Chow Chan Lai-Fong, mother of Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-Fat, arrives at a ceremony in Hong Kong, where she was named an Outstanding Mother on September 8, 2008. [Tungstar/ent.sina.com.cn]

If you are a fan of Chow Yun-Fat, you should thank his mom. According to judges of the World Outstanding Chinese Awards, the Hong Kong icon inherited most of his traits from his mother.

Chow Chan Lai-Fong, 87, was named an Outstanding Mother by the awards committee on Monday, Tungstar.com reports.

She said her son is planning a celebration for her in recognition of the award.

Married at the age of 17, Chow Chan Lai-Fong gave birth to Chow Yun-Fat, the third of her four children, in 1955. Struggling to keep up with her housework while selling dim-sum on the streets, she had an obvious influence on the tenacity of her son, Tungstar says.

Chow Yun-Fat honed his acting skills at a training class in the 1970s, an opportunity for which he had to sacrifice his job at a post office. Chow, who later rocketed to international fame, says his mother was a source of support at the time.

(CRI September 9, 2008)