Ozzie Yue
Encyclopedia
Ozzie Yue is an English
actor
, guitar
ist and singer. He is most noted for his roles in television programmes such as Father Ted
, All Quiet on the Preston Front
and Coronation Street
as well as for roles in films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
, Syriana
and Nuns on the Run
. In the 1960s Yue was guitarist with Merseybeat
group The Hideaways
and later for the 1970s group Supercharge
; today he has his own band, "Yue Hoo", and in 2008 starred in the title role in Kensuke's Kingdom
, a theatre production which has toured the UK.
, court translator
and point of contact between Liverpool's Chinese
and English communities.
Ozzie went to junior schools in the Wirral
and Skerry's School in Rodney Street, Liverpool
. He then attended the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys as a contemporary of Paul McCartney
and George Harrison
, although junior to them. Yue has admitted that he did "flick pieces of paper" at McCartney during art classes.
electrician
, Yue joined The Hideaways
as guitarist during the Merseybeat
era; he played at The Cavern Club
more often than The Beatles
. In the 1970s, he joined funk, soul & RnB group Supercharge
, which achieved some reputation and local success, but failed to make an impression on the UK charts. They did however have a number 1 single in Australia in 1976. In the late 1970s he played with Liverpool band "Joker". Today Yue has his own RnB group playing locally, "Yue Hoo".
and South Pacific
at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
. However, acting took a back seat during his musical career until the 1980s, when he began to be cast in British film and television, usually in stereotypical Chinese roles such as waiters and minor villains. He was initially offered work by Granada TV
as an extra, and of this he says,
From the early 1990s onwards, Yue has appeared in numerous productions and in 2006 branched out into theatre, starring in Kensuke's Kingdom
across the country and finally at London's Bloomsbury Theatre
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
ist and singer. He is most noted for his roles in television programmes such as Father Ted
Father Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
, All Quiet on the Preston Front
All Quiet on the Preston Front
All Quiet on the Preston Front was a BBC comedy drama about a group of friends in the fictional Lancashire town of Roker Bridge, and their links to the local Territorial Army infantry platoon. It was created by Tim Firth.-Episodes:Three series were made...
and Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
as well as for roles in films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider is a 2001 adventure thriller film adapted from the Tomb Raider video game series. Directed by Simon West and starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, it was released in U.S. theaters on June 15, 2001. The film was a commercial success...
, Syriana
Syriana
Syriana is a 2005 geopolitical thriller film written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, and executive produced by George Clooney, who also stars in the film with an ensemble cast. Gaghan's screenplay is loosely adapted from Robert Baer's memoir See No Evil...
and Nuns on the Run
Nuns on the Run
Nuns on the Run is a 1990 British comedy film starring Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane, also featuring Camille Coduri and Janet Suzman. It was written and directed by Jonathan Lynn and produced by HandMade Films. Many of the outdoor scenes were shot in Chiswick...
. In the 1960s Yue was guitarist with Merseybeat
Beat music
Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a pop and rock music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. Beat music is a fusion of rock and roll, doo wop, skiffle, R&B and soul...
group The Hideaways
The Hideaways (band)
The Hideaways were a pop group that flourished in the mid-1960s as part of the Merseybeat era, and played at The Cavern Club over 250 times, more frequently than The Beatles; they are also noted for their connection to the Timex Watches advertising campaign of the time...
and later for the 1970s group Supercharge
Supercharge (band)
Supercharge were a 1970s English rock band from Liverpool, founded by singer/saxophonist Albie Donnelly. They had a number three hit single in Australia with "You've Gotta Get Up and Dance" in 1977.-History:...
; today he has his own band, "Yue Hoo", and in 2008 starred in the title role in Kensuke's Kingdom
Kensuke's Kingdom
Kensuke's Kingdom is a children's novel by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman. It was first published in 1999 by Egmont UK, since when many more editions have been released by various other publishers, such as Scholastic.-Plot summary:...
, a theatre production which has toured the UK.
Early life
Yue's father, Jack, was well-known in Liverpool as a restaurateurRestaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
, court translator
Translation
Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. Whereas interpreting undoubtedly antedates writing, translation began only after the appearance of written literature; there exist partial translations of the Sumerian Epic of...
and point of contact between Liverpool's Chinese
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...
and English communities.
Ozzie went to junior schools in the Wirral
Metropolitan Borough of Wirral
The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It has a population of 311,200, and encompasses of the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula. Major settlements include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby. The city of...
and Skerry's School in Rodney Street, Liverpool
Rodney Street, Liverpool
Rodney Street in Liverpool, England is noted for the number of doctors and its Georgian architecture. It is sometimes known as the "Harley Street of the North". Together with Hope Street and Gambier Terrace it forms the Rodney Street conservation area...
. He then attended the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys as a contemporary of Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
and George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
, although junior to them. Yue has admitted that he did "flick pieces of paper" at McCartney during art classes.
Musical career
After a spell as an apprenticeApprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
electrician
Electrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
, Yue joined The Hideaways
The Hideaways (band)
The Hideaways were a pop group that flourished in the mid-1960s as part of the Merseybeat era, and played at The Cavern Club over 250 times, more frequently than The Beatles; they are also noted for their connection to the Timex Watches advertising campaign of the time...
as guitarist during the Merseybeat
Beat music
Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a pop and rock music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. Beat music is a fusion of rock and roll, doo wop, skiffle, R&B and soul...
era; he played at The Cavern Club
The Cavern Club
The Cavern Club is a rock and roll club in Liverpool, England. Opened on Wednesday 16 January 1957, the club had their first performance by The Beatles on 9 February 1961, and where Brian Epstein first saw The Beatles performing on 9 November 1961....
more often than The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
. In the 1970s, he joined funk, soul & RnB group Supercharge
Supercharge (band)
Supercharge were a 1970s English rock band from Liverpool, founded by singer/saxophonist Albie Donnelly. They had a number three hit single in Australia with "You've Gotta Get Up and Dance" in 1977.-History:...
, which achieved some reputation and local success, but failed to make an impression on the UK charts. They did however have a number 1 single in Australia in 1976. In the late 1970s he played with Liverpool band "Joker". Today Yue has his own RnB group playing locally, "Yue Hoo".
Acting career
In his teens, Yue appeared in productions such as The King and IThe King and I
The King and I is a stage musical, the fifth by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in...
and South Pacific
South Pacific (musical)
South Pacific is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The story draws from James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific, weaving together characters and elements from several of its...
at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
The Royal Court Theatre is a theatre at 1 Roe Street, Liverpool, England. It was built in 1938 in an Art Deco style.-History:Built in the 12th Century, the site of the current Royal Court Theatre was originally a water well...
. However, acting took a back seat during his musical career until the 1980s, when he began to be cast in British film and television, usually in stereotypical Chinese roles such as waiters and minor villains. He was initially offered work by Granada TV
Granada Television
Granada Television is the ITV contractor for North West England. Based in Manchester since its inception, it is the only surviving original ITA franchisee from 1954 and is ITV's most successful....
as an extra, and of this he says,
From the early 1990s onwards, Yue has appeared in numerous productions and in 2006 branched out into theatre, starring in Kensuke's Kingdom
Kensuke's Kingdom
Kensuke's Kingdom is a children's novel by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman. It was first published in 1999 by Egmont UK, since when many more editions have been released by various other publishers, such as Scholastic.-Plot summary:...
across the country and finally at London's Bloomsbury Theatre
The UCL Bloomsbury
The Bloomsbury Theatre is a theatre on Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden, owned by University College London.The Theatre has a seating capacity of 535 and offers a professional programme of innovative music, drama, comedy and dance all year round.Funded by a UGC grant and a...
.
Television
- 1990 Agatha Christie's PoirotAgatha Christie's PoirotAgatha Christie's Poirot is a British television drama that has aired on ITV since 1989. It stars David Suchet as Agatha Christie's fictional detective Hercule Poirot. It was originally made by LWT and is now made by ITV Studios...
- Restaurant Manager - 1990 London's BurningLondon's BurningLondon's Burning was a British television drama programme produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV network that focused on the lives of members of the London Fire Brigade, principally those of the Blue Watch at a fictional fire station called Blackwall.It was broadcast between 1986 and...
- Chinese Man - 1992 LovejoyLovejoyLovejoy is a TV series about the adventures of Lovejoy, a British antiques dealer and faker based in East Anglia, a less than scrupulous yet likeable rogue. The episodes were based on a series of picaresque novels by John Grant...
- 'Flat Fee' Lee Chan - 1992 To Be the Best - Bank President
- 1993 The Long Roads - Jimmy
- 1994 All Quiet on the Preston FrontAll Quiet on the Preston FrontAll Quiet on the Preston Front was a BBC comedy drama about a group of friends in the fictional Lancashire town of Roker Bridge, and their links to the local Territorial Army infantry platoon. It was created by Tim Firth.-Episodes:Three series were made...
- Peter Wang - 1994 The House of Windsor - Mr. Takasoni
- 1995 PorkpiePorkpie (TV series)Porkpie was a British sitcom on Channel 4 television starring Ram John Holder as Augustus 'Porkpie' Grant. It was a spinoff from Desmond's...
- Mr Lu - 1995 HarryHarry (TV series)Harry is a television drama series that was made by Union Pictures for the BBC, and shown on BBC One between 1993 and 1995. The programme concerned a journalist called Harry Salter who ran a news agency in the town of Darlington in England.- Cast :* Harry Salter - Michael Elphick* Jonathan - Tom...
- Tommy - 1996 PorkpiePorkpie (TV series)Porkpie was a British sitcom on Channel 4 television starring Ram John Holder as Augustus 'Porkpie' Grant. It was a spinoff from Desmond's...
- Mr Lu - 1996 Thief TakersThief TakersThief Takers was a police drama series made by Central Independent Television for the ITV network. The show depicted the work of a team in the Metropolitan Police Service's Flying Squad...
- Uncle Wong - 1998 Father TedFather TedFather Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
- Sean Yin - 1998 DinnerladiesDinnerladiesDinnerladies is a British sitcom written, co-produced by and starring Victoria Wood. It ran on BBC One for 16 episodes from 1998 to 2000.-Plot:...
- Malcolm - 2004 Silent WitnessSilent WitnessSilent Witness is a BBC crime thriller series focusing on a team of forensic pathology experts and their investigations into various crimes. First broadcast in February 1996, the series is still airing to the present day, with a fifteenth series expected to air in January 2012. The series was...
- Micky Choo - 2005 Meet the MagoonsMeet the MagoonsMeet the Magoons is a six part comedy television series in the United Kingdom aired on Channel 4 in 2005, directed by and starring Hardeep Singh Kohli. The main characters are a Punjabi family who live in Glasgow, and own an Indian restaurant called "The Spice".It received mixed reviews. A. A...
- Scouse Punter - 2005 Rocket Man - Mr. Xi
- 2011 Come Fly With MeCome Fly with Me (2010 TV series)Come Fly with Me is a British mockumentary television comedy series created by and starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams. Narrated by Lindsay Duncan, the series launched on 25 December 2010 on BBC One and BBC One HD...
- Chinese Man - 2011 White Van Man - Mr. Chung
Film
- 1990 Nuns on the RunNuns on the RunNuns on the Run is a 1990 British comedy film starring Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane, also featuring Camille Coduri and Janet Suzman. It was written and directed by Jonathan Lynn and produced by HandMade Films. Many of the outdoor scenes were shot in Chiswick...
- Ernie Wong - 1998 CroupierCroupierA croupier or dealer is someone appointed at a gambling table to assist in the conduct of the game, especially in the distribution of bets and payouts. Croupiers are typically employed by casinos.-Origin of the word:...
- Mr Tchai - 2001 Lara Croft: Tomb RaiderLara Croft: Tomb RaiderLara Croft: Tomb Raider is a 2001 adventure thriller film adapted from the Tomb Raider video game series. Directed by Simon West and starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft, it was released in U.S. theaters on June 15, 2001. The film was a commercial success...
- Aged Buddhist Monk - 2003 Out for a KillOut for a KillOut for a Kill is a 2003 straight-to-video action film directed by Michael Oblowitz. It stars Steven Seagal- Plot :This Steven Seagal thriller sees Wong Dai , the world's most powerful Chinese drug kingpin, is sitting at a long table in an old building in Paris, France, going through the motions of...
- Fang 'The Barber' Lee - 2005 SyrianaSyrianaSyriana is a 2005 geopolitical thriller film written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, and executive produced by George Clooney, who also stars in the film with an ensemble cast. Gaghan's screenplay is loosely adapted from Robert Baer's memoir See No Evil...
- Chinese Oil Executive - 2008 Act of Grace - Dai-Lo