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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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