Liza Wang Explained

Liza Wang
Honorific Suffix:GBS SBS
Birth Name:Wang Ming-chun
Birth Date:1947 8, df=y
Birth Place:Chongming County, Jiangsu
(now Chongming District, Shanghai City),
Republic of China
Years Active:1967–present
Credits:, which produces label "Notable credit(s)"; or by
Works:, which produces label "Works"; or by
Label Name:, which produces label "Label(s)" -->
Spouse:
    Awards:Ming Pao Anniversary Awards
    Outstanding Actress in Television
    2005 Wars of In-Laws
    2005 Honorary Award
    Module:
    Embed:yes
    Alias:The Big Sister[1]
    Background:solo_singer
    Origin:Hong Kong
    Instrument:Vocals
    Past Member Of:Four Golden Flowers
    Module2:
    Child:yes
    C:汪明荃
    P:Wāng Míngquán
    J:wong1 ming4 cyun4
    Hk:Wong Ming-chuen

    Elizabeth "Liza" Wang Ming-chun GBS SBS[2] [3] [4] [5] (born 28 August 1947), is a Hong Kong diva, actress and MC. She is a personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.[6] Wang was a delegate in the National People's Congress from 1988 to 1997, and she is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[7]

    Entertainment career

    Liza Wang was born on 28 August 1947 in Shanghai, She moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai in autumn 1956 and signed up for Rediffusion Hong Kong's first Artist Academy class in 1967. From thousands of applicants, the 20-year-old Liza was one of the nine that were picked to attend acting classes. She was also the first to graduate from the academy.

    Television

    Her career has spanned four decades, since 1967. She began working for Rediffusion Television Limited (later renamed Asia Television and now defunct) until she joined TVB in 1971. She was one of the members of the all-girl music group Four Golden Flowers.[8] Wang initially made her mark in the entertainment industry in drama series. Her work in front of the camera was followed by that behind the scenes on television productions.

    In 2005, she received the Best Actress award during TVB's 38th Anniversary. She received this award the second time for her role in Wars of In-laws. Wang received her first Best Actress award for her drama series The Awakening Story in 2001. She celebrated her 40th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2007.

    Singing career

    In parallel with her acting career Wang had a successful singing career, based on albums for her television series, consisting of TV theme songs. She has sung cantopop as well as mandopop. She performed duets with singer Adam Cheng. She continues to perform TV theme songs such as "東方之珠" for musical series like the 2006 Glittering Days.[9]

    Cantonese opera

    She experimented with stage musicals before becoming a Cantonese opera actress. It was within the Cantonese opera community that Wang met her longtime partner, Law Kar-ying. In 2005 the Sunbeam Theatre in North Point, Hong Kong's only regular venue for Cantonese Opera performances, was planned to close following a change of ownership. Wang decided to negotiate with the new owner, who then promised to extend the contract with the Cantonese Opera groups. Wang then criticized the Government for its lack of support for Cantonese Opera, and the Government promised to adopt Wang's request.

    Wang was Chairman of the Chinese Artist Association of Hong Kong (香港八和會館) from 1992 to 1997, then again from 2005 to 2009. In 2007 Wang was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award. She was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the City University of Hong Kong.

    In February 2009 Wang fought for the development rights to restore the North Kowloon Magistracy building (北九龍裁判法院) in Sham Shui Po.[10] The building was originally proposed to be a new Cantonese opera training and performance center. Hong Kong's government granted the bid to the US Savannah College of Art and Design. Wang was upset over the loss, and said the government was only paying lip service to causes such as Cantonese opera. The magistracy building is to be turned into a school specializing in creative and digital media.[11]

    Political career

    Pan-democrat home return permits request

    Since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party have banned 8 of the 25 Hong Kong pan-democrat legislative councilors. They are barred from the mainland except for tours organized by the government.[12] On 6 March 2008 Wang began publicizing the need to grant 24 Home Return Permit to the pro-democracy lawmakers.[13] [14]

    Government Committee

    On Apr 29, 2020, The Hong Kong SAR announced the appointments to the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee which aims to promote the development of Cantonese opera, facilitating the transmission of this world intangible cultural heritage item, for the period from May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2022.[15] Wang is one of the members.

    2008 Beijing Olympics

    Wang mentioned that it was good timing to invite the democrats to enter mainland China in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

    The Pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong member Tam Yiu Chung responded that the Olympics was not a good reason for changing what the central government used to do. Her concerns baffled her colleagues in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Democrat member Albert Ho said the issue of a home visit permit was such a rightful thing. It has never been mentioned by any politician but a performer. He appreciates Wang's efforts. Wang is a member, but not a standing committee member of the CPPCC.

    Community work

    As a mainstay at the TVB television network, Wang has gained almost legendary status for her efforts not merely as an entertainer but also as a philanthropist with a heart for social works and for improving lives in rural China and other areas. Within Hong Kong, she has also been an MC hosting TVB telethons for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and many other charities.

    Wang, being a two-time cancer survivor (first thyroid then breast cancer), decided to be an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society. A series of informative radio talk shows on RTHK was also hosted where medical specialists were invited to discuss the many types of cancer. She has helped raise charities, awareness and funding for cancer patients. Recently a free concert was given at Tin Shui Wai for 4,500 residents; the concert was filled to capacity and hundreds were turned away. The crowd prevented guest performers like Miriam Yeung and Denise Ho from arriving on time. Denise Ho ascribed the audience overflow to Wang's popularity.

    Personal life

    Liza Wang was married to businessman Lau Cheong Wah from 1971 to 1983 and they remain good friends. In the late 1980s, she met Law Kar-ying, openly acknowledged as her partner for over twenty years, and whom she married on 2 May 2009 in Las Vegas.[16] Being a native Shanghainese, Wang speaks fluent Shanghainese and has always identified as a Shanghainese.[17]

    The nickname of "Wang Ah-Tag" owing to social media usage

    In recent years, Liza Wang has increased her usage in social media. However, upon uploading the photos with others, she has been handwriting the names of others on the photos. These handwritings have been occasionally described as "Wang Ah-Tag".[18] [19]

    Filmography

    Television series

    Year Title Role
    1974 Eternal Spring
    《永恆的春天》
    Mao Yuin Yuin
    毛圓圓
    1975 The Golden Chrysanthemum
    《金葉菊》
    Zhau Yuk Sin
    周玉仙
    Lady with the Lute
    《趙五娘》
    Zhiu Ng Niong
    趙五娘
    Legend of the Purple Hairpin
    《紫釵記》
    Fok Siu Yuk
    霍小玉
    1976 The Legend of the Book and the Sword
    《書劍恩仇錄》
    Fok-ching-tung
    霍青桐
    1977 A House Is Not a Home
    《家變》
    Lok Lam
    洛琳
    1978 The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
    《家變》
    Chiu Man
    趙敏
    1979 Over the Rainbow
    《天虹》
    Leung Pui-yee
    梁沛怡
    Chor Lau-heung
    《楚留香》
    Shum Wai-san
    沈慧珊
    1980 Yesterday's Glitter
    《京華春夢》
    Ho Yin-chau
    賀燕秋
    The Shell Game
    《千王之王》
    Tam Siu-tong
    谭小棠
    1981 Young's Female Warrior
    《楊門女將》
    Muk Gui-yin
    穆桂英
    The Shell Game II
    《千王群英會》
    Tam Siu-tong
    谭小棠
    1982 Love and Passion
    《萬水千山總是情》
    Chong Mung-deep
    莊夢蝶
    1984
    《秋瑾》
    Qiu Jin
    秋瑾
    1999 At the Threshold of an Era
    《創世紀》
    Fong Kin-ping
    方健平
    2000 At the Threshold of an Era II
    《創世紀 II》
    Fong Kin-ping
    方健平
    2001 The Awakening Story
    《婚前昏後》
    Lam Ho Suet
    林皓雪
    2004 Blade Heart
    《血薦軒轅》
    Tong Bik
    唐碧
    2005 Wars of In-Laws
    《我的野蠻奶奶》
    Hei Tap-Lap Shek Lan
    喜塔臘鑠蘭
    The Unforgettables
    《名曲滿天星》
    2006 When Rules Turn Loose
    《識法代言人》
    Suen Man-Yee
    孫敏儀
    Glittering Days
    《東方之珠》
    Gam Yin
    金燕
    2008 Wars of In-Laws II
    《野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶》
    Gwo Bik
    戈碧
    When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West
    《東山飄雨西關晴》
    Chong Fung-yi
    莊鳳儀
    2010 OL Supreme
    女王辦公室
    Lui Siu-fung
    雷小鳳
    2010–2011Home Troopers
    《居家兵團》
    Lai Ka-ka
    黎嘉嘉
    2011 Super Snoops
    《荃加福祿壽探案》
    Sun Chiu-tung
    辛潮彤
    2012 Divas in Distress
    《巴不得媽媽》
    Sheung Ying-hung
    商映紅
    2014 Come On, Cousin
    老表,你好hea!
    Herself
    2015 Limelight Years
    華麗轉身
    Wah Fong-ying
    華芳凝
    Master of Destiny
    風雲天地
    Kwan Yeuk-nam
    關若男
    2018 Heart and Greed
    溏心风暴3
    Heung Ching Yi
    向清沂
    My Ages Apart
    誇世代
    Sheung Hing Chong
    尚慶莊
    2019 Flying Tiger II
    《飛虎之雷霆極戰》
    何惠英

    Films

    [20] [21]

    Awards

    YearAwardCategorySeriesResult
    1999TVB Anniversary AwardsAll-Time Most Memorable Female Leading RolesA House is not a Home
    2000TVB Anniversary AwardsMy Favourite Television CharacterAt the Threshold of an Era II
    2001TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressThe Awakening Story
    My Favourite Television Character
    2005TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressWars of In-Laws
    2010TVB Anniversary AwardsBest HostFun With Liza and Gods
    2015Starhub TVB AwardsBest ActressLimelight Years
    Best HostSunday Songbird

    Honors

    External links

    |-! colspan="3" style="background:#DAA520;" | TVB Anniversary Awards|-|-! colspan="3" style="background:#DAA520;" | RTHK Top 10 Chinese Golden Songs Award

    Notes and References

    1. The standard HK "The standard HK ". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
    2. Web site: Honorary Doctorate Elizabeth Wang Ming-Chun.
    3. Book: Loh, Christine . 2010 . Underground Front: The Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong . 154 . . 9789888028948 . 11 December 2014 . .
    4. News: Wang still singing a flat tune . . 30 June 2014 . 11 December 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141211063201/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?art_id=146905&con_type=1 . 11 December 2014 .
    5. Web site: Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes. July 2004 .
    6. Xinhuanet. "Xinhuanet ".Fans jam-pack Liza Wang's free concert. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
    7. Cityu.edu.hk "Cityu.edu.hk ". 城大將頒授榮譽博士學位予四位領袖. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
    8. [Television Broadcasts Limited]
    9. First for Music News. "NME". Liza Wang videos. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
    10. The Standard HK. "The Standard.com". https://web.archive.org/web/20090219023501/http://thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=78355&sid=22755290&con_type=3 Retrieved on 13 March 2009.
    11. "Yahoo". 八和落選 汪明荃轟黑箱作業 Retrieved on 13 March 2009
    12. Scmp. "Scmp". End democrats' travel ban, delegate urges. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
    13. The standard HK. "The standard HK ". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
    14. The standard HK. "The standard HK ". TV star hopes home visits can turn democrats into patriots Retrieved on 10 March 2008
    15. Web site: Appointments to Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee. HKSAR. 2020-04-29
    16. News: New bride: 61-year-old Liza Wang . China Daily. 5 May 2009. 7 May 2009.
    17. Web site: 汪明荃的上海话 . . Chinese.
    18. Web site: 【嘟嘟爆料】「汪阿Tag」原來係咁嚟!. 21 November 2018.
    19. Web site:
      1. 汪阿Tag 汪明荃潮玩 Instagram 自創手寫 Tag 人方法 眾星響應 - ezone.hk - 網絡生活 - 網絡熱話
      .
    20. http://hkmdb.com/db/people/view.mhtml?id=3636&display_set=eng Liza Wang at hkmdb.com
    21. http://chinesemov.com/actors/Liza%20Wang.html Liza Wang at chinesemov.com
    22. Web site: Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes. July 2004 .