Liza Wang

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Liza Wang

Chinese: 汪明荃
Wang attending an exhibition on her Cantonese Opera career at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in April 2021.
Wang attending an exhibition on her Cantonese Opera career at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in April 2021.
Born
Wang Ming-chun

(1947-08-28) 28 August 1947 (age 76)
Other names
  • Liza Wong
  • Lisa Wang
Occupations
  • Actress
  • Singer
  • MC
Years active1967–present
Spouses
Lau Cheong Wah
(m. 1971; div. 1983)
(m. 2009)
AwardsMing Pao Anniversary Awards
Outstanding Actress in Television
2005 Wars of In-Laws
2005 Honorary AwardRTHK Top 10 Gold Songs AwardsGolden Needle Award
2004

TVB Anniversary AwardsAll-Time Most Memorable Female Leading Roles
1999 A House Is Not A Home

My Favourite Television Character
2000 At the Threshold of an Era
2001 The Awakening Story
Best Actress
2001 The Awakening Story
2005 Wars of In-Laws
Best Host
2010 Fun with Liza and Gods
2015 Sunday Songbird

Lifetime Achievement Award
2012
2017

Musical career
Also known asThe Big Sister[1]
OriginHong Kong
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Chinese name
Chinese汪明荃
WebsiteOfficial website

Elizabeth "Liza" Wang Ming-chun GBS SBS[2][3][4][5] (born 28 August 1947), is a Hong Kong diva, actress and MC. She is a personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.[6] Wang was a delegate in the National People's Congress from 1988 to 1997, and she is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[7]

Entertainment career[edit]

Liza Wang was born on 28 August 1947 in Shanghai, She moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai in autumn 1956 and signed up for Rediffusion Hong Kong's first Artist Academy class in 1967. From thousands of applicants, the 20-year-old Liza was one of the nine that were picked to attend acting classes. She was also the first to graduate from the academy.

Television[edit]

Her career has spanned four decades, since 1967. She began working for Rediffusion Television Limited (later renamed Asia Television and now defunct) until she joined TVB in 1971. She was one of the members of the all-girl music group Four Golden Flowers.[8] Wang initially made her mark in the entertainment industry in drama series. Her work in front of the camera was followed by that behind the scenes on television productions.

In 2005, she received the Best Actress award during TVB's 38th Anniversary. She received this award the second time for her role in Wars of In-laws. Wang received her first Best Actress award for her drama series The Awakening Story in 2001. She celebrated her 40th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2007.

Singing career[edit]

In parallel with her acting career Wang had a successful singing career, based on albums for her television series, consisting of TV theme songs. She has sung cantopop as well as mandopop. She performed duets with singer Adam Cheng. She continues to perform TV theme songs such as "東方之珠" for musical series like the 2006 Glittering Days.[9]

Cantonese opera[edit]

Liza Wang performing Cantonese opera in November 2006.

She experimented with stage musicals before becoming a Cantonese opera actress. It was within the Cantonese opera community that Wang met her longtime partner, Law Kar-ying. In 2005 the Sunbeam Theatre in North Point, Hong Kong's only regular venue for Cantonese Opera performances, was planned to close following a change of ownership.[7] Wang decided to negotiate with the new owner, who then promised to extend the contract with the Cantonese Opera groups. Wang then criticized the Government for its lack of support for Cantonese Opera, and the Government promised to adopt Wang's request.

Wang was Chairman of the Chinese Artist Association of Hong Kong (香港八和會館) from 1992 to 1997, then again from 2005 to 2009.[7] In 2007 Wang was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award.[7] She was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the City University of Hong Kong.

In February 2009 Wang fought for the development rights to restore the North Kowloon Magistracy building (北九龍裁判法院) in Sham Shui Po.[10] The building was originally proposed to be a new Cantonese opera training and performance center. Hong Kong's government granted the bid to the US Savannah College of Art and Design.[10] Wang was upset over the loss, and said the government was only paying lip service to causes such as Cantonese opera. The magistracy building is to be turned into a school specializing in creative and digital media.[10][11]

Political career[edit]

Pan-democrat home return permits request[edit]

Since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party have banned 8 of the 25 Hong Kong pan-democrat legislative councilors. They are barred from the mainland except for tours organized by the government.[12] On 6 March 2008 Wang began publicizing the need to grant 24 Home Return Permit to the pro-democracy lawmakers.[13][14]

Government Committee[edit]

On Apr 29, 2020, The Hong Kong SAR announced the appointments to the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee which aims to promote the development of Cantonese opera, facilitating the transmission of this world intangible cultural heritage item, for the period from May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2022.[15] Wang is one of the members.

2008 Beijing Olympics[edit]

Wang mentioned that it was good timing to invite the democrats to enter mainland China in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.[14]

"CPPCC chairman Jia Qinglin said we should unite people from different sectors – why not include the democrats as well?[14]

— Liza Wang tries to unite the opposing Democrats and Pro-Beijing side in Hong Kong.

The Pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong member Tam Yiu Chung responded that the Olympics was not a good reason for changing what the central government used to do.[citation needed] Her concerns baffled her colleagues in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[1] Democrat member Albert Ho said the issue of a home visit permit was such a rightful thing. It has never been mentioned by any politician but a performer. He appreciates Wang's efforts.[14] Wang is a member, but not a standing committee member of the CPPCC.

Community work[edit]

As a mainstay at the TVB television network, Wang has gained almost legendary status[according to whom?] for her efforts not merely as an entertainer but also as a philanthropist with a heart for social works and for improving lives in rural China and other areas. Within Hong Kong, she has also been an MC hosting TVB telethons for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and many other charities.

Wang, being a two-time cancer survivor (first thyroid then breast cancer), decided to be an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society.[7] A series of informative radio talk shows on RTHK was also hosted where medical specialists were invited to discuss the many types of cancer. She has helped raise charities, awareness and funding for cancer patients. Recently[when?] a free concert was given at Tin Shui Wai for 4,500 residents; the concert was filled to capacity and hundreds were turned away. The crowd prevented guest performers like Miriam Yeung and Denise Ho from arriving on time. Denise Ho ascribed the audience overflow to Wang's popularity.[6]

Personal life[edit]

Liza Wang was married to businessman Lau Cheong Wah from 1971 to 1983 and they remain good friends. In the late 1980s, she met Law Kar-ying, openly acknowledged as her partner for over twenty years, and whom she married on 2 May 2009 in Las Vegas.[16] Being a native Shanghainese, Wang speaks fluent Shanghainese and has always identified as a Shanghainese.[17]

The nickname of "Wang Ah-Tag" owing to social media usage[edit]

In recent years, Liza Wang has increased her usage in social media. However, upon uploading the photos with others, she has been handwriting the names of others on the photos. These handwritings have been occasionally described as "Wang Ah-Tag".[18][19]

Filmography[edit]

Television series[edit]

Year Title Role
1974 Eternal Spring
永恆的春天
Mao Yuin Yuin
毛圓圓
1975 The Golden Chrysanthemum
金葉菊
Zhau Yuk Sin
周玉仙
Lady with the Lute
趙五娘
Zhiu Ng Niong
趙五娘
Legend of the Purple Hairpin
紫釵記
Fok Siu Yuk
霍小玉
1976 The Legend of the Book and the Sword
書劍恩仇錄
Fok-ching-tung
霍青桐
1977 A House Is Not a Home
家變
Lok Lam
洛琳
1978 The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
家變
Chiu Man
趙敏
1979 Over the Rainbow
天虹
Leung Pui-yee
梁沛怡
Chor Lau-heung
楚留香
Shum Wai-san
沈慧珊
1980 Yesterday's Glitter
京華春夢
Ho Yin-chau
賀燕秋
The Shell Game
千王之王
Tam Siu-tong
谭小棠
1981 Young's Female Warrior
楊門女將
Muk Gui-yin
穆桂英
The Shell Game II
千王群英會
Tam Siu-tong
谭小棠
1982 Love and Passion
萬水千山總是情
Chong Mung-deep
莊夢蝶
1984 Qiu Jin: A Woman To Remember
秋瑾
Qiu Jin
秋瑾
1999 At the Threshold of an Era
創世紀
Fong Kin-ping
方健平
2000 At the Threshold of an Era II
創世紀 II
Fong Kin-ping
方健平
2001 The Awakening Story
婚前昏後
Lam Ho Suet
林皓雪
2004 Blade Heart
血薦軒轅
Tong Bik
唐碧
2005 Wars of In-Laws
我的野蠻奶奶
Hei Tap-Lap Shek Lan
喜塔臘鑠蘭
The Unforgettables
名曲滿天星
2006 When Rules Turn Loose
識法代言人
Suen Man-Yee
孫敏儀
Glittering Days
東方之珠
Gam Yin
金燕
2008 Wars of In-Laws II
野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶
Gwo Bik
戈碧
When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West
東山飄雨西關晴
Chong Fung-yi
莊鳳儀
2010 OL Supreme
女王辦公室
Lui Siu-fung
雷小鳳
2010–2011 Home Troopers
居家兵團
Lai Ka-ka
黎嘉嘉
2011 Super Snoops
荃加福祿壽探案
Sun Chiu-tung
辛潮彤
2012 Divas in Distress
巴不得媽媽
Sheung Ying-hung
商映紅
2014 Come On, Cousin
老表,你好hea!
Herself
2015 Limelight Years
華麗轉身
Wah Fong-ying
華芳凝
Master of Destiny
風雲天地
Kwan Yeuk-nam
關若男
2018 Heart and Greed
溏心风暴3
Heung Ching Yi
向清沂
My Ages Apart
誇世代
Sheung Hing Chong
尚慶莊
2019 Flying Tiger II
《飛虎之雷霆極戰》
何惠英

Films[edit]

  • 1969 Singing Darlings
  • 1980 Miss Not Home
  • 197i The Sausage Chase
  • 1979 Full Moon Scimitar
  • 2015 ATM

[20] [21]

Awards[edit]

Year Award Category Series Result
1999 TVB Anniversary Awards All-Time Most Memorable Female Leading Roles A House is not a Home Won
2000 TVB Anniversary Awards My Favourite Television Character At the Threshold of an Era II Won
2001 TVB Anniversary Awards Best Actress The Awakening Story Won
My Favourite Television Character Won
2005 TVB Anniversary Awards Best Actress Wars of In-Laws Won
2010 TVB Anniversary Awards Best Host Fun With Liza and Gods Won
2015 Starhub TVB Awards Best Actress Limelight Years Won
Best Host Sunday Songbird Won

Honors[edit]

  • Silver Bauhinia Star (2004)[22]
  • TVB Best Actress (2001, 2005)
  • RTHK Gold Needle Award (2005)
  • Mont Blanc de la Culture International Award (2007)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b The standard HK "The standard HK Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 7 March 2008.
  2. ^ "Honorary Doctorate Elizabeth Wang Ming-Chun".
  3. ^ Loh, Christine (2010). Underground Front: The Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. p. 154. ISBN 9789888028948. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ "Wang still singing a flat tune". The Standard. 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  5. ^ "Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes". July 2004.
  6. ^ a b Xinhuanet. "Xinhuanet Archived 2008-02-19 at the Wayback Machine". Fans jam-pack Liza Wang's free concert. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
  7. ^ a b c d e Cityu.edu.hk "Cityu.edu.hk Archived 2008-01-12 at the Wayback Machine". 城大將頒授榮譽博士學位予四位領袖. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
  8. ^ Television Broadcasts Limited TVB – Lydia Shum exclusive – 東張西望之永恆的開心果 – 肥姐 – 21 Feb 2008.
  9. ^ First for Music News. "NME". Liza Wang videos. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
  10. ^ a b c The Standard HK. "The Standard.com[permanent dead link]". [1] Retrieved on 13 March 2009.
  11. ^ "Yahoo". 八和落選 汪明荃轟黑箱作業 Retrieved on 13 March 2009
  12. ^ Scmp. "Scmp". End democrats' travel ban, delegate urges. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
  13. ^ The standard HK. "The standard HK Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
  14. ^ a b c d The standard HK. "The standard HK Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine". TV star hopes home visits can turn democrats into patriots Retrieved on 10 March 2008
  15. ^ "Appointments to Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee". HKSAR. 2020-04-29
  16. ^ "New bride: 61-year-old Liza Wang". China Daily. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  17. ^ "汪明荃的上海话". YouTube (in Chinese).
  18. ^ "【嘟嘟爆料】「汪阿Tag」原來係咁嚟!". 21 November 2018.
  19. ^ "#汪阿Tag 汪明荃潮玩 Instagram 自創手寫 Tag 人方法 眾星響應 - ezone.hk - 網絡生活 - 網絡熱話".
  20. ^ Liza Wang at hkmdb.com
  21. ^ Liza Wang at chinesemov.com
  22. ^ "Bauhinia honours for city's Sars heroes". July 2004.

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
TVB Anniversary Awards
Preceded by
Carol Cheng
for War of the Genders
Best Actress
2001
for The Awakening Story
Succeeded by
Preceded by Best Actress
2005
for Wars of In-laws
Succeeded by
RTHK Top 10 Chinese Golden Songs Award
Preceded by Golden Needle Award
2004
Succeeded by