Shocker of the Year: Huang Wenyong's death

SINGAPORE- His unexpected death in April sent shockwaves through the local entertainment industry.

The news about Huang Wenyong's passing had readers voting it the most shocking event this year.

The veteran local actor, who died from lymphoma, was 60. He left behind his wife, son and daughter.

It beat news surrounding two couples - the out-of-nowhere hook-up between Joanne Peh and Qi Yuwu, and the parting of ways between Wong Li Lin and hubby Allan Wu.

Local celebrity couple and Huang's acting peers, Hong Huifang, 53, and Zheng Geping, 49, told TNP earlier that "shocking" was certainly the word to describe what happened to Huang.

Zheng said: "We definitely did not want to see him go so early, but he went to a better place."

PIONEER

Huang, who was one of Singapore's pioneer batch of television drama actors, appeared in more than 100 shows since his debut in the early 1980s.

He was diagnosed with cancer in November last year, but kept it a secret from the public.

At his three-day wake earlier this year, over 1,000 people turned up to pay their respects, with local celebrities and friends describing Huang as a friendly colleague and good mentor in their eulogies.

Huang may be shockingly gone too soon, but he will continue to live on in our hearts as one of Singapore's most iconic TV stars.

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Goodbye, my special friend Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: Shin Min, ST, TNP)
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Huang Wenyong's daughter tweets about his passing Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: Shin Min Facebook, Stomp)
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Through the years: Huang Wenyong Click on thumbnail to view (Photos: ST, TNP, MediaCorp, Shin Min)