer by Chinese astronomers - Brothers Runje ShawRunje ShawRunje Shaw was the eldest of the Shaw brothers...
, Runme ShawRunme ShawTan Sri Dr Runme Shaw, K.St.J was the chairman and founder of the Shaw Organisation of Singapore. Runme Shaw and his brother, Run Run Shaw , together known as the Shaw Brothers, were pioneers in the film and entertainment industry in Singapore and Malaya, and brought to life the movie industry in...
and Runde ShawRunde ShawRunde Shaw was the second-oldest of the four brothers, originally from Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, who established Unique Film Productions in Shanghai in the early 1920's, setting the stage for what would become the most prolific film production company in Asia... - Cinema of Hong KongCinema of Hong KongThe cinema of Hong Kong is one of the three major threads in the history of Chinese language cinema, alongside the cinema of China, and the cinema of Taiwan...