Mak Ho Wai (; 7 January 1946 – 14 April 2022) was a Singaporean television actor with TVB and then Mediacorp.
Early life and education Mak studied at the National Taiwan Ocean University, receiving a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering. He later earned a master's degree in Chinese language studies at the Beijing Normal University at the age of 60.
Career After graduating from National Taiwan Ocean University, Mak was a radio DJ in Taiwan a period of time. Having spent ten years in Taiwan, he was proficient in speaking standard Mandarin.
Mak enrolled into the twelfth cohort of the TVB artiste training class in 1982 to fulfil the wishes of his younger brother, , who was also an actor with TVB. Mak Dai Shing died in the CAAC Flight 3303 accident in the same year. After completing the training course, he was retained by TVB as an actor, playing mostly a support role in numerous televised drama in the ensuing years. Notable roles during his time at TVB included the head of an investment firm in in 1989 and a newspaper vendor in The Greed of Man in 1992.
In 1994, Mak played his last acting role with TVB as a prosecutor in . In September, he moved to Singapore to further his career.
In 1996, Mak played the patriarch of the family featured in the Chinese drama series, Don't Worry Be Happy (). As the drama was popular, with about 68,000 viewers tuning in for its first episode, and 75,000 viewers for its third episode, the moniker used throughout the series, "Old Hero" (老 Hero), would be synonymous with him for the rest of his life.
On 5 October 1997, Mak received the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes at the Star Awards. Barely a week later, Mak was part of the Singapore's stage production of Hu-Du-Men (虎度门) that ran between 10 and 14 October. The play was first staged in Hong Kong in the 80s, and it later was adapted into the 1996 Hong Kong film, Hu-Du-Men.
In 2005, Mak had a cameo role in the television series, Destiny (), which was the final television role in his acting career.
In 2018, it was reported that Mak had volunteered to be a docent at the National Museum of Singapore.
Personal life Mak had two daughters.
When Mak moved to Singapore to further his career in September 1994, he brought along his entire family. Previously while still under contract with TVB, he had expressed that he would like to migrate to Singapore due to the living environment and the education system. On 25 May 1997, Mak received his Singapore citizenship.
Mak died on 14 April 2022 in Singapore.
Filmography
Television series YearTitleRoleNotes 1983Return of the Condor Heroesunnamed Taoist priest1984The Smiling, Proud WandererTou-bat-yung1986New Heavenly Sword and Dragon SabreChu Yun-cheung1987The Legend of the Book and the Sword1988It's No Heaven 天堂血路Twilight of a NationYik-san 奕山1989The Iron Butterfly 特警90Looking Back in Anger1990Behind Bars 铁窗雄泪1991A New LifeHa Kin-yan 夏健仁1992Rage and PassionRoyal advisorThe Greed of Man1993The Buddhism Palm Strikes BackCheung Sam1994The Legend of the Condor HeroesTong Cho-takLast work with TVB1995Strange Encounters IIIThe Golden PillowMorning Express1996Creative Edge 创意先锋Don't Worry Be Happy 敢敢做个开心人Old HeroAmbitionSuperintendent Sir 唐SirThe series is only broadcast by TVB in 1996.1997The Guest People1998The Return of the Condor Heroes (1998)Zhou BotongLegend of the Eight ImmortalsHan Zhongli2005Destiny Cen Fei's father
Film YearTitleRoleNotes 1986Loves Of The Living DeadStriptease show's boss1988The Last ConflictPriestThe Romancing Star IIFaithfully YoursTaxi driver1989All Night Long 夜瘋狂1990Sunshine Friends 笑星撞地球1991The Banquet1992Game Kids 機Boy小子之真假威龍1993Millionaire Cop 千面天王1994Mr. Sardine 沙甸魚殺人事件1995When a Child Is Born 有兒萬事足Dr ShenSea Eagle 海岸猎鹰 Fatal Memory 血案迷情
Theatre YearTitleRoleNotes 1997Hu-Du-Men (虎度门)
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 1997 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes
References
External links
Mak Hiu-Wai at Hkmdb