Chen Shu-fang

Chen Shu-fang (Chinese: 陳淑芳; pinyin: Chén Shúfāng; born July 2, 1939) is a Taiwanese actress. She made her film debut in 1957 and television debut in 1971. In 2020, she was the recipient of the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress at the 57th Golden Horse Awards.

Chen Shu-fang
Chen in 2020
Born (1939-07-02) 2 July 1939
New Taipei City, Taiwan
Other namesGrandmother of Taiwan
OccupationActress
Years active1957–present
Children1
AwardsGolden Horse Awards – 57th Best Actress

Chinese name
Traditional Chinese陳淑芳
Hanyu PinyinChén Shúfāng

Early life

Chen Shu-fang was born Siao Chen (陳笑) on July 2, 1939, in Káu-hūn (九份), Taiwan. Siao means "smile" in Chinese, and was chosen by her grandfather in the hopes that she would smile often. She later chose the stage name Shu-Fang, a combination of her virtuous personality and her hometown, Ruifang.[1] Her father was in charge of the town's quarries, while her uncle was the town's mayor.[2]

Chen's grandfather opposed her dreams of becoming an actor, so she instead studied to be a director at the National Taiwan University of Arts, giving her access to the entertainment industry.[3] However, after her father’s death, Chen dropped out of school to support her family financially, taking small roles in films to earn money.[4]

At the National Taiwan University of Arts, Chen's passion for dancing was noticed by her instructor, Zhang-Ying, and he invited her to perform in a stage show that he was directing. During the performance, she was noticed by a talent scout and invited to act the leading role in Whose Sin (1957), which would be her starring debut. She was a prominent actress in the first heyday of the Taiwanese film industry. With a fair and beautiful appearance, Chen was known as the “pocket beauty” of the Taiwanese film industry. In her early career, she also taught dancing when not filming movies.[4]

Career

Chen has appeared in numerous film and television productions, including television series such as Flying Dragon in the Sky (飛龍在天), Perfect Neighbors (親戚不計較), and Taiwan Tornado (台灣龍捲風), and acclaimed movies like A Borrowed Life (1994), A City of Sadness (1989), and Taipei Story (1985).[5]

Public image

Grandmother of Taiwan

Since her first role as a mother in Whose Sin, Chen has received positive reviews for her portrayal of mother and grandmotherhood, continuing to play these roles throughout her career. This has led to a long-lasting public image as a mother or grandmother, and as she became a senior actress in the late part of her career, the nickname "Grandmother of Taiwan" solidified.[4]

Philanthropist

Chen has appeared in many public service announcements, including for anti-fraud, anti-drug, and health awareness causes. She also participates in charity, most notably donating money and food to single elderly people in the Chinese New Year,[6] as well as highly-needed masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Personal life

Chen became pregnant in her early 20s. The child's father was already married.[8]

In 1978, she met Tuching Liang in Australia, and in 1980 migrated to Australia to marry him. However, the marriage was abusive and she returned to Taiwan, unwillingly followed by Liang. Their relationship would remain contentious until the divorce was finalized in 2009 and Liang remarried.[9]

She has a grandson and a granddaughter, who both studied at the National Taiwan University.[10]

According to the Mirror Media's report on 2021 October 13, her endorsement of iVENOR's health food NMN EX was accused of being an unfair and deceptive advertisement.[11]

Awards and accolades
Year Organizations Recipients Category Result Notes
2020 Pingtung Film Festival After Journey Best Actress Won [12]
2020 57th Golden Horse Awards Dear Tenant Best Supporting Actress Won
Little Big Women Best Leading Actress Won
2021 15th Asian Film Awards Best Actress Nominated

References
  1. "陳淑芳：我的人生只有三天". Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese). 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  2. 82歲陳淑芳只活3天？獨居11坪房成孤寡老人，千萬財產一分不給子女內幕驚人#陳淑芳 #茶娛飯後, retrieved 2022-11-30
  3. "爸爸是金礦大亨！陳淑芳自揭「超狂名門背景」：小時候牛奶喝到膩 阿公怒斥「當什麼戲子」靠說謊演一甲子". 讀讀. 2021-11-15. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  4. "「國民阿嬤」陳淑芳：我這一生就是演員，我應該要演好，別人看不見也沒關係 - 報導者 The Reporter". www.twreporter.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  5. 聯合新聞網. "國民阿嬤陳淑芳的藝界人生（上）：台語片時代的「最佳女主角」 | 李志銘". 鳴人堂 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  6. ETtoday新聞雲. "新光銀總座關懷獨居老人！陳淑芳加入 「我一個人住、喜歡照顧人」 | ETtoday財經雲 | ETtoday新聞雲". finance.ettoday.net (in Chinese). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  7. 聯合新聞網 (2022-05-21). "陳淑芳獨居買一堆快篩 賀歲片停拍忙做公益". 噓！星聞 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  8. 呂, 嘉薰 (2020-11-13). "陳淑芳：人生沽一味，演戲60年". 天下雜誌 CommonWealth Magazine.
  9. Eva, Jolie / (2020-11-23). "金馬影后陳淑芳的真實人生故事比《孤味》更坎坷！嫁給恐怖情人，撐了26年不敢離婚..." Cosmopolitan (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  10. "陳淑芳82歲燃燒戲魂擒2座金馬　幼時遭母強拖跳海死裡逃生". 蘋果新聞網. 2021-07-02.
  11. "【獨家】【代言惹是非】國民阿嬤代言出包 陳淑芳賣保健品恐遭罰". tw.news.yahoo.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  12. "國民阿嬤陳淑芳《日後，回家路》搭檔林彥君151演繹自然祖孫情". 青年日報 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2022-11-30.
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