HONG KONG: Veteran Hong Kong actor and comedian Stanley Fung Shui Fan, beloved for his roles in the 1980s and 1990s, has passed away in Taiwan at the age of 80.
Reports indicate Fung, who had been in ill health, died on Oct 31.
The prolific actor, who featured in over 100 films, had moved to Taiwan in 1986 and was living a semi-retired life there, according to reports from entertainment outlet Eastweek.
News of his death was first announced by Taiwan lawmaker Tsai Shu-Chun on social media, before being confirmed by one of Fung’s former colleagues from Hong Kong’s TVB station, Eastweek reported.
New Taipei City councillor Tsai posted a heartfelt tribute: “Hope you still have that smile on another stage, continue to tell stories and continue to film life.”
Fung was born in China‘s Guangdong province. He rose to fame during the 80s, notably for his part in the action-comedy film My Lucky Stars, where he starred alongside industry heavyweights like Jackie Chan, Eric Tsang, and Sammo Hung.
He became renowned for his onscreen use of a trademark catchphrase, which is loosely translated as: “Banana, you are a guava,” often delivered as a humorous form of rebuke.
Fung’s extensive filmography includes appearances in Wong Jing’s directed comedy The Crazy Companies, starring Andy Lau, and the 1991 film The Magnificent Scoundrels, alongside Stephen Chow.
Despite his success in some of the director’s movies, Fung publicly expressed profound regret over his involvement in several of Wong’s comedies.
He controversially labelled these projects “a farce” and the “shame of his lifetime,” and went so far as to publicly scold Wong for “harming a lot of people.”
Tragically, just a few days before his own passing, Fung posted a message on social media mourning the loss of fellow Hong Kong actor Benz Hui, who had died on Oct 28 at age 76.
In his post, Fung reflected on the death of the younger actor.
While he acknowledged he was aware of Hui’s condition through friends, he lamented that his friend had passed away before him.
Poignantly, Fung also used this post to reveal his own struggle, saying that he was “critically ill” and “struggling to hold on to life.”
In May, the actor had also shared an update that he had been hospitalised for two months due to pneumonia.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
