Godfrey Gao Explained

Godfrey Gao
Native Name Lang:zh
Birth Name:Tsao Chih-hsiang (Chinese: 曹志翔)
Birth Date:1984 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Taipei, Taiwan
Other Names:Godfrey Tsao
Gao Yixiang
Kao Yi-hsiang
Death Place:Ningbo, China
Death Cause:Cardiac arrest
Resting Place:Chin Pao San, Jinshan District, New Taipei City
Alma Mater:Capilano University
Height:1.930NaN0[1]
Years Active:2004–2019
Module:
Child:yes
P:Gāo Yǐxiáng
Poj:Ko Í-siông
Also Known As:Birth name
P2:Cáo Zhìxiáng
W2:Tsʻao2 Chih4-hsiang2
Poj2:Chô Chì-siông

Godfrey Gao (; 22 September 1984 – 27 November 2019) was a Taiwanese-Canadian model and actor. Described as Asia's first male supermodel,[2] [3] Gao was the first male Asian model to appear in a campaign for Louis Vuitton. As an actor, he was known for his roles as Magnus Bane in the 2013 film adaptation of , and for his leading role in the Chinese television series Remembering Lichuan (Chinese: 遇見王瀝川).

Early life

Gao was born Tsao Chih-hsiang in Taipei on 22 September 1984.[4] [5] [6] Gao's father is a Taiwanese of Shanghainese descent,[7] and worked as a general manager at Michelin Taiwan; his mother is a Malaysian of Peranakan Chinese descent from George Town who won the Miss Penang beauty pageant in 1970.[8] The youngest of three boys, Gao was moved with his brothers to North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where his parents raised their boys during his childhood. He attended Queensbury Elementary School and Argyle Secondary School,[9] and later studied at Capilano University where the 6'4" (1.93m) Gao played basketball for the school's team.

Career

Gao returned to Taiwan to work as a model in 2004, and was managed by JetStar Entertainment.[10] [11] Gao and fellow male models Sphinx Ting, Victor Chen, and Lan Chun-tien were collectively nicknamed the "Fashion 4" (F4), and jointly released a book in 2009.[12] In 2011, he became the first Asian model for the fashion brand Louis Vuitton.

Gao began appearing in minor roles in Chinese television dramas in 2006, and had his first starring role in the 2010 television drama Volleyball Lover.[12] In 2013, he made his American film debut as Magnus Bane in the film adaption of .[13] His starring role in the 2016 drama Remembering Lichuan (alongside Jiao Junyan, and others) was widely acclaimed, and earned him the nickname of the "nation's husband" in Chinese media.[12] Gao's other notable credits include the 2015 film Wedding Bible alongside Korean actress Yoo In-na,[14] and the 2017 romantic comedy film Love is a Broadway Hit, alongside Wang Likun, Wang Chuanjun, Yuan Li and Naren Weiss.[15]

Death

On 27 November 2019 at about 1:45 am China Standard Time, Gao collapsed in Ningbo while filming Chase Me, a sports reality television series broadcast on Zhejiang Television.[16] He was taken to a hospital, where after attempts at resuscitation for nearly three hours, he was pronounced dead.[17] [18] Gao's death was confirmed in a statement on the social media site Sina Weibo by his agency JetStar Entertainment.[19] [20]

The producers of Chase Me said in a statement that Gao died from cardiac arrest.[21] [22] [23] Gao's death prompted increased scrutiny of the series, which involves contestants competing in physically strenuous challenges late at night,[24] and of the safety standards of Chinese reality television productions more broadly.[25] Gao had reportedly been filming for 17 hours at the time of his collapse;[26] actor and director Xu Zheng stated that the series' producers "must be held responsible" for what he claimed were poor health and safety conditions.[27] In a statement on Sina Weibo, Zhejiang Television stated that they were "deeply regretful and sorry for the irreparable and serious consequences that this incident has caused, and are willing to take up responsibility."[28]

Gao's body was moved to a funeral home in Ningbo on 28 November 2019,[29] [30] [31] and returned to Taiwan on 2 December 2019.[32] [33] Gao's funeral, a Buddhist ceremony per the request of Gao's mother,[34] was held in Taiwan on 15 December 2019.[35] [36] [37] His remains are interred at Chin Pao San.[38]

Filmography

Film

TitleYearRoleNotes
All About Women2008X[39]
Toy Story 32010KenMandarin version, Voice [40]
101 Proposals2013Xu ZhuoMain Role[41]
2013Magnus BaneSupporting Role[42]
Wedding Bible2015ChikaiMain Role[43]
Min & Max2016Zhang XiaoMain Role[44]
My Other Home2017Yang Xi YaSupporting Role[45]
Love is a Broadway Hit2017Song Wei DongMain Role
The Jade Pendant2017TomMain Role[46]
Legend of the Ancient Sword2018Xia YizeMain Role[47]
Shanghai Fortress2019Yang JiannanSupporting Role[48]
Lost in Russia2020MichaelCameo

Television series

TitleYearRoleNotes
The Kid from Heaven2006Luo YixiangSecond Lead
Chao Ji Pai Tang Super2006Big MacCameo
Love Queen2006Wang Zhixun Second Lead[49]
The Magicians of Love2006Xiao Ling's boyfriendCameo
I Want To Become A Hard Persimmon2007Luo Xin Hu/TigerSupporting Role[50]
Bull Fighting2007TankSupporting Role[51]
Momo Love2009Chen HeSupporting Role[52]
Volleyball Lover2010Bai Qian RuiMain Role[53]
Odd Perfect Match2010Ying Kai TaiMain Role
The Queen of SOP2012Gao Zi QiMain Role (Doesn't appear in ep. 16, 18–23 & 29)
Hello Gorgeous2013Li ZhenMain Role[54]
Never Give Up Dodo2013Xiu FeiMain Role[55]
Only If I Love You2014Yan JunSpecial Guest Ep. 1, 4, 5, 10–12 & 20
God of War, Zhao Yun2015Lü BuSupporting Role Ep. 1, 2, 4, 7–11, 16, 19, 25, 30, 31 & 36[56]
Remembering Lichuan2016Wang LichuanMain Role[57]
The Gravity of a Rainbow2019Ji HuangMain Role[58]
We Are All Alone2020 Mo BeiMain Role[59]
2020 Mo BeiMain Role

Awards

|-| 2017| The Jade Pendant | Most Popular Actor| Golden Angel Awards| || [60] |-

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Godfrey Gao Height.
  2. Web site: Fox . Imogen . The world's first Asian male supermodel . . 28 November 2019 . 19 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403085338/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/19/asian-male-supermodel-godfrey-gao . 3 April 2015 . live .
  3. Web site: Coonan . Clifford . Model citizen: Meet Godfrey Gao, Asia's first male supermodel . . 28 November 2019 . 25 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180220141711/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/model-citizen-meet-godfrey-gao-asiarsquos-first-male-supermodel-2301066.html . 20 February 2018 . live .
  4. Web site: Interview With Godfrey Gao. Louis Vuitton Model From Vancouver. Kwon. Crystal. 13 April 2011. Vancitybuzz.com. 12 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20161028000615/http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2011/04/godfrey-gao-vancouvers-louis-vuitton-model/. 28 October 2016. dead.
  5. Web site: Model-Actor Godfrey Gao Dies on Game Show Set. Ap. Tiffany. 27 November 2019. WWD. en-CA. 27 November 2019.
  6. Web site: Canadian model the new face of Louis Vuitton | Toronto Star . Thestar.com . 21 January 2011 . 12 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150302020331/http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2011/01/21/canadian_model_the_new_face_of_louis_vuitton.html . 2 March 2015 . live .
  7. Web site: Godfrey Gao no mere mortal The Star. 2020-07-12. www.thestar.com.my.
  8. Web site: zh-tw . zh:高以翔逝世享年35歲 中國錄影昏倒搶救無效 . https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201911270023.aspx . . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127104905/https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/201911270023.aspx . 27 November 2019 . live .
  9. Web site: Li . Wanyee . 'He was one of us': Actor Godfrey Gao mourned by Vancouver's Asian acting community where he blazed a trail . . 28 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  10. Web site: Male model bonded with mother over facials . News.asiaone.com . 5 July 2012 . 12 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402161712/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20120703-356916.html . 2 April 2015 . dead .
  11. Web site: The world's first Asian male supermodel | Fashion . Guardian.co.uk . 17 February 2015 . 12 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150403085338/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jan/19/asian-male-supermodel-godfrey-gao . 3 April 2015 . live .
  12. Web site: Lee . Jan . Godfrey Gao dies while filming: A look back on his rise to fame from Fashion F4 to 'nation's husband' . . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  13. Web site: Godfrey Gao no mere mortal – Features | The Star Online. Thestar.com.my. 12 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20141021104941/http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2012/07/30/Godfrey-Gao-no-mere-mortal/. 21 October 2014. live.
  14. Web site: Yoo In Na Cast as Lead Actress in Chinese Movie 'Wedding Bible' . Mwave.interest.me . 19 March 2014 . 12 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140322131257/http://mwave.interest.me/enewsworld/en/article/61375/yooinna-to-star-in-chinese-movie . 22 March 2014 . dead .
  15. Web site: Backstage . n.d. . 31 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170101002014/https://www.backstage.com/casting/love-is-a-broadway-hit-dance-call-132094/ . 1 January 2017 . live .
  16. News: http://ent.163.com/19/1127/11/EV04IGMO00039867.html . zh:35岁高以翔录节目猝死,这不是浙江台第1次出事了!. 网易娱乐. 27 November 2019. 27 November 2019. zh.
  17. News: http://ent.sina.com.cn/tv/zy/2019-11-27/doc-iihnzahi3648129.shtml . zh:浙江新闻:高以翔在宁波录制节目时不幸突逝. 应磊. 27 November 2019. 27 November 2019. 王波. zh. Sina Entertainment.
  18. Web site: Godfrey Gao, Taiwanese-Canadian actor, dies suddenly on set at 35. Global News. 27 November 2019.
  19. Web site: Lee . Jan . Model-actor Godfrey Gao, 35, has died after collapsing while filming a variety show . . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  20. Web site: Ap . Tiffany . Model-Actor Godfrey Gao Passes Away Age 35 . WWD . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  21. News: https://ent.qq.com/a/20191127/005674.htm . zh:浙江卫视《追我吧》确认35岁高以翔去世原因:心源性猝死. 27 November 2019. 27 November 2019. zh.
  22. Web site: Taiwanese-Canadian model dies from heart atta.... Taiwan News. 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  23. Web site: Taiwanese-Canadian actor Godfrey Gao dies after collapsing while shooting reality show in China. 27 November 2019 . South China Morning Post. 27 November 2019.
  24. Web site: Brzeski . Patrick . Taiwanese Model-Actor Godfrey Gao Dies After Collapsing During Reality TV Shoot in China . . 28 November 2019 . 26 November 2019.
  25. Web site: Pinghui . Zhuang . Godfrey Gao death highlights dark side of China's reality TV craze . . 1 December 2019 . 30 November 2019.
  26. Web site: zh-my . zh:高以翔猝死 生前连续工作17小时 . https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/news/entertainment/2019/11/27/316412 . . 28 November 2019 . 27 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191128025408/https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/news/entertainment/2019/11/27/316412 . 28 November 2019 . live .
  27. Web site: Hernández . Javier . Godfrey Gao, 'Mortal Instruments' Actor, Dies While Filming TV Show . . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127132858/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/world/asia/Godfrey-Gao-dies-reality-television.html . 27 November 2019 . live .
  28. Web site: Zhejiang Television statement . . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  29. Web site: Brown . Scott . Vancouver-raised model and Asian film star Godfrey Gao dead at 35: Reports . . 27 November 2019 . 26 November 2019 . 27 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191127183725/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouver-raised-model-and-asian-film-star-godfrey-gao-dead-at-35-reports . dead .
  30. News: https://ent.sina.com.cn/tv/zy/2019-11-28/doc-iihnzahi3837050.shtml . zh:高以翔遗体已移送到殡仪馆 拟火化后再运返台湾. Sina Entertainment. 28 November 2019. 28 November 2019. zh.
  31. News: https://ent.sina.com.cn/tv/zy/2019-11-28/doc-iihnzhfz2176305.shtml . zh:高以翔水晶棺永眠!父母请法师诵经 安慰工作人员. Sina Entertainment. 28 November 2019. 28 November 2019. zh.
  32. Web site: Actor-model Godfrey Gao's body to leave for Taiwan after embalming in Hangzhou. hermesauto. 29 November 2019. The Straits Times.
  33. Web site: Actor-model Godfrey Gao's body to leave for Taiwan after embalming in Hangzhou. 1 December 2019. AsiaOne.
  34. Web site: Hsia . Heidi . Godfrey Gao's family to bring his body home to Taiwan . Yahoo News . 4 December 2019 . 29 November 2019.
  35. Web site: Goodbye, Godfrey Gao: Actor's cremation attended mainly by family . CNA . 15 December 2019 . 15 December 2019.
  36. Web site: Funeral of Taiwanese-Canadian model actor Godfrey Gao to be held on December 15. Looi. Sylvia. Malay Mail. 3 December 2019 .
  37. Web site: Yan . Lim Ruey . Actor-model Godfrey Gao's body sent back to Taiwan; funeral to be held on Dec 15 . . 3 December 2019 . 2 December 2019.
  38. News: Wu . Jui-chi . Chai . Ssu-chia . Huang . Frances . Body of actor Godfrey Gao returned to Taiwan . 3 December 2019 . Central News Agency . 2 December 2019. Republished as: News: Godfrey Gao's body returned to Taiwan . 3 December 2019 . Taipei Times . 3 December 2019.
  39. Web site: 'Game of Thrones,' 'Mad Men' Actors Join 'Mortal Instruments' . Hollywoodreporter.com . 19 July 2012 . 12 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120722232703/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/game-thrones-mad-men-mortal-instruments-351976 . 22 July 2012 . live .
  40. Web site: Chan . Kenneth . Vancouver-raised supermodel and actor Godfrey Gao dead at 35 . DH News . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  41. Web site: Godfrey Gao Interview Part 2: Film Career . Asians On Film . 27 November 2019 . 31 August 2016.
  42. Web site: Shackleton . Liz . Godfrey Gao joins cast of Mortal Instruments | News | Screen . Screendaily.com . 20 July 2012 . 12 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141342/http://www.screendaily.com/news/asia-pacific/godfrey-gao-joins-cast-of-mortal-instruments/5044575.article?blocktitle=Latest-news&contentID=1846 . 2 April 2015 . live .
  43. Web site: Yoo In Na confirmed to star in Chinese film 'Wedding Bible' . All K-Pop . 27 November 2019 . 19 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180111093258/https://www.allkpop.com/article/2014/03/yoo-in-na-confirmed-to-star-in-chinese-film-wedding-bible . 11 January 2018 . live .
  44. Web site: https://movie.douban.com/subject/26696875/ . zh:最萌身高差 (2016). 28 November 2016. movie.douban.com. douban.com. zh. https://web.archive.org/web/20161123132704/https://movie.douban.com/subject/26696875/. 23 November 2016. live.
  45. Web site: McNary . Dave . Stephon Marbury's China-Set Basketball Movie Draws SK Global Backing . Variety . 27 November 2019 . 20 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190924125315/https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/stephon-marbury-nba-china-movie-sk-global-1201799206/ . 24 September 2019 . live .
  46. Web site: Frater . Patrick . Cannes: China's 'Jade Pendant' Set for North American Release (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . 27 November 2019 . 18 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180821191912/https://variety.com/2017/film/asia/china-jade-pendant-bought-for-north-america-1202432774/ . 21 August 2018 . live .
  47. Web site: "Legend of the Ancient Sword" Drops First Look of Chilam Cheung in New Trailer . Jayne Stars . 27 November 2019 . 30 August 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190913002255/https://www.jaynestars.com/news/legend-of-the-ancient-sword-drops-first-look-of-chilam-cheung-in-new-trailer/ . 13 September 2019 . live .
  48. Web site: Fatt . Loh Keng . Don't blame singer Lu Han for Shanghai Fortress' box-office flop, angry fans tell director . The Straits Times . 27 November 2019 . 23 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190914135433/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/dont-blame-singer-lu-han-for-shanghai-fortress-box-office-flop-angry-fans . 14 September 2019 . live .
  49. Web site: Kee . William K.C. . Godfrey Gao on fame, fashion and his Malaysian family . https://web.archive.org/web/20191129180531/https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/godfrey-gao-fame-fashion-and-his-malaysian-family . dead . 29 November 2019 . AsiaOne . 27 November 2019 . 19 December 2016.
  50. Web site: zh:我要變成硬柿子電視原聲帶 我要變成硬柿子電視原聲帶 . http://www.kkbox.com.tw/funky/web_info/JXakvHA5VdITxXC0006MC08J.html . KKBox . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225127/http://www.kkbox.com.tw/funky/web_info/JXakvHA5VdITxXC0006MC08J.html . 27 September 2007 . zh.
  51. Web site: Salemi . Michelle . Godfrey Gao: International Star You Should Know . Variety . 27 November 2019 . 7 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190605021840/https://variety.com/2013/film/global/godfrey-gao-international-star-you-should-know-1200575147/ . 5 June 2019 . live .
  52. Web site: Momo Love . GTV . https://web.archive.org/web/20130703165311/http://www.gtv.com.tw/Program/S051420091024U/ . 3 July 2013.
  53. Web site: zh:華視 我的排隊情人 . http://event.cts.com.tw/volleyballlover/index.html . CTS . 27 November 2019 . zh . https://web.archive.org/web/20190517023553/http://event.cts.com.tw/volleyballlover/index.html . 17 May 2019 . live .
  54. Web site: Ewe . Elaine . Godfrey Gao's "Hello Gorgeous" . Yahoo! News . 27 November 2019 . 11 March 2013.
  55. Web site: zh:钱多多炼爱记 . http://tv.sohu.com/s2013/qddlaj/ . Sohu . 27 November 2019 . zh . https://web.archive.org/web/20191012124907/http://tv.sohu.com/s2013/qddlaj/ . 12 October 2019 . live .
  56. Web site: zh:武神赵子龙 . https://www.mgtv.com/h/150514.html . MGTV . 27 November 2019 . zh . https://web.archive.org/web/20191001210959/https://www.mgtv.com/h/150514.html . 1 October 2019 . live .
  57. Web site: Cheung . Cheung . Godfrey Gao reportedly rushed to hospital after collapsing on set of TV show . Asia One . 27 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.
  58. Web site: http://ent.cri.cn/20191008/1eb6994e-2c01-f397-b2d6-c33160138538.html . zh:高以翔宣璐主演 《彩虹的重力》定档10月16日. 8 October 2019. China Radio International. zh. 8 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191008083652/http://ent.cri.cn/20191008/1eb6994e-2c01-f397-b2d6-c33160138538.html. 8 October 2019. live.
  59. Web site: https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2019-05-10/doc-ihvhiews0981759.shtml . zh:《怪你过分美丽》官宣 "青春你好"做正能量行业剧. 10 May 2019. Sina. zh. 10 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190510065634/https://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2019-05-10/doc-ihvhiews0981759.shtml. 10 May 2019. live.
  60. Web site: Garel . Connor . How Godfrey Gao Broke Racial And Cultural Barriers For Asian Men . . 28 November 2019 . 27 November 2019.