Actor Christopher Lee won his fourth Golden Bell Award in Taipei on Oct 19, beating out his younger brother in the same category.
The Malaysian-born star, 53, took home Best Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film for the legal drama Port Of Lies. His younger brother, Frederick Lee, 48, was nominated for the same award for his performance in the television film Night Blindness.
When Christopher’s name was announced at the ceremony, which is Taiwan’s most prestigious awards show recognising TV and radio works, Frederick escorted his brother to the stage.
Christopher began his buoyant acceptance speech by yelling out “Holy Mazu!”, a phrase referencing the sea goddess Mazu that his public defender character in Port Of Lies uses often.
He then thanked his family, making special mention of his brother.
“Thank you for entering the acting industry, and I’ll be the one escorting you up here next time,” he said.
Christopher also gave a shoutout to his Singaporean actress-wife Fann Wong, 53, and their 10-year-old son.
“To my wife, Fann, you are my lucky star. Thank you for loving me so much, I love you very much too. Thanks for taking such good care of our son so I have the opportunity to take on acting projects overseas with peace of mind. Thank you to my adorable son, Zed. I can leave home to film with such ease because you’re a good, sensible kid.”
This is Christopher’s fourth Golden Bell. He previously won Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series in 2022 for the thriller Danger Zone (2021); Best Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film in 2021 for his turn as a construction worker in Workers (2020); and Best Leading Actor in 2014 in family drama A Good Wife (2013).
In a backstage interview posted on the awards’ YouTube page after his win, he said he would gift the prize money of NT$100,000 to Frederick in a hongbao. Frederick married his long-time girlfriend in September.
He added that Frederick has always been a supportive brother to him. “It’s nice to have a companion in this industry who I can discuss work with. It’s a form of happiness and fate. I’m a blessed man because both my wife and my brother are in the same industry as me.”
Frederick told The Straits Times over text on Oct 20 that he is not disappointed to have missed out on the win. “I was looking forward to my brother winning because he put up such an excellent performance in Port Of Lies. He is truly deserving,” he wrote.
Christopher told ST that he celebrated his win with the Port Of Lies team in an after-party that Frederick attended as well.
In Singapore, Fann and Zed watched the ceremony live from their home.
She posted on Instagram photos and videos of herself and her son rejoicing and blowing kisses at the screen when Christopher’s win was announced.
She wrote: “Holy Mazu, hubby, how are you so outstanding?”
Many Singaporean celebrities including Mark Lee, Sharon Au, Priscelia Chan, Kate Pang, Hayley Woo and Quan Yifeng congratulated him in the comments section of the post.
-The Straits Times/Asia News Network
-TheStar