# Desmond Tan (actor)

Desmond Tan (born 19 August 1986) is a Singaporean actor. He won the Star Awards for Best Actor for his role in When Duty Calls in 2018.

## Career

Tan first came to prominence in the entertainment industry when he finished runner-up to Andie Chen in Star Search 2007. He was awarded a contract with Mediacorp and began his part time acting career with some minor roles in various Channel 8 dramas. After almost five years in the industry, Tan won his first award, the Rocket Award, at the 2012 Star Awards for the biggest breakthrough after a critically acclaimed performance as rickshaw driver Luo Xiaoxiao in the anniversary drama A Song to Remember. Tan's rising popularity also earned him the ambassadorship of Samsung's GALAXY Camera in 2012 and later, as Samsung Mobile's Lifestyle Ambassador for the GALAXY S4 in 2013.
Tan has won 8 Star Awards for Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.

## Personal life

Desmond Tan was educated at Pioneer Secondary School and Jurong Junior College. After Star Search 2007, he juggled acting commitments with studies at the National University of Singapore. He studied real estate and graduated with an honours degree in 2011.
He completed his national service in the 1st Commando Battalion (1 CDO BN) with the rank of Captain.
On 7 December 2021, Tan married his university sweetheart at a ceremony held in France. On 4 October 2023, Tan announced on social media that his wife was pregnant with a baby girl. They welcomed their baby daughter on 5 March 2024.

## Filmography
### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008 | Beach Ball Babes (球爱大战) | | |
| 2008 | Crime Busters x 2 | Hu Zhiyang | |
| 2009 | The Dream Catchers | Will | |
| 2009 | The Ultimatum | | |
| 2009 | Together | Lin Dehua | |
| 2010 | The Best Things in Life | Beethoven | |
| 2010 | Breakout | Cai Haoyu | |
| 2011 | C.L.I.F. | Xu Wenbin | |
| 2011 | A Song to Remember | Luo Xiaoxiao | |
| 2012 | Bluff (别搞怪！) | Mr Wang | |
| 2012 | The Enchanted | Du Jiahong | |
| 2012 | Poetic Justice | Tang Zhisheng | |
| 2013 | It's a Wonderful Life | Hao Fuqi | |
| 2013 | 96°C Café | Xu Liqiao | |
| 2013 | The Dream Makers | Gao Jian | |
| 2013 | The Journey: A Voyage | Hong Shi | |
| 2014 | Against The Tide | Zhou Jianfeng | |
| 2014 | The Journey: Tumultuous Times | Hong Shi | |
| 2014 | Point of Entry | Victor de Cruz | |
| 2014 | Spouse for House | Tan Kai Lan | |
| 2015 | Love on Air (音为爱) | Eason | TesTube Episode |
| 2015 | Second Chance (流氓律师) | Li Dashan | |
| 2015 | Spouse For House 2 | Tan Kai Lan | |
| 2015 | Mata Mata: A New Generation | Tommy Foo | |
| 2016 | Peace & Prosperity | Hong Yingxiong | |
| 2016 | The Truth Seekers | Hong Junyan | |
| 2016 | Hero | Himself | |
| 2017 | Dream Coder | Zheng Hongyi | |
| 2017 | When Duty Calls | Lu Junguang | |
| 2018 | Eat Already? 4 | Oliver | |
| 2018 | VIC | Wu Shenghao | |
| 2018 | Love at Cavenagh Bridge (加文纳桥的约定) | Fang Yiqun | |
| 2018 | Blue Tick (已读不回) | Mo Sidong | |
| 2018 | You Can Be An Angel 3 (你也可以是天使3) | Sunny Xia Yaoyang | |
| 2018 | Code of Law (Season 4) | Derek Ho Zhi Zhong | |
| 2019 | Hello From The Other Side – Its Time (阴错阳差 — 时辰到) | Gary | |
| 2019 | All Is Well – Singapore (你那边怎样，我这边OK) | Wu Pinrui | |
| 2019 | Derek – Code Of Law | Derek Ho Zhi Zhong | |
| 2020 | Who Is Killer? (谁是凶手？) | Liu Zhi Qiang | |
| 2020 | All Around You (回路网) | Huo Junhao | |
| 2020 | Code of Law (Final Season) | Derek Ho Zhi Zhong | |
| 2021 | CTRL | Zhou Zhiping | |
| 2021 | Key Witness (关键证人) | Chen Zhiming | |
| 2021 | The Take Down (肃战肃绝) | Zhou Haoyang | |
| 2022 | Home Again (多年后的全家福) | Ah Lang | |
| 2022 | I Want To Be A Towkay (亲家冤家做头家) | Himself | Cameo |
| 2022 | When Duty Calls 2 (卫国先锋2) | Lu Junguang | |
| 2023 | Strike Gold | Liu Guangming | |
| 2023 | All That Glitters | Lin Musen (Liu Mu) | |
| 2024 | Moments (时光倾城) | Zhan Hefeng | |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2010 | Love Cuts | Young customer | Special appearance |
| 2014 | 1400 | Rain | |
| 2018 | The Big Day | Xu Nuoyan | |

### Variety show hosting

| Year | Title |
| 2013 | My Star Guide 8 (我的导游是明星 8) |
| 2017 | My Star Guide 12 (我的导游是明星 12) |
| 2018 | Away with My BFF (老友出走记) |

## Discography
### Compilation albums

| Year | English title | Mandarin title |
| 2015 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 15 | 新传媒群星金羊添吉祥 |
| 2016 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 16 | 新传媒群星金猴添喜庆 |
| 2017 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 17 | 新传媒群星咕鸡咕鸡庆丰年 |
| 2018 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 18 | 新传媒群星阿狗狗过好年 |
| 2019 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 19 | 新传媒群星猪饱饱欢乐迎肥年 |
| 2020 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 20 | 裕鼠鼠纳福迎春了 |
| 2021 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 21 | 福满牛年Moo Moo乐 |
| 2023 | MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 23 | 新传媒2023贺岁传辑哈皮兔宝福星照 |

### Singles

| Year | Drama title | Song title |
| 2013 | — | 关怀方式 |
| 2017 | — | Merry Summer Christmas |
| 2017 | When Duty Calls | 关怀新方式 |
| 2018 | Blue Tick (以读不回) | 将爱延续 |
| 2018 | You Can Be An Angel 3 (你也可以是天使 3) | 大大的爱 |
| 2022 | Home Again (多年后的全家福) | 夜空的魔法 |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Ceremony | Award | Nominated work | Result |
| 2010 | Star Awards | Unforgettable Villain | Together (as Lin Dahua) | Nominated |
| 2012 | Star Awards | Rocket Award | A Song To Remember (as Luo Xiaoxiao) | Won |
| 2014 | Star Awards | Star Awards for Most Popular Regional Artiste (China) | — | Nominated |
| 2014 | Star Awards | Star Awards for Most Popular Regional Artiste (Indonesia) | — | Nominated |
| 2014 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2014 | Star Awards | Favourite Male Character | The Journey: A Voyage (as Hong Shi) | Nominated |
| 2015 | PPCTV Awards | Favourite Male Character (Cambodia) | The Journey: A Voyage (as Hong Shi) | Nominated |
| 2015 | PPCTV Awards | Favourite Lead Actor (Cambodia) | The Journey: A Voyage (as Hong Shi) | Nominated |
| 2015 | PPCTV Awards | Favourite Onscreen Couple (with Jeanette Aw) (Cambodia) | The Journey: A Voyage (as Hong Shi) | Won |
| 2015 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2015 | Star Awards | Star Awards for Most Popular Regional Artiste (Indonesia) | — | Nominated |
| 2016 | Star Awards | London Choco Roll Happiness Award | Second Chance (as Li Dashan) | Nominated |
| 2017 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2018 | Star Awards | Best Actor | When Duty Calls (as Loke Junguang) | Won |
| 2018 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2019 | Star Awards | Best Actor | You Can Be An Angel 3 (as Xia Yaoyang Sunny) | Nominated |
| 2019 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2021 | Star Awards | Best Actor | All is Well – Singapore (as Wu Pinrui) | Nominated |
| 2021 | Star Awards | Bioskin Most Charismatic Artiste Award | — | Nominated |
| 2021 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2022 | Star Awards | Best Actor | Key Witness (as Chen Zhiming) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Star Awards | The Male Show Stealer | Key Witness (as Chen Zhiming) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Star Awards | Bioskin Most Charismatic Artiste Award | — | Won |
| 2022 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2023 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2024 | Star Awards | Best Actor | All That Glitters (as Lin Musen) | Nominated |
| 2024 | Star Awards | The Show Stealer | All That Glitters (as Lin Musen) | Nominated |
| 2024 | Star Awards | Favourite CP (with Chantalle Ng) | All That Glitters | Won |
| 2024 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |