In less than 7 months into the year 2026, the Hong Kong entertainment industry has been hit hard by a series of unfortunate events. Nearly 30 front and backstage elites have passed away, including martial arts movie star Bruce Leung, drama master Chung King Fai, veteran filmmaker Alfred Cheung, and iconic superstar Alan Tam. Many netizens and fans expressed their sorrow over the frequent sad news this year.
Alan Tam, also known as “Fourth Brother”, passed away on July 16 at the age of 89. Following his wishes, his family handled his arrangements discreetly, and he was cremated on July 20. After the news was announced, numerous peers and juniors in the entertainment industry posted messages or comments mourning his passing.
Stephen Chow quoted a line from a poem by Du Fu to bid farewell to Alan Tam, who acted in “Shaolin Soccer” without a salary; Carina Lau shared an old photo, praising Alan Tam for being “humorous and elegant throughout his life”; Wong Jing released a video in memory, calling Alan Tam the “most dashing male star in Hong Kong history”; Charmaine Sheh recalled working together on “Casino Tycoon” and praised him as a “genuine warm-hearted and elegant senior”; industry peers like Charlene Choi, Kara Hui, Shu Qi, and Karen Mok also posted messages expressing their grief and disbelief.
Just in July alone, the Hong Kong entertainment industry has lost several elites, including veteran filmmaker Alfred Cheung, veteran actress who appeared in Marvel’s “Daredevil” series as “Madame Gao”, Nancy Ho, veteran TV host and actor known as “Uncle Chu”, Luisa Leung known as the “Queen of Antihero”, former TVB actress Leung Saan, and performer Leung Ngoi.
In the previous month of June, several beloved entertainers who grew up with the people of Hong Kong also tragically passed away, including Hong Kong drama master Chung King Fai (King Sir), former Miss Hong Kong Regina Wu who lost the battle against illness, the late actor Law Kai Chi’s widow and former TVB artist Candy Chan, veteran cinematographer and director Roger Ho, and veteran actress, Rosa Miu.
Also in June, “Rock Father” Wong Toi Wa, martial arts legend Bruce Lee’s sister Lee Mo Kuen, and former ViuTV program host Si Hoi Ying, who passed away at the age of only 20-something, bid farewell to the world.
In May, Hong Kong lost artists such as a veteran Peking opera actor and drama director Lau Suen, renowned martial arts actor Pak Ying, lyricist Yue Gin Yau for Tai Chi Group, acclaimed singer Gong Wah, and veteran filmmaker Koo Wai Lai.
Known as the “Elderly Asia Sister”, Lau Yuet Ho passed away in February of 2026 (around the end of March or April), at the age of 75 due to illness.
Considering the period from January to April, martial arts icon Bruce Leung, renowned martial arts instructor and director Yuen Shing Yan, and the “bad boy” frequently seen in TVB productions, Yau Fai, all passed away early in the year; Lee Ka Ding’s ex-wife Shin Ming passed away in March.
In April, actor Lee To Yiu who portrayed the strategiist Chen Yiu in the film “Young and Dangerous”, veteran producer Siu Kin Hang, veteran artist Kong To, all passed away due to illness. The news of former TVB artist Poon Hung Bun’s death was revealed in the Golden Horse Awards special issue.
In less than 7 months, the Hong Kong entertainment industry has seen nearly 30 stars, both in front and behind the scenes, fade into obscurity and fall, leaving people lamenting the frequency of sad news this year. Netizens have been reminiscing: from screen legends, drama masters to unsung heroes and behind-the-scenes contributors, they once used their youth and talent to co-create the golden age of Hong Kong popular culture.