As the founder of Golden Harvest, he produced some of the biggest stars of the martial arts film genre, including Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

[2] Of Hakka Han ethnicity, with ancestral roots in Taipu, Guangdong, Chow studied martial arts under the Hung Ga master Lam Sai-wing.

[9][10] When Cathay wanted to end the company's association in Hong Kong, Chow left Shaw Brothers to establish Golden Harvest along with film producer Leonard Ho in 1970.

[4][5] In 1981, the National Association of Theatre Owners named Chow their International Showman of the Year for his contributions to the US film industry following the success of The Cannonball Run.

However Chow was unable to give Ng and their illegitimate children any legitimacy due to his marriage to Yuen, chose to separate with them but continued with financial support.