Adrian Pang

Adrian Pang
Chinese name 彭耀順 (traditional)
Chinese name 彭耀顺 (simplified)
Pinyin Péng Yàoshùn (Mandarin)
Born Pang Yeow Soon
(1966-01-08) 8 January 1966
Malacca, MalaysiaMalaysia
Origin Hakka
Alma mater Anglo-Chinese School
Anglo-Chinese Junior College
Keele University
ARTTS International
Occupation Actor, producer, host
Years active 1990s-present
Nationality Singaporean
Label(s) FLY Entertainment
Manager(s) FLY Entertainment
Spouse(s)
Tracie Howitt (m. 1995)
Children
  • Zack Pang (son)
  • Xander Pang (son)
Awards
Asian Television Awards
Best Actor
2009 Red Thread

Adrian Pang Yeow Soon (born 8 January 1966) is a Malaysian-born Singapore former actor, host, and contracted artiste under FLY Entertainment and prominently a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1990 to 2010. 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 the entertainment industry, 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

YearWorkRoleNotes
2012The Kitchen MusicalBryan S
2011Code of LawDennis Tang Teng Soon (Cameo ep 1)
The Pupil Season 2Dennis Tang Teng Soon
2010With You 我在你左右Zhou Wen An 周文安
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一
  • Last Mandarin Drama
The Pupil Season 1Dennis Tang Teng Soon
2009Red ThreadAlex Sung
Polo BoysGregory Koh
2008Nanny Daddy 奶爸百分百Liu Zhuolun 刘卓伦
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一
2007Do Not Disturb : Lunch Hour
2007–2008Parental GuidanceJames Seto
2006–2008Maggi & Me 我爱鬼妹Johnny Tan
2005Portrait of Home II 同心圆2Zhou Dadi 周大地
  • Pairs up with Jesseca Liu
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一
Portrait of Home 同心圆
  • Pairs up with Jesseca Liu
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一

Shows Hosted

YearShowNotes
2012–2013Chasing HappinessChannel NewsAsia programme
2009New City 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
2007–2008Deal or No Deal
2007Miss Singapore Universe finals
Phua Chu Kang Wrap PartyEnd of series wrap-up
Code Red 爱上小红点
The Arena I
2006Miss Singapore Universe finals
Chingay Parade
2005–2006Makan King 好吃王
2005Singapore National Day Parade
2004Top 10 十不相瞒
2003Chingay Parade
2002Singapore National Day Parade (pre-parade)
Singapore Film Festival
Chingay Parade
2000–2004Yummy King

Films

YearWorkRole
2015The Faith of Anna WatersFather Matthew Tan
2015BlackhatKeith Yan
2014Unlucky PlazaSky / Terence Chia
2013Judgement DayPrime Minister
2013Sex.Violence.FamilyValues (short film)The Director
2012BaitJessup
2012Dance Dance Dragon 龙众舞Eric Tan
2009The Blue MansionWee Teck Meng
2008The Carrot Cake ConversationsMatthew
2007Gone ShoppingValentine Tan
2005I Do I Do 爱都爱都Lee Ah Peng 李亚鹏
2001Spy GameJiang
2000Night SwimmerKenneth
2000Second GenerationJimmy
1998Forever FeverHock
1995Night WatchKorean technician

Theatre

YearProductionRoleLocation
2015ChinglishMinister Cai GuoliangPangdemonium, Singapore
2015TribesDadPangdemonium, Singapore
2015Circle Mirror TransformationShultzPangdemonium, Singapore
2014FrozenRalphPangdemonium, Singapore
2014The Rise and Fall of Little VoiceRaysayPangdemonium, Singapore
2013Next to NormalDanPangdemonium, Singapore
2013Rabbit HoleHowie CorbettPangdemonium, Singapore
2012Spring AwakeningHeadmaster KnochenbruchPangdemonium, Singapore
2012Swimming with SharksBuddy AckermanPangdemonium, Singapore
2012God of CarnageMichaelAtlantis Production / Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2011CloserLarryPangdemonium, Singapore
2011Dealer's ChoiceStephenPangdemonium, Singapore
2011Into the WoodsActorSingapore
2010The Full MontyJerryPangdemonium, Singapore
2009Much Ado About NothingBenedickSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2007, 2008The PillowmanTupolskiSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2006The DresserNormanSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2005A Twist of FateUncle AlbertVizPro Entertainment / Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2004The Odd CoupleFelix Ungar, Oscar MadisonSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2001Barefoot in the ParkPaulSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1999, 2000They're Playing Our SongVernonSingapore Repertory Theater, Manila, Philippines
1998Take AwayDamienMu-Lan Theatre Company, London
1997New TerritoriesWong, MonkeyYellow Earth Theatre, London
1997HamletPrince HamletSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1996The Magic FundoshiThe Servant, The Wife, The AcolyteSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1996The Glass MenagerieTom WingfieldSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1995Little Shop of HorrorsSeymourSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1995Privates on ParadeMingGreenwich Theatre, UK
1994Into the WoodsJackSingapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1993HairTribeThe Old Vic, UK
1993The Magic FundoshiThe Servant, The Wife, The AcolyteMu-Lan Theatre Company, London

Awards and nominations

Star Awards

The Star Awards are presented by Mediacorp.

Star Awards – Acting Awards
YearCeremonyCategoryNominated workResult
200512th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorPortrait of HomeNominated
12th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/ATop 20
200613th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorPortrait of Home IINominated
13th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/ATop 20
200714th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/ATop 20
200915th Star Awards CeremonyBest ActorNanny DaddyNominated
15th Star Awards CeremonyTop 10 Most Popular Male ArtistesN/ATop 20

Asian Television Awards

Year Award Work Result
2003Asian Television Awards, Best Comedy ActorAh Girl IINominated
2007Asian Television Awards, Best Comedy ActorMaggi & MeNominated
2009Asian Television Awards,Best ActorRed ThreadWon

References

  1. "Adrian pang flunked A-Level Chinese". AsiaOne. 24 November 2009.
  2. "Asian Television Awards 2009 Winners". Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  3. 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.
  4. "Spring Awakening By PANGDEMONiUM!".
  5. "Swimming with Sharks By PANGDEMONiUM!".
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  7. http://theurbanwire.com/2013/05/05/rabbit-hole/
  8. "Hansel and Girl Girl". Epigram Books. Epigram Books. Archived from the original on 4 September 2014. 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

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