Obituary: Newton Lai Died of Acute Pneumonia
Veteran Hong Kong actor, Newton Lai (黎漢持), passed away on June 13 from acute pneumonia. Newton’s health had steadily declined in recent years and he died at 62 years old.
Newton had filmed for both RTV and TVB and appeared in many series. Though the current generation may not recognize some of his older works, he is most notable for portraying the villain role in 1981’s The Legendary Fok <大俠霍元甲>, with Michelle Yim (米雪) and Wong Yuen San (黃元申), which still leaves a deep impression in people’s hearts after so many years.
After his villainous breakthrough, Newton took on more positive roles in well-known martial arts series such as The Undercover Agents <四大名捕>, and Tiger Hill Trail <再向虎山行>. In the 1980s, Newton started filming at TVB but his roles were reduced to minor supporting roles. His last series at TVB were Twin of Brothers <大唐雙龍傳> and Strike at Heart <驚艷一槍>, where he barely had any screen time let alone any recognition.
After leaving the entertainment industry, he immigrated to Canada with his family in 1995 and hoped for a peaceful retirement. Unfortunately, that road was anything but peaceful with the death of his parents and then the death of his wife in 2006. Hit with one tragic event after another, Newton’s health deteriorated.
When he turned 60 years old, it was reported that he spent the Christmas holiday coughing up blood and ended up dropping 20 pounds. He had revealed that he meditated daily to improve his qi, and joked that he will act again when his health improves. Sadly, after years of suffering from the loss of loved ones and poor health conditions, Newton died after suffering from acute pneumonia.
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Source: ihktv.com
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
may his soul rest in peace.
RIP
rip,great actor
Ah that sucks, I just watched a bunch of series with him in it.
While he wasn’t a stand out actor, he definitely delivered solid performances.
Sad to see him go at such a young age. Sounds like he might have had some underlying health problems. Pneumonia doesn’t usually kill people his age.
I think it was definitely more than just pneumonia since many survive that if treated in time. After suffering the loss of his parents and wife, it took a toll on his physical and mental health which may have snowballed into causing his declining health. I think his performances really stood out even when he played supporting roles. He plays good and evil roles really well. Many actors these days could not act like him…
oh no! i also have a lot of his tv series! i agree with Panzer that he was not a stand out actor but he is a memorable one especially the bad guy ones! awww…hope he rests in peace!
Rip, deepest condolences.
Agree with above sentiments. One of those solid support actors without whom a good series cannot be made. Have always enjoyed the older series in which i saw him in
I like his performance! Rest in peace Newton! It is sad that another veteran passed away at a young age. You will be missed!
So young! And I think pneumonia must have stemmed from something else. Again, so young!
Funn,
It sounded as if Newton’s loss of his closet family sparked his decline in health, in which he may have neglected himself.
I think he had other problems too. I read at AF that he coughed out blood for 5 days a year or 2 before but survived. I think it was more than just pneumonia. So sad and may he rest in peace!
RIP Newton
Sad,two good veteran artist passed away this month
Those were the days, growing up watching him in those 80’s series( Classic ones). A lot of the 80s-90s actors/actresses are slowly leaving us and left behind many memories 🙁
I know and it saddens me even more that they are no longer with us. However, their memories and all of the great memories that they bought us will forever be in our hearts.
Was he the one that acted one of the five best friends (I forgot the name of the group, but Eric Tsang was one of them who acted the one that always being fooled by the other four friends). Was that him? I think his role was then replaced by Michael Miu.
Not him.
That actor is Charlie Chin.
Read about this at AF and was so shocked and sad. I really loved and enjoyed his performances in the 80s series. He is such a good actor and can play both good and evil roles. It is so sad that many of the veteran actors and actresses are slowly leaving us. However, their memories will always stay behind and remain in our hearts…. Rest in peace Newton and you will be missed!!
rest in peace …
So Hung Suen also passed away recently. She was a famous TVB actress as well
Oh no! Wan Yee … BOGAE
Oops I meant LBIA
R.I.P
I think that because of the series of tragedies that has happened within his family, his health may have deteriorated as a result of turning over to alcohol as a way to go through the grieving.
So sad and to die so young. RIP
so sad
Does he has any kid?,, or family members?
i believe he has a daughter and a son
I heard that he has a son but not sure if he has a daughter or not.
I remember him!! Hate the fact that he’s only in the limelight due to his passing. So disheartening to see him leave us. He was a real good actor, sigh…
And someone just mentioned about Soh Hang Suen’s passing as well. Goodness, she’s another great actress!! In some ways, I’m happy that she at least won Best Supporting Actress award before she left the world. Why no news about her here??
They were both 62 :(:( All veteran actors are leaving us so soon 🙁
RIP Newton. I always remembered you in all the TVB series. Hope you’re in a better place.
i remember him best as the monk in the first two of the condor heroes trilogy (90s version). always thought that he was one of the cooler, better looking veterans actors.
RIP.