Xie Shaoguang (original) (raw)

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Singaporean actor (born 1961)

Xie Shaoguang
Born Cha Shao Kwong (1961-09-15) 15 September 1961 (age 63)Colony of Singapore
Nationality Singaporean
Occupations Actorchefformer monk
Years active 1989–2005 & 2024–present
Awards Full list
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 謝韶光
Simplified Chinese 谢韶光
Hanyu Pinyin Xiè Sháoguāng

Cha Shao-kwong (born 15 September 1961), professionally known as Xie Shaoguang, is a Singaporean actor, chef and former monk best known for acting in many Chinese-language television series produced by MediaCorp Channel 8. He was prominently a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1989 to 2005. He re-signed with MediaCorp on 5 September 2024, citing possible future projects.

Widely regarded as one of Singapore's best actors, Xie received five Star Awards for Best Actor, a record that he held for 15 years for the most wins in that category before being surpassed by Chen Hanwei in 2019.

Since the start of his acting career in 1989 in the television series A Mother's Love (亲心唤我心), Xie has received numerous accolades, including winning the Star Awards Best Actor award five times and the Best Supporting Actor award twice since the ceremony's inception in 1994. One of his most notable roles is the Chinese folk deity Ji Gong in the 1997 television series The Legends of Jigong.[1]

In 2005, Xie formalised his plans to retire from the entertainment industry when he decided not to renew his contract which expired in September the same year, although his intention to quit has been made known years earlier.[1] He said that after retirement, he would be living in Malaysia, where he planned to open a refuge for stray dogs and cats. His last screen appearance was in the television series Baby Blues, which ended its run on 9 September 2005.

After a 12-year hiatus, Xie made a short official media appearance on 14 October 2017 to conduct acting classes for younger actors.[2] Xie has stated he would return to acting, if there is a role that can persuade him to do so.[3] In 2024, he signed with The Celebrity Agency seeking for new acting roles after being persuaded by his former manager, Ivy Low who's now the head of the management agency.[4][5]

Since leaving the entertainment industry, Xie has kept a low-profile; he has refused all requests to appear in public events or on screen, including an invitation by Singaporean director Anthony Chen to star in the award-winning film Ilo Ilo.[2]

Xie moved to Permas Jaya, Malaysia, where he was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2013.[6] In 2014, Xie opened an animal welfare centre, Animal Paradise, in Pekan Nanas, Johor.[7]

In 2016, Singaporean media reported that Xie renounced his monkhood and had become a head chef in a vegetarian restaurant.[8] Just before the COVID-19 pandemic happened, he moved back to Singapore.[4]

Year Title Role Ref
1989 A Mother's Love (親心喚我心) He Jiale's husband
1990 Friends Next Door (我愛芳鄰) Li Yaochang
Two of Us (天生一對)
By My Side (逆風天使) Zhiwei
Wishing Well (幻海奇遇之六尺儿童) Bing
Navy Series (壯志豪情) Li Yi-an
Marry Me (最佳配偶) Liu Ri-hua
Enchanted Eyes (天眼) Xiaoliu
Happy World (多多富貴多多情) Mr Fang
1991 The Working Class (上班一族)
Fatal Endearment (謀海危情) Chen Gang
Behind Bars (铁狱雷霆) Pang Yuda
Private Eyes (妙探智多星) Johnny He
Black Phoenix (黑凤凰) Junding
The Future is Mine (錦繡前程) Michael
1992 Changing Fortune (天賜奇才) Hou Yizong
Ladies in Action (霹靂紅唇) Yuan Zhenhua
A Time to Dance (火舞風雲) Simon Luo Tianhu
My Buddies (浪漫战场) Zhang Liangxing
Between Friends (山水喜相逢) Wang Xiangdong
Duel in ShangHai (轰天龙虎) Yan Zhiping
1993 Smouldering Heat (赤道迷情) Huang Yaman
Angel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花) Long Jun
Reaching For The Stars (银海惊涛) Albert
Ride the Waves (卿本佳人) Huo Chenggui
The Great Conspiracy (蓮花爭霸) Ye Qun
Switch (妙鬼临门) Ben
The Unbeatables I Feng Jiang
1994 Double Life (潇洒走一回) Zhao Yong
Those Were The Days (生命擂台) Paul
Larceny Of Love (雌雄大盜) Jiang Zefu
Challenger (勇者無懼) Zhong Shaoliang
Against All Odds (共闯荊途) Rong Bochuan
1997 The Legends of Jigong Ji Gong [1]
1998 Stand by Me Du Hanmin
1999 Stepping Out Zhang Jiafu
2002 Beautiful Connection Lion King
2003 Holland V Yang Xiong
2004 Double Happiness Luo Jialong
Double Happiness II
I Love My Home Xu Chuanye
2005 Baby Blues Lan Haishen
Year Title Role Ref
2002 Miracle Pub (奇蹟酒吧之白粉仔) Dong Zhongxing
2003 Destiny (愛之國.仇恨島) Shi Shusheng / Ding Lingqi

Variety show hosting

[edit]

Year Title Ref
2005 Rail Adventure (男得風光)

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1995 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor Larceny of Love (as Jiang Zefu) Won
Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 5
1996 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor Golden Pillow (as Sai Wei) Won
Best Actor The Last Rhythm (as Junxiong) Won
Top 5 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 5
1997 Star Awards Best Actor The Legends of Ji Gong (as Luo Han) Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
1998 Star Awards Best Actor Stand by Me (as Du Hanmin) Won
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
1999 Star Awards Best Actor Stepping Out (as Zhang Jiafu) Won
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
2000 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
2001 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
2002 Star Awards Best Actor Beautiful Connection (as Lion King) Nominated
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
2003 Star Awards Best Actor Holland V (as Yang Xiong) Won
Special Achievement Award Won
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
2004 Star Awards Best Actor Double Happiness (as Luo Jialong) Won
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Top 10
2005 Star Awards All-Time Favourite Artiste Won
2007 Star Awards My Favourite Actor Won
Favourite On-screen Couple Won
  1. ^ a b c Sng, Suzanne (21 September 2021). "Former actor Xie Shaoguang makes rare appearance in Pan Lingling's photo". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b 谢韶光时隔12年重返新传媒,为年轻后辈开演艺班授课 [Xie Shaohuang returns to MediaCorp after 12 years, conducts acting classes for young actors]. Toggle (in Simplified Chinese). 14 October 2017. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  3. ^ Hong, Minghua (14 October 2017). 现身新传媒 谢韶光:可为角色复出 [Appearing at Mediacorp Xie Shaoguang: I may return to showbiz because of the role]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Singaporean actor Xie Shaoguang, 62, makes showbiz comeback after 19-year hiatus". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Xie Shaoguang's Ex Manager Says It's "Too Early" To Say If He's Making A Showbiz Comeback After Elusive Star Creates IG Account". 8days. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  6. ^ hermesauto (27 March 2016). "Retired actor Xie Shaoguang isn't a monk any more, returns to secular life and cooking". The Straits Times. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Where Did Xie Shaoguang Go To After Leaving Showbiz?". 8days. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  8. ^ Huang, Zhifa; Chen, Mingyao (27 March 2016). 退演艺圈11年 两年半前剃度出家 谢韶光还俗 [Retired from showbiz for 11 years, entered the Buddhist order two-and-a-half years ago, Xie Shaoguang has given up his monk vows]. Lianhe Zaobao (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 26 April 2018.