66-Year-Old Cao Xiping Passes Away Suddenly: “Ugly Freak, Ugly to Death” Becomes His Final Sound

Taiwanese veteran entertainer Cao Xiping was reportedly found dead at his residence in Sanchong, New Taipei, late at night on the 29th, at the age of 66. In 1982, he debuted at age 23 with the song “Wild Youth,” and quickly became a popular dynamic singer, dubbed by the media as the “Taiwanese Hideki Saijo.” He later transitioned into hosting and had been in the industry for 43 years. In his later years, he was outspoken about current affairs, and his catchphrase “Ugly freak, ugly to death” became well-known among young people. News of his sudden passing has shocked many netizens.

Sanchong division of the New Taipei City Fire Department received a call on the night of the 29th and arrived at Cao Xiping’s residence on Hebian North Street, Sanchong, at 10:27 p.m. Upon arrival, they confirmed OHCA (out-of-hospital cardiac arrest). Paramedics observed that his body already showed obvious livor mortis and rigor mortis and determined that he had been dead for quite some time.

In the past, Cao Xiping would post on social media almost every day. On the 28th, he mentioned the earthquake: “After going through the 921 earthquake, I just sit there motionless; I leave everything to fate... If it’s going to happen, it’ll happen; there’s no point overthinking. At my age, what is there to worry about?”

In 1982, when Cao Xiping debuted at age 23 with “Wild Youth” alongside singers Bao Weiming and Yang Fan, his unique style and energetic voice quickly made him a household idol. He was once dubbed by the media as the “Taiwanese Hideki Saijo.” Beyond popular dynamic tracks, he also stepped into hosting, being a regular on CTV's variety program Lóng Hǔ Variety King, and also hosting shows such as Call-in 50 and Hot Girls in Action.

Cao Xiping’s father was a doctor and his family was well-off. He had three older brothers and one younger brother, and as the fourth child, fans affectionately called him “Fourth Brother.” In 2002, a family inheritance dispute erupted, leading him to temporarily withdraw from showbiz. The following year, he opened a crepe shop in his hometown Taichung, and in 2005 faded from the spotlight after his father’s death, only making a showbiz comeback in 2010.

In recent years, he operated an accessory shop and occasionally made variety show appearances. His straightforward, sharp takes on trending topics—often saying “Ugly freak, ugly to death”—caught young people’s attention. He once laughed that college students visited his store just to ask him to say his catchphrase. In his later years he had little contact with the entertainment world, except for dialect singer Long Qianyu, who was married to his third brother for a time and would occasionally meet up with him. Cao Xiping regarded Long Qianyu as his “only family member.” Long Qianyu mournfully said, “I learned of the tragic news at midnight and couldn’t sleep all night, recalling moments with Fourth Brother. He’s always been my pillar and spiritual support, he became my family long ago. On Christmas Eve, I messaged him, he read it but didn’t reply!”

Cao Xiping never married and had no children. Years ago, he fell out with his brothers. In an interview, he said he had cut off ties with the Cao family, insisting that when he passed away, he would never let anyone with the surname Cao handle his estate. “I’ve decided to make a will and leave everything to my godson who has cared for me.”