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Adrian Pang Yeow Soon (born 8 January 1966) is a Malaysian-born Singapore former actor, host, and contracted artiste under FLY Entertainment and prominently a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1990 to 2010. He first came to prominence in Singaporean television by acting in some English-language and Chinese-language television dramas produced by MediaCorp and SPH MediaWorks in the 1990s. Since then, he has diversified into hosting and theatre production. More recently, he had a small role in the Hollywood cybercrime movie Blackhat (2015), starring Chris Hemsworth and Wang Lee Hom. In 2010, Pang announced that after his current artiste contract with Mediacorp expires in March, he will experimentally leave Mediacorp.

Early life and career[]

Pang was born in Malacca, Malaysia. He was educated at Anglo-Chinese School and Anglo-Chinese Junior College.[1] Although he graduated with a law degree from Keele University in Britain, he did not practice, he trained at the ARTTS International in Bubwith instead. He worked for a number of years in British theatre and television before returning to Singapore. While he was based in Britain, he would occasionally return to Singapore for stage work where he first caught the eye of Singaporeans when he starred in the Singaporean comedy film Forever Fever (1998).

Career[]

Homecoming[]

Upon returning home, Pang joined Mediacorp. Pang later switched to SPH MediaWorks as a producer-presenter when the new company was established in 2001. It was around this time in 2001 that he moved back permanently to Singapore with his family. He quickly established himself as a household name through his work on SPH MediaWorks Channel i. A versatile talent, he excelled in hosting as well as acting, such as in the comedy Durian King and the main actor in the channel's final production, Six Weeks, before its impending merger with Mediacorp in 2005. An original idea of his, Pang co-wrote Six Weeks and was part of the creative process from start to finish.

Post MediaWorks[]

Re-employed by Mediacorp after the merger, he went on to appear in Chinese dramas on Mediacorp Channel 8, such as the blockbuster drama Portrait of Home (同心圆) in 2005. His portrayal of the eccentric Dadi earned him a Best Actor nomination in Star Awards 2005. He achieved this accolade despite the fact that he is much more comfortable speaking in English than in Mandarin (something many English-speaking Singaporeans can relate to). Indeed, he admitted he had much difficulty acting in the show. He even describes himself as a 'kentang', a Malay term, to describe someone who is very Westernised.

He also starred in Jack Neo's romantic comedy I Do I Do (2005) with Sharon Au. He also appeared on Makan King on Channel U, Nine Lives on Arts Central and Maggi & Me on Mediacorp Channel 5. In March 2007, he clinched the coveted Best Actor award at the national Life! Theater Awards for 2006.

He has also appeared in various theatrical performances such as Forbidden City: Portrait of An Empress (2002), A Twist of Fate (2005), The Dresser, The Odd Couple and many others.

Pang's humour makes him one of the more sought-after hosts in Singaporean media. He was the host for The Arena and Deal or No Deal aired on Mediacorp Channel 5. He has also helped to host the National Day Parade Celebrations in Singapore as well as Miss Singapore Universe.

He also played the male lead in the series Parental Guidance opposite Hong Kong actress, Jessica Hsuen. That was also the first time Pang played a legal professional on television.

In 2008, he filmed a Chinese drama serial, Nanny Daddy, which was telecast on Channel 8 in September that year.

In 2009, he snared a leading role as a "blind" lawyer named Alex Sung bent on revenge in the Channel 5 blockbuster drama Red Thread and clinched the "Best Actor" award at the 14th Asian Television Awards (ATA).[2]

In 2010, Pang announced that after his current artiste contract with Mediacorp expires in March, he will "experimentally" leave the entertainment industry, and establish a drama company with his wife, to be called "PANGDEMONiUM!".[3] According to Pang, the "experimental" leave was made possible via a prior arrangement with Mediacorp executives, and that he is open to returning to Mediacorp, or act in Mediacorp projects, in the future. At this time he did not appear for the last few episodes in New City Beat and acted in Channel 8 drama series With You.[3]

PANGDEMONiUM!'s inaugural production was The Full Monty held in June 2010, based on The Full Monty. Their next production, Closer showed from February to March 2011. Their third play, Dealer's Choice was played from 29 September to 12 October 2011. They went on to produce Spring Awakening in February 2012[4] and Swimming with Sharks in September 2012.[5]

In 2012, Pang starred in the Mediacorp Raintree Pictures movie Dance Dance Dragon (龙众舞) alongside Kym Ng and Dennis Chew. The movie was aired in all local cinemas during the Lunar New Year period.

In late 2012, Pang starred in the Singapore Repertory Theatre's production of God of Carnage.[6] The next year, he went on to star in a stage adaptation of Rabbit Hole opposite popular actress Janice Koh.[7]

In 2014, Pang wrote his first book for children, Hansel and Girl Girl. The children's picture book, illustrated by Cultural Medallion winner Milenko Prvacki, transplants the traditional Hansel and Gretel fairy tale to a Singapore setting. Published by Epigram Books, part of the proceeds went to charity.[8]

Personal life[]

Pang is married to Tracie Howitt. They have two sons, Zack and Xander.

Filmography[]

Toggle Series[]

Year Work Role Notes
2019 I See You
看见看不见的你
Zhong Zhi Wen
钟志文
  • Toggle Original Series
  • Supporting Role 男配角

Television[]

Year Work Role Notes
2012 The Kitchen Musical Bryan S
2011 Code of Law Dennis Tang Teng Soon (Cameo ep 1)
The Pupil Season 2 Dennis Tang Teng Soon
2010 With You 我在你左右 Zhou Wen An 周文安
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一
  • Last Mandarin Drama
The Pupil Season 1 Dennis Tang Teng Soon
2009 Red Thread Alex Sung
Polo Boys Gregory Koh
2008 Nanny Daddy 奶爸百分百 Liu Zhuolun 刘卓伦
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一
2007 Do Not Disturb : Lunch Hour
2007–2008 Parental Guidance James Seto
2006–2008 Maggi & Me 我爱鬼妹 Johnny Tan
2005 Portrait of Home II 同心圆2 Zhou Dadi 周大地
  • Pairs up with Jesseca Liu
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一
Portrait of Home 同心圆
  • Pairs up with Jesseca Liu
  • 1/2 of the Male Lead 两大男主角之一

Shows Hosted[]

Year Show Notes
2012–2013 Chasing Happiness Channel NewsAsia programme
2009 New City Beat 城人新杂志 Co-hosted with Gurmit Singh, Bryan Wong and Kym Ng
Don't Forget the Lyrics! (Singapore) English edition, Comic Mayhem episode
2007–2008 Deal or No Deal
2007 Miss Singapore Universe finals
Phua Chu Kang Wrap Party End of series wrap-up
Code Red 爱上小红点
The Arena I
2006 Miss Singapore Universe finals
Chingay Parade
2005–2006 Makan King 好吃王
2005 Singapore National Day Parade
2004 Top 10 十不相瞒
2003 Chingay Parade
2002 Singapore National Day Parade (pre-parade)
Singapore Film Festival
Chingay Parade
2000–2004 Yummy King

Films[]

Year Work Role
2015 The Faith of Anna Waters Father Matthew Tan
2015 Blackhat Keith Yan
2014 Unlucky Plaza Sky / Terence Chia
2013 Judgement Day Prime Minister
2013 Sex.Violence.FamilyValues (short film) The Director
2012 Bait Jessup
2012 Dance Dance Dragon 龙众舞 Eric Tan
2009 The Blue Mansion Wee Teck Meng
2008 The Carrot Cake Conversations Matthew
2007 Gone Shopping Valentine Tan
2005 I Do I Do 爱都爱都 Lee Ah Peng 李亚鹏
2001 Spy Game Jiang
2000 Night Swimmer Kenneth
2000 Second Generation Jimmy
1998 Forever Fever Hock
1995 Night Watch Korean technician

Theatre[]

Year Production Role Location
2019 Late Company Bill Victoria Theatre, Singapore
2015 Chinglish Minister Cai Guoliang Pangdemonium, Singapore
2015 Tribes Dad Pangdemonium, Singapore
2015 Circle Mirror Transformation Shultz Pangdemonium, Singapore
2014 Frozen Ralph Pangdemonium, Singapore
2014 The Rise and Fall of Little Voice Raysay Pangdemonium, Singapore
2013 Next to Normal Dan Pangdemonium, Singapore
2013 Rabbit Hole Howie Corbett Pangdemonium, Singapore
2012 Spring Awakening Headmaster Knochenbruch Pangdemonium, Singapore
2012 Swimming with Sharks Buddy Ackerman Pangdemonium, Singapore
2012 God of Carnage Michael Atlantis Production / Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2011 Closer Larry Pangdemonium, Singapore
2011 Dealer's Choice Stephen Pangdemonium, Singapore
2011 Into the Woods Actor Singapore
2010 The Full Monty Jerry Pangdemonium, Singapore
2009 Much Ado About Nothing Benedick Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2007, 2008 The Pillowman Tupolski Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2006 The Dresser Norman Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2005 A Twist of Fate Uncle Albert VizPro Entertainment / Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2004 The Odd Couple Felix Ungar, Oscar Madison Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
2001 Barefoot in the Park Paul Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1999, 2000 They're Playing Our Song Vernon Singapore Repertory Theater, Manila, Philippines
1998 Take Away Damien Mu-Lan Theatre Company, London
1997 New Territories Wong, Monkey Yellow Earth Theatre, London
1997 Hamlet Prince Hamlet Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1996 The Magic Fundoshi The Servant, The Wife, The Acolyte Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1996 The Glass Menagerie Tom Wingfield Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1995 Little Shop of Horrors Seymour Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1995 Privates on Parade Ming Greenwich Theatre, UK
1994 Into the Woods Jack Singapore Repertory Theater, Singapore
1993 Hair Tribe The Old Vic, UK
1993 The Magic Fundoshi The Servant, The Wife, The Acolyte Mu-Lan Theatre Company, London

Movie[]

Year Work Role Notes
2008 Pulua Hantu Damian Lee
  • Supporting Role

Awards and nominations[]

Star Awards[]

Template:Small

Star Awards – Acting Awards
Year Ceremony Category Nominated work Result
2005 12th Star Awards Ceremony Best Actor Portrait of Home Template:Nom
12th Star Awards Ceremony Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Template:N/A Template:Nom
2006 13th Star Awards Ceremony Best Actor Portrait of Home II Template:Nom
13th Star Awards Ceremony Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Template:N/A Template:Nom
2007 14th Star Awards Ceremony Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Template:N/A Template:Nom
2009 15th Star Awards Ceremony Best Actor Nanny Daddy Template:Nom
15th Star Awards Ceremony Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes Template:N/A Template:Nom

Asian Television Awards[]

Year Award Work Result
2003 Asian Television Awards, Best Comedy Actor Ah Girl II Template:Nom
2007 Asian Television Awards, Best Comedy Actor Maggi & Me Template:Nom
2009 Asian Television Awards,Best Actor Red Thread Template:Won

References[]

  1. Template:Cite news
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  3. 3.0 3.1 Template:Cite web
  4. Template:Cite web
  5. Template:Cite web
  6. Template:Cite web
  7. http://theurbanwire.com/2013/05/05/rabbit-hole/
  8. Template:Cite web

9. Adrian Pang's sons did not believe he was in a movie with Chris Hemsworth http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/movies/story/adrian-pang-movie-thor-20150114

External links[]