The death of Kenneth Tsang Kong (曾江) sent shock waves throughout the entertainment industry and beyond. Many couldn’t believe that the 87-year-old veteran actor had passed away while undergoing quarantine alone in Kowloon Hotel. He had just flown in from Singapore.
According to sources, a hotel staff had found the Hong Kong star unconscious. Unfortunately, Kenneth was pronounced dead at the scene when the police and paramedics arrived. Although the cause of death was not determined, it is understood that his Covid rapid test came back negative.
In speaking to Ming Po Weekly, ex-wife Barbara Tang (鄧拱璧) revealed that he had called their daughter – Musette Tsang Mo-suet (曾慕雪) – and complained about chest pains. Musette’s husband had then arranged for food and medicine to be delivered to his room. However, reports weren’t sure if it arrived on time.
Among the many who are devastated by the passing of Kenneth is Kong Heng Baling Restaurant operator Liu Ai Yu. In fact, she had only just welcomed him to her famous restaurant in Baling, Kedah less than 2 weeks ago (16th April – to be precise). Besides Kedah, it is also understood that Kenneth had visited Kluang, Johor during his Malaysian trip.
Kenneth must’ve heard the good reviews and recommendations when he decided to drop by Kong Heng Restaurant to try its charcoal-grilled pipa duck. “It was 3pm. Although the lunch hour was over, there were still some patrons at the restaurant. I did not expect him to be here although I read in the newspaper that he is now in Malaysia,” Liu Ai Yu recalled.
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In addition to the pipa duck, the Hong Kong actor and his team also ordered fish head curry and bean sprouts with salted fish. “Kenneth said he liked the local curry. They also bought our pipa duck sauce before leaving the restaurant. He is very friendly and humorous. He even chatted with my son and asked about local pipa duck. He also shared how to make Peking duck in Hong Kong. I never thought I would meet Tsang in person. I have watched his shows since I was young,” she added.
It’s no surprise that Kenneth has a soft spot for Malaysia since his first wife was a Malaysian circus troupe member, Lan Di (藍娣). She currently lives in Canada with their son. The actor remarried again in 1980, to Barbara Tang. Their union lasted a decade before he tied the knot with his 3rd wife Taiwanese actress, Chiao Chiao (焦姣), in 1994.
With over 100 movies and TV shows under his belt, you may remember watching Kenneth Tsang Kong in a slew of Hollywood films such as “The Replacement Killers” (with Chow Yun Fat), “Anna and the King”, “Rush Hour 2” (with Jackie Chan), “Memoirs of a Geisha”, and “007: Die Another Day”.
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