周海媚（Kathy Chau Hoi Mei），生於1966年12月6日，是香港著名女演員及主持人，身高169公分，擁有滿洲瓜爾佳氏鑲白旗的血統。她於1985年參加香港小姐比賽後成功出道，經歷多年演藝生涯，成為無綫電視當紅一線花旦。

2023年12月11日，網上曾傳出周海媚因病醫治無效而離世的消息，工作室迅速否認。然而，12日卻正式在微博宣布她經救治無效後離世，享年57歲。

周海媚在大陸及台灣的知名度靠1994年的《倚天屠龍記》打開，飾演周芷若。這個角色被許多影迷評選為有史以來最美的周芷若。金庸曾提到，如果當初知道是周海媚演出，可能會修改結局讓張無忌與周芷若在一起。

早期，周海媚與呂良偉曾熱戀，並在她21歲時求婚，在美國拉斯維加斯秘密註冊結婚，但因未在一年內舉行婚禮而使結婚無效。兩人後來因性格不合而分手，但長期保持著良好的類兄妹關係。在接受專訪時，她曾透露曾談過幾次戀愛，但由於不想要孩子，因此沒有結婚的打算。

由於拍戲的關係，周海媚愛上北京的雪景，並與一名小七歲的建築師展開了戀情，遷居至北京居住超過20年。在2015年的專訪中，她公開宣布與男友結束長達12年的感情。

周海媚是當年TVB力捧的一線女星，近年來都參與多部大陸劇的演出或是節目主持。在1994年飾演周芷若之後，她的知名度更是一日千里。在2019年的重拍版《倚天屠龍記》中改出演滅絕師太，劇組特別該為角色注入更多感情糾結和內心掙扎的戲份。

周海媚工作室於2023年12月12日發表聲明: 「我們的海媚姐因病醫治無效，在2023年12月11日離開了我們。願她在天堂得到安寧，來生再相逢。」，正式宣布去世的消息。聲明中表達對周海媚的深切懷念與不捨，儘管她已經離開，但將永遠活在粉絲們的心中。

Kathy Chau Hoi Mei, born on December 6, 1966, is a renowned actress and host from Hong Kong. Standing at 169 cm tall, she boasts a lineage from the Gua Er Jia Shi clan of the Manchu people. In 1985, she participated in the Miss Hong Kong pageant, marking the beginning of her successful career in the entertainment industry, ultimately becoming a leading actress for TVB.

On December 11, 2023, rumors circulated online about Kathy Chau's passing due to unsuccessful medical treatment, but her studio promptly denied these claims. However, on the 12th, an official announcement on Weibo confirmed her passing at the age of 57 after unsuccessful medical interventions.

Kathy Chau gained widespread recognition in mainland China and Taiwan through her role as Zhou Zhi Ruo in the 1994 adaptation of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber." This portrayal earned her the title of the most beautiful Zhou Zhi Ruo in history, a sentiment echoed by many fans. Author Jin Yong even mentioned that if he had known Kathy Chau would play the role, he might have altered the story to unite Zhang Wu Ji and Zhou Zhi Ruo.

In her early years, Kathy Chau had a romantic relationship with actor Lui Leung Wai. They got engaged when she was 21 and secretly registered their marriage in Las Vegas. However, due to not holding a formal wedding within a year, the marriage was rendered invalid. Despite their subsequent breakup due to personality differences, they maintained a strong sibling-like bond. In interviews, she disclosed having a few relationships but decided against marriage, as she did not wish to have children.

Drawn by the snowy landscapes of Beijing during filming, Kathy Chau fell in love with the city and pursued a relationship with a younger architect. She eventually moved to Beijing, where she resided for over two decades, establishing her own studio. In a 2015 interview, she revealed the end of her 12-year relationship with her boyfriend.

A prominent TVB actress in her prime, Kathy Chau continued to participate in various mainland Chinese dramas and hosting programs. Following her iconic role as Zhou Zhi Ruo in 1994, she portrayed Mie Jue Shi Tai in the 2019 remake of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," introducing more emotional complexity to the character.

On December 12, 2023, Kathy Chau's studio released a statement: "Our beloved Kathy has left us due to unsuccessful medical treatment on December 11, 2023. May she find peace in the afterlife, and we hope to meet again in the next life." Despite her physical absence, she will forever remain in the hearts of her fans.