Taiwan actor Tang Chuan (??), whose most recent role was in the widely acclaimed Hakka drama Gold Leaf (??), passed away Sunday at the age of 69.
According to Taiwan’s Hakka Television Station, with which Tang worked extensively, the actor was hospitalized in March, 2021, after suffering two strokes and later developed a lung infection.
The station said Tang’s condition initially improved and his family were making preparations to celebrate what would’ve been his 70th birthday in April.
He passed away at 11:10 p.m. on Sunday.
As a native of the predominantly Hakka Nanzhuang Township in Miaoli County, Tang was one of the most acclaimed Hakka actors in Taiwan, and regularly appeared on Hakka TV, established in July 2003.
He also dedicated a significant portion of his time at the station to hosting learning programs promoting both the Hakka language and culture to a wider audience.
Born in 1952, Tang started out in the entertainment industry after graduating from a performers’ training program at 20 years old.
Throughout his long career, Tang performed on the big and small screens, on stage and the radio in Hakka, Mandarin and Hoklo programs. He also received numerous awards and accolades for his many performances.
Most notably, Tang won two Golden Bell Awards (Taiwan’s highest award for film and television) as an actor, taking home the Mini-series/Movie supporting actor award for “Mystery Train” (????) in 2008, and the Mini-series/Movie best actor award for “Living from the Sea” (???) in 2010.
Tang was also nominated for the Mini-series/Movie best actor award for “The Era Where I Live” (??) in the latest edition of the Golden Bell Awards last year, but was unable to attend because of his illness.
Most recently, Taiwan’s Ministry of Education recognized Tang’s contribution to the representation of Hakka culture and promotion of the Hakka language by awarding him an Individual Recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Promoting Local Language Award – Hakka on Feb. 21, 2022.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel