A native of Taiwan, David Lam Wai first came to attention in 1984 with his role as the leader of a group of Mainland would-be jewel thieves in Johnny Mak's classic Long Arm of the Law. He got started in movies with bit part roles at Shaw Brothers studios, and after establishing himself as a lead actor, he participated in numerous crime, action, and gangster films throughout the 1980's and 90's.

林威20岁进入香港影视圈，曾与梅艳芳，成龙，周星驰，张学友，张曼玉，柯受良、李修贤、关之琳、刘德华等合作，至今已拍摄影视作品200多部！林威在香港电影里塑造的黑帮老大给影迷留下了深刻的印象！在电影[省港旗兵]中获得当年"金像奖" 最佳新演员(提名)！号称香港"高仓健"。