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| Nicholas Tse has invited his father Patrick Tse on his food program courtesy of on.cc |
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| With 70 years in film, Patrick Tse passed away at age 89. He often appeared with a dashing image and even stated that men must be dashing |
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| Patrick Tse after the divorce with his first wife Chen Chen (right) did not appear together publicly for 45 years. They reunited when Chen Chen released her autobiography in 2023. Patrick Tse at the time even said to Chen Chen, "I still love you now." |
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| Patrick Tse (front row left) and Deborah Li (front row right) after their divorce still had family gatherings often. Last year they with son Nicholas Tse (back row left), daughter Jennifer Tse (back row right) and her daughter Sara (front row center) posed for a photo with three generations |
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| Patrick Tse with the film TIME won his first Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor in 2022. At the time the film's producer Gordon Lam accompanies him to the stage to accept the award |
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| Known as "Sei Gor", Patrick Tse was rumored to have passed away yesterday. In life his appearance was dashing. He swore that a man must be dashing, and once shared on a television program that he exercised and watched his diet to maintain his shape |
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| Patrick Tse was married twice. His second wife was Deborah Li (left). They divorced in 1995 |
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Patrick Tse's film and television career (partial) |
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Patrick Tse's Bio |
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Classic quotes from Patrick Tse |
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| Liza Wang (right) misses her good co-star Patrick Tse |
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| Liza Wang (center) was very close to Patrick Tse (right)'s family back then. She is even Jennifer Tse's godmother |
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| Stephen Chow bids farewell to Patrick Tse by quoting a Du Fu poem |
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| Jackie Chan posts a photo with Patrick Tse and reminisces about being taken care of on the set |
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| In April this year someone posted a photo with Patrick Tse in a wheelchair after running into him at the Peak. |
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| Patrick Tse (left) at the FOUR AMIGOS BON VOYAGE press conference blames Kenneth Tsang (right) for "pretending to be sick". He suddenly struck, Wu Fung (second right) attempted to mediate between them and had his glasses knocked off amid the chaos. |
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| Gordon Lam (right) says that he is not at liberty to say too much about Patrick Tse's passing |
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| Mui Siu Ching (left) praises Patrick Tse for being serious and professional about the work |
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| Patrick Tse was in an ageless romance with Coco (left) courtesy of mingpao.com |
In entertainment more than 70 years, Patrick Tse Yin passed away yesterday due to illness at the age of 89. His son Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and daughter Jennifer Tse Ting Ting announced the news of their father's death on social platforms. Already rumored to be critically ill last week and rushed to the ICU, Tse Yin hung on for a week at the hospital in order to see Ting Fung, who was performing in the mainland. He got his wish as Ting Fung returned to Hong Kong to see him off on his final journey. After Ting Fung bid his father farewell, he would follow his lessons and his show on the 25th would go on as scheduled.
Tse Yin has been rarely seen in public in recent years. When he won the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor in 2022, he was even rumored to have suffered a stroke during this period. In April this year he suddenly appeared at the Peak for coffee, but then disappeared from public view. At the time he needed a cane and a wheelchair, but he appeared to be decent shape. Days ago he was rumored to be critically ill. Reportedly, he was admitted to the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital for a period of time and fell into a coma last week. Then he was immediately sent to the intensive treatment department. Because Tse Yin has always been fond of Ting Fung, even if he was seriously ill he still insisted on waiting to see his son. His will was surprisingly strong and touched people around him. Tse Ting after completing his Zhengzhou concert returned to Hong Kong last Saturday and fulfilled his wish. Currently on a mainland concert tour, Ting Fung has already stated that his Qingdao concert on Saturday would go on as his father has taught him.
The Tse family originally wanted to deal with Tse Yin's passing in a low-key way, but yesterday afternoon as the news began to spread like mad in the entertainment circle; Ting Fung and Ting Ting each posted on the social platform to confirm the news. Ting Fung wrote, "I am very sorry to announce that my father Tse Yin has left us. He dedicated his life to film and television and entertainment, hoping to bring joy and smile to every audience. As a child I have seen moments when he was down, but in any case he always insisted on appearing in front of the screen in the most perfect state. He used to say, "The show must go on." So when you think Sei Gor, think of my father, do not cry; do not have to be too sad; he would feel that is not dashing enough. We just have to keep the perfect figure who is always full of charm and full of smiles, and that's enough."
Tse Ting Ting also said that she was a very sad and posted, "My father, accompanied by his family, passed away peacefully. After a period of health deterioration, he calmly completed a wonderful and rich life."
Actually the then 16-year-old Ting Fung was very resistant to entering the industry, but Tse Yin's investment in the real estate business failed and owed 10 million in debt. He decided to sign up to become an artist and "pay his father's debt." After rising to stardom Ting Fung had both fame and fortune. In addition to working on screen he was also involved in behind the scene production, the food business and real estate investments. In recent years his worth was estimated to be in hundreds of millions. Ting Fung has never blamed his father, but instead from time to time to give big gifts like luxury car worth 5 million and in 2017 he was also revealed to have purchase a HK$ 85 million Repulse Bay mansion as a Father's Day gift. Reportedly Tse Yin's estate had the total value of more than HK$100 million, leaving 90% to two grandchildren, Lucas and Quintus, and the remaining 10% to Ting Fung and Ting Ting evenly. At the same time Tse Yin's friend Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) was rumored to keep a part of the estate until Lucas and Quintus grow up. Ting Fung's ex-wife Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi has always had a good relationship with Tse Yin, and Pak Chi yesterday turned the social platform profile phot black for mourning. Tse Yin's ex-wife Deborah Li and daughter Ting Ting were caught at Central yesterday with solemn looks. When asked about the funeral arrangements, Lai Goo put her hands together and said, "Thank you..... don't......" She was reluctant to speak as she and Ting Ting stepped into the building.
A mainland social media platform post claimed that "according to Hong Kong media reports" the whereabouts of Tse Yin's over HK$ 100 million estate, stating that 90% would be completely left to his two grandsons -- Cheung Pak Chi and Tse Ting Fung's two sons. Yet it did not mention the source of the information or response from anyone involved.
Later the news gained traction as some reports claimed that Tse Yin's friend Brigitte Lin would "keep part of the estate until Tse Yin's grandsons grow up". Brigitte Lin's fan club immediately issued a statement on its official Weibo account to clarify, emphasizing that the claim was untrue. "Lam Ching Ha and Tse Yin have never collaborated on many movie." Then they criticized several media by name regarding their reports mentioning "Lam Ching Ha and Tse Yin have worked together on many films" as pure fiction. "The credibility of the speculation that 'the two have been good friends of man years' based on this fiction is almost zero, being as good as estate executor is even making something out of nothing. We deeply regret the passing of Tse Yin and would deeply miss him, but should the related media have a little bottom line of news? Not spreading rumors, news should be based on facts. It would also be respect shown to elder Tse Yin."
In addition Tse Yin talked about life and death in an interview, "I really am not afraid to die. Living to a hundred? Definitely not, the last few years would be the toughest to take. Sometimes I would say it hurts here and there, I also have arthritis. I have everything I want now, I always feel I am the happiest person. I am very satisfied." Looking back on his life, he was the proudest not of how many movies he was in, but "I don't have a problem with anyone, and no one has a problem with me." Tse Yin's "dramatic life" has finally ended, leaving only a lot of wonderful performances and stories for future generations to remember.
Tse Yin was originally named Tse Ka Yuk. Born on September 15th, 1936, he was the fourth child among eight in the family. Also in the drama THE SHELL GAME he played "Law Sei Hoi", thus he was known as "Sei Gor". In 1953 he left school at the age of 16 after being accepted to the Lan Kwong Film Company artist training class, with the debut TAPS OFF, DOWNSTAIRS (LAU HA SAN SHUI HAU) he rose to prominence. Then he starred in many Cantonese films as the male lead like THE STRANGE CASE OF THREE WIVES (SAM CHAI KEI ONG), THE QUARRELSOME COUPLE (FOON HEI YUEN GA), MY INTIMATE PARTNER (LAN HING LAN DAI), etc. At the peak he had 14 movies in a year. In 1956 with DIAL 999 FOR MURDER he became popular. In the 1960s, he, Charlie Chin (Chun Cheung Lam), Paul Chang Chung and other formed the "Silver Rat Pack", founding a company, the Tse Brothers Production Company, in 1967 and becoming a director of movies like THE SPLENDID LOVE IN WINTER (DONG LUEN). In 1970s he joined TVB and made television series, the first was SWORDSMAN SIU SAP YAT LONG. Then he starred in classic work like THE SHELL GAME (CHIN WONG JI WONG), LOVE AND PASSION (MAN SHUI CHIN SHAN JUNG SI CHING) and ROUGE (YIN JI KAU). By the millennium, he still had an itch for acting despite being in his 60's, and he was popular and widely talked about in the films SHAOLIN SOCCER (SIU LUM JOOK KAU), COLOR OF THE TRUTH (HAK BAK SUM LUM) and the drama FORSENIC HEROES IV (FAT JING SIN FUNG IV), hosting the travel variety program THREE AMIGOS BON VOYAGE and FOUR AMIGOS BON VOYAGE.
In 2013, Tse Yin participated in the TVB variety program THREE AMIGOS BON VOYAGE and went to Europe with Bowie Wu Fung and Joe Junior. After the program aired it received an enthusiastic response. Later TVB followed up with FOUR AMIGOS BON VOYAGE and added new member Kenneth Tsang Kong. No one expected that at the 2015 press conference to promote the show, Tse Yin suddenly became the "whistleblower" and stated that Kong Tsang during the entire shoot walked with a cane. Later due to an accident he needed a wheelchair to complete the remaining trip. He was upset that Tsang was "faking being sick" and even pointed out that the other three took turns to push the wheelchair. The more he talked the more emotional he got, finally he could not help but slap Tsang Kong. Sitting in the middle, Wu Fung even became collateral damage as he glasses were sent flying. Everyone were in shock.
In the show Tse Yin were close friends with Tsang Kong and Wu Fung. He and Tsang Kong pinky swore that in the future one of them would have to kiss the other one at the funeral for a final farewell. He also jokingly asked to pluck a white hair on Wu Fung's face and said that he would properly add it to his collection.
In 2018, Tse Yin brought this incident up again at an event and clarified that he was only "acting" to promote the program. At the end of the same year, he, Wu Fung and Tsang Kong attended Charlie Ng Kai Ming's restaurant opening. They were all smiles and proved that they have already gotten over the matter.
In the film industry for more than half a century, Tse Yin had outstanding achievements. He was awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Golden Bauhinia Awards and the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards, and even in 2022 with the film TIME (SAT CHOOK GOR WONG FUN) he won the 40th Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor at the age of 85, setting a new record for the oldest Best Actor in history.
In his dashing life, his classic ponytail, sunglasses and suit look long became his "god" symbol. When Sei Gor participated in the 2008 TVB program ON THE ROAD, he shared his "dashing" philosophy and fitness experience under leisurely overseas scenery.
At the time he was already 70 but was still sharply dressed in a suit and in great shape. he said, "Sometimes after I get up I would look at the mirror and ask, 'Tse Old Sei, are you kidding? You are in your 70s and still dress like this?' Even I can't take you anymore! However I am Old Sei, I can carry it!"
In the eyes of Tse Yin, the dignity and charm of a man were often on display in the details. He stated that men must be dashing, so he would always stay upright when he walked. As for how to stay straight, Tse Yin also generously shared his decades old self discipled method. He revealed that everyday he would exercise and limit his daily diet so he was able to stay in shape; because to him, "The most important for a man is to be dashing, being handsome, young or not really doesn't matter."
Tse Yin in the film TIME removed his trademark sunglasses that has never left his side over the years. His face directly lay naked in front of the screen to show his true side. Tse Yin once revealed on a program that because when he was young a fortune teller told him that he had peach blossom eyes. In order to "chop the peach blossom" he was never without his sunglasses, not because he had any eye ailment.
With his dashing looks, Tse Yin had countless female companions in his life. However he only admitted that he has been in love with five women, including Josephine Siao Fong Fong and Cantonese actress Patsy Ka Ling, and two marriages. He wed his first wife Chen Chen in 1974, and the marriage was maintained for more than two years. Then she fell for Steven Liu Chia Chang and ended up in divorce. Earlier Chen Chen in an interview said that she only divorced Tse Yin in a fit and confessed that he was her most beloved in life.
Soon after leaving Chen Chen, Tse Yin's love was rekindled as he took the initiative to pursue Deborah Li. The next year they decided to start a family. After marriage they have a pair of children Ting Fung and Ting Ting. The family of four in the 1980s once immigrated to Canada, Tse Yin even once retired from acting for business. In the end they returned to Hong Kong in 1995, but the marriage ended after 16 years. Later Tse Yin was with his Shanghai girlfriend 20 years his junior, Coco and developed to the stage of living together. This "ageless love" once ended in 2018. At the time Tse Yin was rumored to have paid 20 million to the woman as break-up fee, two years later the two were caught kissing in the street in a high-profile reunion.
Tse Yin's children also entered show business. Son Tse Ting Fung has outstanding achievements in music and film, and like his father he has won the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor as they became the strongest "Superstar Father and Son". Daughter Tse Ting Ting has retreated from the screen and moved to Canada. In his later years Sei Gor enjoyed his time with family. Aside from Tse Ting Fung and his former wife Cheung Pak Chi's two sons Lucas and Quintus, Tse Ting Ting also has a son and a daughter -- making his later years even more complete.
In 2014 Tse Yin once traveled to Spain with Tse Ting Fung for his program CHEF NIC. This was a rare trip with just the two of them since their 1985 trip to Japan. He admitted that they actually were not considered close. Because his son has been living abroad since childhood, they were used to their own lives. Even if they lived together they insisted against disturbing the other's principles. When talking about his grandsons Lucas and Quintus, he was full of smiles. He praised Luca for knowing how to face the cameras and greet reports, and even said that Quintus was very handsome in a suit -- completely inheriting the family's excellent genes.
In addition, Tse Yin once revealed that the period he truly made movie was when he invested in movies. Yet, later when he tried to invest in clothing manufacturing, bars, bathhouses, etc. he often failed. He pointed out that he once considered other jobs, but failed but due to lack of experience. He also admitted taht he did not excel in business.
He often reminded his son that he would not spend frivolously when he made money, because artists could not possible remain on top forever. He further explained that show business requires to be on call 24 hours, so he had no time to understand how other industries ran in depth. He could only rely on others, yet relying on others often made success difficult. He concluded that running a business only had one principle. "To make money you have to do it yourself." Since the income took an effort to make, he should not causally let other people invest it. Instead he should choose a stable way like "buying bricks" to maintain value; as long as he did not overdraft or speculate, he would not have any issue.
Tse Yin had acquaintances everywhere, and many of them were sorry about his passing. Gordon Lam Ka Tung was the producer of Sei Gor's last performance. Lam Ka Tung was still upset and only replied, "I am sorry, at this stage I don't think it's suitable to say too much. Let his family make the arrangements first!" Liza Wang Ming Chuen was reluctant over Sei Gor's passing, praising him for dedicating his life to contribute to the film and television industry, for being a good person, taking very good care of his co-stars, for being classy and handsome, and definitely a legendary character. She described him as an "important partner". She said that she grew up watching Tse Yin's Cantonese films, she never would have guessed that she would be able to work with him. "He knows that I am not a playful person but would deliberately play pranks on me, because I was relatively nervous and didn't know how to joke around. My first drama with him was RAINBOW (TIN HUNG), at the time he and Lai Goo (Deborah Li) were dating. After he got married, we made THE SHELL GAME. At that time Tse Ting Fung was born." She also said that because she and Tse Yin worked together for years, when they collaborated on LOVE AND PASSION Tse Yin's daughter Tse Ting Ting was born and thus became her goddaughter. Back then she even took the kids swimming. Later they immigrated and had less contact. "Over the past few years when Ting Ting returns to Hong Kong she would call me."
Tse Yin's final television series was the 2020 Mui Siu Ching produced TVB drama FORSENIC HEROES IV. Mui Siu Ching said that she was fortunate to have worked with Tse Yin and revealed that once she was invited to take a cruise with a friend. Tse Yin actually was also on the trip. Over the several day cruise she sensed that he did not behave like a star and finally moved Tse Yin to agree to perform with her sincerity. She immediately tailored the script for Tse Yin. Before the production began she received two calls from Tse Yin saying that he was worried that he would not be able to handle it. "I believe in Sei Gor's skills, so I agree that everything would be taken care of and he would have not any hard time. Sei Gor then relaxed and performed. During the shoot someone picked up and dropped off Sei Gor to and from work. He was very strict about work, a good actor and a cool man. Even his back knew how to act. Sei Gor sometimes was like a child, once he played a prank on me. He suddenly called me, and I thought the production had a problem. Sei Gor immediately laughed and jokingly asked if he looked better with a red or blue tie. Although I would miss Sei Gor, his life was full and without regret."
Yuen Siu Fai was shocked to hear the news and felt rather sorry. Yuen Siu Fai said that he and Sei Gor Tse Yin have known each other for several decades. They even started around the same period in 1953, 1954. "However I was in Evergreen Motion Pictures and Union Film Enterprise Ltd., and Sei Gor was in Kong Ngee Company. I remember he made THE PRETTY TIGREE (YIN JI FU) at that time." Brother Fai pointed out that although they started around the same period, in his impression they seemed to have never collaborated. Yet they often saw each other at the studio, so they were rather familiar. Brother Fai lamented over Sei Gor's passing. "He was truly up there in age. Honestly, if he lived healthily, everyone would hope that he would have longevity. I hope that he passed painlessly. No pain is a good thing." Brother Fai stated that Sei Gor contributed greatly to show business. In his youth he often mentored so many would miss him. As for the last time he and Sei Gor met, Brother Fai thought for awhile before saying that it was so long ago he could not remember.
Collaborated with Tse Yin in the series BET HUR, Charmaine Sheh Sze Man posted a tribute. "He was an elder very worthy of us to learn from. Very dedicated, he was willing to share the experience with the future generations. He was very demanding on himself, but he was also funny, humorous and quite the gentleman." Former co-star Pinky Cheung Man Chi said, "He was a very funny person, with him the set would be filled with laughter. He was a man with good taste and grace." Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin posted photos with Tse Yin at different events. "My most respected and beloved Sei Gor, have a safe journey. Thank you for all the joy you brought me, and all the life wisdom you shared. Miss you always."
In his later years Sei Gor once joined Chow Yun Fat's running group, but later his heart and lung function made strenuous exercise difficult and he did not participate. Former co-star and running friend, Nina Paw Hee Ching praised him as a good actor who respected and enjoyed the profession. "I worked with him several TV dramas. He was already 70, but he did everything himself. He was still vain and would memorize all his costumes." In addition many artists mourned on social networks. Jackie Chan posted a photo with Tse Yin, expressed his sadness and recalled, "On the set I heard the news of Sei Gor's passing, and I am very heartbroken. We have known each other for too long......When I was still a stuntman, he was already a big star. He took great care of me on the set. Later we experienced a lot together. Looking back now, they were all unforgettable life memories. As Ting Fung says, no matter when, his always dashing and gentlemanly image would long endure in our hearts." Stephen Chow Sing Chi also quoted poet Du Fu, "Look at the sky with white eyes, like a jade tree before the wind. Best Actor Tse Yin, have a safe journey." Candy Yu On On posted that she has always called him "idol" and praised him for being a dashing person.
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