Mark Lee (Singaporean actor) explained

Mark Lee
Birth Date:1968 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Singapore
Nationality:Singaporean
Alma Mater:Jurong Secondary School
Years Active:1998−present
Spouse:[1]
Children:3
Awards:Full list
Module:
Child:yes
Hide:no
Headercolor:lightblue
T:李國煌
S:李国煌
J:Lei5 Gwok3 Wong4
Poj:Lí Kok-Hông
P:Lǐ Guóhuáng

Mark Lee Kok Huang (born 16 October 1968) is a Singaporean comedian, actor, presenter,[2] radio DJ and entrepreneur.[3]

Early life

Lee's father was a barber, and his mother was a food and beverage stall assistant. Growing up, Lee would help out in the hawker stall to prepare and sell cooked food, beverages, and chee cheong fun at a hawker centre.[4] Lee was schooled in Jurong Secondary School.

Career

Lee is known for, amongst others, playing the title role in Singapore's Mediacorp Channel 5 television sitcom Police & Thief as Lee Tok Kong and in Mediacorp Channel 8 long series television drama Holland V as Su Hao. He is also best known for his works with Jack Neo and Henry Thia in movies such as Money No Enough, That One No Enough, Money No Enough 2 and Where Got Ghost?, The King of Musang King and Money No Enough 3. The trio also appeared alongside one another in the long-running comedy variety programme named Comedy Nite (搞笑行动).[5] He made his directorial debut in the comedy horror film The Ghosts Must Be Crazy.[6]

Along with long-time colleague Christopher Lee, he was awarded the All Time Favourite Artiste award in the Star Awards 2010[7] [8] and became the first host-cum-comedian to win the award as the previous winners were predominantly thespians. As such he will no longer be in the run for the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes awards in future Star Awards.

Although Lee was mostly known for playing comedic roles early in his career, he has also diversified into hosting and hosted various kinds of programmes, mainly infotainment, travelogue and DIY programmes. He co-hosted the popular home makeover programme Home Decor Survivor and the infotainment programme Behind Every Job with Bryan Wong, which won both a string of nominations in the hosting categories at the Star Awards. In 2012 he won his fourth Best Variety Host award for his popular show It's a Small World (Season 2).[2]

Lee was always given an on-screen name/surname of Ong or Huang, particularly in Jack Neo's movies, with the exception of That One No Enough, I Not Stupid, Homerun, I Do, I Do, Ah Long Pte Ltd, Love Matters, Being Human, Long Long Time Ago, Long Long Time Ago 2, The Diam Diam Era, The Diam Diam Era Two and The King of Musang King.

In November 2021, Lee's comedy Number 1, for which he was nominated for the Best Leading Actor award at the Golden Horse Awards, started streaming on Disney+.[9] The movie is listed under the Asian Spotlight section of Disney+. It is significant for the Singapore film scene as it is one of the few Singaporean works to be streamed on Disney+.

Business ventures

On 9 March 2017, Lee opened a production house named King Kong Media Productions with partner Yinson Marine Services, a Malaysian oil and gas company.[10]

Lee also once owned the eatery chain Old Town White Coffee which he brought into Singapore from Malaysia in 2008, and founded the now-defunct chicken rice brand 13 Stages in 2017. In 2021, Lee invested in the Ipoh F&B Chain Nam Heong, which opened its first Singapore outlet at a food court in 313@Somerset mall.[11]

Personal life

Lee is married to Catherine Ng. They have 2 daughters and a son.[12] [13]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref
1998 Money No Enough Ah Ong
Hitman in the City Liu Fei
1999 Ah Beng
Eating Air Lao Beng
That One No Enough Zhu Guo Rong
2001 One Leg Kicking Handsome
2002 I Not Stupid
2003 Homerun
2004 The Best Bet Tan Chun Ong
2005 I Do, I Do Acting Loan Shark
One More Chance Chin Wuhuang
2008 Ah Long Pte Ltd JoJo Fang
Money No Enough 2 Yang Baohuang
2009 Where Got Ghost?
Love Matters
2010 Being Human Mai Wei
Just Call Me Nobody Dugu Qiu Bai
2011 Petaling Street WarriorsShi Duyao
23:59 Sergeant Kuah
Twisted
Homecoming Daniel Koh
The Ghosts Must Be Crazy Ah Hai/Chen Xiaojuan Also co-director
2012 Greedy Ghost Book Spirit Also executive producer
Ghost Buddies Fei
2013 Judgement Day Police Officer Also executive producer
Taxi! Taxi! Lee Ah Tau
Everybody's BusinessWinston Lee
2014 The Bat Night
Filial Party Liu Bai Wan
A Fantastic Ghost Wedding Master Wong
2015 King of Mahjong Wong Tin-ba
Time is Money Chu Zhong Tian
2016 Let's Eat!
Long Long Time Ago Lim Ah Kun
Long Long Time Ago 2
2017 The Fortune Handbook Huat God Also executive producer
2018 Wonderful! Liang Xi Mei Robert
Lee Chong Wei Lee Ah Chai
Ramen Teh Uncle Wee
Sergeant Kuah
2019 Make It Big Big Himself Also director
2020 Number 1 Chow Chee Beng
The Diam Diam Era Lim Ah Kun
2021 The Diam Diam Era Two
2022 Reunion Dinner Wei
2023 What! The Heist Chao Yan Fatt
The King of Musang King Wang Jin Shui
Geylang
Wonderland Loke
2024 Money No Enough 3 Li Qing Huang [14]
Number 2 [15]

Television series

Year Title Role NetworkNotes Ref
1997–1999Different Cuts, Different StrokesLin Meng Shui
2000 Soho @ WorkNominated – Best Comedy Performer, Star Awards 2000
2001The HotelLi Xiao Huang
2002 Katong Miss OhBeng Best Comedy Performer, Star Awards 2002[16]
2003 Holland VSu Hao Mediacorp Channel 8
2004–2010Police & ThiefLee Tok KongMediacorp Channel 5
2004The Best BetChen Jun Huang
2005A Promise for TomorrowWilsonMediacorp Channel 8
2008 My Classmate DadEdison Tay Mediacorp Okto
2009 Mr & Mrs KokKok Fook Seng
2010Carlsberg Telemovie ShowcaseZheng Ah Nan
2012 Abang Ah BengBillyMediacorp Suria
2019 How Are You?Story Teller
2022 It's All Your Fault! Boon Bin

Variety show

Year English title Native title Notes Ref
2019 The Destined One 众里寻一 Guest Matchmaker
2018 Happy Can Already! 4 欢喜就好 4
2017 Happy Can Already! 3 欢喜就好 3
Happy Can Already! 2 欢喜就好 2 Robert
2016 Happy Can Already!欢喜就好 Robert
Please be My Guest客人來咯 2
2014 Super Comedian搞笑之王 Judge
Please be My Guest 客人來咯
Neighbourhood Chef 鄰里厨王
2013 Home Décor Survivor 5 摆家乐5
2012–present BODY SOS 小毛病大问题
2012 It's a Small World III 国记交意所3
Men's Talk 3个男人1张口
Japan Flavour J Food好吃
2011 Home Makeover II 玩家万岁2
Behind Every Job 2 美差事。苦差事2
It's a Small World II国记交意所2 Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2012
2010 Home Makeover玩家万岁
Don't Forget the Lyrics! (Chinese version) 我要唱下去 Episode: Celebrity Special: Guest
All-Stars Edition: Host
Gatekeepers 小兵迎大将 Guest
Behind Every Job 美差事。苦差事 Nominated – Best Info-ed Programme Host, Star Awards 2011
Star Awards 2010 Show 1 红星大奖2010
Wonder Chef我要当食神
2009 Home Décor Survivor 4 摆家乐4
Singapore Flavours 万里香
Gracious Planet 放心出去看
It's a Small World 国记交意所 Won – Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2010
Dad @ Home/Family 'Dad @Home 爸爸当家
2008 Channel 8 45th Anniversary Gala 新传媒45周年台庆 Guest performer
Home Decor 焕然一新DIY
Food Hometown美食寻根
2007 Home Décor Survivor 3 摆家乐3
Barter Trade II物物大交换II
Say It If You Dare 3 有话好好说3 Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2007
2006 Star Awards 2006 Post-show Party红星大奖2006 庆功宴
Home Décor Survivor 2 摆家乐2
Say It If You Dare 2 有话好好说2
Stars, Beat It!王牌对王牌
Property Classified 吉屋出售 Nominated – Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2006
2005 KP Club鸡婆俱乐部 Nominated – Best Comedy Performer, Star Awards 2005
Home Décor Survivor 摆家乐
Star Run 跑吧!艺人
First Date 敢敢来约会
2004 Say It If You Dare 有话好好说 Nominated – Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2005
Be My Guest 客人来 Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2004
Good Bargain, Good Fun 超值玩乐大搜寻
2003 Split Ends 兵分两路
2002 One Fun Day 惊喜一整天 Nominated – Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2002
2001 Top Fun欢乐巅峰 Nominated – Best Variety Show Host, Star Awards 2001
1990–2000;
2003-2004;
2006
Comedy Nite搞笑行动 Best Comedy Performer, Star Awards 1998
Best Comedy Performer, Star Awards 1999
Best Comedy Performer, Star Awards 2003
Nominated – Best Comedy Performer, Star Awards 2004

[17] [18]

Awards and nominations

Star Awards – Hosting Awards
Year Category Nominated work Result
1998Comedy Night
1999 Comedy Night
2000 Soho@Work
2001Top Gun
2002 One Fun Day
Katong Ms Oh
2003 Comedy Night
2004 Comedy Night
Be My Guest
2005 Say It If You Dare 1
KP Club
2006Property Classified
2007 Say It If You Dare 3
2010 It's a Small World
2011 Behind Every Job
2012 Behind Every Job
It's a Small World 2
2015 Neighbourhood Chef
Star Awards – Popularity Awards
Year Category Result
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2009
2010
2017 Best Speech Delivered
2021Best Radio Programme: 972 Breakfast Quartet
2022Best Radio Programme: 972 Breakfast Quartet
Best Combo:Yujian Huangchong (Weekend Edition) 玉建煌崇 (周末版) LOVE 972
2023Best Radio Programme: 972 Breakfast Quartet
2024Best Radio Programme: 972 Breakfast Quartet
Special Achievement Award

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tan . Jeanmarie . Local actor Mark Lee's secrets to a strong marriage . The New Paper . 22 April 2023 . en . 14 February 2022 . 22 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422044540/https://tnp.straitstimes.com/entertainment/tv/local-actor-mark-lees-secrets-strong-marriage . live .
  2. News: Star Awards 2012: 'Show 2' Winners List. xin.msn.com. 2012-04-29. 2012-08-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20131224094618/http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/article-commented.aspx?cp-documentid=6214512&page=5. 2013-12-24. dead.
  3. Web site: Mark Lee x SGUP. 23 April 2024. Youtube.
  4. News: AsiaOne . Funnyman Mark Lee knows his business . 16 April 2013 . Joyce Teo . 16 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130420050540/http://business.asiaone.com/news/personal-finance/funnyman-mark-lee-knows-his-business/page/0/3 . 20 April 2013 . dead .
  5. [Star Awards 2010]
  6. News: Mark Lee fulfills directorial dreams with 'The Ghost Bride'. Channel News Asia. 20 July 2010. 22 August 2012. 12 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111112193619/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/1070381/1/.html. dead.
  7. News: Blast from the past: Christopher Lee and Mark Lee. xin.msn.com. 21 April 2010. 15 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20100424061408/http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/photos.aspx?cp-documentid=4042731. 24 April 2010. dead.
  8. News: Mark Lee and Christopher Lee assume their new heavenly ranks. xin.msn.com. 25 April 2010. 22 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140506020734/http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4052105. 6 May 2014. dead.
  9. News: 16 November 2021. Stuff To Watch This Week (Nov 15-21, 2021). 8 Days. 31 December 2021. 30 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211230190035/https://www.8days.sg/seeanddo/streamit/stuff-to-watch-this-week-nov-15-21-2021-15451554. live.
  10. Web site: Marcus. Goh. Mark Lee - From production assistant to film producer. Yahoo. 2 April 2017. 31 March 2017. 24 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220524072522/https://sg.style.yahoo.com/mark-lee-from-production-assistant-to-film-producer-063222412.html. live.
  11. Web site: Mark Lee Brings Ipoh F&B Chain Nam Heong To S’pore, Opens Outlet In Orchard Food Court . TODAY . 22 April 2023 . en . 22 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422045800/https://www.todayonline.com/8days/eatanddrink/newsandopening/mark-lee-brings-ipoh-fb-chain-nam-heong-spore-opens-outlet-orchard . live .
  12. News: Mark Lee becomes second-time daddy. xin.msn.com. 25 August 2011. 22 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131114020248/http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5197969. 14 November 2013. dead.
  13. News: 20 August 2013. Mark Lee welcomes third child. xin.msn.com. dead. 3 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130820142628/http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/en/celebrity/buzz/asia/mark-lee-welcomes-third-child. 20 August 2013.
  14. Web site: 梁志强将开拍《钱不够用3》 2024年农历新年期间上映 . 8world Entertainment Lifestyle . 4 October 2023 . zh-SG . 3 October 2023.
  15. Web site: 'We could eat anything for free': Mark Lee on whole floating market in Thailand being booked to film new movie Number 2 . AsiaOne . 16 September 2023 . en . 14 September 2023.
  16. News: Foo . Serene . 15 May 2002 . Unwelcome showers for Zoe . 31 . .
  17. Web site: Mark Lee at hkmdb.com . 24 July 2014 . 31 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031202047/http://www.hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=51088 . live .
  18. Web site: Mark Lee at chinesemov.com . 24 July 2014 . 30 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140630063413/http://chinesemov.com/actors/Mark%20Lee.html . live .
  19. Web site: 李国煌凭《芽笼》皮条客角色 入围“荷兰奥斯卡奖” 早报 . www.zaobao.com.sg . 6 September 2023 . zh-Hans.
  20. Web site: Mark Lee and Peter Yu win awards for Wonderland at Ho Chi Minh International Film Festival . CNA Lifestyle . Mediacorp . 14 April 2024 . en.