TVB announced some sad news on Facebook. Today (2nd March) marks the passing of TVB artiste Samantha Chuk Man Kwan (祝文君). She had apparently passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by family.
According to reports, the 55-year-old actress had passed from lung cancer. She had kept her illness a secret from her friends. As such, the news came as a surprise to many, especially her friends in the industry.
Samantha is best known for her work as a host and as an actress. She started working as a bank clerk first, before participating in the Shaw Brothers acting course in 1983. She later came to TVB by joining their acting class and later signed on with them in 1990.
Initially, she focused on hosting variety programmes, and gained recognition via shows like “Focus on Focus (城市追击)” and “Good Morning Hong Kong (香港早晨)”. Samantha also started acting in dramas such as “Healing Hands II (妙手仁心II)”, “The Ringmaster (拳王)” and “Heart of Greed (溏心風暴)”. Her most memorable appearance was in Stephen Chow’s movie “God of Cookery (食神)” where she acted as a reporter.
Samantha reportedly had been ill for two years. She did not want others to know she had cancer, although the effects were prominent. In fact, some friends pointed out she had lost weight when they saw her last year in November. Samantha had supposedly told them she was trying to lose weight.
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Her illness didn’t stop her from working. Samantha kept up her acting career and participated in nine dramas last year, such as “Take Two (换命真相)” and “Kids’ Lives Matter (星空下的仁医)”. Additionally, she will be appearing in two other dramas “(Fell in love with you as a child) (童时爱上你)” and “Your Royal Highness (痞子殿下)” which has yet to be released. These will be her final works, made before her passing.
Fellow host-actor English Tang mourned her passing, saying she had been a cheerful person with strong leadership skills. “She will forever be our honorary chairman (of the Artiste Training Alumni Association),” she said.
Our hearts go out to Samantha’s family. May they find peace in her passing.
Sources: China Press, Xuan, AsiaOne, Facebook (1)(2)
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