Christopher Lee (Malaysian actor) explained

Christopher Lee
Birth Date:1971 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Malacca, Malaysia
Years Active:1994 - present
Children:1
Awards:Full list
Module:
Child:yes
Hide:no
Headercolor:lightblue
Name1:Birth name
T:李銘順
S:李铭顺
Poj:Lí Bêng-sūn
J:Lei5 Ming4 Seon6
P:Lǐ Míngshùn
Also Known As:Former stage name
T2:李名順
S2:李名顺
P2:Lǐ Míngshùn

Christopher Lee Meng Soon (born 23 July 1971) is a Malaysian actor, host and businessman, known for starring in many Chinese-language television dramas and films in Singapore, Taiwan and mainland China. At the age of 26, Lee rose to prominence after winning the Star Awards for Best Actor for his role in The Price of Peace, becoming the youngest ever recipient of the award.[1]

A permanent resident of Singapore, Lee is widely regarded as an "Ah-Ge" (阿哥, "big brother") of Caldecott Hill for being one of the most successful actors in Singapore's Chinese-language entertainment industry.[2] He is the only Singapore-based actor to have won multiple Best Actor accolades at both Singapore's Star Awards and Taiwan's Golden Bell Awards.[3]

Early life

Lee studied up to Form 5 in Sekolah Menengah Seri Kota, Air Leleh, Malacca, Malaysia. He was an active student in school, serving as a prefect and representing his school in rugby competitions. He has an older sister and two younger brothers, the youngest being Frederick Lee Meng Chong, who is also an actor and model in Malaysia.[4]

Career

Lee joined TCS on a contract in 1995 after emerging as 1st runner-up in the male category of the Star Search programme in 1995. He worked as a factory worker, salesman and part-time model before joining star search in 1995. Lee first started acting in Chinese-language television dramas produced by Channel 8.

Rise to prominence

Lee rose to prominence after winning the Best Actor award at the Star Awards 1997 for his role as a hanjian in the television drama The Price of Peace, set in Japanese-occupied Singapore during World War II. He was voted in as one of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes that same year.

In 1998, he starred as Yang Guo in The Return of the Condor Heroes, an adaptation of Louis Cha's novel of the same title. The drama achieved high ratings in Taiwan, and Lee was voted in as Taiwan's Most Popular MediaCorp Male Artiste at the Star Awards 1998 for his performance.

Since then, Lee has acted in many television series jointly produced by Singapore and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, co-starring with actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan, such as Nadia Chan, Vincent Chiao, Jimmy Lin and Jordan Chan.

Apart from acting, Lee also recorded the theme songs of MediaCorp's television dramas. He released his first solo album in 1999 and another one in 2002.

Apart from acting, Lee has also ventured into hosting and has hosted several travel and food programmes. He was nominated for the Best Info-Ed Show Host award at the Star Awards 2012.

At the Star Awards 2013, Lee won his second Star Awards for Best Actor for his role in Show Hand.

Regional acclaim

For his role as a depressed workaholic in A Good Wife, Lee won his first Golden Bell Award for Best Leading Actor in a Television Series at the 2014 Golden Bell Awards, Taiwan's equivalent of the Emmy Awards.[5]

Lee would go on to win the Golden Bell Award for Best Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film at the 2021 Golden Bell Awards for his role as a construction worker obsessed with money in the HBO comedy Workers.

In 2022, Lee won the Golden Bell Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series in the iQiyi crime thriller Danger Zone.[6]

In 2023, Lee ended veteran host Quan Yi Fong's five-year winning streak when he won the Star Awards for Best Programme Host at the 2023 Star Awards.[7]

Ventures

On 9 November 2021, Lee launched a golf clothing brand, eponymously named LMS, the initials of his Chinese name in pinyin.[8]

Personal life

After an eight-year courtship, Lee married Fann Wong, his co-star in several television series, on 16 May 2009. The wedding ceremony was held at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, with many of Lee's colleagues from the entertainment industry attending their wedding. The couple have a son Zed, who was born on 9 August 2014.

Legal issues

On 8 October 2006, Lee was involved in a hit-and-run road accident. He had allegedly knocked down a motorcyclist due to suspected drunk driving, causing the motorcyclist and his pillion rider to suffer superficial injuries on their faces and legs. He failed the breathalyser test and was more than twice the legal limit.[9] He was arrested and released later on bail.

Despite the incident, Lee managed to win a position among the Top 10 Male Artistes in the Star Awards 2006. In his acceptance speech, Lee said in Mandarin that he had been feeling terrible over the incident during the previous two months, and that he would be responsible for what he did. Speaking to reporters later, he mentioned that he had been unable to sleep at times, adding that he was very grateful to his fans for their support.[10]

On 10 May 2007, Lee was fined S$4,500 and disqualified from driving for three years on charges of drunk driving and other traffic offences, as well as being sentenced to a prison term of four weeks after he admitted to drink driving, inconsiderate driving, failing to render aid to the injured motorcyclist and his injured pillion rider and removing his car from the scene without police permission.[9] Lee appealed against his jail sentence but withdrew his appeal later on 28 May. He began serving his sentence at Queenstown Remand Prison on the same day.[11] On 15 June, the prosecution succeeded in appealing against Lee's four-week jail sentence and the court decided to overturn an earlier sentence of a S$3,000 fine for his drunk driving offence. Lee was sentenced to an additional two weeks in prison, making his total prison term six weeks long.[12] On 21 June, the prosecution dropped the last of five charges against Lee for failing to stop after an accident, letting him off with a stern warning instead.[13] Lee was released on 25 June, after receiving a reduction in his prison sentence due to good behavior.[14]

Due to his conviction, Lee was dropped from playing the lead role in the 2007 Channel 8 television series Metamorphosis. He was replaced by actor Thomas Ong.[15]

On 12 July 2007, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) completed its review on Lee's case and decided to allow him to retain his Singapore Permanent Resident status. However, Lee will be under close observation and the ICA would revoke its decision if Lee violates the law again.[16] After the conviction, he made his comeback in the 2008 television drama Rhythm of Life.

Filmography

Television series

Year Title Role Notes Ref
1996Kungfu MasterLiu Nianrong
Of Cops and ManLiu Jiashun
Brave New WorldJiale
1997The Choice PartnerZheng Fangsheng
My Wife, Your Wife, Their WivesMai Jiawei
The Price of Peace Xie Guomin
The Guest People Zhang Chongzhi
1998The Return of the Condor Heroes Yang Guo
Myths and Legends of SingaporeZhu Heyi / Zhu Gutou
1999Coup de ScorpioXie Tingzhang
Riding the StormZhong Qingtang
2000Master Swordsman Lu Xiaofeng Ximen Chuixue
Looking for Stars Henry
2001Madam White Snake
Master Swordsman Lu Xiaofeng 2 Ximen Chuixue
The Hotel Shaun
2002Brotherhood He Ping
Palm of RulaiLu Xiaoyu
2003Moon FairyHouyi
True Heroes Chen Junhao
Always on My MindTang Xinyang
2004Timeless Gift Wang Jie
To Mum with LoveYang Yijie
2005A New Life Zhang Youfu
Fairy of the Chalice Cao Jing
The Dragon Heroes Yan Cheng
You Are the One Simon
2006The Lucky Stars Wu Fuqi
Rhapsody in Blue Lan Ziyuan
Through It AllGuo Yihai
The Peak Fang Hong'an
2007A Mobile Love StoryLin Lizhong
The Shaolin WarriorsQi Jiguang
2008Rhythm of Life Li Junjie
Beach.Ball.Babes (球爱大战) Ma Tianwu
2009My Buddy Zeng Youquan
2010Breakout Situ Dongcheng
2011Secrets for Sale Zheng Renyi
The Oath Wu Guo'en
2012Show HandZhang Qiming Won Best Actor at Star Awards 2013
Game Plan Zeng Haoren
2013A Good WifeLi ShaowenWon Best Leading Actor at Golden Bell Awards[17]
2014Against The Tide Di Shen
The Romance of the Condor Heroes Huang Yaoshi
Mr. Right Wanted Lun Zheming
2015CrescendoYang Yiwei
2016Nie XiaoqianYan Qi
Yan Chi Xia
2018Memories of LoveXin Kai Yu
DoppelgangerYang Liwei
Li Ruiming
2019My Girlfriend is an AlienFang Shida
After The Stars (攻星计)Le Jun
DiveMing Ke
2020WorkersLin Mingqi[18]
2021Danger ZoneTan ChonghuiWon Best Supporting Actor at Golden Bell Awards[19]
2023Port of LiesTong Baoju
2024Kill Sera Sera[20]
Q18 Professor Ko

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes Ref
1995Love Knows No BoundsHong JieTelevision film
2004The Best BetLee Yong Shun
2009The Wedding GameJack Fang
2010KidnapperAh Huat[21]
2012ForgottenLuo Pin-ChungTelevision film
Sweetheart Chocolate
2014Black and White Episode 2: The Dawn of Justice
Filial PartyPeh Ah Beng
When a Peking Family Meets AupairReporter
Who Is Undercover
2017The Fortune HandbookSoh Hock
All My GoddessGary
The Long GoodbyeLee Yu Cheng
Who Killed Cock Robin?
2019Wet SeasonAndrew
Fall in Love at First KissMr Jiang
If Thoughts Can Kill
2021The SoulWan Yufan
2023Workers The MovieLin Mingqi

Variety show hosting

-Year Title Notes Ref
2001Travel Hunt
2006Insiders' Australia
2008Life Transformers
2010Life Transformers 2
2011The Adventures of Chris
2019Star Search (season 11)Mentor
2022Dishing With Chris Lee

Music video appearances

YearArtisteSong titleNotes
2019JJ Lin"The Right Time"
2021Stefanie Sun"What Remains"

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Year Title Notes
1997 错爱今生 Theme song from The Choice Partner
和平的代价 Theme song from The Price of Peace
流浪之歌 Theme song from The Guest People
1998 一生太短暂 Insert song from The Return of the Condor Heroes
1999 逃避 Opening theme song from Coup de Scorpio
不告而别 Ending theme song from Coup de Scorpio
2000 Ending theme song from Master Swordsman Lu Xiaofeng
2002 平凡 Theme song from Brotherhood
爱,无国界
2003 英雄好汉 Opening theme song from True Heroes
每一天的思念 Insert song from True Heroes
在你左右 Ending theme song from True Heroes
2004 非一般烦恼 Theme song from To Mum with Love
2005 相信 Theme song from You Are the One
福禄寿 Theme song from My Lucky Stars; performed together with Fann Wong
万年红 Chinese New Year song - performed together with Fann Wong
2007 恭喜恭喜07 Chinese New Year song - performed together with Qi Yuwu, Ann Kok and Dawn Yeoh
2008 事如意08 Chinese New Year song
运气-阳光系列3
谈何容易

Compilation albums

Year English title Mandarin title
2007 Mediacorp Lunar New Year Album 07 群星贺岁金猪庆丰圆
2008 Mediacorp Lunar New Year Album Compilation 08 群星贺岁福牛迎瑞年
2012 MediaCorp Music Lunar New Year Album 12 新传媒群星金龙接财神

Awards and nominations

Year AwardCategory Nominated work Result Ref
1996 Star AwardsBest Newcomer
1997 Star AwardsThe Price of Peace
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
1998 Star AwardsBest ActorThe Return of the Condor Heroes
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
1999 Star AwardsBest ActorRiding The Storm
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2000 Star AwardsBest ActorCoup de Scorpio
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2001 Star AwardsBest ActorLooking for Stars
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2002Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2003 Star AwardsBest ActorTrue Heroes
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2004 Star AwardsBest ActorTimeless Gift
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2005 Star AwardsBest ActorA New Life
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2006Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2007Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2009 Star AwardsLife Transformers
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
2010Star AwardsAll-Time Favourite Artiste
2011 Star AwardsBreakout
Situ Dongcheng
Favourite Onscreen Partner (Variety)
Asian Television AwardsBest Actor in a Leading RoleBreakout
2012 Star AwardsBest ActorThe Oath
The Adventures of Chris
Favourite Male Character
Favourite Onscreen Couple (Drama)
Golden Bell AwardsBest Leading Actor in a Television SeriesForgotten
2013 Star AwardsShow Hand
Favourite Male Character
Favourite Onscreen Couple (Drama)
2014Star AwardsMost Popular Regional Artiste (China)
Most Popular Regional Artiste (Cambodia)
Golden Bell AwardsBest Leading Actor in a Television SeriesA Good Wife
2015 Star AwardsBest ActorAgainst The Tide
Most Popular Regional Artiste (China)
Asian Television AwardsBest Actor in a Leading RoleAgainst The Tide
2016 Star AwardsBest ActorCrescendo
Favourite Male Character
Asian Television AwardsBest Actor in a Leading RoleCrescendo
2017Golden Bell AwardsBest Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Television FilmThe Long Goodbye
2019 Star AwardsBest ActorDoppelganger
2021Golden Bell AwardsBest Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Television FilmWorkers
2022Golden Bell AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Television SeriesDanger Zone
2023 Dishing With Chris Lee

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 【红星大奖2023】25年来最年轻视帝出炉!许瑞奇首度入围就摘奖 . 8world Entertainment Lifestyle . 11 April 2023 . zh-SG . 12 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230412014555/https://entlife.8world.com/movies-shows/richie-koh-star-awards-2023-best-actor-2101216 . live .
  2. Web site: Christopher Lee: 12 Facts Everyone Should Know About Beloved Actor And Ah Ge. 15 September 2023. Her World. 15 September 2023.
  3. Web site: ASIA'S MOST INFLUENTIAL MY: Christopher Lee. 27 June 2022. Tatler. 27 June 2022.
  4. News: No, I'm not Christopher. AsiaOne. 23 December 2011. 19 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004232645/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20111221-317528.html. 4 October 2013. dead.
  5. Web site: Fann Wong Thanks Herself While Accepting Christopher Lee’s Star Awards 2023 Best Host Win. 9 April 2023. 8days. 9 April 2023.
  6. Web site: Malaysian-born Christopher Lee wins Best Supporting Actor at Taiwan's Golden Bell Awards for his role in 'Danger Zone'. 23 October 2022. The Star. 23 October 2022.
  7. Web site: Fann Wong Thanks Herself While Accepting Christopher Lee’s Star Awards 2023 Best Host Win. 9 April 2023. 8days. 9 April 2023.
  8. News: 9 November 2021. 金钟视帝也斜杠!李铭顺创高球服饰品牌"LMS". 8 World. 10 November 2021.
  9. Web site: Jail term for drunk actor in hit-and-run The Star. 2021-04-22. www.thestar.com.my.
  10. News: Lee. Sze Yong. A solemn teary-eyed Lee at Star Awards. 4. The Straits Times. 12 December 2006.
  11. Ansley Ng, "Christopher Lee begins jail term", Today, 29 May 2007
  12. News: TV actor Christopher Lee to spend more time in jail. 15 June 2007. Channel NewsAsia.
  13. Carolyn Quek, "Last of five charges against actor dropped", The Straits Times, 22 June 2007
  14. News: Actor Christopher Lee released from jail. 25 June 2007. Channel NewsAsia.
  15. News: 李铭顺新剧被换角 王沺裁成得益人. 19 May 2007. Lianhe Zaobao. dead. https://archive.today/20130210012607/http://www.zaobao.com/fk/fk070519_513_1.html. 10 February 2013.
  16. News: Actor Christopher Lee to retain permanent resident status. 12 July 2007. Channel NewsAsia.
  17. Web site: Chua . Charlene . 2014-10-27 . Best Actor Christopher Lee credits win to 'good luck' family brought him . 2022-10-26 . The New Paper . en.
  18. Web site: Christopher Lee wins second Golden Bell for HBO comedy Workers . 2022-10-26 . sg.style.yahoo.com . 4 October 2021 . en-SG.
  19. Web site: Christopher Lee wins Best Supporting Actor Golden Bell award for role in iQiyi's Danger Zone . 2022-10-26 . CNA Lifestyle . en.
  20. Web site: 宣萱、温升豪参演本地剧《谁杀了她》 和李铭顺、徐彬等飙戏 . 8world Entertainment Lifestyle . 5 April 2023 . zh-SG.
  21. Web site: 2010-03-21. Stefan Says So: Kidnapper. 2022-02-23. Sinema.SG. en-GB.