Adrian Pang

Adrian Pang 彭耀顺
Born	Adrian Pang Yao Shun January 8, 1966 (1966-01-08) Malacca, Malaysia
Spouse	Tracie Howitt

Adrian Pang (Chinese: 彭耀顺; pinyin: Péng Yàoshùn Pang Yeow Soon, Adrian; born January 8, 1966) is a Singaporean Chinese actor who trained at the ARTTS International in Bubwith, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Born in Malacca, Malaysia, he was educated at Anglo-Chinese School, Singapore, and in the United Kingdom. Although he studied law at Keele University, he has not practised since. He worked for a number of years in British theatre and television before returning to his native Singapore. While he was based in Britain, he would occasionally return to Singapore for stage work where he first caught the eye of Singaporeans when he starred in the Singaporean movie comedy Forever Fever (1998).

Homecoming

Upon returning home, Pang joined MediaCorp. Pang later switched to SPH MediaWorks as a producer-presenter when the new company was established in 2001. It was around this time in 2001 that he moved back permanently to Singapore with his family. He quickly established himself as a household name through his work on Channel i. A versatile talent, he excelled in hosting as well as acting, such as in the comedy Durian King and the main actor in the channel's final production, Six Weeks, before its impending merger with MediaCorp in 2005. An original idea of his, Pang co-wrote Six Weeks and was part of the creative process from start to finish.

Post MediaWorks

Re-employed by MediaCorp after the merger, he went on to appear in Chinese dramas on MediaCorp Channel 8, such as the blockbuster drama Portrait of Home (同心圆) in 2005. His portrayal of the eccentric Dadi earned him a Best Actor nomination in Star Awards 2005. He achieved this accolade despite the fact that he is much more comfortable speaking in English than in Mandarin (something many English-speaking Singaporeans can relate to). Indeed, he admitted he had much difficulty acting in the show. He even describes himself as a 'kentang', a Malay term, to describe someone who is very Westernised.

He also starred in Jack Neo's romantic comedy I Do I Do (2005) with Sharon Au. He also appeared on Makan King on Channel U, Nine Lives on Arts Central and Maggi & Me on MediaCorp Channel 5. In March 2007, he clinched the coveted Best Actor award at the national Life! Theater Awards for 2006.

He has also appeared in various theatrical performances such as Forbidden City: Portrait of An Empress (2002), A Twist of Fate (2005), The Dresser, The Odd Couple and many others.

Pang's humour makes him one of the more sought-after hosts in Singaporean media. He was the host for The Arena and Deal or No Deal (Singapore) aired on MediaCorp Channel 5. He has also helped to host the National Day Parade Celebrations in Singapore as well as Miss Singapore Universe.

He also played the male lead in the series Parental Guidance (TV Series) opposite Hong Kong actress, Jessica Hsuen. That was also the first time Pang played a legal professional on television.

In 2008, he filmed a Chinese drama serial, Nanny Daddy, which was telecast on Channel 8 in September that year. In 2009, he snared a leading role as a "blind" lawyer named Alex Sung bent on revenge in the Channel 5 blockbuster drama Red Thread.

In 2010, Pang announced that after his current artiste contract with MediaCorp expires in March, he will "experimentally" leave MediaCorp, and establish a drama company with his wife, to be called "PANGDEMONiUM!". According to Pang, the "experimental" leave was made possible via a prior arrangement with MediaCorp executives, and that he is open to returning to MediaCorp, or act in MediaCorp projects, in the future. At this time he did not appear for the last few episodes in New City Beat and acted in Channel 8 drama series With You.

PANGDEMONiUM!'s inaugural production was The Full Monty held in June 2010, based on The Full Monty (musical). Their next production, Closer showed from February to March 2011. Their third play, 'Dealer's Choice' was played from 29 September to 12 October 2011. Currently, they are doing Spring Awakening that will be showing from February 3-26.

In 2012, Pang starred in the MediaCorp Raintree Pictures movie Dance Dance Dragon (龙众舞) alongside Kym Ng and Dennis Chew. The movie was aired in all local cinemas during the Lunar New Year period.

Personal life

He is married to Tracie Howitt. They have two sons, Zack and Xander. Pang is recognised as a devoted father who spends most of his free time with his family. He frequently ends his messages in the "about" section with lines similar to this: "But all the above nonsense is nothing when compared to his favourite role of all time - Daddy to his two sons, Zack and Xander."

References

• http://www.getforme.com/localtalents_comedy_AdrianPang.htm - old bio
• http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.file/mobj/mobj.1016.annex-b.pdf - helpful biography

External links

• Adrian Pang at the Internet Movie Database
• http://movies2.nytimes.com/gst/movies/filmography.html?p_id=241679
• http://www.pangdemonium.com/