Drama tragically turned into reality when veteran actor Chen Hung-lieh collapsed during shooting of TVB soap drama Off Pedder and died in hospital from a suspected heart attack.The 66-year-old star was playing the part of a tycoon who survived a stroke in an episode of the long-running prime- time series a few weeks ago.
Chen suddenly felt pains in his chest and collapsed in the changing room at 4.25pm after filming at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O.
He was rushed in critical condition to Tseung Kwan O Hospital, where he died. Several stars who visited him in hospital were in tears.
TVB's external affairs division assistant controller Tsang Sing-ming expressed the station's sorrow over Chen's death and praised his professionalism. Chen's last appearance on stage was in TVB's Anniversary Special on November 19 in which he imitated Elvis Presley.
Chen, born in Shanghai, joined the actor training class at Shaw Brothers in 1962. He was famous as a villain in Shaw movies during the 1960s and 1970s.
He directed his first movie in 1974, and quit the industry in the 1980s to run a garment business. He returned to TVB in 1995 and left a year later, but returned to acting again in 2003.
He was named best supporting actor in the 2004 TV Awards Presentation.
