Kwan Hoi San
Encyclopedia
Kwan Hoi San (October 23, 1925 in Guangzhou
, Guangdong
— September 11, 2006) was a Hong Kong actor. Kwan started off as a Cantonese opera actor in street theatre before joining New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團). He also started singing for early Hong Kong film soundtracks and moved on to act in films, mostly adaption of opera in Cantonese. He became famous and acted in many lead roles. When Hong Kong films started to move towards Mandarin, Kwan's career faltered and joined TVB
and acted in various roles. Directors and filmmakers rediscovered his talent and cast him in many supporting roles in films. In 2001, Kwan suffered apoplexy attack
and was left mute and paralysed. He died in 2006.
. Later, Kwan Hoi San will join the greatest troupes of that time, such as the New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團) which featured Yam Kim-fai
and Bak Sheut-sin.
In the 1940s, Kwan started singing for the Hong Kong produced Cantonese films soundtracks. Cantonese cinema was booming then and stars from the Cantonese opera moved on to act in them. Kwan followed suit and started acting in films soon after. The films were often adaptations from the Cantonese opera repertoire. His first movie is Huet Chai Huet Seung (血债血偿). His fame as a cinema actor quickly goes beyond the one he had built as a theatre actor. He often acts with famous actors such as Cho Tat-wah
, Cheung Ying, Lau Hak-suen and Shih Kien
. This beautiful era wherein he was the young lead last until the end of the 1960s, when the arrival of the Mandarin language productions from the Shaw Brothers will impose juvenile faces to the public, such as Jimmy Wang Yu, David Chiang Da Wei or Yueh Hua. Kwan Hoi San and his friends had then to accept this change. Some returned to theatre, others continued to do movies in Cantonese while participating in productions shot then in Mandarin in big studios such as Shaw Brothers or Cathay Asia Films. Other also will integrate television, then still on its early stage, where they will meet again some filmmakers that have also turned toward TV.
Kwan Hoi San cinema career went downhill until the mid-1970s. In 1976, he joined T.V.B., which he didn't leave up until the early 2000s. During his television period, he quickly becomes a great and must-have supporting part in the soaps. Not unlike in cinema, Kwan Hoi San was able to perform all kinds of characters in the small screen without troubling his audience. He was, from one series to another, a good family man, a Kung-fu master, a machiavellian godfather,a minister of the emperor, a Taoist magician, a firm manager, a historical character or also a traitor to the country. The part he was the most often attributed was the one of the patriarch of a rich family in decay, in the long emblematic series of the channel. Other stars from T.V.B. have confronted him more than once in the long series of the channel: Chow Yun Fat, Carol Cheng Yu Ling and Simon Yam Tat Wah in Brothers/Tsan Ching (亲情), Adam Cheng Siu Chow in Clan of Intrigues/Chor Lau Heung (楚留香), Andy Lau Tak Wah and Tony Leung Chiu Wai in The Duke of Mount Deer/Luk Ding Kei (鹿鼎记), Felix Wong Yat Wah and Ray Lui Leung Wai in Kung Fu Master of Fat Shan/Fat San Chan Sin Sang (佛山赞先生), Stephen Chow Sing Chi in The Justice of Life/Ta Loi Chi Kong Woo (他來自江湖) or also Lau Ching Wan in The Battle Among The Clans/Dai Heung Kong (大香港). In 1982, in The Demi-Gods and Demi-Devils/Tin Lung Pa Po (天龙八部), he crossed the path of Leung Kar Yan, but also Kwan Chung (关聪), one of his sons.
In the meantime, Kwan Hoi San kept on working in the cinema industry with more or less outstanding parts. In the 1980s, just like a Bill Tung Biu, Kwan Hoi San found a second fame within cinema thanks to his successful television career. Young filmmakers, including thos who knew him from TV sets, rediscovered him, and offered him interesting supporting parts. When he was well directed, the result was, for an example, Brothers From Walled City, or Hong Kong, Hong Kong. In the latter, he acts an old violent single man who ends up marrying Cherie Chung Chor Hung, an illegal immigrant coming from China and in love with Alex Man Chi Leung.
Kwan Hoi San had also the honour of presiding over the association of Cantonese opera companies of Hong Kong.
In 1991, he won the Hong Kong Film Award and the Taiwanese Golden Horse in the best male supporting role category for his part in Lee Rock by Lawrence Ah Mon. Western viewers can remember his part in Project A and Project A II by Jackie Chan, where he was playing the superior of the star, hunched up in his third rate uniform. Let’s remind that at this time, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung Kam Bo were enjoying paying tribute to past Cantonese cinema stars by reuniting them in their great productions. John Woo’s fans don’t forget Kwan Hoi San in Hard Boiled where he was that old godfather for who things where far too much complicated because of the young generation of gangsters, led by Anthony Wong Chau Sang, and he was “betrayed” by Tony Leung Chiu Wai.
In 2005, TVB (which dropped him after his accident) paid a tribute to Kwan Hoi San during a special show. A very popular actor, Kwan Hoi San had participated in more than 300 films and TV soaps.
, he met his second wife (黃麗). He had two sons (關楚雄) (關聰) and a daughter (關婉清) with her. His third wife (葉娥瑞) is a Malaysian and they have a daughter (關至瑩). Kwan met his fourth wife (曾娣蓉), a Singapore
an, in 1969 and they have a son (關可維).
In 2001, he suffered from an apoplexy attack
and was left paralysed and mute. His condition improved but relapsed at time. On the morning 11 September 2006, Kwan's fourth wife noticed that he was not feeling well and sent him to Kwong Wah Hospital
. Kwan died shortly later from complications arising from high blood pressure and diabetes.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
— September 11, 2006) was a Hong Kong actor. Kwan started off as a Cantonese opera actor in street theatre before joining New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團). He also started singing for early Hong Kong film soundtracks and moved on to act in films, mostly adaption of opera in Cantonese. He became famous and acted in many lead roles. When Hong Kong films started to move towards Mandarin, Kwan's career faltered and joined TVB
Television Broadcasts Limited
Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967...
and acted in various roles. Directors and filmmakers rediscovered his talent and cast him in many supporting roles in films. In 2001, Kwan suffered apoplexy attack
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
and was left mute and paralysed. He died in 2006.
Career
Kwan at a tender age, followed his father Kwan Yiu Fai (關耀輝), studied Cantonese opera. At 11, he started playing in public. At the time, Cantonese opera was mainly street theatre: actors were acting on a stage built in front of a temple or a market. He left Guangzhou for Hong Kong after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Later, Kwan Hoi San will join the greatest troupes of that time, such as the New Voice Opera Troupe (新聲劇團) which featured Yam Kim-fai
Yam Kim-fai
Yam Kim Fai , also known as Ren Jianhui was a renowned Cantonese opera actress in China and Hong Kong.She was most notable for her unique ability to sing in the lower register...
and Bak Sheut-sin.
In the 1940s, Kwan started singing for the Hong Kong produced Cantonese films soundtracks. Cantonese cinema was booming then and stars from the Cantonese opera moved on to act in them. Kwan followed suit and started acting in films soon after. The films were often adaptations from the Cantonese opera repertoire. His first movie is Huet Chai Huet Seung (血债血偿). His fame as a cinema actor quickly goes beyond the one he had built as a theatre actor. He often acts with famous actors such as Cho Tat-wah
Cho Tat-wah
Cho Tat-wah or Tso Tat-wah was a film actor of Hong Kong, most famous for the roles he played in a number of Wuxia films in the 1950s and 1960s....
, Cheung Ying, Lau Hak-suen and Shih Kien
Shih Kien
Shek Wing-cheung , better known as Shih Kien, was a Chinese actor from Hong Kong. He is sometimes credited as Shek Kin or Kien Shih...
. This beautiful era wherein he was the young lead last until the end of the 1960s, when the arrival of the Mandarin language productions from the Shaw Brothers will impose juvenile faces to the public, such as Jimmy Wang Yu, David Chiang Da Wei or Yueh Hua. Kwan Hoi San and his friends had then to accept this change. Some returned to theatre, others continued to do movies in Cantonese while participating in productions shot then in Mandarin in big studios such as Shaw Brothers or Cathay Asia Films. Other also will integrate television, then still on its early stage, where they will meet again some filmmakers that have also turned toward TV.
Kwan Hoi San cinema career went downhill until the mid-1970s. In 1976, he joined T.V.B., which he didn't leave up until the early 2000s. During his television period, he quickly becomes a great and must-have supporting part in the soaps. Not unlike in cinema, Kwan Hoi San was able to perform all kinds of characters in the small screen without troubling his audience. He was, from one series to another, a good family man, a Kung-fu master, a machiavellian godfather,a minister of the emperor, a Taoist magician, a firm manager, a historical character or also a traitor to the country. The part he was the most often attributed was the one of the patriarch of a rich family in decay, in the long emblematic series of the channel. Other stars from T.V.B. have confronted him more than once in the long series of the channel: Chow Yun Fat, Carol Cheng Yu Ling and Simon Yam Tat Wah in Brothers/Tsan Ching (亲情), Adam Cheng Siu Chow in Clan of Intrigues/Chor Lau Heung (楚留香), Andy Lau Tak Wah and Tony Leung Chiu Wai in The Duke of Mount Deer/Luk Ding Kei (鹿鼎记), Felix Wong Yat Wah and Ray Lui Leung Wai in Kung Fu Master of Fat Shan/Fat San Chan Sin Sang (佛山赞先生), Stephen Chow Sing Chi in The Justice of Life/Ta Loi Chi Kong Woo (他來自江湖) or also Lau Ching Wan in The Battle Among The Clans/Dai Heung Kong (大香港). In 1982, in The Demi-Gods and Demi-Devils/Tin Lung Pa Po (天龙八部), he crossed the path of Leung Kar Yan, but also Kwan Chung (关聪), one of his sons.
In the meantime, Kwan Hoi San kept on working in the cinema industry with more or less outstanding parts. In the 1980s, just like a Bill Tung Biu, Kwan Hoi San found a second fame within cinema thanks to his successful television career. Young filmmakers, including thos who knew him from TV sets, rediscovered him, and offered him interesting supporting parts. When he was well directed, the result was, for an example, Brothers From Walled City, or Hong Kong, Hong Kong. In the latter, he acts an old violent single man who ends up marrying Cherie Chung Chor Hung, an illegal immigrant coming from China and in love with Alex Man Chi Leung.
Kwan Hoi San had also the honour of presiding over the association of Cantonese opera companies of Hong Kong.
In 1991, he won the Hong Kong Film Award and the Taiwanese Golden Horse in the best male supporting role category for his part in Lee Rock by Lawrence Ah Mon. Western viewers can remember his part in Project A and Project A II by Jackie Chan, where he was playing the superior of the star, hunched up in his third rate uniform. Let’s remind that at this time, Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung Kam Bo were enjoying paying tribute to past Cantonese cinema stars by reuniting them in their great productions. John Woo’s fans don’t forget Kwan Hoi San in Hard Boiled where he was that old godfather for who things where far too much complicated because of the young generation of gangsters, led by Anthony Wong Chau Sang, and he was “betrayed” by Tony Leung Chiu Wai.
In 2005, TVB (which dropped him after his accident) paid a tribute to Kwan Hoi San during a special show. A very popular actor, Kwan Hoi San had participated in more than 300 films and TV soaps.
Personal life
Kwan liked to drink and smoke. He was also a collector of paintings, Chinese calligraphies and pipes. He had three sons and three daughters from four wives, although his first three marriages were never legally registered. Kwan's first wife was also an actress who came from Guangdong and together they have an adopted daughter. During a tour in south VietnamVietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
, he met his second wife (黃麗). He had two sons (關楚雄) (關聰) and a daughter (關婉清) with her. His third wife (葉娥瑞) is a Malaysian and they have a daughter (關至瑩). Kwan met his fourth wife (曾娣蓉), a Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
an, in 1969 and they have a son (關可維).
In 2001, he suffered from an apoplexy attack
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
and was left paralysed and mute. His condition improved but relapsed at time. On the morning 11 September 2006, Kwan's fourth wife noticed that he was not feeling well and sent him to Kwong Wah Hospital
Kwong Wah Hospital
Kwong Wah Hospital is a major hospital in South Kowloon of Hong Kong. It is located at Waterloo Road in Yau Ma Tei.The former Main Hall Building of Kwong Wah Hospital is preserved and houses the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Museum.-History:...
. Kwan died shortly later from complications arising from high blood pressure and diabetes.
Filmography
- The Legend of the Book and the SwordThe Legend of the Book and the Sword (1976 TV series)The Legend of the Book and the Sword is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Book and the Sword. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1976.-Cast:*Adam Cheng as Chan Ka-lok / Kin-lung Emperor...
(1976) - Luk Siu FungLuk Siu Fung (1976 TV series)Luk Siu-fung is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Gu Long's Lu Xiaofeng novel series. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1976.-Seasons:Each season has 10 episodes, making 30 episodes in total....
(1976) - The Romantic SwordsmanThe Romantic Swordsman (1978 TV series)The Romantic Swordsman is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Gu Long's novel Duoqing Jianke Wuqing Jian of the Xiaoli Feidao Series...
(1978) - The Heaven Sword and Dragon SaberThe Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber (1978 TV series)The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1978.-Cast:*Adam Cheng as Cheung Mo-kei**Wong Tsung-chi as young Cheung Mo-kei...
(1978) - Chor Lau-heung (1979)
- Demi-Gods and Semi-DevilsDemi-Gods and Semi-Devils (1982 TV series)Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils is a 1982 Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. The 50 episodes long series is divided into two parts, with their Chinese titles as 天龍八部之六脈神劍 and 天龍八部之虛竹傳奇 respectively.-Cast:*Bryan Leung...
(1982) - The Legend of the Condor HeroesThe Legend of the Condor Heroes (1982 TV Series)-Track list:-Production:According to the behind-the-scenes featurette on the DVD, the Mongolian scenes were filmed in Lantau Island, Hong Kong....
(1982) - The Duke of Mount DeerThe Duke of Mount Deer (1984 TV series)The Duke of Mount Deer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron. It was first aired on TVB in 1984.-Cast:*Tony Leung as Wai Siu-bo*Andy Lau as Hong-hei Emperor*Carina Lau as Fong Yee...
(1984) - The Smiling, Proud WandererThe Smiling, Proud Wanderer (1984 TV series)The Smiling, Proud Wanderer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel of the same title. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong from in 1984.-Cast:*Chow Yun-fat as Ling-wu Chung*Rebecca Chan as Yam Ying-ying...
(1984) - The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heungThe New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung (1984 TV series)The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Chu Liuxiang Xinzhuan of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. Michael Miu starred as the titular protagonist, Chor Lau-heung . The series was first broadcast on TVB from November 12, 1984 to January 4, 1985...
(1984) - New Heavenly Sword and Dragon SabreNew Heavenly Sword and Dragon SabreNew Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1986.-Cast:*Tony Leung as Cheung Mo-kei...
(1986) - The Legend of the Book and the SwordThe Legend of the Book and the Sword (1987 TV series)The Legend of the Book and Sword is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Book and the Sword. The series was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong in 1987.-Cast:*Pang Man-kin as Chan Ka-lok / Fuk Hong-on...
(1987) - Twilight of a NationTwilight of a NationTwilight of a Nation is a Hong Kong television series based on the events of the Taiping Rebellion and the rise and fall of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom during the late Qing Dynasty of Chinese history. The 45 episodes long series was produced by Siu Sang and was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong in...
(1988) - Deadly SecretDeadly SecretDeadly Secret is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel A Deadly Secret. The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1989.-Cast:*Roger Kwok as Tik Wan*Kitty Lai as Chik Fong*Shallin Tse as Shui Sang...
(1989) - Hap Hak HangHap Hak HangHap Hak Hang is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel Ode to Gallantry. The series was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1989.-Cast:*Tony Leung as Shek Po-tin / Shek Chung-yuk*Sheren Tang as Ting Tong...
(1989) - The Mystery of the Condor HeroThe Mystery of the Condor HeroThe Mystery of the Condor Hero is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Legend of the Condor Heroes. It was first broadcast on TVB in Hong Kong in 1993.-Plot:...
(1993) - The Great Conqueror's ConcubineThe Great Conqueror's ConcubineThe Great Conqueror's Concubine, alternatively known as King of Western Chu, is a historical drama film directed by Stephen Shin and Wei Handao, starring Ray Lui, Rosamund Kwan, Zhang Fengyi and Gong Li...
(1994) - The Duke of Mount DeerThe Duke of Mount Deer (1998 TV series)The Duke of Mount Deer is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Deer and the Cauldron. It was first aired on TVB in Hong Kong in 1998.-Cast:*Jordan Chan as Wai Siu-bo*Steven Ma as Hong-hei Emperor...
(1998)