Adrian Pang
| Adrian Pang | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese name | 彭耀順 (traditional) | ||||
| Chinese name | 彭耀顺 (simplified) | ||||
| Pinyin | Péng Yàoshùn (Mandarin) | ||||
| Birth name | Pang Yeow Soon | ||||
| Origin | Hakka | ||||
| Born |
8 January 1966 Malacca, Malaysia | ||||
| Occupation | Actor, producer, host | ||||
| Years active | 1990s-present | ||||
| Spouse(s) | Tracie Howitt | ||||
|
Awards
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Adrian Pang Yeow Soon (born 8 January 1966) is a Malaysian-born Singapore actor, host, and contracted artiste under FLY Entertainment. He first came to prominence in Singaporean television by acting in some English-language and Chinese-language television dramas produced by MediaCorp and SPH MediaWorks in the 1990s. Since then, he has diversified into hosting and theatre production. More recently, he had a small role in the Hollywood cybercrime movie Blackhat (2015), starring Chris Hemsworth and Wang Lee Hom.
Early life and career
Pang was born in Malacca, Malaysia. He was educated at Anglo-Chinese School and Anglo-Chinese Junior College.[1] Although he graduated with a law degree from Keele University in Britain, he did not practice, he trained at the ARTTS International in Bubwith instead. He worked for a number of years in British theatre and television before returning to Singapore. While he was based in Britain, he would occasionally return to Singapore for stage work where he first caught the eye of Singaporeans when he starred in the Singaporean comedy film Forever Fever (1998).
Career
Homecoming
Upon returning home, Pang joined MediaCorp. Pang later switched to SPH MediaWorks as a producer-presenter when the new company was established in 2001. It was around this time in 2001 that he moved back permanently to Singapore with his family. He quickly established himself as a household name through his work on SPH MediaWorks Channel i. A versatile talent, he excelled in hosting as well as acting, such as in the comedy Durian King and the main actor in the channel's final production, Six Weeks, before its impending merger with MediaCorp in 2005. An original idea of his, Pang co-wrote Six Weeks and was part of the creative process from start to finish.
Post MediaWorks
Re-employed by MediaCorp after the merger, he went on to appear in Chinese dramas on MediaCorp Channel 8, such as the blockbuster drama Portrait of Home (同心圆) in 2005. His portrayal of the eccentric Dadi earned him a Best Actor nomination in Star Awards 2005. He achieved this accolade despite the fact that he is much more comfortable speaking in English than in Mandarin (something many English-speaking Singaporeans can relate to). Indeed, he admitted he had much difficulty acting in the show. He even describes himself as a 'kentang', a Malay term, to describe someone who is very Westernised.
He also starred in Jack Neo's romantic comedy I Do I Do (2005) with Sharon Au. He also appeared on Makan King on Channel U, Nine Lives on Arts Central and Maggi & Me on MediaCorp Channel 5. In March 2007, he clinched the coveted Best Actor award at the national Life! Theater Awards for 2006.
He has also appeared in various theatrical performances such as Forbidden City: Portrait of An Empress (2002), A Twist of Fate (2005), The Dresser, The Odd Couple and many others.
Pang's humour makes him one of the more sought-after hosts in Singaporean media. He was the host for The Arena and Deal or No Deal aired on MediaCorp Channel 5. He has also helped to host the National Day Parade Celebrations in Singapore as well as Miss Singapore Universe.
He also played the male lead in the series Parental Guidance opposite Hong Kong actress, Jessica Hsuen. That was also the first time Pang played a legal professional on television.
In 2008, he filmed a Chinese drama serial, Nanny Daddy, which was telecast on Channel 8 in September that year.
In 2009, he snared a leading role as a "blind" lawyer named Alex Sung bent on revenge in the Channel 5 blockbuster drama Red Thread and clinched the "Best Actor" award at the 14th Asian Television Awards (ATA).[2]
In 2010, Pang announced that after his current artiste contract with MediaCorp expires in March, he will "experimentally" leave MediaCorp, and establish a drama company with his wife, to be called "PANGDEMONiUM!".[3] According to Pang, the "experimental" leave was made possible via a prior arrangement with MediaCorp executives, and that he is open to returning to MediaCorp, or act in MediaCorp projects, in the future. At this time he did not appear for the last few episodes in New City Beat and acted in Channel 8 drama series With You.[3]
PANGDEMONiUM!'s inaugural production was The Full Monty held in June 2010, based on The Full Monty. Their next production, Closer showed from February to March 2011. Their third play, Dealer's Choice was played from 29 September to 12 October 2011. They went on to produce Spring Awakening in February 2012[4] and Swimming with Sharks in September 2012.[5]
In 2012, Pang starred in the MediaCorp Raintree Pictures movie Dance Dance Dragon (龙众舞) alongside Kym Ng and Dennis Chew. The movie was aired in all local cinemas during the Lunar New Year period.
In late 2012, Pang starred in the Singapore Repertory Theatre's production of God of Carnage.[6] The next year, he went on to star in a stage adaptation of Rabbit Hole opposite popular actress Janice Koh.[7]
In 2014, Pang wrote his first book for children, Hansel and Girl Girl. The children's picture book, illustrated by Cultural Medallion winner Milenko Prvacki, transplants the traditional Hansel and Gretel fairy tale to a Singapore setting. Published by Epigram Books, part of the proceeds went to charity.[8]
Personal life
Pang is married to Tracie Howitt. They have two sons, Zack and Xander.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Work | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Kitchen Musical | Bryan S | Channel 5 production |
| 2011 | Code of Law | Dennis Tang Teng Soon (Cameo ep 1) | Channel 5 production |
| 2011 | The Pupil Season 2 | Dennis Tang Teng Soon | Channel 5 production |
| 2010 | With You 我在你左右 | Zhou Wen'an 周文安 | |
| The Pupil | Dennis Tang Teng Soon | Channel 5 production | |
| 2009 | Red Thread | Alex Sung | Channel 5 production Won – Best Actor, 2009 Asian Television Awards |
| Polo Boys | Gregory Koh | Channel 5 production | |
| 2008 | Nanny Daddy 奶爸百分百 | Liu Zhuolun 刘卓伦 | Nominated – Best Actor, Star Awards 2009 |
| 2007 | Do Not Disturb : Lunch Hour | Arts Central production | |
| 2007–08 | Parental Guidance | James Seto | Channel 5 production |
| 2006–08 | Maggie & Me 我爱鬼妹 | Johnny Tan | Nominated – Best Comedy Actor, 2007 Asian Television Awards |
| 2005 | Portrait of Home II 同心圆2 | Zhou Dadi | Nominated – Best Actor, Star Awards 2006 |
| Portrait of Home 同心圆 | Nominated – Best Actor, Star Awards 2005 | ||
| 2004 | Power of Love 甜蜜风暴 | ||
| Zero 零楼 | Li Yongbang 李永帮 | ||
| Crunch Time 转捩点 | |||
| Six Weeks | SPH MediaWorks Channel i production | ||
| 2003 | Together Whenever 天伦 | ||
| Durian King | |||
| Ah Girl II | Nominated – Best Comedy Actor, 2003 Asian Television Awards | ||
| 2002 | Back to Basics 重进森林 |
Shows Hosted
| Year | Show | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | Chasing Happiness | Channel NewsAsia programme |
| 2009 | City New Beat 城人新杂志 | Co-hosted with Gurmit Singh, Bryan Wong and Kym Ng |
| Don't Forget the Lyrics! Singapore | English edition, Comic Mayhem episode | |
| 2007–2008 | Deal or No Deal | |
| 2007 | Miss Singapore Universe finals | |
| Phua Chu Kang Wrap Party | End of series wrap-up | |
| Code Red 爱上小红点 | ||
| The Arena I | ||
| 2006 | Miss Singapore Universe finals | |
| Chingay Parade | ||
| 2005–2006 | Makan King 好吃王 | |
| 2005 | National Day Parade | |
| 2004 | Top 10 十不相瞒 | |
| 2003 | Chingay Parade | |
| 2002 | National Day Parade (pre-parade) | |
| Singapore Film Festival | ||
| Chingay Parade | ||
| 2000–2004 | Yummy King |
Films
| Year | Work | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Faith of Anna Waters | Father Matthew Tan |
| 2015 | Blackhat | Keith Yan |
| 2014 | Unlucky Plaza | Sky / Terence Chia |
| 2013 | Judgement Day | Prime Minister |
| 2013 | Sex.Violence.FamilyValues (short film) | The Director |
| 2012 | Bait | Jessup |
| 2012 | Dance Dance Dragon 龙众舞 | Eric Tan |
| 2009 | The Blue Mansion | Wee Teck Meng |
| 2008 | The Carrot Cake Conversations | Matthew |
| 2007 | Gone Shopping | Valentine Tan |
| 2005 | I Do I Do 爱都爱都 | Lee Ah Peng 李亚鹏 |
| 2001 | Spy Game | Jiang |
| 2000 | Night Swimmer | Kenneth |
| 2000 | Second Generation | Jimmy |
| 1998 | Forever Fever | Hock |
| 1995 | Night Watch | Korean technician |
Theatre
| Year | Production | Role | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Chinglish | Minister Cai Guoliang | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2015 | Tribes | Dad | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2015 | Circle Mirror Transformation | Shultz | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2014 | Frozen | Ralph | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2014 | The Rise and Fall of Little Voice | Raysay | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2013 | Next to Normal | Dan | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2013 | Rabbit Hole | Howie Corbett | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2012 | Spring Awakening | Headmaster Knochenbruch | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2012 | Swimming with Sharks | Buddy Ackerman | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2012 | God of Carnage | Michael | Atlantis Production / Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 2011 | Closer | Larry | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2011 | Dealer's Choice | Stephen | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2011 | Into the Woods | Actor | Singapore |
| 2010 | The Full Monty | Jerry | Pangdemonium, Singapore |
| 2009 | Much Ado About Nothing | Benedick | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 2007, 2008 | The Pillowman | Tupolski | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 2006 | The Dresser | Norman | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 2005 | A Twist of Fate | Uncle Albert | VizPro Entertainment / Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 2004 | The Odd Couple | Felix Ungar, Oscar Madison | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 2001 | Barefoot in the Park | Paul | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 1999, 2000 | They're Playing Our Song | Vernon | Singapore Repertory Theater, Manila, Philippines |
| 1998 | Take Away | Damien | Mu-Lan Theatre Company, London |
| 1997 | New Territories | Wong, Monkey | Yellow Earth Theatre, London |
| 1997 | Hamlet | Prince Hamlet | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 1996 | The Magic Fundoshi | The Servant, The Wife, The Acolyte | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 1996 | The Glass Menagerie | Tom Wingfield | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 1995 | Little Shop of Horrors | Seymour | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 1995 | Privates on Parade | Ming | Greenwich Theatre, UK |
| 1994 | Into the Woods | Jack | Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore |
| 1993 | Hair | Tribe | The Old Vic, UK |
| 1993 | The Magic Fundoshi | The Servant, The Wife, The Acolyte | Mu-Lan Theatre Company, London |
References
- ↑ "Adrian pang flunked A-Level Chinese". AsiaOne. 24 November 2009.
- ↑ "Asian Television Awards 2009 Winners". Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
- 1 2 "彭耀顺不续约 要和太太开设剧团 (Translation: Adrian Pang not renewing his contract, and will open a drama company with his wife" (in Chinese). Shin Min Daily News (published on omy.sg). 14 January 2010. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ↑ "Spring Awakening By PANGDEMONiUM!".
- ↑ "Swimming with Sharks By PANGDEMONiUM!".
- ↑ http://blogcritics.org/culture/article/theatre-review-singapore-god-of-carnage/
- ↑ http://theurbanwire.com/2013/05/05/rabbit-hole/
- ↑ "Hansel and Girl Girl". Epigram Books. Epigram Books. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
9. Adrian Pang's sons did not believe he was in a movie with Chris Hemsworth http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/movies/story/adrian-pang-movie-thor-20150114
External links
- Adrian Pang at the Internet Movie Database
- Profile on xin.msn.com
- Bio
- MDA Bio
- PANGDEMONiUM