# Huang Wenyong

Huang Wenyong (25 July 1952 – 20 April 2013) was a Malaysia-born Singaporean actor, host and teacher.
Huang died at the Singapore General Hospital at around 5 pm (GMT+8) on 20 April 2013, at the age of 60 due to lymphoma.

## Early life and career

Huang was a teacher in Kuala Lumpur before leaving for Singapore. Huang moved to Singapore in the 1970s, with only fifty dollars in hand. He joined the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation in 1981. He is perhaps best known for his appearances in The Awakening, in which he played love interest to Xiang Yun's character, and The Seletar Robbery in 1982. Huang is also known for starring alongside Chew Chor Meng in the long-running popular series Don't Worry, Be Happy (1996–2002) and its spin-off Lobang King as the stingy uncle Leon Ong Kim Lye to Chew's character Ah Bee. Huang was nominated for and named one of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes every single year in the annual Star Awards since its introduction in 1994, until his death in 2013. In total, Huang starred in more than a hundred Chinese-language television programmes. In addition to acting, Huang sang pieces for a few television sitcoms and also released two albums. He was an ambassador for anti-ageing product company Zell-V. He was an actor for MediaCorp from the late 1970s until his death. Appearing in more than 100 television programmes, he was among the first few batches of locally trained actors to enter the local entertainment industry was and considered to be one of the "pioneers in local Chinese drama".

## Personal life

Huang gained Singapore citizenship in October 2008 after residing in the country for 27 years. Huang was married with two children: a son and a daughter. He was a "lifelong devotee" of Buddhism.

### Health

There was public concern after Huang appeared visibly haggard during MediaCorp Channel 8's 30th Drama Anniversary Show. He clarified that he had been suffering from stomach flu, said to have been contracted in September 2012. During which, he was estimated to have lost 6–7 kilograms in weight. Huang would also experience intervals of severe fever. In November 2012, Huang was diagnosed with lymphoma and had to go for chemotherapy. His condition was not disclosed to the general public until his death, because Huang "wanted to go through this by himself". His medical condition had been kept a secret; only very few knew what actually ailed him.

## Death

Huang died at the Singapore General Hospital at around 5 pm (GMT+8) on 20 April 2013, aged 60. The cause of his death was lymphoma. Huang was previously subject to a death hoax earlier in the month, which claimed that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Huang's death sparked an "outpouring of grief" from both colleagues and fans alike. Thirty seconds of silence were observed and a special tribute segment aired before the start of the Star Awards ceremony held the evening after his death.

### Funeral

His funeral wake was held a day after his death on 21 April 2013 at the Teochew Funeral Parlour, lasting for five days. Xiang Yun and Chen Shucheng delivered eulogies, as did a few others. Funeral attendees were measured by the hundreds. To allow their staff to attend the procession, Channel 8 temporarily postponed or rescheduled their production activities. He was cremated at the Bright Hill Crematorium and Columbarium in Sin Ming.

## Legacy

In recognition of his contributions to the television industry in Singapore, Huang was posthumously awarded the "Honorary TV Award" on 28 April 2013, at the Star Awards 2013. To commemorate his death, a television special titled Remembering Huang Wenyong was aired on 29 April 2013, and reruns of his television appearances were available on television and online platforms.
In October 2014, the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum unveiled a wax figure of Huang.

## Filmography
### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1981 | Sunset (落日余晖) | — | |
| 1981 | When Will I See You Again (又见黄花) | — | |
| 1981 | Spring Is Always Green (悲欢年华) | Gu Zhonghan | |
| 1982 | Seletar Robbery | Xiao Chen | |
| 1982 | The Diamond Chase (圣淘沙之旅) | Tang Yongda | |
| 1983 | Army Series (新兵小传) | Guo Zhenghao | |
| 1983 | All That Glitters is Not Gold (捷径) | — | |
| 1983 | CID '83 (狮城勇探) | ASP Huang Zhihui | |
| 1984 | Ah Tu (阿突) | — | |
| 1984 | The Awakening | He Ahshui | |
| 1984 | In the Wilderness (荒原) | Fang Xiang | |
| 1984 | The Awakening II | Yang Bingwen | |
| 1984 | Pursuit (怒海萍踪) | Guang Xu | |
| 1985 | Son of Pulau Tekong | Wen Chaoqiang | |
| 1985 | Home is Where Love is (吾爱吾家) | Luo Wenhao | |
| 1986 | The Happy Trio (青春123) | Huang Shaowei | |
| 1986 | Samsui Women | Su Ahzhi | |
| 1986 | Under One Roof (家和万事兴) | Guo Yiji | |
| 1986 | The Bond (天涯同命鸟) | Zhou Guichu | |
| 1987 | Five Foot Way (五脚基) | Liu Qihua | |
| 1987 | Moving On (变迁) | Zhuang Rongfa | |
| 1987 | Strange Encounters (奇缘 之《钟馗捉鬼》) | Zhong Kui | |
| 1988 | Heiress (世纪情) | Zhou Yushu | |
| 1988 | Airforce | Kuang Guozhong | |
| 1988 | The Last Applause (舞榭歌台) | Jiang Tianran | |
| 1988 | Mystery (迷离夜之"戒") | Ding Minchang | |
| 1988 | My Fair Ladies (窈窕淑女) | Zhao Yongsheng | |
| 1988 | Strange Encounters II (缘II 之《钟馗再捉鬼》) | Zhong Kui | |
| 1989 | Magic of Dance (鼓舞青春) | — | |
| 1989 | Return of the Prince (丝路迷城) | Hua Shijin | |
| 1990 | Friends Next Door (我爱芳邻) | Tang Dawen | |
| 1990 | Marry Me (最佳配偶) | Liu Rixin | |
| 1991 | The Working Class (上班一族) | — | |
| 1991 | Guardian Angel (爸爸怕怕) | Tao Zuimu | |
| 1992 | Women of Substance (悲欢岁月) | Hou Guoliang | |
| 1992 | Memories of June (六月的童话) | Zhang Zhonghua | |
| 1992 | Crazy Chase (富贵也疯狂) | Zhao Yiben | |
| 1992 | Love is in the Air (爱在女儿乡) | Mai Dacheng | |
| 1993 | Heavenly Beings (再战封神榜) | Lü Dongbin | |
| 1993 | Angel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花) | Zhang Dafu | |
| 1993 | Happy Foes (欢喜冤家) | Zhang Tianshi | |
| 1993 | Ninjas in Town (伏魔奇兵) | Xiao Peng | |
| 1993 | Happy Reunion (年年有鱼) | Zhu Ruogang | |
| 1994 | Thunder Plot | Sir Ou | |
| 1994 | The Challenger (勇者无惧) | Dong Qilong | |
| 1994 | Fiery Lover (烈火情人) | Shi Zhongping | |
| 1994 | Silk of Love (情丝万缕) | Fan Liren | |
| 1995 | The Ranger (铁血雄心) | Army officer | |
| 1995 | Home at 168 (大牌168) | Zhuo Tieshu | |
| 1995 | Strange Encounters III (奇缘III 之《灶神》) | Emperor | |
| 1995 | Strange Encounters III (奇缘III 之《门神》) | Tang Taizong | |
| 1995 | The Last Rhythm (曲终魂断) | Chen Zhiyuan | |
| 1995 | The Golden Pillow (金枕头) | Chen Haowen | |
| 1996 | Ah Xue (阿雪) | Lin Shugen | |
| 1996 | Triumph Over The Green (爱拼球会赢) | Himself | |
| 1996 | Diary of a Teacher (老师日记) | Wu Chuangxin | |
| 1996 | 3-in-1 Love (爱情三合一) | Wang Yong | |
| 1996-2002 | Don't Worry, Be Happy (敢敢做个开心人) | Ong Kim Lye | |
| 1997 | My Family, My Love (高家万岁) | Gao Zhian | |
| 1997 | Hope (人间有梦) | A-qin | |
| 1997 | A Place to Call Home (薯条汉堡青春豆) | Liu Weizhong | |
| 1997 | From the Medical Files (医生档案) | Chen Junlin | |
| 1998 | Men on Crossroads (四个好涩的男人) | Wang Zhiwei | |
| 1998 | Dreams - Little Santa (七个梦 之《圣诞小人》) | Wang De | |
| 1998 | Around People's Park (珍珠街坊) | Wang Xi | |
| 1999 | God of Fortune (财神爷) | Zhao Gongming | |
| 1999 | My Grandpa (公公,你的名字好难叫) | Fang Dapeng | |
| 2000 | The Tax Files (流金税月) | Lin Zhilun | |
| 2000 | The Legendary Swordsman | Lin Zhennan | |
| 2001 | Three Women and A Half | Zhang Yongxing | |
| 2001 | The Hotel | Mr Goh | |
| 2001 | The Reunion | Steven Choo | |
| 2002 | Health Matters (一切由慎开始 之《孕妇杀手》) | A-yuan | |
| 2002 | Fantasy (星梦情真) | Yang Xiong | |
| 2002 | Springs of Life | Su Hua | |
| 2003 | Lobang King | Ong Kim Lye | |
| 2003 | True Heroes | Wang Jiancheng | |
| 2003 | Holland V | Lin Jingcai | |
| 2003 | Always on My Mind (无炎的爱) | Liu Zhengyu | |
| 2004 | I Love My Home (我爱我家) | Xu Chuanjia | |
| 2004 | These Ties That Bind (家财万贯) | Xiong Weihong | |
| 2004 | My Mighty-in-Laws | Fang Chunqiu | |
| 2005 | Destiny | Shen Congye | |
| 2005 | A Promise for Tomorrow | Fang Zhen | |
| 2006 | Women of Times | Andrew Jia Zengmu | |
| 2006 | Measure of Man | Cai Lianwei | |
| 2007 | The Peak | Tie Tou | |
| 2007 | Happily Ever After | Yu Di | |
| 2007 | Honour and Passion | Bao Pengju | |
| 2007 | The Golden Path | Lin Desheng | |
| 2008 | Just in Singapore | Lin Bang (Francis) | |
| 2008 | Crime Busters x 2 | Xia Mingda | |
| 2008 | Love Blossoms | Yu Dongcheng | |
| 2008 | Love Blossoms II | Yu Dongcheng | |
| 2009 | My A-Go-Go Princess (穿越阿哥哥) | Landlord | |
| 2009 | Your Hand in Mine | Zheng Shanguo | |
| 2010 | The Score | Luo Zhigang | |
| 2011 | A Tale of 2 Cities | Pan Jiaxiang | |
| 2011 | Devotion | Xu Zhongzheng | |
| 2011 | Love Thy Neighbour | Dai Guozhong | |
| 2012 | Rescue 995 | Ke Dashan | |
| 2012 | Blk 88 | Sim Beng Huat | Voice-over |
| 2012 | Joys of Life | Han Jianren | |
| 2013 | It's a Wonderful Life | Li Yunshun | |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | 2000 AD | | Cameo |
| 2001 | My Valentine (二月十四) | | |
| 2003 | Homerun | Chew Kiat Kun's father | |
| 2011 | It's a Great, Great World | Peter | |

### Variety show

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1995 | Those Were The Days (旧情绵绵) | Host with Zeng Xiaoying and later Huang Yuling |
| 1998 | Bon Appetite (食指大动) | |
| 2003 | Be My Guest (客人来) | |
| 2004 | Durian Delights (你吃我吃它刺刺刺) | |
| 2004 | Star of All Trades (行行出艺人) | |
| 2006-2009 | Living Golden Age (黄金年华) | |
| 2010 | Shop & Save | |
| 2012 | 30 Years of Drama - Theme Song Concert (戏剧情牵30 - 我们的主题曲 演唱会) | Huang Wenyong, Chen Shucheng and Xiang Yun were presented the night's prestigious "Television Guru" award. |
| 2012 | Silver Carnival Series 1 (银色嘉年华) | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1995 | Star Awards | Best Actor | Homes in 168 | Nominated |
| 1997 | Star Awards | Special Achievement Award | — | Won |
| 1997 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 1998 | Star Awards | Best Comedy Performer | Don't Worry Be Happy | Nominated |
| 1998 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 1999 | Star Awards | Best Comedy Performer | Don't Worry Be Happy | Nominated |
| 1999 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2000 | Star Awards | Best Comedy Performer | Don't Worry Be Happy | Won |
| 2000 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2001 | Star Awards | Best Actor | Three Women and A Half (as Zhang Yongxing) | Nominated |
| 2001 | Star Awards | Best Comedy Performer | Don't Worry Be Happy | Nominated |
| 2001 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2002 | Star Awards | Best Comedy Performer | Don't Worry Be Happy | Nominated |
| 2002 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2003 | Star Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Holland V (as Lin Jingcai) | Nominated |
| 2003 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2004 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2005 | Star Awards | Best Actor | Destiny (as Shen Congye) | Nominated |
| 2005 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2006 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2007 | Star Awards | Evergreen Veteran | — | Won |
| 2007 | Star Awards | 1980s Era Screen Heartthrob | — | Won |
| 2007 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2009 | Star Awards | Best Actor | Just in Singapore (as Lin Bang Francis) | Nominated |
| 2009 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2010 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2011 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |
| 2012 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Nominated |
| 2013 | Star Awards | Honorary TV Award (Posthumous) | — | Won |
| 2013 | Star Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Joys of Life (as Han Jianren) | Nominated |
| 2013 | Star Awards | Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes | — | Won |