Chew Chor Meng
Encyclopedia
Chew Chor Meng is a Singapore
an television actor.
Studios after winning Star Search
in 1990, a bi-annual nationwide talent search. Since then, he has never failed to make it to the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in Star Awards
, an award ceremony for TV personalities, since its inception in 1994. In 2004, Chew was awarded the All Time Favourite Artiste Award as he had garnered a record of 10 popularity awards.
Chew is able to immerse himself so well into his characters that viewers often have a lasting impression of his roles. He first earned his acting nomination for his role as Hong San in the 1995 epic The Teochew Family
, which he's still known to audiences in China. This was also evident when he bagged the Best Actor Award in Star Awards 2000 in Hainan Kopi Tales
. His popularity has also spread across the causeway as he was voted the Most Popular MediaCorp Male Artiste in Malaysia. Chor Meng made his first crossover to English sitcom in Mr. Kiasu. He was best known for his role as Jacky Chang aka Ah Bee, a salesman with a penchant for grabbing 'lobangs' (good opportunities that cannot be missed) in the popular Channel 8 sitcom "Don't Worry, Be Happy", which spanned for six seasons. Chor Meng initially dropped out from the role of Ah Bee after the 3rd season due to fear of being typecast, and also because he wanted to focus more on drama and variety shows. He eventually reprised the role for the latter half of the 6th (and final) season for "Don't Worry Be Happy", and appeared in a spinoff series titled "Lobang King" focusing on Ah Bee and his new league of friends. His Lobang King role was named as one of the most memorable TV roles alongside other characters like Teacher Aiyoyo (Chen Liping
), Bobo (Zoe Tay
) and many others in the Star Awards 25 years of Drama special.
Now a well-known household name, Chew has gone from acting in drama series to hosting large-scale events including overseas collaboration with Taiwan and China.
Chew is a contracted artiste for MediaCorp and the contract is set to expire in October 2010. Due to his illness, Chew initially did not expect his contract to be renewed. However, reports surfaced in November 2010 that Chew's contract was renewed for a further two years, with particular emphasis on hosting and new artiste training duties.
Before the contract extension, Chew was planning to enter the restaurant business before his contract renewal, which would have been Chew's second foray into the eatery business.
. Chew said that he was diagnosed with the illness in September 2008, and that he alerted the local press as to his condition, but asked the press to not report it yet, as he was psychologically not ready for it. Chew originally planned on officially announcing his illness during the Star Awards 2008 ceremony, due to be held in March 2009. However, signs of his illness can be clearly seen already, and the news was hard to keep under wraps. The illness has also brought on cardiac problems and diabetes for Chew.
Since the illness was revealed, Chew became a member of the local disabled sports club, and has been taking swimming lessons to strengthen his body.
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an television actor.
Career
Chew started his career in MediaCorpMediaCorp
Media Corporation of Singapore, better known as MediaCorp, is a group of commercial media companies in Singapore, with business interests in television and radio broadcasting, interactive media, and, to a lesser extent, print publishing and film-making....
Studios after winning Star Search
Star Search Singapore
Star Search was a television show from 1988 to 2010 organised by MediaCorp TV Channel 8 to hunt for talents to add to its stable of Chinese actors.Star Search started out as a Singapore local talent show, restricted to residents of Singapore...
in 1990, a bi-annual nationwide talent search. Since then, he has never failed to make it to the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in Star Awards
Star Awards
The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances...
, an award ceremony for TV personalities, since its inception in 1994. In 2004, Chew was awarded the All Time Favourite Artiste Award as he had garnered a record of 10 popularity awards.
Chew is able to immerse himself so well into his characters that viewers often have a lasting impression of his roles. He first earned his acting nomination for his role as Hong San in the 1995 epic The Teochew Family
The Teochew Family
The Teochew Family is a 1995 Singaporean Drama Series produced by Mediacorp and Fujian TV. Starring veteran Hong Kong actor Kenneth Tsang and Singaporean stars Zoe Tay, Chew Chor Meng and Zeng Huifen, this drama describes the trials and tribulations the teochew Cai Family under the patriarch Cai...
, which he's still known to audiences in China. This was also evident when he bagged the Best Actor Award in Star Awards 2000 in Hainan Kopi Tales
Hainan Kopi Tales
Hainan Kopi Tales 琼园咖啡香 is a Singaporean Chinese drama serial which aired in year 2000. The show starred Chew Chor Meng, Cynthia Koh, Florence Tan, Lin Meijiao, Chen Huihui, Li Wenhai and other Mediacorp artistes....
. His popularity has also spread across the causeway as he was voted the Most Popular MediaCorp Male Artiste in Malaysia. Chor Meng made his first crossover to English sitcom in Mr. Kiasu. He was best known for his role as Jacky Chang aka Ah Bee, a salesman with a penchant for grabbing 'lobangs' (good opportunities that cannot be missed) in the popular Channel 8 sitcom "Don't Worry, Be Happy", which spanned for six seasons. Chor Meng initially dropped out from the role of Ah Bee after the 3rd season due to fear of being typecast, and also because he wanted to focus more on drama and variety shows. He eventually reprised the role for the latter half of the 6th (and final) season for "Don't Worry Be Happy", and appeared in a spinoff series titled "Lobang King" focusing on Ah Bee and his new league of friends. His Lobang King role was named as one of the most memorable TV roles alongside other characters like Teacher Aiyoyo (Chen Liping
Chen Liping
Joyce Chen Liping is a Singaporean-born actress. Probably best known for her role as "Miss Ai-Yo-Yo" in the drama series Good Morning, Sir!, it earned her a "Most Unforgettable TV Character" Award for that role in Star Awards 2003. In the same year, she also took the Best Actress award for her...
), Bobo (Zoe Tay
Zoe Tay
Zoe Tay Hui Gek is a Singaporean actress in MediaCorp and previously a model. She is known as the Queen of Caldecott Hill, but her popularity has dipped significantly in recent years. She was previously also known as the Thousand-Faced Lady....
) and many others in the Star Awards 25 years of Drama special.
Now a well-known household name, Chew has gone from acting in drama series to hosting large-scale events including overseas collaboration with Taiwan and China.
Chew is a contracted artiste for MediaCorp and the contract is set to expire in October 2010. Due to his illness, Chew initially did not expect his contract to be renewed. However, reports surfaced in November 2010 that Chew's contract was renewed for a further two years, with particular emphasis on hosting and new artiste training duties.
Before the contract extension, Chew was planning to enter the restaurant business before his contract renewal, which would have been Chew's second foray into the eatery business.
Personal life
Chew is married to Deon Tan and they have two daughters, born in 2002 and 2004. He revealed during a celebrity talk show in early 2008 that he did not have a happy childhood, often being abused by his overly strict father (a compulsive gambler), who committed suicide when Chew was still in primary school. He began attending a Charismatic church, Renewal Centre from 2007 and was baptized in late November 2008 with his daughters.Illness
On December 19, 2008, Chew announced during a church event that he was suffering from Kennedy's disease, a muscular dystrophy illness that resulted in him limping while filming for his latest role as Wang Zhongkun in Love Blossoms IILove Blossoms II
Love Blossoms II is the second part of the fifth long-running Chinese drama produced by Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. Part 1 was aired from 28 May 2008 to 15 August 2008, while Part 2 made its debut on 2 December 2008 and ended its run on 9 February 2009.Part 1 consisted of...
. Chew said that he was diagnosed with the illness in September 2008, and that he alerted the local press as to his condition, but asked the press to not report it yet, as he was psychologically not ready for it. Chew originally planned on officially announcing his illness during the Star Awards 2008 ceremony, due to be held in March 2009. However, signs of his illness can be clearly seen already, and the news was hard to keep under wraps. The illness has also brought on cardiac problems and diabetes for Chew.
Since the illness was revealed, Chew became a member of the local disabled sports club, and has been taking swimming lessons to strengthen his body.
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | It's A Great, Great World It's a Great, Great World It's a Great, Great World is a Singapore film directed by Kelvin Tong. It is set in the Great World Amusement Park and was released in Singapore cinemas on 27 January 2011.-Plot:... (大世界) |
Ah Meng |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Joys of Life (花样人间) | TBA |
| 2011 | Secrets For Sale (拍。卖) | 谢光辉 |
| 2009 | Police & Thief 6 | TBA |
| 2008 | Love Blossoms 2 Love Blossoms II Love Blossoms II is the second part of the fifth long-running Chinese drama produced by Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. Part 1 was aired from 28 May 2008 to 15 August 2008, while Part 2 made its debut on 2 December 2008 and ended its run on 9 February 2009.Part 1 consisted of... (心花朵朵开2) |
王仲琨 |
| 2007 | The Golden Path (黄金路) | 黄凯达 |
| My Dear Kins (亲本家人) | 张望来 | |
| 2005 | My Lucky Charm My Lucky Charm My Lucky Charm 情来运转 is a 25 episode Chinese drama shown on MediaCorp Channel 8 in Singapore and was telecast in 3 January 2005. The show stars Huang Biren, Chew Chor Meng, Chen Hanwei, Jeanette Aw, Michelle Chong, Cavin Soh, Jesseca Liu and Allan Wu.... (情来运转) |
张丰收 |
| You Are The One (二分之一缘分) | 史雷门 | |
| Oh! Mother! (哎哟!我的妈!) | 杨大富 | |
| 2004 | Chronicles of Life (我爱我家真情实录之风雨同舟) | Ray |
| 2003 | Lobang King | Ah Bee |
| 2002 | Springs Of Life (春到人间) | 蔡大炮 |
| Mr Kiasu II | Kiasu | |
| 2001 | The Hotel (大酒店) | 方白明 |
| The Reunion (顶天立地） | 李克淳 | |
| Mr Kiasu | Kiasu | |
| 2000 | Hainan Kopi Tales Hainan Kopi Tales Hainan Kopi Tales 琼园咖啡香 is a Singaporean Chinese drama serial which aired in year 2000. The show starred Chew Chor Meng, Cynthia Koh, Florence Tan, Lin Meijiao, Chen Huihui, Li Wenhai and other Mediacorp artistes.... (琼园咖啡香) |
龙亚星 |
| The Voices Within (心灵物语） | TBA | |
| The Legendary Swordsman The Legendary Swordsman The Legendary Swordsman is a Singaporean television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. It was first broadcast on TCS-8 in Singapore in 2000.-Plot:... (笑傲江湖) |
林平之 | |
| 1999 | Wok Of Life (福满人间） | 游日安/ 游永福 |
| 1998 | Riding The Storms (陌生人） | 蔡贵南 |
| The New Adventures of Wisely (卫斯理传奇) | 温宝裕 | |
| 1997 | Immortal Love (不老传说) | 陈小贵 |
| For Better or Worse (精英份子） | 林天明 | |
| Crimes and Tribulations (狮城奇案录之凶兆吉日） | 谢宝兴 | |
| 1996 | Don't Worry, Be Happy (敢敢做个开心人) | Ah Bee |
| The Unbeatables II The Unbeatables II -Cast:*Li Nanxing as Yan Fei*Zoe Tay as Luo Qifang/Long Jiajia/Huang Yuefang*Zhu Houren as Long Tingguang*Chen Shucheng as Yan Kun*He Weiming as Yan Xing*Liu Qianyi as Huang Wu*Kenneth Tsang as Ye Zhong*Chew Chor Meng as Ding Zhaohui... (双天至尊II) |
丁照辉 | |
| Santa,The Happy Ghost (我爱好兄弟) | 帅明杰 | |
| 1995 | Embroidered Banner (花帜) | 侯奕升 |
| Ah Xue II (阿雪II） | 陆阿和 | |
| The Teochew Family (潮洲家族) | 洪三 | |
| 1994 | Romance In The 7th Month (七月幽情) | 洪达智 |
| The Valiant One (昆仑奴) | 摩勒 | |
| Challenge of Truth (铁证柔情) | 林浩明 | |
| Young Justice Bao Young Justice Bao Young Justice Bao is a 25-episode ancient legal drama series produced by the Television Corporation of Singapore in 1994. The drama revolves around the legendary Song Dynasty jurist Bao Zheng.... (侠义包公) |
包拯 | |
| 1993 | The Witty Advisor (金牌师爷) | 莫百忍 |
| The Brave Ones (荡寇英雄) | 余俊 | |
| Angel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花) | 杨金贵 | |
| Heavenly Beings (再战封神榜) | 华光/ 火神 | |
| Heaven's Will (天机风云) | 贺震宏 | |
| 1992 | Crazy Chase (富贵也疯狂) | 李小飞 |
| Memories of June (六月的童话) | 张一凡 | |
| Fiery Passion (烈焰焚情) | 陈家齐 | |
| 1991 | The Last Swordsman (最后一个大侠) | 英武 |
| The Future Is Mine (锦秀前程） | 罗大威 |
Variety
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Living the Golden Age '11 (黄金年华之光辉岁月) | Host |
| 2010 | Living the Golden Age '10 (黄金年华之光辉岁月) | Host |
| 2009 | Food Hometown 2 (美食寻根 2) | Host |
| 2008 | The Fairprice Show (平价与你迎旺年) | Host |
| Let's Go Shopping (我们逛街去) | Host | |
| 2007 | Never Too Old (新领屋) | Host |
| My Beautiful Life (好想美一下) | Host | |
| True Files V (真实档案 V) | Host | |
| 2006 | Fortune Festival at Giant'06 (爱上Giant过肥年'06) | Host |
| Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪) | Host | |
| My Star Guide (Dubai) (我的导游是明星 (迪拜)) | Co-Host | |
| Trivia Trove 2 (不说你不知 2) | Host | |
| Citispa Beauty Perfection (Citispa完美大挑战) | Host | |
| True Files IV (真实档案 IV) | Host | |
| Let's Party With Food 4 (食福满人间 4) | Host | |
| 2005 | Trivia Trove (不说你不知) | Host |
| Fortune Festival at Giant'05 (爱上Giant过肥年'05) | Host | |
| True Files III (真实档案 III) | Host | |
| Perfect 10 (十分十全十美) | Host | |
| National Day Parade 2005 | Co-Host | |
| Where In Singapore (到底在哪里) | Host | |
| Let's Party With Food 3 (食福满人间 3) | Host | |
| Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪) | Host | |
| Renci Charity Show 2005 (仁心慈爱照万千) | Host | |
| 2004 | Flavours of Australia (澳妙新滋味) | Co-Host |
| NKF Charity Show 2004 (群星照亮千万心之星光再现人间情) | Host | |
| Spring and Slide (威力无比加油站) | Host | |
| 2003 | Tiger Club Crawl (Tiger寻Fun作乐) | Host |
| True Hearts'03 (公益献爱心) | Host | |
| 2001 | Tonite With Chor Meng (夜猫行动) | Host |
| Super Movie Fan Club (超级影迷俱乐部) | Host | |
| Lunar New Year Special 2001 (金蛇运转贺新年) | Co-Host | |
| All Stars Variety 2001 (全星展艺献温情) | Host | |
| 2000 | Affairs of the Heart (心手相连） | Host |
| 1999 | Star Search (才华横溢出新秀) | Host |
| 1995 | City Beat (城人杂志) | Co-host |
| Star Search (才华横溢出新秀) | Host | |
| Variety Tonight - Now You Know (1995 原来如此) | Host | |
| 1994 | Chew on Eight (河畔飘香尝美食) | Host |
| 1993 | Star Search (才华横溢出新秀) | Host |
Awards/Achievements
| Year | Award / Achievement | Representative Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Best Supporting Male Actor, Star Awards 2009 Star Awards 2009 Star Awards 2009 was a television award ceremony held in Singapore. It was part of the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp for MediaCorp Channel 8 and MediaCorp Channel U. Star Awards 2009 was telecasted 'LIVE' on Channel 8, 26 April 2009 at 1900 hrs, where the results were announced... |
黄凯达 (黄金路) |
| 2007 | Most Memorable Role, Star Awards 2007 Star Awards 2007 Star Awards 2007 is a television award ceremony held in Singapore. It is part of the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp for MediaCorp TV Channel 8. This year, Star Awards will be scheduled to telecast on two Sunday nights. The first award ceremony will be held on the 9 December 2007, in... |
Ah Bee (敢敢做个开心人) |
| Top 10 Most Evil Roles in Dramas, Star Awards 2007 Star Awards 2007 Star Awards 2007 is a television award ceremony held in Singapore. It is part of the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp for MediaCorp TV Channel 8. This year, Star Awards will be scheduled to telecast on two Sunday nights. The first award ceremony will be held on the 9 December 2007, in... |
李克淳 (顶天立地) | |
| 2004 | All Time Favourite Award, Star Awards 2004 Star Awards 2004 Star Awards 2004 is a television award telecast in 2004 as part of the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp for MediaCorp TV Channel 8.-Nominees and winners:Winners are highlighted in bold.Best Actor 最佳男主角... |
|
| 2003 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2003 | |
| 2002 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2002 Star Awards 2002 Star Awards 2002 is a television award telecast in 2002 as part of the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp for MediaCorp TV Channel 8.-Nominees and winners:Winners are highlighted in bold.Best Actor 最佳男主角... |
|
| 2001 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2001 Star Awards 2001 Star Awards 2001 is a television award telecast on 25 November 2001 as part of the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp for MediaCorp TV Channel 8.-Nominees and winners:The winner is highlighted in bold.Best Actor... |
|
| 2000 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 2000 | |
| Malaysia's Most Popular Male Artiste, Star Awards 2000 | ||
| Best Actor, Star Awards 2000 | 龙亚星 (琼园咖啡香) Hainan Kopi Tales Hainan Kopi Tales 琼园咖啡香 is a Singaporean Chinese drama serial which aired in year 2000. The show starred Chew Chor Meng, Cynthia Koh, Florence Tan, Lin Meijiao, Chen Huihui, Li Wenhai and other Mediacorp artistes.... |
|
| 1999 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1999 | |
| Taiwan's Most Popular Male Artiste, Star Awards 1999 | ||
| 1998 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1998 | |
| 1997 | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1997 | |
| 1996 | Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1996 Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
|
| 1995 | Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1995 | |
| 1994 | Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes, Star Awards 1994 Star Awards The Star Awards is an annual ceremony where the media organisation, Mediacorp, recognises entertainers in their employ for their outstanding performances... |
|
| 1990 | Champion, Star Search 1990 Star Search Singapore Star Search was a television show from 1988 to 2010 organised by MediaCorp TV Channel 8 to hunt for talents to add to its stable of Chinese actors.Star Search started out as a Singapore local talent show, restricted to residents of Singapore... |
|