Duy Phuong: from a famous comedy in the 90s to the age of 72 selling banh beo for a living

Once a famous comedian in the 1990s, Duy Phuong, now 72, still manages to make a living by selling banh beo (rice cakes) and doing YouTube. After many events, he has found peace with his wife, 20 years younger, and maintained the tenacious spirit of an artist.

The Golden Age of a Comedian in the Glorious Decade

When mentioning the Vietnamese comedy scene in the 1990s, audiences cannot ignore the name Duy Phuong - an artist associated with the glorious period of tape comedy and traditional theater. This was the time when comedy skits were invested in systematically, actors were considered entertainment stars and had a great influence on the mass audience. In that context, Duy Phuong stood out with his charming acting style, witty way of speaking and diverse transformation ability.

He appeared frequently on big stages, in many skits that were watched over and over again on television every holiday season. The seemingly simple roles were handled delicately by him, creating everyday laughter mixed with a bit of contemplation. Many skits became the mark of a whole generation of audiences, making him a familiar face in entertainment life.

However, the development of the entertainment market does not stand still. When reality TV, digital content and new trends appeared, traditional theater began to stagnate. That change brought about great changes for many artists, including Duy Phuong. The ups and downs in his work also coincided with personal events, causing him to gradually appear less on major programs - something that many artists of the golden generation of theater had to face.

Financial crisis and the journey of making a living without surrendering to fate

After a period of prosperity, Duy Phuong's life entered a more difficult phase. He tried to open a restaurant with the hope of stabilizing his finances, but the business failed, leaving him in debt. At an old age, facing financial pressure and family responsibilities, he chose to throw himself into work instead of letting himself be trapped in despair.

From a stage artist, he switched to selling banh beo – a rustic job, somewhat contrary to his famous image before. The work was hard, having to prepare the ingredients and deliver them himself, but it brought him a more stable income during a period of many changes. The image of an artist who used to make audiences laugh out loud now busy with a banh beo stall on the street made many people feel sad, but it was his serious attitude towards work that aroused respect.

Not only stopping at selling, Duy Phuong also found a new direction through YouTube. At an age when others might choose to retire, he taught himself how to film and edit videos, sharing everyday moments: scenes of delivering cakes, daily life stories, and thoughts about his career and life. The absolute simplicity, without drama or embellishment, has created a unique feature for his channel. After a period of perseverance, the YouTube channel achieved the silver button - a significant achievement for someone entering the digital platform in his late years.

Family - the support that keeps the will alive

Despite many ups and downs, what makes Duy Phuong always strive is his family. He has four children: Duy Phuoc, Le Loc, Duy Tho and Duy Bach. Of these, Duy Phuoc and Le Loc have both made their mark in the art field, while the two younger children continue to pursue acting – something that makes him feel proud because the art tradition is continued.

In August 2024, his family moved from their old rented place in Binh Chanh to a rented house in Binh Tan to facilitate their youngest son’s studies. The constant moving reflects an unstable life, but he said that what worries him most is not the place to live, but the future of his children – whom he wants to create a more solid foundation than what he had.

Whenever talking about his children, Duy Phuong cannot hide his joy and anticipation. Although the family's economy is still difficult, he does not want his children to abandon their passion for art. Their continuing to pursue acting is also a way for him to see a part of his past resurrected in a new way.

Simple love with a wife 20 years younger

In his personal life, Duy Phuong has gone through three marriages with many ups and downs. After the breakups, he found peace with his current wife - Mrs. Thom - a woman who is not active in the arts but has accompanied him through the most difficult times.

She lives a private life, spending most of her time with her family. When he sells banh beo, she helps prepare ingredients, deliver goods, and clean up. When he does YouTube, she stands behind him to support and encourage him. Her simplicity and understanding have made him call her "the woman of his life" many times.

In Duy Phuong’s eyes, the most precious thing is not material things but companionship – something he found after many failures. And it is that companionship that helps him stay optimistic even though life is still not without struggles.

Artists in everyday life and lessons on perseverance

At the age of 72, Duy Phuong is no longer in the brilliant position of the 90s, but the artist spirit in him has never been lost. From accepting to rebuild his life by selling banh beo to persistently learning to create digital content, he shows strong adaptability - something not every artist can do when facing big changes in the market.

Duy Phuong’s life reflects the reality of many Vietnamese artists: the stage’s glory is sometimes not enough to ensure a stable life when times change. But what makes him loved by the audience is not only the laughter he brought, but also his honesty and tireless efforts in everyday life.

He chose to live honestly, sharing his difficulties, not embellishing nor complaining. Thanks to that, his image became more approachable - an artist who had gone through enough events to understand that the greatest value does not lie in fame, but in determination, in family love and in kindness towards life.