Difference between revisions of "John Cheng"

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'''Cheng Yeow Nam''' (1961 - 22 January 2013) was a Singaporean actor and getai compere.
'''John Cheng Yeow Nam''' (1961 - 22 January 2013) was a Singaporean actor and getai host.  


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Career===
===Career===
Cheng's first screen appearance was in the 1998 film ''Money No Enough'', and the following year he was cast in ''Liang Po Po''. Cheng was best known for portraying violent, thuggish characters, in view of his past career as a loan shark. ''That One Not Enough'' was was the first reversal of this stereotypical role, where he played a supporting role as a provision shop worker, without his trademark beard. In a more notable instance, he was cast in a minor role in ''I Not Stupid Too'' as a police officer tasked with rescuing hostages. Other stereotype role reversals included his portrayal of an effeminate hairdresser in 2004's ''I Do, I Do'', and his last film role as a medium in the 2013 film ''Judgement Day''.
Cheng's first credited screen appearance was in the 1990 Channel 8 drama When Dawn Breaks, and he continued to appear in Channel 8 dramas throughout his career. Like fellow Channel 8 actors [[Yap Hei Long]] and Alex Lee Han Kwan, Cheng mostly played Ah Longs, criminals, and violent characters. Many of these roles were based on his past career as an Ah Long himself.


Cheng was more active in the getai scene as a host, along with fellow hosts Lin Ruping, Liu Lee Lyne and Wang Lei who similarly dabbled in acting on the side.
Cheng became known for his role as an Ah Long in Jack Neo's 1998 movie ''Money No Enough'', and the following year he was cast in ''Liang Po Po'' as a gang boss.
 
''That One Not Enough'' was the first reversal of this stereotypical role, where he played a supporting role as a provision shop worker, and without his trademark beard. In a more notable instance, he had a cameo in ''I Not Stupid'' as a hostage rescue officer. Other such instances included his portrayal of an effeminate hairdresser in 2004's ''I Do, I Do'', and his last film role as a medium in the 2013 film ''Judgement Day''.
 
Cheng was also active in the getai scene as a host, along with [[Lin Ruping]], [[Liu Lee Lyne]] and [[Wang Lei]] who also had acting experience.


Cheng was usually credited as Zhong Yaonan or John Cheng. Within the entertainment industry and to fans, he was known as Ah Nan or Ah Nam.
Cheng was usually credited as Zhong Yaonan or John Cheng. Within the entertainment industry and to fans, he was known as Ah Nan or Ah Nam.
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He was arrested on charges of using Ecstasy in 2006, and was jailed for a year. Cheng maintained the drug was slipped into his drink unknowingly.
He was arrested on charges of using Ecstasy in 2006, and was jailed for a year. Cheng maintained the drug was slipped into his drink unknowingly.


Cheng courted controversy when he shouted at journalists during Jack Neo's 2010 press conference on his extrmarital affairs. Netizens were divided over his behaviour, with some criticising him for passing off Neo's affair as a norm.  
Cheng controversially shouted at journalists during a 2010 press conference addressing Jack Neo's extramarital affairs. Netizens were divided over his behaviour, with some criticising him for passing off Neo's affair as a norm.  


Cheng married twice, first  to an unknown woman and later Lung Yoke Ching, with whom he had three daughters.  
Cheng married twice. His second wife was Lung Yoke Ching, with whom he had three daughters.  


===Death===
===Death===
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Reports later emerged that Cheng had an unhealthy habit of guzzling 10 bottles of Coca-Cola daily, to sustain energy levels for his long working hours. He was also suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and was on medication for these conditions.
Reports later emerged that Cheng had an unhealthy habit of guzzling 10 bottles of Coca-Cola daily, to sustain energy levels for his long working hours. He was also suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and was on medication for these conditions.


== Filmography ==
==Filmography==
* ''Money No Enough'' (1998) as Ah Long
{| class="wikitable"
* ''Liang Po Po'' (1999) as Boss
|+ Television
* ''[[Hitman in the City]]'' (1998) as Crow
|-
* ''The Mirror'' (1999)
! Year
* ''That One No Enough'' (1999)
! Title
* ''Return of the Condor Heroes'' (2001)
! Role
* ''I Not Stupid'' (2002) as police officer
! Notes
* ''Homerun'' (2003) as rioter
|-
* ''The Best Bet'' (2004) as Ah Long
|1994 || Lethal Duo || Tian's Father || Episode 10<br>Voice dubbed over
* ''I Do, I Do'' (2004) as JoJo
|-
* ''Folks Jump Over The Wall'' (2007)
|1995 || Lady Investigators || Ah Long || Episode 10<br>Credited as Zhang Yaonan<br>Voice dubbed over.
* ''Love Blossom'' (2008)
|-
* ''The Chen Shucheng Show'' (2008)
|2001 || Return of the Condor Heroes || ||
* ''Pulau Hantu'' (2008)
|-
* ''Money No Enough II'' (2008) as Chen Guansai
|2003 || Comedy Nite 2003 || Cast regular ||
* ''Missing You'' (2008) as Fang's husband
|-
* ''Where Got Ghost?'' (2009)
|2004|| My Love My Home || Chief Hei || Episode 7
* ''The Ghosts Must Be Crazy'' (2011)
|-
* ''Judgment Day'' (2013) as medium
|2007 || Folks Jump Over the Wall || Ah Long ||
|-
|rowspan=2|2008 || Let Love Flow (Sichuan earthquake charity show) || Himself || Appeared as a member of JTeam
|-
|| Pulau Hantu || Frankie Low || TV movie
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Film
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|rowspan=2|1998 || Money No Enough || Ah Long ||
|-
|[[Hitman in the City]] || Crow ||
|-
|rowspan=3|1999 || [[Liang Po Po: The Movie]] || Big Boss ||
|-
| The Mirror || Roman (Lor Meng) ||
|-
| That One No Enough || Tan Beng Soon ||
|-
|2002 || I Not Stupid || Police officer ||
|-
|2003 || Homerun || Rioter ||
|-
|rowspan=2|2004 || The Best Bet || 4D King ||
|-
| I Do, I Do || Jojo Chee ||
|-
|rowspan=2|2008 || Money No Enough 2 || Chen Guan Sai ||
|-
|Missing You || Wu Cheng Shan || Fangfang's husband
|-
|2009 || Where Got Ghost || Nan ||
|-
|2011 || The Ghosts Must Be Crazy || Nan ||
|-
|2013 || Judgement Day || Uncle Jiu ||
|}
 
 
[[Category:Singaporeans]]

Latest revision as of 21:30, 2 November 2019

John Cheng Yeow Nam (1961 - 22 January 2013) was a Singaporean actor and getai host.

Biography[edit]

Career[edit]

Cheng's first credited screen appearance was in the 1990 Channel 8 drama When Dawn Breaks, and he continued to appear in Channel 8 dramas throughout his career. Like fellow Channel 8 actors Yap Hei Long and Alex Lee Han Kwan, Cheng mostly played Ah Longs, criminals, and violent characters. Many of these roles were based on his past career as an Ah Long himself.

Cheng became known for his role as an Ah Long in Jack Neo's 1998 movie Money No Enough, and the following year he was cast in Liang Po Po as a gang boss.

That One Not Enough was the first reversal of this stereotypical role, where he played a supporting role as a provision shop worker, and without his trademark beard. In a more notable instance, he had a cameo in I Not Stupid as a hostage rescue officer. Other such instances included his portrayal of an effeminate hairdresser in 2004's I Do, I Do, and his last film role as a medium in the 2013 film Judgement Day.

Cheng was also active in the getai scene as a host, along with Lin Ruping, Liu Lee Lyne and Wang Lei who also had acting experience.

Cheng was usually credited as Zhong Yaonan or John Cheng. Within the entertainment industry and to fans, he was known as Ah Nan or Ah Nam.

Personal life[edit]

In a 1996 interview, Cheng opened up on his past as a hooligan. As one of five children with both parents working to support the family, Cheng was neglected and turned to smoking, violence and acts of gangsterism, under the influence of friends. He later joined an Ah Long syndicate and became a runner. Cheng worked several menial jobs before entering showbiz in 1987. He received his secondary education in Chai Chee Secondary School.

He was arrested on charges of using Ecstasy in 2006, and was jailed for a year. Cheng maintained the drug was slipped into his drink unknowingly.

Cheng controversially shouted at journalists during a 2010 press conference addressing Jack Neo's extramarital affairs. Netizens were divided over his behaviour, with some criticising him for passing off Neo's affair as a norm.

Cheng married twice. His second wife was Lung Yoke Ching, with whom he had three daughters.

Death[edit]

In the early hours of 22 January 2013, Cheng collapsed backstage following a performance in Club Cleopatra, in Parklane Shopping Mall. He died shortly thereafter from a heart attack.

Reports later emerged that Cheng had an unhealthy habit of guzzling 10 bottles of Coca-Cola daily, to sustain energy levels for his long working hours. He was also suffering from high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and was on medication for these conditions.

Filmography[edit]

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Lethal Duo Tian's Father Episode 10
Voice dubbed over
1995 Lady Investigators Ah Long Episode 10
Credited as Zhang Yaonan
Voice dubbed over.
2001 Return of the Condor Heroes
2003 Comedy Nite 2003 Cast regular
2004 My Love My Home Chief Hei Episode 7
2007 Folks Jump Over the Wall Ah Long
2008 Let Love Flow (Sichuan earthquake charity show) Himself Appeared as a member of JTeam
Pulau Hantu Frankie Low TV movie
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1998 Money No Enough Ah Long
Hitman in the City Crow
1999 Liang Po Po: The Movie Big Boss
The Mirror Roman (Lor Meng)
That One No Enough Tan Beng Soon
2002 I Not Stupid Police officer
2003 Homerun Rioter
2004 The Best Bet 4D King
I Do, I Do Jojo Chee
2008 Money No Enough 2 Chen Guan Sai
Missing You Wu Cheng Shan Fangfang's husband
2009 Where Got Ghost Nan
2011 The Ghosts Must Be Crazy Nan
2013 Judgement Day Uncle Jiu
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