Benz Hung Succumbs to Cancer, Passes Away Peacefully at 76

Known as 'Benz Hung', TVB's gold medal supporting actor Hui Siu-Hung, was suddenly reported to be critically ill and admitted to the ICU at noon on the 27th. Many friends from within the entertainment circle went to visit him at the hospital, but all kept silent about his condition. On the morning of the 28th, Hui Siu-Hung's family, through close friend Liza Leung, announced that he passed away peacefully at 2:30 a.m., at the age of 76. Suffering organ failure caused by cancer, Hui was accompanied by family and friends as he walked his final path. Some friends who were not in Hong Kong called in their condolences. The family thanked everyone for their recent care and condolences, saying they are now handling funeral matters and details will be announced later.

Hui Siu-Hung, who would have turned 77 on the 4th of next month, had a career spanning over 50 years, appearing in many classics such as 'Man in the Net' and 'The Condor Heroes'. He had a cheerful personality and was well-liked in the industry. In recent years, as he enjoyed a semi-retired life with his family in Singapore, he remained financially secure and would still take on cameo roles to satisfy his acting itch. He also filmed daily life vlogs with his beloved daughter Hui Wai-King. Just this past Mid-Autumn Festival, he dined with Lo Lok Lam and Chan Po Yee, and seemed in good spirits at the time. Last week, he played video games with his daughter, but by noon on the 27th, urgent news of his critical illness shocked the entire entertainment industry, prompting many friends to visit.

Chow Yun-Fat Appears in Low-Key All Black Attire

Artists with close friendships with Hui, including Raymond Lam, Ron Ng, Bosco Wong, Bobby Au-Yeung, Roger Kwok, Edwin Siu and Priscilla Wong, Mandy Wong, Benjamin Yuen, and Mak Cheung Ching, began arriving one after another at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, attracting large numbers of media. All kept silent about his condition, appearing somber. Charmaine Sheh, who co-starred in multiple dramas with Hui (“You're Hired,” “Line Walker”, “Family Glory: The Inheritor,” and “Justice Goddess Themis”), enjoyed a father-daughter-like bond with him, even signing a god-daughter contract. After attending an event in Macau, she rushed back to Hong Kong to visit him and was reportedly close to tears during interviews.

At around 9 a.m. on the 28th, Best Actor Chow Yun-Fat ('Fat Gor') arrived at the hospital, dressed fully in black and wearing a baseball cap. He walked quickly into the hospital, and politely waved to reporters when photographed. Chow Yun-Fat and Hui Siu-Hung first worked together on 'Man in the Net' in 1979, maintaining their friendship to this day. In earlier interviews, Hui noted that the cast was very close and playful in those days. Start times might have been at 2 p.m., but everyone was in the restaurant by noon. Chow Yun-Fat was just as friendly then as he is now—everyone laughed and chatted, lingering after work to go out for supper together, as if there was no warmth at home. “There was a strong sense of belonging, truly united,” Hui recalled.

Prominent Family Background, Drove Mercedes to Work

Hui Siu-Hung was born into a prestigious family, called one of “Modern Guangzhou’s First Families” in China. His ancestor Hui Bai-ting was the head of the four great salt merchants of Guangzhou, and his great-great-grandfather Hui Ying-kuai was a top-ranked official during Empress Dowager Cixi’s reign. His great-uncle Hui Chongzhi was a founding veteran of the Kuomintang, a close confidant of Sun Yat-sen, and one of the founders of Whampoa Military Academy along with Chiang Kai-shek. His grandaunt was Xu Guangping, the renowned modern Chinese writer and wife of Lu Xun. As a child, his “toys” were sachets and jade ruyi, revealing his deep family heritage. Hui moved to Hong Kong with his family in 1958, and in 1971 he enrolled in TVB’s first artiste training class. Early in his career, he frequently arrived in a Mercedes, which earned him the nickname “Benz Hung.”

Hui was well loved in showbiz and devoted to family—a true family man deeply affectionate toward his daughter Hui Wai-King. After marrying Singaporean Long Yan Er in 1992, he became immune to romance rumors. The two came from similarly distinguished families. Long Yan Er had a young son from her previous marriage when she wed Hui, but Hui openly accepted and treated his stepson as his own, once telling the media, “We have an excellent relationship, and he even calls me dad voluntarily.”

Dual Achievements onscreen, “Sir Fong Chung” Becomes Iconic

Over his long career, Hui Siu-Hung appeared in many films and TV series, his roles leaving deep impressions and much to talk about. In the movie “Running Out of Time”, where he played Inspector Wong Kai-Fat, his classic line through a loudspeaker—'I am Chief Inspector Wong Kai-Fat from the Organized Crime Unit. You are surrounded! You have three minutes to surrender!'—is still fondly remembered by fans. For this role, Hui earned his only nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 19th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2000.

He also played 'Sir Fong Chung Chung Lok Hoi' in the movie 'Love Undercover' with Miriam Yeung and Daniel Wu. In a memorable scene, he pretends to be Miriam’s father meeting her boyfriend's parents. Miriam mistakenly addresses him as 'Chung Sir', catching the attention of Daniel’s screen father, Wu Fung. Hui quickly saves the situation by declaring himself 'Sir Fong Chung', even writing the Chinese character for 'Sir' on paper—a moment that remains viral online today. In recent years, he also played memorable roles, notably as 'Hap-hui Gor' in the hit TVB series 'Line Walker', which was much loved by netizens.