Hong Kong comedy legend Ng Man Tat has passed away on February 27th after losing his battle with liver cancer. He was 69 years old.
The actor's friend, Tin Kai Man announced the news to the media, declaring that Ng died peacefully in his sleep. Ng was accompanied by his ex-wife, current wife, and children. Actors Felix Lok, Wilson Tsui, and other close friends were also present before he passed away.
Ng Man Tat was born on January 2nd 1952 in Xiamen, China to a family of 3 other siblings, him being the second child. After years of training, the actor made his debut when he was 22 years old. He gained fame on the 1979 edition of Hong Kong drama, "Chor Lau Heung" and has since then won various film awards including Best Supporting Actor at the 10th Hong Kong Film Awards for his role in the 1990 film "A Moment of Romance."
He became widely known as "Uncle Tat", a nickname highly likely influenced by starring alongside Stephen Chow. Ng and Chow collaborated for the last time on the 2001 film "Shaolin Soccer."
In 2014 Ng was admitted to the hospital for heart failure due to a viral infection. Since then, he has always been in poor health.
In 2017, the actor participated in the science fiction film "The Wandering Earth." As a sci-fi, the movie required Ng to do a number of action scenes all while wearing a 35kg spacesuit, still recovering from his heart failure, he fainted during filming due to lack of oxygen.
Even in delicate health, the veteran actor insisted on finishing the movie's filming, stating that the film has a well-written script and that he was willing to contribute to the development of Chinese science fiction films.
Our deepest condolences go out to Ng Man Tat's family and friends.