Veteran actor Chew Chor Meng leaves Mediacorp after 36 years: 'No regrets, only immense gratitude'

Chew, who turns 58 this month, announced that his contract ended on Oct 31 and reflected on his decades-long career in a heartfelt Instagram post.

Chew Chor Meng's Ah Bee character in Don’t Worry Be Happy (right) has been one of his most memorable roles. (Photos: Instagram/chewchormeng)

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After 36 years, veteran actor Chew Chor Meng has parted ways with Mediacorp. His contract ended on Oct 31, marking the end of an era for one of Singapore showbiz's most familiar faces.

In a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday (Nov 3), Chew, who turns 58 on Nov 20, reflected on his decades in showbiz, sharing that he was leaving with no regrets.

"My 36-year acting career has, in the blink of an eye, become one of the most precious memories of my life," he wrote in Chinese.

"I have no regrets, only immense gratitude. Over these 36 years, I've had the privilege of doing what I love, giving it my all, and finding happiness along the way."

View this post on Instagram

The actor also expressed his appreciation to those who had given him opportunities, supported and encouraged him throughout his career, as well as viewers who had stood by him over the years.

"Thank you to the world of acting, and for all the love I've received in my life," he continued.

"The curtain has fallen, but life's wonderful journey continues. For I believe God has a beautiful plan for every stage of our lives."

Accompanying the post was a video montage chronicling his showbiz career, from his Star Search victory in 1990 to the many memorable characters he has portrayed over the years.

The video ended with footage of him receiving the Special Achievement Award at the 2019 Star Awards, along with snippets of his acceptance speech.

Chew Chor Meng receiving the Special Achievement Award at the 2019 Star Awards. (Photo: Instagram/chewchormeng)

Over the years, Chew became a household name and is best remembered for his portrayal of lobang king Ah Bee in the long-running sitcom Don’t Worry Be Happy (1996-2002).

His other notable works include Wok Of Life (1999) and Hainan Kopi Tales, which won him Best Actor at the 2000 Star Awards.

Chew was voted one of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes for 10 consecutive years, earning him the All-Time Favourite Artiste award in 2004.

But his showbiz career hasn't been without its challenges. In 2008, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, also known as Kennedy's Disease, a condition that progressively affects his muscles and mobility.

Despite his health struggles, he continued acting, taking on roles in dramas such as 118, The Heartland Hero and Family Ties. His most recent Mediacorp drama was 2025's Where The Heart Belongs.

Beyond acting, Chew has also made a name for himself in the F&B industry. He is one of the co-owners of Tam Chiak Kopitiam, a coffee shop chain he started with food blogger Maureen Ow, better known as Miss Tam Chiak, and other partners, in 2023.

The chain currently has two outlets, in Punggol and Bidadari, with plans to open its biggest coffee shop yet in Tengah. Chew also co-owns Thai barbecue chain 888 Mookata.

He and wife Deon Tan, whom he married in 2000, have two daughters, Chloe, 24, and Cheyenne, 22.

This story was originally published in 8days.

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本月即将年满 58 岁的周永康宣布，他的合约已于 10 月 31 日到期，并在 Instagram 上发表了一篇情真意切的帖子，回顾了他长达数十年的职业生涯。

周初明在《别担心，开心就好》中饰演的阿兵（右图）是他最令人印象深刻的角色之一。（图片来源：Instagram/chewchormeng）

这段音频由人工智能工具生成。

出道36年后，资深演员周初明与新传媒解约。他的合约于10月31日到期，标志着这位新加坡演艺圈最熟悉的面孔之一的时代落下帷幕。

周二（11月3日），即将于11月20日迎来58岁生日的周润发在Instagram上发表了一篇感人至深的帖子，回顾了自己数十年的演艺生涯，并表示自己离开时毫无遗憾。

“我36年的演艺生涯，转眼间就成为了我生命中最珍贵的回忆之一，”他用中文写道。

“我没有任何遗憾，只有无比的感激。在这36年里，我有幸从事自己热爱的事业，全力以赴，并在过程中收获了幸福。”

在 Instagram 上查看此帖子

这位演员也对那些在他职业生涯中给予他机会、支持和鼓励的人，以及多年来一直支持他的观众表达了感谢。

“感谢演艺界，感谢我一生中收到的所有爱，”他继续说道。

“帷幕已落，但人生的美好旅程仍在继续。因为我相信，上帝为我们人生的每个阶段都制定了美好的计划。”

帖子还附带了一段视频剪辑，回顾了他的演艺生涯，从 1990 年赢得《星探》比赛到多年来塑造的众多令人难忘的角色。

视频最后播放了他在 2019 年星光大奖颁奖典礼上获得特别成就奖的画面，以及他的获奖感言片段。

周初明在2019年红星大奖颁奖典礼上荣获特别成就奖。（图片：Instagram/chewchormeng）

多年来，周润发已成为家喻户晓的人物，他最令人难忘的角色是在长寿情景喜剧《别担心，要开心》（1996-2002）中饰演的“骗子之王”阿比。

他的其他著名作品包括《生活大爆炸》（1999）和《海南咖啡传奇》，后者为他赢得了2000年星光大奖最佳男主角奖。

周润发连续 10 年被评为十大最受欢迎男艺人之一，并在 2004 年荣获“史上最受欢迎艺人”奖。

但他的演艺生涯并非一帆风顺。2008年，他透露自己被诊断出患有脊髓性肌萎缩症，也称肯尼迪氏病，这是一种会逐渐影响肌肉和行动能力的疾病。

尽管健康状况不佳，他仍然坚持演戏，出演了《118》、《心之英雄》和《家族情缘》等电视剧。他最近一部新传媒电视剧是2025年的《心之所向》。

除了演戏之外，周润发在餐饮业也颇有名气。他是Tam Chiak Kopitiam咖啡连锁店的共同所有人之一，该连锁店是他与美食博主Maureen Ow（网名Miss Tam Chiak）及其他合伙人于2023年共同创立的。

该连锁店目前在榜鹅和比达达利设有两家分店，并计划在登加开设迄今为止最大的咖啡店。周先生还共同拥有泰国烧烤连锁店888 Mookata。

他和妻子 Deon Tan（两人于 2000 年结婚）育有两个女儿，分别是 24 岁的 Chloe 和 22 岁的 Cheyenne。

本文最初发表于《8天》杂志。

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