Liza Wang

Elizabeth "Liza" Wang Ming-chun SBS[2][3][4][5] (born 28 August 1947), is a Hong Kong diva, actress and MC. She is a personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.[6] Wang was a delegate in the National People's Congress from 1988 to 1997, and she is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[7]

Liza Wang

Chinese: 汪明荃
Wang attending an exhibition on her Cantonese Opera career at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in April 2021.
Wang attending an exhibition on her Cantonese Opera career at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in April 2021.
Born
Wang Ming-chun

(1947-08-28) 28 August 1947
Other names
  • Liza Wong
  • Lisa Wang
  • Lisa Wang
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Singer
  • MC
Years active1967–present
Spouses
Lau Cheong Wah
(m. 1971; div. 1983)
    (m. 2009)
    AwardsMing Pao Anniversary Awards
    Outstanding Actress in Television
    2005 Wars of In-Laws
    2005 Honorary AwardRTHK Top 10 Gold Songs AwardsGolden Needle Award
    2004

    TVB Anniversary AwardsAll-Time Most Memorable Female Leading Roles
    1999 A House Is Not A Home

    My Favourite Television Character
    2000 At the Threshold of an Era
    2001 The Awakening Story
    Best Actress
    2001 The Awakening Story
    2005 Wars of In-Laws
    Best Host
    2010 Fun with Liza and Gods
    2015 Sunday Songbird

    Lifetime Achievement Award
    2012
    2017

    Musical career
    Also known asThe Big Sister[1]
    OriginHong Kong
    Genres
    Instrument(s)Vocals
    Chinese name
    Chinese汪明荃
    WebsiteOfficial website

    Entertainment career

    Liza Wang was born on 28 August 1947 in Shanghai, She moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai in autumn 1956 and signed up for Rediffusion Hong Kong's first Artist Academy class in 1967. From thousands of applicants, the 20-year-old Liza was one of the nine that were picked to attend acting classes. She was also the first to graduate from the academy.

    Television

    Her career has spanned four decades, since 1967. She began working for Rediffusion Television Limited (later renamed Asia Television and now defunct) until she joined TVB in 1971. She was one of the members of the all-girl music group Four Golden Flowers.[8] Wang initially made her mark in the entertainment industry in drama series. Her work in front of the camera was followed by that behind the scenes on television productions.

    In 2005, she received the Best Actress award during TVB's 38th Anniversary. She received this award the second time for her role in Wars of In-laws. Wang received her first Best Actress award for her drama series The Awakening Story in 2001. She celebrated her 40th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2007.

    Singing career

    In parallel with her acting career Wang had a successful singing career, based on albums for her television series, consisting of TV theme songs. She has sung cantopop as well as mandopop. She performed duets with singer Adam Cheng. She continues to perform TV theme songs such as "東方之珠" for musical series like the 2006 Glittering Days.[9]

    Cantonese opera

    Liza Wang performing Cantonese opera in November 2006.

    She experimented with stage musicals before becoming a Cantonese opera actress. It was within the Cantonese opera community that Wang met her longtime partner, Law Kar-ying. In 2005 the Sunbeam Theatre in North Point, Hong Kong's only regular venue for Cantonese Opera performances, was planned to close following a change of ownership.[7] Wang decided to negotiate with the new owner, who then promised to extend the contract with the Cantonese Opera groups. Wang then criticized the Government for its lack of support for Cantonese Opera, and the Government promised to adopt Wang's request.

    Wang was Chairman of the Chinese Artist Association of Hong Kong (香港八和會館) from 1992 to 1997, then again from 2005 to 2009.[7] In 2007 Wang was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award.[7] She was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the City University of Hong Kong.

    In February 2009 Wang fought for the development rights to restore the North Kowloon Magistracy building (北九龍裁判法院) in Sham Shui Po.[10] The building was originally proposed to be a new Cantonese opera training and performance center. Hong Kong's government granted the bid to the US Savannah College of Art and Design.[10] Wang was upset over the loss, and said the government was only paying lip service to causes such as Cantonese opera. The magistracy building is to be turned into a school specializing in creative and digital media.[10][11]

    Political career

    Pan-democrat home return permits request

    Since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party have banned 8 of the 25 Hong Kong pan-democrat legislative councilors. They are barred from the mainland except for tours organized by the government.[12] On 6 March 2008 Wang began publicizing the need to grant 24 Home Return Permit to the pro-democracy lawmakers.[13][14]

    Government Committee

    On Apr 29, 2020, The Hong Kong SAR announced the appointments to the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee which aims to promote the development of Cantonese opera, facilitating the transmission of this world intangible cultural heritage item, for the period from May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2022.[15] Wang is one of the members.

    2008 Beijing Olympics

    Wang mentioned that it was good timing to invite the democrats to enter mainland China in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.[14]

    "CPPCC chairman Jia Qinglin said we should unite people from different sectors – why not include the democrats as well?[14]

    Liza Wang tries to unite the opposing Democrats and Pro-Beijing side in Hong Kong.

    The Pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong member Tam Yiu Chung responded that the Olympics was not a good reason for changing what the central government used to do. Her concerns baffled her colleagues in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[1] Democrat member Albert Ho said the issue of a home visit permit was such a rightful thing. It has never been mentioned by any politician but a performer. He appreciates Wang's efforts.[14] Wang is a member, but not a standing committee member of the CPPCC.

    Community work

    As a mainstay at the TVB television network, Wang has gained almost legendary status for her efforts not merely as an entertainer but also as a philanthropist with a heart for social works and for improving lives in rural China and other areas. Within Hong Kong, she has also been an MC hosting TVB telethons for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and many other charities.

    Wang, being a two-time cancer survivor (first thyroid then breast cancer), decided to be an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society.[7] A series of informative radio talk shows on RTHK was also hosted where medical specialists were invited to discuss the many types of cancer. She has helped raise charities, awareness and funding for cancer patients. Recently a free concert was given at Tin Shui Wai for 4,500 residents; the concert was filled to capacity and hundreds were turned away. The crowd prevented guest performers like Miriam Yeung and Denise Ho from arriving on time. Denise Ho ascribed the audience overflow to Wang's popularity.[6]

    Personal life

    Liza Wang was married to businessman Lau Cheong Wah from 1971 to 1983 and they remain good friends. In the late 1980s, she met Law Kar-ying, openly acknowledged as her partner for over twenty years, and whom she married on 2 May 2009 in Las Vegas.[16] Being a native Shanghainese, Wang speaks fluent Shanghainese and has always identified as a Shanghainese.[17]

    The nickname of "Wang Ah-Tag" owing to social media usage

    In recent years, Liza Wang has increased her usage in social media. However, upon uploading the photos with others, she has been handwriting the names of others on the photos. These handwritings have been occasionally described as "Wang Ah-Tag".[18][19]

    Filmography

    Television series

    YearTitleRole
    1974Eternal Spring
    永恆的春天
    Mao Yuin Yuin
    毛圓圓
    1975The Golden Chrysanthemum
    金葉菊
    Zhau Yuk Sin
    周玉仙
    Lady with the Lute
    趙五娘
    Zhiu Ng Niong
    趙五娘
    Legend of the Purple Hairpin
    紫釵記
    Fok Siu Yuk
    霍小玉
    1976The Legend of the Book and the Sword
    書劍恩仇錄
    Fok-ching-tung
    霍青桐
    1977A House Is Not a Home
    家變
    Lok Lam
    洛琳
    1978The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
    家變
    Chiu Man
    趙敏
    1979Over the Rainbow
    天虹
    Leung Pui-yee
    梁沛怡
    Chor Lau-heung
    楚留香
    Shum Wai-san
    沈慧珊
    1980Yesterday's Glitter
    京華春夢
    Ho Yin-chau
    賀燕秋
    The Shell Game
    千王之王
    Tam Siu-tong
    谭小棠
    1981Young's Female Warrior
    楊門女將
    Muk Gui-yin
    穆桂英
    The Shell Game II
    千王群英會
    Tam Siu-tong
    谭小棠
    1982Love and Passion
    萬水千山總是情
    Chong Mung-deep
    莊夢蝶
    1984Qiu Jin: A Woman To Remember
    秋瑾
    Qiu Jin
    秋瑾
    1999At the Threshold of an Era
    創世紀
    Fong Kin-ping
    方健平
    2000At the Threshold of an Era II
    創世紀 II
    Fong Kin-ping
    方健平
    2001The Awakening Story
    婚前昏後
    Lam Ho Suet
    林皓雪
    2004Blade Heart
    血薦軒轅
    Tong Bik
    唐碧
    2005Wars of In-Laws
    我的野蠻奶奶
    Hei Tap-Lap Shek Lan
    喜塔臘鑠蘭
    The Unforgettables
    名曲滿天星
    2006When Rules Turn Loose
    識法代言人
    Suen Man-Yee
    孫敏儀
    Glittering Days
    東方之珠
    Gam Yin
    金燕
    2008Wars of In-Laws II
    野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶
    Gwo Bik
    戈碧
    When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West
    東山飄雨西關晴
    Chong Fung-yi
    莊鳳儀
    2010OL Supreme
    女王辦公室
    Lui Siu-fung
    雷小鳳
    2010–2011Home Troopers
    居家兵團
    Lai Ka-ka
    黎嘉嘉
    2011Super Snoops
    荃加福祿壽探案
    Sun Chiu-tung
    辛潮彤
    2012Divas in Distress
    巴不得媽媽
    Sheung Ying-hung
    商映紅
    2014Come On, Cousin
    老表,你好hea!
    Herself
    2015Limelight Years
    華麗轉身
    Wah Fong-ying
    華芳凝
    Master of Destiny
    風雲天地
    Kwan Yeuk-nam
    關若男
    2018Heart and Greed
    溏心风暴3
    Heung Ching Yi
    向清沂
    My Ages Apart
    誇世代
    Sheung Hing Chong
    尚慶莊
    2019Flying Tiger II
    《飛虎之雷霆極戰》
    何惠英

    Films

    • 1969 Singing Darlings
    • 1980 Miss Not Home
    • 197i The Sausage Chase
    • 1979 Full Moon Scimitar
    • 2015 ATM

    [20] [21]

    Awards

    Year Award Category Series Result
    1999TVB Anniversary AwardsAll-Time Most Memorable Female Leading RolesA House is not a HomeWon
    2000TVB Anniversary AwardsMy Favourite Television CharacterAt the Threshold of an Era IIWon
    2001TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressThe Awakening StoryWon
    My Favourite Television CharacterWon
    2005TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressWars of In-LawsWon
    2010TVB Anniversary AwardsBest HostFun With Liza and GodsWon
    2015Starhub TVB AwardsBest ActressLimelight YearsWon
    Best HostSunday SongbirdWon

    Honors

    • Silver Bauhinia Star (2004)[22]
    • TVB Best Actress (2001, 2005)
    • RTHK Gold Needle Award (2005)
    • Mont Blanc de la Culture International Award (2007)

    References

    1. The standard HK "The standard HK Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
    2. "Honorary Doctorate Elizabeth Wang Ming-Chun".
    3. Loh, Christine (2010). Underground Front: The Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. p. 154. ISBN 9789888028948. Retrieved 11 December 2014 via Google Books.
    4. "Wang still singing a flat tune". The Standard. 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
    5. "Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes". July 2004.
    6. Xinhuanet. "Xinhuanet Archived 2008-02-19 at the Wayback Machine". Fans jam-pack Liza Wang's free concert. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
    7. Cityu.edu.hk "Cityu.edu.hk Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine". 城大將頒授榮譽博士學位予四位領袖. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
    8. Television Broadcasts Limited TVB – Lydia Shum exclusive – 東張西望之永恆的開心果 – 肥姐 – 21 Feb 2008.
    9. First for Music News. "NME". Liza Wang videos. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
    10. The Standard HK. "The Standard.com". Retrieved on 13 March 2009.
    11. "Yahoo". 八和落選 汪明荃轟黑箱作業 Retrieved on 13 March 2009
    12. Scmp. "Scmp". End democrats' travel ban, delegate urges. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
    13. The standard HK. "The standard HK Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
    14. The standard HK. "The standard HK Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine". TV star hopes home visits can turn democrats into patriots Retrieved on 10 March 2008
    15. "Appointments to Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee". HKSAR. 2020-04-29
    16. "New bride: 61-year-old Liza Wang". China Daily. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
    17. "汪明荃的上海话". YouTube (in Chinese).
    18. "【嘟嘟爆料】「汪阿Tag」原來係咁嚟!". 21 November 2018.
    19. "#汪阿Tag 汪明荃潮玩 Instagram 自創手寫 Tag 人方法 眾星響應 - ezone.hk - 網絡生活 - 網絡熱話".
    20. Liza Wang at hkmdb.com
    21. Liza Wang at chinesemov.com
    22. "Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes". July 2004.
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