- Chew Chor Meng
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Chew Chor Meng Chinese name 周初明 (Simplified) Jyutping chow1 chun1 meng2 (Cantonese) Origin Singapore Born November 20, 1968
SingaporeOccupation Actor Years active 1990 - Present Spouse(s) Deon Chew Children 2 Chew Chor Meng (born November 20, 1968; Chinese: 周初明; pinyin: Zhōu Chūmíng) is a Singaporean television actor.
Contents
Career
Chew started his career in MediaCorp Studios after winning Star Search in 1990, a bi-annual nationwide talent search. Since then, he has never failed to make it to the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in Star Awards, an award ceremony for TV personalities, since its inception in 1994. In 2004, Chew was awarded the All Time Favourite Artiste Award as he had garnered a record of 10 popularity awards.
Chew is able to immerse himself so well into his characters that viewers often have a lasting impression of his roles. He first earned his acting nomination for his role as Hong San in the 1995 epic The Teochew Family, which he's still known to audiences in China. This was also evident when he bagged the Best Actor Award in Star Awards 2000 in Hainan Kopi Tales. His popularity has also spread across the causeway as he was voted the Most Popular MediaCorp Male Artiste in Malaysia. Chor Meng made his first crossover to English sitcom in Mr. Kiasu. He was best known for his role as Jacky Chang aka Ah Bee, a salesman with a penchant for grabbing 'lobangs' (good opportunities that cannot be missed) in the popular Channel 8 sitcom "Don't Worry, Be Happy", which spanned for six seasons. Chor Meng initially dropped out from the role of Ah Bee after the 3rd season due to fear of being typecast, and also because he wanted to focus more on drama and variety shows. He eventually reprised the role for the latter half of the 6th (and final) season for "Don't Worry Be Happy", and appeared in a spinoff series titled "Lobang King" focusing on Ah Bee and his new league of friends. His Lobang King role was named as one of the most memorable TV roles alongside other characters like Teacher Aiyoyo (Chen Liping), Bobo (Zoe Tay) and many others in the Star Awards 25 years of Drama special.
Now a well-known household name, Chew has gone from acting in drama series to hosting large-scale events including overseas collaboration with Taiwan and China.
Chew is a contracted artiste for MediaCorp and the contract is set to expire in October 2010.[1] Due to his illness, Chew initially did not expect his contract to be renewed.[1] However, reports surfaced in November 2010 that Chew's contract was renewed for a further two years, with particular emphasis on hosting and new artiste training duties.[2]
Before the contract extension, Chew was planning to enter the restaurant business before his contract renewal,[1] which would have been Chew's second foray into the eatery business.[1]
Personal life
Chew is married to Deon Tan and they have two daughters, born in 2002 and 2004. He revealed during a celebrity talk show in early 2008 that he did not have a happy childhood, often being abused by his overly strict father (a compulsive gambler), who committed suicide when Chew was still in primary school. He began attending a Charismatic church, Renewal Centre from 2007 and was baptized in late November 2008 with his daughters.[3]
Illness
On December 19, 2008, Chew announced during a church event that he was suffering from Kennedy's disease, a muscular dystrophy illness that resulted in him limping while filming for his latest role as Wang Zhongkun in Love Blossoms II.[4] Chew said that he was diagnosed with the illness in September 2008, and that he alerted the local press as to his condition, but asked the press to not report it yet, as he was psychologically not ready for it. Chew originally planned on officially announcing his illness during the Star Awards 2008 ceremony, due to be held in March 2009. However, signs of his illness can be clearly seen already, and the news was hard to keep under wraps.[5] The illness has also brought on cardiac problems and diabetes for Chew.[1]
Since the illness was revealed, Chew became a member of the local disabled sports club, and has been taking swimming lessons to strengthen his body.[6]
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role 2011 It's A Great, Great World (大世界) Ah Meng Television
Year Title Role 2012 Joys of Life (花样人间) TBA 2011 Secrets For Sale (拍。卖) 谢光辉 2009 Police & Thief 6 TBA 2008 Love Blossoms 2 (心花朵朵开2) 王仲琨 2007 The Golden Path (黄金路) 黄凯达 My Dear Kins (亲本家人) 张望来 2005 My Lucky Charm (情来运转) 张丰收 You Are The One (二分之一缘分) 史雷门 Oh! Mother! (哎哟!我的妈!) 杨大富 2004 Chronicles of Life (我爱我家真情实录之风雨同舟) Ray 2003 Lobang King Ah Bee 2002 Springs Of Life (春到人间) 蔡大炮 Mr Kiasu II Kiasu 2001 The Hotel (大酒店) 方白明 The Reunion (顶天立地） 李克淳 Mr Kiasu Kiasu 2000 Hainan Kopi Tales (琼园咖啡香) 龙亚星 The Voices Within (心灵物语） TBA The Legendary Swordsman (笑傲江湖) 林平之 1999 Wok Of Life (福满人间） 游日安/ 游永福 1998 Riding The Storms (陌生人） 蔡贵南 The New Adventures of Wisely (卫斯理传奇) 温宝裕 1997 Immortal Love (不老传说) 陈小贵 For Better or Worse (精英份子） 林天明 Crimes and Tribulations (狮城奇案录之凶兆吉日） 谢宝兴 1996 Don't Worry, Be Happy (敢敢做个开心人) Ah Bee The Unbeatables II (双天至尊II) 丁照辉 Santa,The Happy Ghost (我爱好兄弟) 帅明杰 1995 Embroidered Banner (花帜) 侯奕升 Ah Xue II (阿雪II） 陆阿和 The Teochew Family (潮洲家族) 洪三 1994 Romance In The 7th Month (七月幽情) 洪达智 The Valiant One (昆仑奴) 摩勒 Challenge of Truth (铁证柔情) 林浩明 Young Justice Bao (侠义包公) 包拯 1993 The Witty Advisor (金牌师爷) 莫百忍 The Brave Ones (荡寇英雄) 余俊 Angel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花) 杨金贵 Heavenly Beings (再战封神榜) 华光/ 火神 Heaven's Will (天机风云) 贺震宏 1992 Crazy Chase (富贵也疯狂) 李小飞 Memories of June (六月的童话) 张一凡 Fiery Passion (烈焰焚情) 陈家齐 1991 The Last Swordsman (最后一个大侠) 英武 The Future Is Mine (锦秀前程） 罗大威 Variety
Year Title Role 2011 Living the Golden Age '11 (黄金年华之光辉岁月) Host 2010 Living the Golden Age '10 (黄金年华之光辉岁月) Host 2009 Food Hometown 2 (美食寻根 2) Host 2008 The Fairprice Show (平价与你迎旺年) Host Let's Go Shopping (我们逛街去) Host 2007 Never Too Old (新领屋) Host My Beautiful Life (好想美一下) Host True Files V (真实档案 V) Host 2006 Fortune Festival at Giant'06 (爱上Giant过肥年'06) Host Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪) Host My Star Guide (Dubai) (我的导游是明星 (迪拜)) Co-Host Trivia Trove 2 (不说你不知 2) Host Citispa Beauty Perfection (Citispa完美大挑战) Host True Files IV (真实档案 IV) Host Let's Party With Food 4 (食福满人间 4) Host 2005 Trivia Trove (不说你不知) Host Fortune Festival at Giant'05 (爱上Giant过肥年'05) Host True Files III (真实档案 III) Host Perfect 10 (十分十全十美) Host National Day Parade 2005 Co-Host Where In Singapore (到底在哪里) Host Let's Party With Food 3 (食福满人间 3) Host Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪) Host Renci Charity Show 2005 (仁心慈爱照万千) Host 2004 Flavours of Australia (澳妙新滋味) Co-Host NKF Charity Show 2004 (群星照亮千万心之星光再现人间情) Host Spring and Slide (威力无比加油站) Host 2003 Tiger Club Crawl (Tiger寻Fun作乐) Host True Hearts'03 (公益献爱心) Host 2001 Tonite With Chor Meng (夜猫行动) Host Super Movie Fan Club (超级影迷俱乐部) Host Lunar New Year Special 2001 (金蛇运转贺新年) Co-Host All Stars Variety 2001 (全星展艺献温情) Host 2000 Affairs of the Heart (心手相连） Host 1999 Star Search (才华横溢出新秀) Host 1995 City Beat (城人杂志) Co-host Star Search (才华横溢出新秀) Host Variety Tonight - Now You Know (1995 原来如此) Host 1994 Chew on Eight (河畔飘香尝美食) Host 1993 Star Search (才华横溢出新秀) Host Awards/Achievements
Year Award / Achievement Representative Work 2009 Best Supporting Male Actor, Star Awards 2009 黄凯达 (黄金路) 2007 Most Memorable Role, Star Awards 2007 Ah Bee (敢敢做个开心人) Top 10 Most Evil Roles in Dramas, Star Awards 2007 李克淳 (顶天立地) 2004 All Time Favourite Award, Star Awards 2004 2003 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2003 2002 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2002 2001 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2001 2000 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2000 Malaysia's Most Popular Male Artiste, Star Awards 2000 Best Actor, Star Awards 2000 龙亚星 (琼园咖啡香) 1999 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1999 Taiwan's Most Popular Male Artiste, Star Awards 1999 1998 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1998 1997 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1997 1996 Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1996 1995 Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1995 1994 Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1994 1990 Champion, Star Search 1990 References
- ^ a b c d e "明年10月约满 周初明计划进军饮食业 (Translation: Artiste Contract Due to Expire in October of Next Year, Chew Plans Eatery Business Venture)" (in Simplified Chinese). Lianhe Wanbao (Singapore). 7 July 2009. http://showbiz.omy.sg/Showbiz/E-News/Story/OMYStory200907071508-73062.html. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
- ^ "周初明獲續約2年 或轉戰主持教學 (Translation: Chew Chor Meng's Contract Renewed For Two Years, Might Turn to Hosting and Training)". ChinaPress.com. 1 November 2010. http://www.chinapress.com.my/content_new.asp?dt=2010-11-02&sec=entertainment&art=1102en11.txt. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- ^ Tan, Dawn Weie (21 December 2008). "'I may need a wheelchair'--But actor Chew Chor Meng refuses to let muscular atrophy get him down". The Straits Times. http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_317020.html. Retrieved 2009-05-30.[dead link]
- ^ Teo, Jasmine (19 December 2008). "Chew has muscular atrophy". The Straits Times. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_316507.html. Retrieved 2008-12-22.[dead link]
- ^ "患肌肉萎缩症 周初明受访： 坐轮椅也要 看女儿长大 (Translation: Suffering from muscular atrophy, Chew Chor Meng's Exclusive Interview: "I will watch my daughter grow up, even if I have to watch from a wheelchair")" (in Simplified Chinese). Lianhe Wanbao (carried on omy.sg). 20 December 2008. http://www.omy.sg/Showbiz/E-News/Story/OMYStory200812201701-28249.html. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
- ^ "成为残疾人士体育理事会会员 周初明每周4天游泳健身 (Translation: Becoming a member of a disabled sports organisation, Chew Chor Meng swims 4 times a week for fitness)" (in Simplified Chinese). Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore). http://showbiz.omy.sg/Showbiz/E-News/Story/OMYStory200907090410-73597.html. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
External links
2004-2008 Li Nanxing (2004) · Zoe Tay (2004) · Chew Chor Meng (2004) · Fann Wong (2005) · Xie Shaoguang (2005) · Chen Liping (2006) · Huang Bi Ren (2008) ·
Categories:- Singaporean television actors
- 1968 births
- Living people
- People with muscular dystrophy
- Singaporean people of Teochew descent
- Singaporean Charismatics
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