[2025.09.01] POPULAR IN FILM AND TELEVISION FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, LAI SUEN PASSED AWAY AT AGE 93

Lai Suen
courtesy of on.cc

Performing Artists Guild vice chair Candy Yu visited Lai Suen at her residence two years ago to deliver the "Outstanding Performing Artist Award" to her hands

Gigi Lai eulogizes aunt Lai Suen on social networks

Lai Suen (second left) is well remembered for playing Louisa Lee (second right)'s mother in KINDRED SPIRIT
courtesy of mingpao.com

Veteran actor Lai Suen passed away on August 28th at the age of 93, and the news was confirmed by his daughter herself.

Lai Suen was born into an acting family and had rich acting experience. She worked as an actor at many TV stations in Hong Kong. Her father Lai Man Wai was known as the "Father of Hong Kong Cinema", and her mother Lin Chu was also a well-known actor; cousin Lai Cheuk Cheuk was a Cantonese film actress, and niece Gigi Lai Chi has developed in the film and television industry and was once one of TVB's top stars.

In 1949 Lai Suen came to Hong Kong and devoted himself to acting work while studying English, participating in movies such as THE SINS OF OUR FATHER (DAI LEUNG SHAN YUN SAU GEI) and A FORGOTTEN WIFE (HOI OI CHUM FU). She then went to Beijing to study performing arts, where he met Gao Hong, who would later become her husband. Gao Hong later became a screenwriter and director, and was the director of TVB's artist training class.

In the 70s of the last century with the booming development of the Hong Kong television industry, Lai Suen turned her career focus to TV dramas and joined RTV, performing in dramas like FATHERLAND (DAI DEI YUN CHING), LEGENDARY FOK (DAI HUP FOK YUEN GAP), THE BA JIN"S TRILOGY (GA CHUN CHAU), etc.

After leaving RTV she joined TVB and portrayed many classic roles with her superb acting skills. She played the mother of Louisa Lee Si Kei and Nancy Sit Ka Yin in TVB's KINDRED SPIRIT (JUN CHING), and was deeply loved by the audience.

In THE GREED OF MEN (DAI SI DOI) she played Ting Hai's mother. In the scene in which she denounced Adam Cheng Siu Chau and her grandchildren, she vividly interpreted the character's anger and helplessness and made it a classic scene in the film. Lai Suen has also participated in dramas such as PERISH IN THE NAME OF LOVE (DAI NUI FA), GOLDEN FAITH (LAU GUM SHUI YUET), FORENSIC HEROES (FAT JING SIN FUNG), THE GEM OF LIFE (JU GUONG BO HEI), etc., mostly appearing as a kind mother or elder and performing well. She officially retired in 2012 after completing ONLY YOU (JI YAU NEI).

In 2023, the Hong Kong Performing Artists Guild presented Lai Suen with the "Outstanding Performing Artist Award" in recognition of her silent efforts and contributions in the entertainment industry over the years. Although Lai Suen did not attend the award in person, Candy Yu On On delivered the award to her and took a photo beforehand. At the time Lai Suen was in a wheelchair and was in good spirits.

Lai Suen's husband Gao Hong was her first boyfriend. They got married in 1951 and had been together for more than 70 years, had three daughters and a happy family life. Earlier Lai Suen was caught holding hands with her husband and a cane as they went for dessert. He was also seen accompany her to the medical clinic for a follow up visit. Lai Suen rarely appeared in public in recent years.