Chew Chor Meng

Last updated

Chew Chor Meng
Born
Chew Chor Meng

(1968-11-20) 20 November 1968 (age 55)
Education
Alma mater Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Occupations
  • Actor
  • host
  • businessman
Years active1990–present
Spouse
Deon Chew
(m. 2000)
Children2
Awards Full list
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

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.

Contents

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

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1994 Romance in the 7th Month Hong DazhiTelemovie
2011 It's a Great, Great World Ah Meng [14]
2017 Lucky Boy Lin Chong [15]

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1984 The Awakening [16]
1991The Last Swordsman (最后一个大侠)Ying Wu
The Future Is Mine (锦绣前程)Luo Dawei
1992Fiery 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
1993Heavenly 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
1994Young 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
1996Santa, 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
1997Crimes 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
1999Wok 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]
2001Mr KiasuKiasu
The Reunion Li Kechun
The Hotel Fang Baiming
2002Mr Kiasu IIKiasu
Springs of Life Cai Dapao
2003 Lobang King Ah Bee
2004Chronicles of Life (我爱我家真情实录之风雨同舟)Ray
2005Oh Mother! (哎哟我的妈!)Yang Dafu
You Are The One (二分之一缘分)Raymond
My Lucky Charm Zhang Fengshou
2007My 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 GeCameo
2016–2017 118 II Hong Daming
2018118 Reunion (118 大团圆)Hong Daming
Eat Already? 4 Old ZhouCameo
Fifty & Fabulous (五零高手)Ye Qihua [20]
2019Jalan Jalan (带你去走走)Zhang Guodong
2021 The Heartland Hero Zhong Buzhang
2022Dark 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

YearTitleNotesRef.
2011Living the Golden Age '11 (黄金年华之光辉岁月)Host
Community Chest Truehearts (公益献爱心)
2010Living the Golden Age '10 (黄金年华之光辉岁月)
2009Food Hometown 2 (美食寻根 2)
2008The Fairprice Show (平价与你迎旺年)
Let's Go Shopping (我们逛街去)
2007Never Too Old (新领屋)
My Beautiful Life (好想美一下)
True Files V (真实档案 V)
2006Fortune Festival at Giant'06 (爱上Giant过肥年'06)
Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪)
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)
True Files IV (真实档案 IV)
Let's Party With Food 4 (食福满人间 4)
2005Trivia Trove (不说你不知)
Fortune Festival at Giant'05 (爱上Giant过肥年'05)
True Files III (真实档案 III)
Perfect 10 (十分十全十美)
National Day Parade 2005Co-Host
Where in Singapore (到底在哪里)Host
Let's Party With Food 3 (食福满人间 3)
Kungfu Chef (神厨双怪)
Renci Charity Show 2005 (仁心慈爱照万千)
2004Flavours 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)
2003Tiger Club Crawl (Tiger寻Fun作乐)
True Hearts'03 (公益献爱心)
2001Tonite With Chor Meng (夜猫行动)
Super Movie Fan Club (超级影迷俱乐部)
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
2000Affairs of the Heart (心手相连)
1999Star Search (才华横溢出新秀)
1995City 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)
1994Chew on Eight (河畔飘香尝美食)
1993Star Search (才华横溢出新秀)

Discography

Compilation album

YearEnglish titleMandarin title
2013MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 13新传媒群星金蛇献祥福
2014MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 14新传媒群星金马献万福
2015MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 15新传媒群星金羊添吉祥
2018MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultsRef
1994Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
1995Star Awards Best Actor Challenge Of TruthNominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
1996Star Awards Best Actor The Teochew Family Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
1997Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
1998 Star Awards Best Actor Immortal Love Nominated
Best Comedy Performer Don't Worry Be Happy 4Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
1999 Star Awards Best Actor Wok Of Life Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
2000 Star Awards Best Actor Hainan Kopi Tales Won
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
2001 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
2002 Star Awards Best Actor The Reunion Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
2003 Star Awards Best Actor Springs Of LifeNominated
Best Comedy Performer Lobang King Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Won
2004 Star Awards All-Time Favourite Artiste Won
2009 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor The Golden Path Won
2010 Star Awards Best Info-Ed Programme Host Food Hometown 2Nominated
2013 Star Awards Best Actor Joys Of Life Nominated
2015 Star Awards Star Awards for Most Popular Regional Artiste (Indonesia)Nominated
2019 Star Awards Best Evergreen Artiste Nominated
Special Achievement Award Received [3]
2022 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor The Heartland Hero(as Zhong Buzhang)Nominated
2023 Star Awards Dark Angel(as Yang Tao)Nominated

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References

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  2. 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.
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  12. 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.
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