Obituary: Alan Tang Died of Heart Attack at Age 64

“The Student Prince” 1960s Hong Kong film star, Alan Tan Kwong Wing died at the age of 64 on March 29, 2011. Alan had a heart attack and fainted at home. His maid called the ambulance. When paramedics arrived on the scene, Alan was confirmed to be dead. Alan was survived by his wife, Janet Yen, and two daughters.

Alan was a native of Shunde, Guangdong. He was a famous Hong Kong actor, producer and director. Alan had two elder brothers and an elder sister. Within the entertainment circle, Alan was often addressed as “Big Brother” due to his domineering traits and eagerness to help friends.

Before becoming an actor, Alan worked as an English translator at the radio station, while modeling at the same time. In 1963, 17-year-old Alan starred in his first film, The Student Prince <學生王子>. Due to his role in The Student Prince, Alan was given a nickname bearing the same title. After graduating from high school, Alan starred in movies with Josephine Siao Fong Fong, Yan Chun, and Connie Chan Po Chu in the 1960s. Filming many youth-themed movies, he was often voted as the “Best Actor” by many film magazines. In 1972, Alan filmed a movie adapted from a Buddhist novel, Romance in the White House <白屋之戀>. Alan filmed over thirty films in Taiwan and did not return to Hong Kong until 1977. With his elder brother, Tang Kwong Chou, Alan founded the Wing-Scope Film Production, Ltd, which produced films centering around mafia-related topics, such as Don’t Kill Me, Brother! <無毒不丈夫>, The Two Jakes <血洗唐人街>, The Militarism Revival <怒拔太陽旗>, A Hearty Response <義蓋雲天>, and Flaming Brothers <江湖龍虎鬥>.

At his god-sister, Lydia Shum Din Ha’s memorial service on March 2, 2008, Alan went onstage and publicly demanded Lydia’s ex-husband, Adam Cheng Siu Chau, to come forth and apologize, which stirred a great controversy at the time.

Friends Shocked by Alan Tang’s Sudden Death

While sleeping last night, Paul Chun Pui received news that his good friend, Alan Tang, had passed away. Paul immediately called his younger brother, John Chiang Dai Wai, to confirm the news. John and his wife, Lee Lam Lam, visited Alan’s family last night. In a radio interview, Paul stated, “Since I suffer from waist pain, John told me to stay home and wait for further updates. That is why I did not go to the Tangs’ house.” Paul expressed sadness in his friend’s sudden death, “I can not believe it. Alan was in good health. He loved to take his dogs for walks and exercise. He loved his family and was very enthusiastic towards his friends, acting like a Big Brother!”

After learning of Alan’s death, lawyer and good friend, Andrew Lam, immediately notified TVB executive, Ho Lai Chuen. Andrew went to Alan’s house to comfort his family. At the time, Alan’s wife, Janet Yen, was crying bitterly by the bed. Alan’s mother was also very sad. Andrew lamented, “It’s very sudden, I never thought that he would leave us so soon! He was righteous towards his friends and filial to his family.” Andrew walked over to Alan’s corpse which lay on the bed and whispered, “Have a good journey!” (好走!) When asked whether Alan’s face was serene when he died, Andrew said, “Yes, he died in his sleep.”

Source: the Sun
Translated by: JayneStars