Huang Wenyong (25 July 1952 – 20 April 2013) was a Malaysia-born Singaporean actor, host and teacher.
Huang died at the Singapore General Hospital at around 5 pm (GMT+8) on 20 April 2013, at the age of 60 due to lymphoma.
Early life and career Huang was a teacher in Kuala Lumpur before leaving for Singapore. Huang moved to Singapore in the 1970s, with only fifty dollars in hand. He joined the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation in 1981. He is perhaps best known for his appearances in The Awakening, in which he played love interest to Xiang Yun's character, and The Seletar Robbery in 1982. Huang is also known for starring alongside Chew Chor Meng in the long-running popular series Don't Worry, Be Happy (1996–2002) and its spin-off Lobang King as the stingy uncle Leon Ong Kim Lye to Chew's character Ah Bee. Huang was nominated for and named one of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes every single year in the annual Star Awards since its introduction in 1994, until his death in 2013. In total, Huang starred in more than a hundred Chinese-language television programmes. In addition to acting, Huang sang pieces for a few television sitcoms and also released two albums. He was an ambassador for anti-ageing product company Zell-V. He was an actor for MediaCorp from the late 1970s until his death. Appearing in more than 100 television programmes, he was among the first few batches of locally trained actors to enter the local entertainment industry was and considered to be one of the "pioneers in local Chinese drama".
Personal life Huang gained Singapore citizenship in October 2008 after residing in the country for 27 years. Huang was married with two children: a son and a daughter. He was a "lifelong devotee" of Buddhism.
Health There was public concern after Huang appeared visibly haggard during MediaCorp Channel 8's 30th Drama Anniversary Show in November 2012. He clarified that he had been suffering from stomach flu, said to have been contracted in September 2012. During which, he was estimated to have lost 6–7 kilograms in weight. Huang would also experience intervals of severe fever. In November 2012, Huang was diagnosed with lymphoma and had to go for chemotherapy. His condition was not disclosed to the general public until his death, because Huang "wanted to go through this by himself". His medical condition had been kept a secret; only very few knew what actually ailed him.
Death Huang died at the Singapore General Hospital at around 5pm Singapore Time on 20 April 2013, aged 60. The cause of his death was lymphoma. Huang was previously subject to a death hoax earlier in the month, which claimed that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Huang's death sparked an "outpouring of grief" from both colleagues and fans alike. Thirty seconds of silence were observed and a special tribute segment aired before the start of the 2013 Star Awards ceremony held the evening after his death.
Funeral His funeral wake was held a day after his death on 21 April 2013 at the Teochew Funeral Parlour, lasting for five days. Xiang Yun and Chen Shucheng delivered eulogies, as did a few others. Funeral attendees were measured by the hundreds. To allow their staff to attend the procession, Channel 8 temporarily postponed or rescheduled their production activities. He was cremated at the Bright Hill Crematorium and Columbarium in Sin Ming.
Legacy In recognition of his contributions to the television industry in Singapore, Huang was posthumously awarded the "Honorary TV Award" on 28 April 2013, at the 2013 Star Awards. To commemorate his death, a television special titled Remembering Huang Wenyong was aired on 29 April 2013, and reruns of his television appearances were available on television and online platforms.
In October 2014, the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum unveiled a wax figure of Huang.
Filmography Television series Year Title Role NotesRef 1981 Sunset (落日余晖) When Will I See You Again (又见黄花) Spring Is Always Green (悲欢年华) Gu Zhonghan 1982 Seletar Robbery Xiao Chen The Diamond Chase (圣淘沙之旅) Tang Yongda 1983 Army Series (新兵小传) Guo Zhenghao All That Glitters is Not Gold (捷径) CID '83 (狮城勇探) ASP Huang Zhihui 1984 Ah Tu (阿突) The Awakening He Ahshui In the Wilderness (荒原) Fang Xiang The Awakening II Yang Bingwen Pursuit (怒海萍踪) Guang Xu 1985 Son of Pulau Tekong Wen Chaoqiang Home is Where Love is (吾爱吾家) Luo Wenhao 1986 The Happy Trio (青春123) Huang Shaowei Samsui Women Su Ahzhi Under One Roof (家和万事兴) Guo Yiji The Bond (天涯同命鸟) Zhou Guichu 1987 Five Foot Way (五脚基) Liu Qihua Moving On (变迁) Zhuang Rongfa Strange Encounters (奇缘 之《钟馗捉鬼》) Zhong Kui 1988 Heiress (世纪情) Zhou Yushu Airforce Kuang Guozhong The Last Applause (舞榭歌台) Jiang Tianran Mystery (迷离夜之"戒") Ding Minchang My Fair Ladies (窈窕淑女) Zhao Yongsheng Strange Encounters II (缘II 之《钟馗再捉鬼》) Zhong Kui 1989 Magic of Dance (鼓舞青春) Return of the Prince (丝路迷城) Hua Shijin 1990 Friends Next Door (我爱芳邻) Tang Dawen Marry Me (最佳配偶) Liu Rixin 1991 The Working Class (上班一族) Guardian Angel (爸爸怕怕) Tao Zuimu 1992 Women of Substance (悲欢岁月) Hou Guoliang Memories of June (六月的童话) Zhang Zhonghua Crazy Chase (富贵也疯狂) Zhao Yiben Love is in the Air (爱在女儿乡) Mai Dacheng 1993 Heavenly Beings (再战封神榜) Lü Dongbin Angel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花) Zhang Dafu Happy Foes (欢喜冤家) Zhang Tianshi Ninjas in Town (伏魔奇兵) Xiao Peng Happy Reunion (年年有鱼) Zhu Ruogang 1994 Thunder Plot Sir Ou The Challenger (勇者无惧) Dong Qilong Fiery Lover (烈火情人) Shi Zhongping Silk of Love (情丝万缕) Fan Liren 1995 The Ranger (铁血雄心) Army officer Home at 168 (大牌168) Zhuo Tieshu Strange Encounters III (奇缘III 之《灶神》) Emperor Strange Encounters III (奇缘III 之《门神》) Tang Taizong The Last Rhythm (曲终魂断) Chen Zhiyuan The Golden Pillow (金枕头) Chen Haowen 1996 Ah Xue (阿雪) Lin Shugen Triumph Over The Green (爱拼球会赢) Himself Diary of a Teacher (老师日记) Wu Chuangxin 3-in-1 Love (爱情三合一) Wang Yong 1996-2002 Don't Worry, Be Happy (敢敢做个开心人) Ong Kim Lye 1997 My Family, My Love (高家万岁) Gao Zhian Hope (人间有梦) A-qin A Place to Call Home (薯条汉堡青春豆) Liu Weizhong From the Medical Files (医生档案) Chen Junlin 1998 Men on Crossroads (四个好涩的男人) Wang Zhiwei Dreams - Little Santa (七个梦 之《圣诞小人》) Wang De Around People's Park (珍珠街坊) Wang Xi 1999 God of Fortune (财神爷) Zhao Gongming My Grandpa (公公,你的名字好难叫) Fang Dapeng 2000 The Tax Files (流金税月) Lin Zhilun The Legendary Swordsman Lin Zhennan 2001 Three Women and A Half Zhang Yongxing The Hotel Mr Goh The Reunion Steven Choo 2002 Health Matters (一切由慎开始 之《孕妇杀手》) A-yuan Fantasy (星梦情真) Yang Xiong Springs of Life Su Hua 2003 Lobang King Ong Kim Lye True Heroes Wang Jiancheng Holland V Lin Jingcai Always on My Mind (无炎的爱) Liu Zhengyu 2004 I Love My Home (我爱我家) Xu Chuanjia These Ties That Bind (家财万贯) Xiong Weihong My Mighty-in-Laws Fang Chunqiu 2005 Destiny Shen Congye A Promise for Tomorrow Fang Zhen 2006 Women of Times Andrew Jia Zengmu Measure of Man Cai Lianwei 2007 The Peak Tie Tou Happily Ever After Yu Di Honour and Passion Bao Pengju The Golden Path Lin Desheng 2008 Just in Singapore Lin Bang (Francis) Crime Busters x 2 Xia Mingda Love Blossoms Yu Dongcheng Love Blossoms II 2009My A-Go-Go Princess (穿越阿哥哥)Landlord Your Hand in Mine Zheng Shanguo 2010The Score Luo Zhigang2011A Tale of 2 Cities Pan Jiaxiang Devotion Xu Zhongzheng Love Thy Neighbour Dai Guozhong 2012Rescue 995 Ke Dashan Blk 88 Sim Beng Huat Voice-overJoys of Life Han Jianren 2013It's a Wonderful Life Li Yunshun
Film Year Title Role Notes 2000 2000 AD Cameo 2001 My Valentine (二月十四) 2003 Homerun Chew Kiat Kun's father 2011 It's a Great, Great World Peter
Variety show Year Title Notes 1995 Those Were The Days (旧情绵绵) Host with Zeng Xiaoying and later Huang Yuling 1998 Bon Appetite (食指大动) 2003 Be My Guest (客人来) 2004 Durian Delights (你吃我吃它刺刺刺) Star of All Trades (行行出艺人) 2006-2009 Living Golden Age (黄金年华) 2010 Shop & Save 2012 30 Years of Drama - Theme Song Concert (戏剧情牵30 - 我们的主题曲 演唱会) Huang Wenyong, Chen Shucheng and Xiang Yun were presented the night's prestigious "Television Guru" award. 2012 Silver Carnival Series 1 (银色嘉年华)
Awards and nominations Organisation Year Category Nominated work ResultRef Star Awards 1995 Best Actor Homes in 168 1997 Special Achievement Award Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 1998 Best Comedy Performer Don't Worry Be Happy Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 1999 Best Comedy Performer Don't Worry Be Happy Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2000 Best Comedy Performer Don't Worry Be Happy Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2001 Best Actor Three Women and A Half Best Comedy Performer Don't Worry Be Happy Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2002 Best Comedy Performer Don't Worry Be Happy Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2003 Best Supporting Actor Holland V Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2004 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2005 Best Actor Destiny Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2006 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2007 Evergreen Veteran 1980s Era Screen Heartthrob Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2009 Best Actor Just in Singapore Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2010 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2011 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2012 Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes 2013 Honorary TV Award (Posthumous) Best Supporting Actor Joys of Life Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
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