Actor Chew Chor Meng celebrates 56th birthday with friends and family

SINGAPORE – Veteran Singaporean actor Chew Chor Meng recently celebrated his 56th birthday with a lavish meal.

The star turned 56 on Nov 20 and his wife, Ms Deon Tan, 49, posted about the celebration on Instagram the same day.

A big group of Chew’s friends and family, including his wife and their two grown daughters, were seated at a long table at what looked like a Peranakan restaurant. There were musicians playing traditional Malay instruments in the background.

She also posted a clip of the group wishing Chew a happy birthday as he sat in front of a cake.

She wrote in the caption: “Happy blessed birthday to hubby. We had a truly special dining experience with some amazing people we love and deeply appreciate. These wonderful individuals are always there for us, checking in regularly and just a call away whenever we need help.”

Chew was diagnosed with Kennedy’s disease, a rare and progressive neuromuscular disorder that has no cure, in 2008. The disease is associated with muscle loss and mobility issues. He told The Straits Times in 2023 that it took him a long time to accept the news of his illness and that he now sees every day as a blessing.

He is among Singapore’s most beloved actors. A long-time staple on Channel 8, he has starred in iconic series like sitcom Don’t Worry, Be Happy, which ran for six seasons from 1996, and Wok Of Life (1999).

Chew was part of the first batch of actors to receive the Star Award for All-Time Favourite Artiste in 2004. The honour is given to stars who win the popularity-based award Top 10 Most Popular Male or Female Artistes for a cumulative 10 times over the course of their career, after which they no longer compete for the yearly popularity award.

Chew won every year consecutively since 1994, the year the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artiste was established.