HK Stars Pay Tribute to Stanley Fung

HK comedy legend and veteran actor Stanley Fung (馮淬帆) has passed away, aged 81.

Mourned by Close Friends & Industry Veterans

His close friend Ha Yu (夏雨) said, “Stanley was one of my best friends. We’d known each other for more than half a century. Every time I went to Taiwan, I would meet up with him. When I contacted him earlier this year, I learned that he had been hospitalized for two months due to pneumonia and had to rely on a ventilator to breathe. Sadly, I didn’t get the chance to see him one last time. He was a man of great perseverance, conviction, and talent, who created countless classics in film and television and left behind a shining legacy. Although we all know that life inevitably involves partings through death, hearing of his passing still fills me with unbearable sorrow. Farewell, my old friend. Wishing you a peaceful journey ahead.”

Actress Gigi Wong (黃淑儀), who starred alongside Stanley in TVB’s very first long-form drama Yesterday’s Glitter <夢斷情天>, shared, “My first TV drama (which was also Hong Kong’s first long-running TV series) was with him! His professionalism taught me so much in my acting career. He never brought scripts onto the set, was always punctual, and always briefed the crew before shooting.

I remember once when he messed up a line and suddenly—‘pa!’—he slapped himself and said, ‘What’s wrong with me? How could I get that wrong?’ It shocked me! After that, I never dared relax when acting opposite him. He was strict and meticulous, whether it was dubbing, acting, or directing—he always demanded the best of himself. Outsiders thought his nickname “Ah Kan” (亞緊) meant “nervous,” but actually it referred to his meticulousness. I will always cherish the memory of my very first on-screen partner, Ah Kan.”

Director and producer Wong Jing (王晶), who had public disagreements with Richard Ng in the past, also expressed his sadness online. “Ah Kan, Stanley Fung, has also passed away—just one day apart from Benz Hui (許紹雄). Together with Ng Man-tat (吳孟達), they were my three great comedy catalysts back in the day. Now, almost all of them are gone. It’s truly heartbreaking. In fact, I worked even more with Stanley – three The Romancing Star <精裝追女仔> movies, two The Crazy Companies <最佳損友> series, How to Pick Girls Up <求愛敢死隊> and earlier Shaw Brothers films like Ghost Snatchers <比鬼捉>, Born to Gamble <爛賭英雄>, and Three Stooges Go Undercover <顛鳳狂龍>. Our last collaboration was TV series Thank you Grandpa <祖先開眼> in thearly 2000s. We used to meet up for meals often. In the past twenty years, since he moved to Taiwan, we’ve kept less in touch. I don’t blame him for the time he publicly scolded me. After all, he was getting on in age and living alone—his mind might have been a bit confused. Many said he had a fiery temper and liked to scold people, but I knew it was just his way of protecting himself. It’s been years since we last met, and suddenly I hear of his passing—it truly hits me hard. Brother Kan, rest in peace. Your works will never be forgotten.”

Foretelling His Death

Veteran actor Lau Dan (劉丹), another longtime friend, recalled that he and Stanley had known each other since the RTV days, and had been in contact just days ago: “We’ve known each other for decades, since the old Rediffusion TV days. I actually messaged him the night before last to tell him about Hui Shiu-hung’s passing. He told me he already knew—Benz Hui’s wife had called to inform him. Then he sighed and said, ‘Ah, that’s life.’ He’d been unwell for some time, but his condition had actually improved lately. Just this past month, he told me a director wanted to cast him again, and I was so happy for him. I never expected that before I could finish my sentence, he’d be gone…”

When asked about his illness, Lau Dan confirmed that it was a lung-related issue. Actor Simon Yam (任達華), who co-starred with the late Stanley in films such as Vengeance <復仇>, also paid tribute. “He was a true senior in the film industry—humorous and straightforward both on and off screen. His passing is a great loss to our industry. His memory was exceptional, and he knew every aspect of film production inside out. Acting alongside him was always pressure-filled in a good way. I wish him a smooth journey ahead.”

Natalis Chan (陳百祥) also expressed his sadness, “We worked together on several films. He was incredibly professional and had his own way of doing things. After we stopped filming, we lost touch because I heard he had been living in Taiwan for a long time.” Michelle Ye (葉璇), who co-starred with Richard Ng in the film Accident <意外>, shared, “He didn’t speak much, was easygoing, and was an excellent actor. Accident took nearly two years to film. I remember the director telling me afterward that the film was originally written for the male lead to win an award, but after completing it, he felt that both Mr. Ng and I gave award-worthy performances—and indeed, the Hong Kong Film Awards later proved him right.

After the win, the director messaged me saying that winning wasn’t what mattered most—what mattered was earning the respect and recognition of audiences and peers. That message has stayed with me as my motto ever since.” Actor Bosco Wong (黃宗澤), who had collaborated with Richard Ng in Lunar New Year films, also mourned, “I feel really sad. It’s such a pity that another great senior has left us. I grew up watching his films, and I never imagined that one day I’d have the honor of working with him. I’ll always remember him fondly and wish him a peaceful journey.”

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