Chew Chor Meng
Chew Chor Meng (born 20 November 1968) is a Singaporean actor, television host and businessman. He is one of the first batch of actors to receive the Star Awards for All-Time Favourite Artiste in 2004.
Chew Chor Meng | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chew Chor Meng 20 November 1968 |
| Education | |
| Alma mater | Ngee Ann Polytechnic |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse |
Deon Chew (m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Star Awards: |
| Chinese name | |
| Traditional Chinese | 周初明 |
| Simplified Chinese | 周初明 |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zhōu Chūmíng |
| Pha̍k-fa-sṳ | Chiû Tshô-mìn |
| Jyutping | Zau1 Co1 Ming4 |
| Hokkien POJ | Chiu Chho͘-bêng |
| Tâi-lô | Tsiu Tshoo-bîng |
| Teochew Peng'im | ziu1 co1 mêng5 |
Career
Chew started his career in showbiz 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 the Star Awards, an award ceremony for TV personalities, since its inception in 1994. In 2004, Chew was awarded the All-Time Favourite Artiste with Li Nanxing and Zoe Tay.
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. He made his first crossover to English sitcom in Mr. Kiasu. During the late 1990s to early 2000s, 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. Chew 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 Lobang King focusing on Ah Bee and his new league of friends.
Chew is known for his versatility and ability to portray different characters that leave a lasting impression. At the 25th anniversary special in 2007, his character Ah Bee was named as one of the most memorable TV roles and his role as the villain Li Kechun in The Reunion was voted the Top 10 most memorable villains. In 2009 he won the Best Supporting Actor award, despite the nominations being dominated by cast of the popular blockbuster series The Little Nyonya, for his portrayal of a promising young doctor driven to vice and insanity by unfortunate circumstances in The Golden Path.
Now a well-known household name, Chew has gone from acting in drama series to hosting shows and large-scale events including overseas collaborations with Taiwan and China. He was nominated for the Best Info-Ed Host Award at the Star Awards 2010 for co-hosting Food Hometown.
Chew's contract with MediaCorp was set to expire in October 2010.[1] Due to his illness, Chew initially did not expect his contract to be renewed.[1] 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.[2] He made his acting comeback with Channel U's Show Hand, followed by Channel 8 30th anniversary drama special Joys of Life.
Before the contract extension, Chew was planning to enter the restaurant business,[1] which would have been Chew's second foray into the eatery business.[1]
During the 2019 Star Awards, Chew was awarded the Special Achievement Award.[3]
Business ventures
In 2017, Chew, Dennis Chew and two other partners opened a Thai Mookata (barbecue-cum-steamboat) stall, 888 Mookata, at a coffee shop in Hougang, Singapore.[4] In 2018, after setting up their third stall, both Chews started a porridge stall, The Famous Zhou, or known in Chinese, Zhou Chu Ming (粥出名), a play on Chew's name and their surnames.[5]
In 2023, Chew with Dennis Chew and two other friends opened a Thai bistro, Viewdee Thai Bistro, at Sprout Hub, Henderson.[6] The same year, Chew, Dennis Chew, food blogger Maureen Ow (Miss Tam Chiak) and another friend opened a coffeeshop with ten stalls in Hougang.[7]
Personal life
Chew graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. He 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 and alcoholic), who committed suicide when Chew was still in primary school. He began attending a Charismatic church, Renewal Centre from 2007 and was baptised in late November 2008 with his daughters.[8]
Illness
On 19 December 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 II.[9][10] 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.[11] The illness has also brought on cardiac problems and diabetes for Chew.[1]
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.[12]
Controversy
In September 2016, Chew appeared in episode 6 of I Want to Be a Star that had to be taken down from Toggle's website due to public outcry about the show's casual racism. Chew's character said onscreen that Indians and Africans are "all the same". Mediacorp's online service, has apologised on behalf of the show.[13]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Romance in the 7th Month | Hong Dazhi | Telemovie | |
| 2011 | It's a Great, Great World | Ah Meng | [14] | |
| 2017 | Lucky Boy | Lin Chong | [15] |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Awakening | [16] | ||
| 1991 | The Last Swordsman (最后一个大侠) | Ying Wu | ||
| The Future Is Mine (锦绣前程) | Luo Dawei | |||
| 1992 | Fiery Passion (烈焰焚情) | Chen Jiaqi | [17] | |
| Memories of June (六月的童话) | Zhang Yidan | |||
| Crazy Chase (富贵也疯狂) | Li Xiaofei | |||
| 1993 | Heavenly Beings (再战封神榜) | Fire God | ||
| Angel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花) | Chen Jingui | |||
| The Brave Ones (荡寇英雄) | Yu Jun | |||
| The Witty Advisor (金牌师爷) | Mo Bairen | |||
| Heaven's Will (天机风云) | He Zhenhong | |||
| 1994 | Young Justice Bao (侠义包公) | Bao Zheng | ||
| Challenge of Truth (铁证柔情) | Lin Haoming | |||
| The Valiant One (昆仑奴) | Mo Ge | |||
| 1995 | The Teochew Family | Hong San | [17] | |
| Ah Xue II (阿雪II) | Lu Ah He | |||
| Embroidered Banner (花帜) | Hou Yisheng | |||
| 1996 | Santa, The Happy Ghost (我爱好兄弟) | Shuai Mingjie | ||
| The Unbeatables II | Ding Zhaohui | |||
| Don't Worry, Be Happy (敢敢做个开心人) | Ah Bee | |||
| 1997 | Crimes and Tribulations (狮城奇案录之凶兆吉日) | Xie Baoxing | ||
| For Better or Worse (精英份子) | Lin Tianming | |||
| Immortal Love (不老传说) | Chen Xiaogui | |||
| 1998 | The New Adventures of Wisely | Wen Baoyu | ||
| Riding The Storms (陌生人) | Cai Guinan | |||
| 1999 | Wok of Life (福满人间) | You Ri'an / You Yongfu | ||
| 2000 | The Legendary Swordsman | Lin Pingzhi | ||
| The Voices Within (心灵物语) | Song Lehui | |||
| Hainan Kopi Tales | Long Ah Sing | [18] | ||
| 2001 | Mr Kiasu | Kiasu | ||
| The Reunion | Li Kechun | |||
| The Hotel | Fang Baiming | |||
| 2002 | Mr Kiasu II | Kiasu | ||
| Springs of Life | Cai Dapao | |||
| 2003 | Lobang King | Ah Bee | ||
| 2004 | Chronicles of Life (我爱我家真情实录之风雨同舟) | Ray | ||
| 2005 | Oh Mother! (哎哟我的妈!) | Yang Dafu | ||
| You Are The One (二分之一缘分) | Raymond | |||
| My Lucky Charm | Zhang Fengshou | |||
| 2007 | My Dear Kins (亲本家人) | Zhang Wanglai | ||
| The Golden Path | Huang Kaida | [17] | ||
| 2008 | Love Blossoms II | Wang Zhongkun | ||
| 2011 | Secrets For Sale | Professor Xie | ||
| 2012 | Rescue 995 | Leo | ||
| Show Hand (注定) | Lai Jianxin | |||
| Joys of Life | Zhao Dagou | |||
| The Day It Rained on Our Parade | [19] | |||
| 2014-2015 | 118 | Hong Daming | ||
| 2016 | Don't Worry, Be Healthy | Wu Jiabao | ||
| My First School | Xu Zhengbo | |||
| I Want to Be a Star | Zhong Datian | [13] | ||
| Hero | Wei Ge | Cameo | ||
| 2016-2017 | 118 II | Hong Daming | ||
| 2018 | 118 Reunion (118 大团圆) | Hong Daming | ||
| Eat Already? 4 | Old Zhou | Cameo | ||
| Fifty & Fabulous (五零高手) | Ye Qihua | [20] | ||
| 2019 | Jalan Jalan (带你去走走) | Zhang Guodong | ||
| 2021 | The Heartland Hero | Zhong Buzhang | ||
| 2022 | Dark Angel (黑天使) | Yang Tao | ||
| Love at First Bite (遇见你真香) | De Yao | |||
| 2023 | Fix My Life | Feng Sheng | ||
| Family Ties | Chen Youde |
Variety show
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Living the Golden Age '11 (黄金年华之光辉岁月) | Host |
| Community Chest Truehearts (公益献爱心) | 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 |
Discography
Compilation album
| Year | English title | Mandarin title |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 13 | 新传媒群星金蛇献祥福 |
| 2014 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 14 | 新传媒群星金马献万福 |
| 2015 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 15 | 新传媒群星金羊添吉祥 |
| 2018 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18 | 新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年 |
Awards and nominations
References
- 明年10月约满 周初明计划进军饮食业 [Artiste Contract Due to Expire in October of Next Year, Chew Plans Eatery Business Venture] (in Chinese). Lianhe Wanbao (Singapore). 7 July 2009. Archived from the original on 10 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- 周初明獲續約2年 或轉戰主持教學 [Chew Chor Meng's Contract Renewed For Two Years, Might Turn to Hosting and Training]. ChinaPress.com (in Chinese). 1 November 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
- Auto, Hermes (14 April 2019). "Mediacorp pays tribute to late actor Aloysius Pang at Star Awards | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- "3 Budget-Friendly Eateries Owned By Local Celebs". 8 Days. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- "Chew Chor Meng And Dennis Chew Open Porridge Stall Called 'Zhou Chu Ming'". 8 Days. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- "Chew Chor Meng Opens Thai Bistro In Former School Canteen, Sells Thai Fish Head Hotpot". 8 Days. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- "Chew Chor Meng, Dennis Chew & Food Blogger Miss Tam Chiak Open A Kopitiam Together". 8days. Retrieved 19 August 2023.
- Tan, Dawn Weie (21 December 2008). "'I may need a wheelchair'--But actor Chew Chor Meng refuses to let muscular atrophy get him down". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
- "Chew has muscular atrophy". Archived from the original on 23 December 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- "Chew Chor Meng is OK!". Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- 患肌肉萎缩症 周初明受访： 坐轮椅也要 看女儿长大 [Suffering from muscular atrophy, Chew Chor Meng's Exclusive Interview: "I will watch my daughter grow up, even if I have to watch from a wheelchair"] (in Chinese). Lianhe Wanbao (carried on omy.sg). 20 December 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
- 成为残疾人士体育理事会会员 周初明每周4天游泳健身 [Becoming a member of a disabled sports organisation, Chew Chor Meng swims 4 times a week for fitness] (in Chinese). Lianhe Zaobao (Singapore). Archived from the original on 12 July 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- Auto, Hermes (26 October 2016). "Mediacorp's Toggle removes Shane Pow's 'blackface' episode following outcry | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- "8 Invites You – It's a Great, Great World". Archived from the original on 15 January 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
- Hermes (17 May 2017). "Movie review: Cast of Lucky Boy stuck in underwritten roles | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- Lee, Jocelyn (15 July 2015). "Two lobang kings in one movie". The New Paper. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- "'We haven't met for over 10 years': Former actress Zeng Huifen makes rare appearance at Chew Chor Meng's new bistro bar". AsiaOne. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- "Chew Chor Meng has not carried his daughters since they were 3 because of muscle degeneration". mothership.sg. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- "The Day It Rained on Our Parade《那一年我们淋着雨》 – on bagua8". Archived from the original on 27 June 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
- Hermes (21 June 2018). "Deep into family drama with Babies On Board and Fifty And Fabulous | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
External links
- Chew Chor Meng profile on Toggle
- Chew Chor Meng at IMDb