Chau Thong: From waiter to "national grandfather", just passed away at the age of 92

Hong Kong – The Hong Kong entertainment industry has just received sad news when veteran actor Chau Thong, real name Phung Cam Vinh, breathed his last on July 4, 2025, at the age of 92.

According to information from HK01, Chau Thong passed away due to pneumonia, ending an artistic journey that lasted more than 60 years, tirelessly contributing to Hong Kong cinema and television. His passing left deep regret in the hearts of audiences and colleagues.

The Strange Journey From Waiter to Movie Star

Chau Thong was born in 1932 in Hong Kong. Unlike many artists who came from professional training schools, the veteran actor's path to art was quite surprising and marked by fate. Before becoming involved in cinema, he worked as a waiter at a restaurant.

It was during a shopping trip at a shopping mall that Chau Thong's elegant appearance, tall stature and special temperament caught the eye of a film producer. He was invited to act and officially entered the entertainment industry in the 1950s.

Since the 1960s, Chau Thong quickly became one of the main stars of Quang Nghe Film Studio, one of the leading film studios at that time specializing in producing Cantonese films. He was famous for a series of blockbuster films such as "The Unfortunate Child", "The Dragon and Phoenix Sword", "The Loved Ones".

With his natural, emotional acting, Chau Thong quickly won the hearts of the audience and became one of the most beloved actors of that period.

Career turning point and the mark of "national grandfather" at TVB

However, as Cantonese films gradually declined in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Chow Tong’s film career was also affected. He had a period of time away from showbiz, struggling with various jobs to make a living, from being a cinema manager to working at a duty-free shop.

Although this period was difficult, it tempered Chau Thong's life experience and diversity in his perspective on people, which later became valuable assets for his television roles.

The big turning point in Chau Thong’s career came in 1998, when he officially joined Hong Kong’s largest television station – TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited). At the age of 66, when many people were thinking about retirement, Chau Thong started a new brilliant chapter in his career.

He quickly became a familiar and beloved face, especially with his roles as a gentle and kind grandfather and father. That is why he is affectionately called "TVB's national grandfather" by the audience. His classic television roles include:

"Genesis II: Love of Heaven and Earth", "The Mismatched Chopsticks: The House with the Full Moon", "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre" (2001) (as Truong Tam Phong, one of his most classic roles in TVB swordplay), "The Power of Love", "Foreign Affairs", "Reunion", "The Rich Father"...

Although Chau Thong's roles are usually not the center, he always turns each character into an important piece, contributing to the soul and authenticity of the works. He is highly appreciated for his professionalism, dedication to his profession, always carefully researching even the smallest roles, making seemingly simple characters become vivid and memorable.

Celebrate career and warm family life

In 2016, in recognition of Chow Chung's great and tireless contributions to the Hong Kong film and television industry for more than half a century, he was honored with the Outstanding Artist Award at the TVB Awards.

This is an honorary award, honoring lifelong contributions to the arts. The award was presented by two close friends and TVB legends, Ho Phong and Tang Kong, adding even more meaning to this special moment.

In March 2020, Chau Thong officially retired from the entertainment industry when his contract with TVB expired, ending a glorious artistic journey that lasted more than 60 years. He decided to enjoy a leisurely old age, spending time with his family after decades of dedicating himself to art.

The last time Chau Thong appeared on the small screen was in the movie "Sinister Beings" (2021), once again proving his perseverance and intense love for the profession.

In real life, Chau Thong is known as a family man, always loving his wife and children with all his heart. He and his beloved wife - Mrs. Tran Y Hoa - have 4 children together (3 girls, 1 boy). They have a strong, deep love and are an ideal model of loyalty.

A touching story about Chau Thong's love and sacrifice for his wife has made many people admire him. When his wife was diagnosed with cancer, Chau Thong refused all movie offers, put his career on hold to wholeheartedly care for her. His heart was clearly shown in an interview, when he emotionally shared about his wife's final moments:

"The doctor recommended chemotherapy, but my wife didn't want it because she was afraid of losing her hair and becoming emaciated. She told me not to let her suffer the fate of being hooked up to tubes and a ventilator. The whole family agreed with that wish. Luckily, she made her wishes clear in advance, so we were able to send her off exactly as she wanted. If we could leave peacefully, who wouldn't want that?

But if I have to suffer a lot of pain at the end of my life, just thinking about it is scary. The most important thing is to say what I want in time, so that my loved ones can fulfill my wishes, only then will I have no regrets when I leave." This sharing not only shows his boundless love for his wife but also teaches us a lesson about cherishing life and death.

The eternal legacy of a legendary "golden green leaf"

The passing of Chow Chung on July 4, 2025 is a great loss to the Hong Kong film and television industry. He was not only a talented actor but also a symbol of dedication, professionalism and deep love for his profession. Although he did not possess the reputation of an "A-list star" or the prestigious individual awards like the big stars, Chow Chung still left behind a huge legacy with hundreds of diverse roles, contributing to shaping the appearance of TVB television dramas for decades.

He is one of the clearest examples of the saying: "There are no small roles, only small actors". Chau Thong's spirit and professional ethics will always be a shining example for generations of young artists to follow.

The name of Chau Thong, with the image of a gentle "national grandfather", will always be remembered as a great "golden green leaf", an indispensable part of the cinematic memories of many generations of viewers. He lived a full life for art and family, and his contributions will always be appreciated.

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