People's Artist Thanh Nam: "Uncle" Mai Phuong, comes from a farming family, is in his 70s and lives in a 1000m2 villa.

People's Artist Thanh Nam is a familiar face in the Vietnamese cinema with many impressive roles. In particular, the leading role in the film "The Adventure of Hai Lua" has brought his name closer to the audience.

Thanh Nam, whose real name is Pham Hoang Nam, was born on August 17, 1958 in Chau Thanh, Hau Giang. He is a cai luong artist and comedian. During his 40 years in the arts, he has been admired by the public for his simple, unpretentious "Hai Lua" image and has won numerous major art awards.

Thanh Nam grew up in a poor peasant family. At the ag.e of 17, he was recruited into the Chau Thanh District Performing Arts Troupe. Here, he was taught many Cai Luong songs by the artists Tu Be and Sau Cham. Not long after, he transferred to the Da Lan Huong Cai Luong Troupe.

One time, the clown named Sy Liem was sick and no one played the role of Ty, who was serving the character Duong Le (in the play Luu Binh - Duong Le), so Thanh Nam was chosen to act as his substitute. Unexpectedly, the role was a success and was warmly received by the audience. From then on, he devoted his entire career to comedy roles.

In 1978, Thanh Nam officially entered the path of professional cai luong actor with Kien Giang Cai Luong Troupe II. Two years later, he returned to Kien Giang People's Cai Luong Troupe and worked there until now.

Around the 80s, when the Southern generation of cai luong comedians had all entered their fifties, it was an opportunity for a young clown like Thanh Nam to "show off" and demonstrate his full potential. With his strength in humorous roles, he stepped into the "realm" of cai luong with unique but somewhat humorous roles.

Thanh Nam's successful roles include Mr. Tu Ken in "The Rest of Life" (Silver Medal of the National Professional Cai Luong Theatre Festival in 2000), Mr. Tu Cho in "The Pai.n of Family Genealogy" (Gold Medal of the Southern Regional Theatre Festival), Huong Quan Mui in "The Bell of Tam Bao Pagoda" (B prize), Do Luong in The Scream at the Executio.n Ground (Certificate of Merit)...

In addition, Thanh Nam was also awarded the Medal for Cultural Career and many other certificates of merit. In the field of comedy, in 1991, he was ranked third in the 10 most favorite comedians, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Newspaper in the form of a reader poll. In the same poll, in 1996, he was ranked fourth in the 20 most favorite comedians.

During the difficult period of reformed opera, Thanh Nam switched to television dramas. Still a simple, honest, rustic farmer but full of compassion, the male artist was affectionately called "Hai Lua" by many audiences and was "tailored" by directors to play important roles of farmers.

In 2009, Thanh Nam made his mark with the work "The Adventure of Hai Lua", playing a character that was almost 100% similar to him in real life. This was also the case where the male artist became father and son with the late actress Mai Phuong - who played the role of Sau Nhu.

In 2010, Thanh Nam was voted the Most Favorite Actor at the HTV Awards. In 2012, he continued to receive the Golden Cuo Neo Awar.d organized and voted by the Tuoi Tre Cuoi newspaper. In 2015, part 2 of "The Adventure of Hai Lua" aired, continuing to help the male artist affirm his position.

Thanh Nam is also very proud because his character "Hai Lua" receives a lot of love from the audience. According to him, sometimes when mentioning Thanh Nam's name, the audience may not remember, but when mentioning "Hai Lua", most people know.

"Hai Lua can be considered my lifetime role, deeply imprinted in the hearts of the audience. It's very difficult to find a role like that. Sometimes, an actor only needs one lifetime role like that in his career," the male artist confided.

After the success of the role of "Hai Lua", Thanh Nam also took on dozens of other roles with similar circumstances, in the films Ve Que Cuoi Vo, Tay Choi Miet Vuon, Bac Ba Phi Thoi @... Until now, he himself cannot remember how many of these types of roles he has played, his name has become associated with the image of a Southern farmer.

After many years of dedication, on August 29, 2019, Thanh Nam was honored to be awarded the title of People's Artist by the State along with other names such as Thanh Tuan, Thoai Mieu, Minh Vuong, Giang Chau, Viet Anh... In 2024, he was a judge for the Golden Bell of Traditional Opera competition of Ho Chi Minh City Television.

On film, Thanh Nam always appears cheerful and humorous, but in real life, the artist is always very neat and tidy. He confided that he is always aware that he is a public figure. Dressing elegantly and neatly is not for formality or showiness, but to show respect to the audience, so that they can see the best of the artist.

Not only that, Thanh Nam is also an "underground tycoon" of showbiz. After many years of hard work in the arts, he owns a fortune that many people dream of, being the owner of a cafe - breakfast shop with a large area, located on a crowded street in Rach Gia city.

Talking about the reason for choosing to live in the countryside instead of Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Nam shared that he did not want to abandon his friends and brothers in the group. "Many people told me that I should go to Ho Chi Minh City because it would be more convenient for work and have more conditions than in the provinces. But I am used to living there, and I have affection and affection for everyone. I live for myself and for everyone around me," he said.

Although he is now in his 70s, artist Thanh Nam is still very passionate about his career because he sees acting as an indispensable part of his life. When he has a long filming schedule, he can drive himself without hiring a driver.

It is known that Thanh Nam's property is up to a thousand square meters wide, with a spacious garden, a rockery, a Koi fish pond and many ornamental plants planted around. The house has a white main color tone, and the interior is decorated with many expensive wooden furniture. According to the People's Artist, he designed and built the villa himself, without the need for an architect.

Besides his successful career, Thanh Nam is also admired by many people for his happy marriage with Cai Luong artist Y Phuong. "Hai Lua's" wife is known to be a quiet person who smiles a lot, with a gentle face typical of a woman from the West.

Thanh Nam shared that he lives in a 3-generation family, including a daughter, son-in-law and grandchild. After the pandemic, his wife stayed home to manage the family coffee shop. The male artist said that because they work in the same profession, they sympathize and understand each other. His wife always feels secure and trusts him every time he performs.

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