Former MP Lee Bee Wah and actor Collin Chee attend actor Benz Hui’s funeral in Hong Kong

Former MP Lee Bee Wah and local actor Collin Chee were at the funeral of Hong Kong actor Benz Hui on Nov 18.

Hui, whom fans affectionately called Foon Hei Gor (Brother Foon Hei) for his role in Hong Kong crime thriller Line Walker (2014 to 2020), died at age 76 on Oct 28 from multiple organ failure caused by cancer.

A memorial service was held at Po Fook Memorial Hall in Tai Wai, Hong Kong, on Nov 17, with the funeral held the next day.

Ms Lee wrote on Facebook on Nov 15: “With a heavy heart, I embarked on my journey to Hong Kong.”

Hui was a Singapore permanent resident who lived in Yishun with his Singaporean wife Angeli Lung and their daughter Charmaine Hui. The area is under Nee Soon GRC, where Ms Lee was an MP from 2011 to 2020.

Hui and his family returned to Hong Kong in 2024, according to Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao.

Ms Lee wrote on Facebook on Nov 17 that Ms Lung and her family invited her to their home for lunch on Nov 16.

“We chatted all afternoon. They have gone through a lot and are staying strong,” Ms Lee wrote, posting a 2019 photo of herself with Hui and his family. “Last night, I tossed and turned and couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.”

On Nov 18, Ms Lee wrote on Facebook: “This morning I hugged his wife, Angeli, and passed on the heartfelt regards and support from so many Singaporeans who reached out through me.

“She was deeply moved. She asked me to specifically let everyone know: ‘Please tell them a big thank you. My family and I are staying strong.’”

Meanwhile, Chee told Zaobao that he flew to Hong Kong on Nov 18 at about 2am.

The 58-year-old observed that the funeral drew many journalists and artistes, with floral wreaths filling the venue.

Chee said the eulogy by Hui’s stepson moved him to tears.

The stepson shared that his father had died when he was young, and Hui picked him up in a Mercedes-Benz one day. The late actor earned the nickname “Benz” for frequently driving a Mercedes-Benz to work during the early days of his career.

“It was the first time he rode in a Mercedes-Benz,” Chee said. “Foon Hei Gor drove him to and from school, sometimes taking him to filming locations and introducing him to everyone as ‘my son’. In that moment, he felt the warmth of a father’s love and considered himself fortunate to have such a wonderful stepfather.”

There was also a 20-minute video at the funeral showing Hui’s memorable acting roles over the years, which Chee said was arranged by Hong Kong broadcaster TVB, Hui’s former employer.

Chee had been undecided about returning to the entertainment industry two years ago. He told Zaobao that Hui and his wife invited him then to partner Hong Kong TV host Maria Luisa Leitao as the emcees for their daughter’s wedding in Singapore in January 2024.

Chee said they had already chosen to believe in him, even when he had doubts about his ability to handle the role.

“After the wedding, Foon Hei Gor specially sent me a video saying I did a great job hosting that day, and his entire family was delighted to have chosen me,” Chee said.

“It was precisely because of his encouragement that I decided to give it a try (resuming my acting career), and everything has gone smoothly since. At a time when I needed support the most, those simple words of encouragement were most powerful.”