Liza Wang

This article is about the Hong Kong entertainer. It is not to be confused with the American gymnast Lisa Wang.
Liza Wang Ming-chuen

Liza Wang performing Cantonese opera
Background information
Chinese name 汪明荃
Pinyin wāng míngquán (Mandarin)
Jyutping wong1 ming4 cyun4 (Cantonese)
Origin Qingpu, Shanghai, China
Born (1947-08-28) 28 August 1947
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
Other name(s) The Big Sister[1]
Occupation Actress, Singer, MC
Genre(s) Cantopop, Chinese Opera
Instrument(s) Singing
Years active 1967-present
Spouse(s) Lau Cheung Wah (1971 - 1983)
Law Kar-ying (May 2, 2009 - )
Ancestry Qingpu, Shanghai, China
Website Liza Wang website

Liza Wang Ming-chuen, SBS[2][3][4] (born 28 August 1947) is a diva, actress and MC from Hong Kong. She is a personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the HK entertainment circle.[5] Wang was a delegate in the National People's Congress from 1988 to 1997, and she is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[6]

Entertainment career

Liza Wang moved to Hong Kong from Shanghai in autumn 1956 and signed up for Rediffusion Hong Kong's first Artist Academy class in 1967. From thousands of applicants, the 20-year-old Liza was one of the nine that were picked to attend acting classes. She was also the first to graduate from the academy.

Television

Her career has spanned four decades, since 1967. She began working for Rediffusion Television Limited (later renamed Asia Television and now defunct) until she joined TVB in 1971. She was one of the members of the all-girl music group Four Golden Flowers.[7] Wang initially made her mark in the entertainment industry in drama series. Her work in front of the camera was followed by that behind the scenes on television productions.

In 2005, she received the Best Actress award during TVB's 38th Anniversary. She received this award the seconc time for her role in Wars of In-laws. Wang received her first Best Actress award for her drama series The Awakening Story in 2001. She celebrated her 40th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2007.

Singing career

In parallel with her acting career Wang had a successful singing career, based on albums for her television series, consisting of TV theme songs. She has sung cantopop as well as mandopop. She performed duets with singer Adam Cheng. She continues to perform TV theme songs such as "東方之珠" for musical series like the 2006 Glittering Days.[8]

Cantonese opera

She experimented with stage musicals before becoming a Cantonese opera actress. It was within the Cantonese opera community that Wang met her longtime partner, Law Kar-ying. In 2005 the Sunbeam Theatre in North Point, Hong Kong's only regular venue for Cantonese Opera performances, was planned to close following a change of ownership.[6] Wang decided to negotiate with the new owner, who then promised to extend the contract with the Cantonese Opera groups. Wang then criticized the Government for its lack of support for Cantonese Opera, and the Government promised to adopt Wang's request.

Wang was Chairman of the Chinese Artist Association of Hong Kong (香港八和會館) from 1992 to 1997, then again from 2005 to 2009.[6] In 2007 Wang was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award.[6] She was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the City University of Hong Kong.

In February 2009 Wang fought for the development rights to restore the North Kowloon Magistracy building (北九龍裁判法院) in Sham Shui Po.[9] The building was originally proposed to be a new Cantonese opera training and performance center. Hong Kong's government granted the bid to the US Savannah College of Art and Design.[9] Wang was upset over the loss, and said the government was only paying lip service to causes such as Cantonese opera. The magistracy building is to be turned into a school specializing in creative and digital media.[9][10]

Political career

Pan-democrat home return permits request

Since the 1997 transfer of sovereignty, the Communist Party of China have banned 8 of the 25 Hong Kong pan-democrat legislative councilors. They are barred from the mainland except for tours organized by the government.[11] On March 6, 2008 Wang began publicizing the need to grant 24 Home Return Permit to the pro-democracy lawmakers.[12][13]

2008 Beijing Olympics

Wang mentioned that it was good timing to invite the democrats to enter mainland China in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.[13]

“ "CPPCC chairman Jia Qinglin said we should unite people from different sectors - why not include the democrats as well?[13] ”
— Liza Wang tries to unite the opposing Democrats and Pro-Beijing side in Hong Kong.

The Pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong member Tam Yiu Chung responded that the Olympics was not a good reason for changing what the central government used to do. Her concerns baffled her colleagues in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[1] Democrat member Albert Ho said the issue of a home visit permit was such a rightful thing. It has never been mentioned by any politician but a performer. He appreciates Wang's efforts.[13] Wang is a member, but not a standing committee member of the CPPCC.

Community work

As a mainstay at the TVB television network, Wang has gained almost legendary status for her efforts not merely as an entertainer but also as a philanthropist with a heart for social works and for improving lives in rural China and other areas. Within Hong Kong, she has also been a MC hosting TVB telethons for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and many other charities.

Wang, being a two time cancer survivor (first thyroid then breast cancer), she decided to be an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society.[6] A series of informative radio talk shows on RTHK was also hosted where medical specialists were invited to discuss the many types of cancer. She has helped raised charities, awareness and fundings for cancer patients. Recently a free concert was given at Tin Shui Wai for 4,500 residents; the concert was filled to capacity and hundreds were turned away. The crowd prevented guest performers like Miriam Yeung and Denise Ho from arriving on time. Denise Ho ascribed the audience overflow to Wang's popularity.[5]

Personal life

Liza Wang was married during the height of her career to a businessman. The marriage ended in divorce. In the late 1980s, she met Law Kar-ying, openly acknowledged as her partner for over twenty years, and whom she married on May 2, 2009 in Las Vegas.[14] Being a native Shanghainese, Wang speaks fluent Shanghainese and has always identified as a Shanghainese. [15]

 Television series
Year Title Role Notes
1974 Eternal Spring
《永恆的春天》		Mao Yuin Yuin
毛圓圓
1975 The Golden Chrysanthemum
《金葉菊》		Zhau Yuk Sin
周玉仙
1975 Lady with the Lute
《趙五娘》		Zhiu Ng Niong
趙五娘
1975 Legend of the Purple Hairpin
《紫釵記》		Fok Siu Yuk
霍小玉
1976 The Legend of the Book and the Sword
《書劍恩仇錄》 		Fok-ching-tung
霍青桐
1977 A House Is Not a Home
《家變》		Lok Lam
洛琳		 TVB Anniversary Award for All-Time Most Memorable Female Leading Roles
1979 Over the Rainbow
《天虹》		 Leung Pui-yee
梁沛怡
1979 Chor Lau-heung
《楚留香》 		Shum Wai-san
沈慧珊
1980 Yesterday's Glitter
《京華春夢》		Ho Yin-chau
賀燕秋
1981 Young's Female Warrior
《楊門女將》		Muk Gui-yin
穆桂英
1982 Love and Passion
《萬水千山總是情》		Chong Mung-deep
莊夢蝶
1984 Qiu Jin: A Woman To Remember
《秋瑾》		Qiu Jin
秋瑾
1999 At the Threshold of an Era
《創世紀》		 Fong Kin-ping
方健平
2000 At the Threshold of an Era II
《創世紀 II》		 Fong Kin-ping
方健平 		TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Television Character
2001 The Awakening Story
《婚前昏後》 		Lam Ho Suet
林皓雪		 TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Television Character
2004 Blade Heart
《血薦軒轅》 		Tong Bik
唐碧
2005 Wars of In-Laws
《我的野蠻奶奶》		Hei Tap-Lap Shek Lan
喜塔臘鑠蘭		TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
The Unforgettables
《名曲滿天星》		 Nominated - Best Presenter (Top 5)
2006 When Rules Turn Loose
《識法代言人》		Suen Man-Yee
孫敏儀		 Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Female Character
Glittering Days
《東方之珠》		Gam Yin
金燕		 Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress (Top 5)
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Female Character
2008 Wars of In-Laws II
《野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶》		 Gwo Bik
戈碧
When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West
《東山飄雨西關晴》 		Chong Fung-yi
莊鳳儀		Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
2010 OL Supreme
女王辦公室 		Lui Siu-fung
雷小鳳 		Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Female Character
2010-2011 Home Troopers
《居家兵團》		Lai Ka-ka
黎嘉嘉		 Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress (Top 5)
2011 Super Snoops
《荃加福祿壽探案》 		Sun Chiu-tung
辛潮彤 		Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for My Favourite Female Character
2012 Divas in Distress
《巴不得媽媽》		Sheung Ying-hung
商映紅		 Nominated - TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
2014 Come On, Cousin
老表，你好hea！ 		Herself Cameo
2015 Limelight Years
華麗轉身 		Wah Fong-ying
華芳凝
Master of Destiny
風雲天地 		Kwan Yeuk-nam
關若男

Acting Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Series Result
1999TVB Anniversary AwardsAll-Time Most Memorable Female Leading RolesA House is not a HomeWon
2000TVB Anniversary AwardsMy Favourite Television CharacterAt the Threshold of an Era IIWon
2001TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressThe Awakening StoryWon
My Favourite Television CharacterWon
2005TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressWar of In-LawsWon
2006TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressWhen Rules Turn LooseNominated
My Favourite Female CharacterNominated
2007TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressGlittering DaysNominated
My Favourite Female CharacterNominated
2008TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressWar of In-Laws IITop 5
My Favourite Female CharacterNominated
2009TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressWhen Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny WestNominated
2010TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressOL SupremeNominated
My Favourite Female CharacterNominated
Best HostFun With Liza and GodsWon
2011TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressHome TroopersTop 5
My Favourite Female CharacterSuper SnoopsNominated
2015Starhub TVB AwardsBest ActressLimelight YearsWon
Best HostSunday SongbirdWon

Honors

References

  1. 1 2 The standard HK "The standard HK". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  2. ↑ Loh, Christine (2010). Underground Front: The Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press. p. 154. Retrieved 11 December 2014 – via Google Book.
  3. ↑ "Wang still singing a flat tune". The Standard. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  4. 1 2 http://www.scmp.com/article/461488/bauhinia-honours-citys-sars-heroes
  5. 1 2 Xinhuanet. "Xinhuanet". Fans jam-pack Liza Wang's free concert. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Cityu.edu.hk "Cityu.edu.hk". 城大將頒授榮譽博士學位予四位領袖. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  7. ↑ Television Broadcasts Limited TVB - Lydia Shum exclusive - 東張西望之永恆的開心果 - 肥姐 - 02-21-2008.
  8. ↑ First for Music News. "NME". Liza Wang videos. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  9. 1 2 3 The Standard HK. "The Standard.com". http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=78355&sid=22755290&con_type=3. Retrieved on 2009-03-13.
  10. ↑ "Yahoo". 八和落選 汪明荃轟黑箱作業 Retrieved on 2009-03-13
  11. ↑ Scmp. "Scmp". End democrats' travel ban, delegate urges. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  12. ↑ The standard HK. "The standard HK". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
  13. 1 2 3 4 The standard HK. "The standard HK". TV star hopes home visits can turn democrats into patriots Retrieved on 2008-03-10
  14. ↑ "New bride: 61-year-old Liza Wang". China Daily. May 5, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  15. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wsWxUXbE_U
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wang Ming-chun, Elizabeth.
Awards and achievements
TVB Anniversary Awards
Preceded by
Carol Cheng
for War of the Genders		 Best Actress
2001
for The Awakening Story 		Succeeded by
Flora Chan
for Family Man
Preceded by
Gigi Lai
for War and Beauty		 Best Actress
2005
for Wars of In-laws 		Succeeded by
Charmaine Sheh
for Maidens' Vow
RTHK Top 10 Chinese Golden Songs Award
Preceded by
Richard Lam		 Golden Needle Award
2004 		Succeeded by
Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
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