Today I’m welcoming Lawrence Chau. Lawrence Chau is an actor and an award-winning host and writer, who has worked in Canada, Asia and America. He is known by most in North America as the host of Ghostly Encounters. The paranormal program airs stateside on Destination America, in Canada on Oprah Winfrey Network, and in Asia on Crime & Investigation Channel.
Thank you, Lawrence for stopping by!
- Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and graduated with a degree in journalism. I then trekked off to Hong Kong where I landed my first break in showbiz. Then came Singapore. That’s where my career really exploded as a host and actor. After 10 great years in Asia, I routed back to Toronto where I landed Ghostly Encounters and other acting gigs. Los Angeles is home now where I’ve been concentrating more on acting. Off-camera I zone out by watching movies and TV shows. I also love dogs. I’m not really into nightlife as I don’t like drinking. I’m in a more Zen state of mind. I love my “me” time.
- Along with being an actor, you’re also a writer. What are some of your writing accomplishments?
You’re going to laugh, but my first exposure as a writer came when I was seven. I wrote and illustrated a short story called Crazy Witch that was made available for loan at the school library. It was an imaginary tale of how I escaped from a Crazy Witch after she had kidnapped me with designs of cooking me in her caldron. I then won a scholarship award for best story-of-the-year in journalism school. Professionally, I have contributed to numerous publications in Asia and Canada as a columnist and entertainment writer. I also used to pen many of the scripts for Showbuzz, Singapore’s No. 1 English entertainment news program, which I also anchored and produced. I probably will delve into scriptwriting eventually.
- You’re the host of The Biography Channel’s television series, Ghostly Encounters. What’s that like and are you a believer in the paranormal?
BIO. did air Ghostly Encounters years ago, but no longer. As of now, Destination America (owned by Discovery Channel) has bought the series and airs it stateside. Yes, I do believe in the paranormal. I actually recounted a chilling ghostly encounter in my personal life at the audition. I’m guessing that helped me land the gig as host. I’m really grateful for that opportunity. Not many producers or networks would take a chance on an Asian male entertainment host.
- Is there a particular episode of Ghostly Encounters that just really grabs your attention? If so, why?
Anorexia and The Hag stands out. The episode also resonated with a lot of viewers for they, too, claimed to have experienced the paralyzing effects of The Hag — as have my brothers and I. To this day, I’m not sure if it was what doctors describe as sleep paralysis or a spiritual encounter, but let me tell ya, when my brothers and I had them during our teens and 20s, we were freaked out. I don’t get them anymore, though.
- Have you personally experienced anything paranormal?
My most vivid paranormal encounter was in an office building in downtown Toronto. I was in university part-timing at a newspaper office and my boss was kind enough to let me stay late on a Saturday night to work on my essay on Frankenstein (appropriate, I know). On her way out, she said, “Be careful of Big Foot.” I’m like, “Huh?”
A little after midnight, the phone rings. I think it’s my boss calling to check up. Nothing. All I hear is a breezy sound. Then the ceiling lights slowly zap off row by row. I quickly turn them back on. I resume typing my essay when down the hall I hear the elevator moving. I assume it’s building security doing the rounds. The elevator stops on my floor. No one. Then I hear “thump, thump, thump;” loud footsteps coming down the hall from the elevator towards me. I am frozen at my typewriter. I immediately think, “Big Foot!” I see nothing, but the slow, elephant-like steps continue right past me. The steps stop at the end of the room. Suddenly the pinned up papers at the end wall fall down, then a lamp falls. I am frazzled with fear. In a mad dash, I put everything back in place and tear off home.
The next day I ask my boss what the heck that was. She says the same thing happened to her when she stayed behind one night, the difference being Big Foot actually walked through her and she felt an unearthly chill glide through her body.
- If someone wanted to ask your opinion regarding the supernatural, what would you tell them?
I would say what Mark Wahlberg said in The Happening: “There are forces of nature beyond our control.”
- Have you conducted any paranormal investigations? If yes, where?
No, I actually have not.
- You have quite the impressive background with an extremely busy schedule. How do you find time to unwind?
The entertainment industry is crazy. Very unpredictable. If we aren’t on-camera, chances are we’re doing something behind-the-scenes. Breaks pop up here and there and you just seize them. Sleep, movies, DVR, quiet nights alone or with friends — all help soothe the soul. I travel alone sometimes, too to de-stress. I also love Googling and YouTubing.
- Care to share some of your current projects?
We just wrapped filming on Farm 1, a rather intense short film that sheds light on the dark world of child prostitution. I actually had nightmares preparing for my role, arguably the grittiest role I’ve tackled to date. (No spoiler alerts, lol). It’s produced by Hoplite Entertainment, which recently won an Emmy, so I’m sure it’s in great hands. No idea when it will be released. It’s currently in post-production.
- Any positive words of advice for your fans?
Firstly, thanks for watching and supporting Ghostly Encounters. Means a lot! Advice? Don’t live in a bubble. Get out and explore the world. Discover it and your inner self. Find what makes you tick, pursue it, and live life to the fullest.
LAWRENCE WEBLINKS
www.lawrencechau.com
www.imdb.com/name/nm2920680
www.facebook.com/pages/Lawrence-Chau-PR
SHEILA RENEE PARKER