Married actors Chen Liping and Rayson Tan at 60: ‘Not the end of our careers, but a new beginning’

SINGAPORE – Singaporean actors Rayson Tan and Chen Liping are the rare celebrity couple who were born in 1965, on Jan 12 and Aug 22 respectively, the same year as an independent Singapore.

Chen began acting in 1985 after completing a drama training course with the then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (now Mediacorp), and is most famous for her role as a bubbly teacher in the drama series Good Morning, Sir! (1989).

She also has three Best Actress Star Awards, for her roles in Holland V (2003), Reunion Dinner (2009) and The Dream Makers (2013).

Tan kick-started his show-business career in 1990, after placing third in the Star Search acting competition. In 2014, he won Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the Asian Television Awards for the drama Entangled (2013), in which his character kidnaps and rapes his friend’s wife.

Tan and Chen wed in 1998 and have a 23-year-old son, Zavier, who is pursuing his undergraduate studies overseas. Both stars used to be contracted artistes with local broadcaster Mediacorp, but Tan left in October 2024 and Chen followed suit in January 2025. They are now freelancers.

Can you share more about your childhood photo?

Chen: This shows me at age five in 1970. My mother and cousins liked dressing me up and taking photos, especially on special occasions. I had permed hair, which was quite rare for a little girl at that time. 

I have many fond memories of my childhood, such as of my mother spending time with me walking around the Emerald Hill area. We lived near Koek Road until I was around 13.

Tan: These photos show me entering and graduating from kindergarten, which I attended from ages four to six. I am the youngest of three children and my parents are illiterate. They wanted me to start learning and sent me to a PAP kindergarten near Jalan Tenteram, where we lived in a rental flat. I recall that my mother carried me on her back on the first day of kindergarten because I did not want to go. But, eventually, I came out of my shell and learnt to be independent.

What is your core memory of Singapore?

Chen: The old amusement parks in the 1970s and 1980s. There was Great World in Kim Seng Road, New World in Jalan Besar and Gay World in Geylang Road.

When not studying, I always hung out there. My mother and grandmother would watch Teochew opera troupes perform, while I played arcade games, especially shooting and tikam-tikam.

I was quite good and won some kitchen appliances like electric cookers and kettles. Today, there are pasar malam (night markets) and Uncle Ringo, but it is not the same.

Tan: Living in Jalan Tenteram during my early childhood. Our rental flat had no rooms – just a small kitchen and bathroom, while the shared toilets were located in the middle of the floor. Two people shared one bed and the other three slept on the floor. On warm nights, we slept on newspapers in the corridor.

We were close friends with the neighbours. We caught guppies in drains, sold ice popsicles we made using a freezer and played with sparklers during Chinese New Year.

One of our neighbours had a TV set and charged us five cents each time we watched it. We paid, of course. I remember watching the local black-and-white Chinese-language variety show Sharp Night (1960 to 1970), hosted by Singaporean compere Zhang Wei and featuring comedians like Wang Sa and Ye Fong. My favourite “spot” was under my neighbour’s bed – it had a great view.

What do you consider your biggest contribution to Singapore?

Chen: I feel very blessed to have been part of shows which Singaporeans still talk about.

For example, people still tell me about how they enjoyed my performance (as nasi lemak seller Mo Wanwan) in Holland V, Singapore’s first long-form drama, although it aired more than 20 years ago.

And, of course, they remember Shen Rong in Good Morning, Sir!, and many children learnt their ABCs through educational video clips featuring her. I am glad I brought happiness to the audiences, allowing them to laugh with my comedy roles, and also brought solace with my other roles.

Tan: I’m quite proud of the way I portrayed Singapore war hero Lim Bo Seng in the Channel 8 drama The Price Of Peace (1997). It was stressful playing such an important historical figure, and I felt a great sense of responsibility.

After the show wrapped, Lim’s eldest son – the late Mr Lim Leong Geok – contacted my manager to ask how I had managed to capture his father’s patriotic spirit and sense of honour. I was deeply moved and happy to know that my performance helped bring this part of Singapore’s history to life.

What do you love or hate about the country?

Chen: I love Singapore’s multicultural and multiracial soul. There are so many languages, cuisines and practices here. It is quite “rojak”, but rojak is also very delicious.

Did you know that “Aiyoyo”, the signature catchphrase of my Good Morning, Sir! character, has Indian origins? This phrase is used to express exasperation or disbelief, and it became associated with me.

When eating nasi lemak, I like to use my hands. It is a practice I picked up from my Malay friends, and it helps to better mix the rice with the sambal, gravy or curry.

I hate the weather here. It is simply too hot, especially when I have to film scenes outdoors – make-up melts faster. I always take a handheld fan with me. And once the director shouts “cut”, everyone switches on his or her fan or runs into the nearest air-conditioned building.

Tan: I love our local food, and I also appreciate the various support schemes available, such as CDC vouchers and senior discounts. I often patronise hawker centres and coffee shops. I just really enjoy eating local food.

I also like to shop at the FairPrice Finest supermarket near our home. Did you know that FairPrice has a seniors discount scheme where those aged 60 and above can get a 2 per cent discount on Tuesdays? I have been using that since I turned 60. Even though the cashiers say I do not look my age, I am proud of it.

I don’t hate anything about Singapore, but I do feel there is less natural greenery than before. Gardens by the Bay and the Greater Southern Waterfront are beautiful, but they are man-made.

What is one thing you miss about the Singapore of your childhood?

Chen: I miss hanging out at my grandmother’s house in Koek Road. My happiest childhood memories were there – where there was a lot of family bonding and warmth. I remember us gathering around the television to watch Doraemon cartoons, dramas and National Day parades together. Nowadays, families don’t watch television together like they used to. Everyone is on his or her phone.

Tan: I miss playing games with my elder brother and childhood neighbours – throwing marbles to hit your opponent’s, and playing zero point by tying rubber bands into a rope. Those were simple games, but they brought us together. The bonding with my neighbours back then was special and fun.

What is the best and worst thing about being 60?

Chen: When people ask me about my age, I always reply, “I am Singapore’s age.” I do not even look at numbers. I don’t care about my age.

Tan: For me, 60 is a new start. In the past, I was not proactive about promoting my work, relying instead on others to do it for me. But now, my career is in my hands, and I feel more in charge of the future. I network more and have also picked up new challenges such as live streaming.

And who says I can’t do something just because I’m 60? I still go to the gym every week, thanks to my trainer at Fitness Factory who helps me focus on strengthening my core muscles. I can still travel the world – especially since I enjoy leading tour groups overseas, climbing mountains and capturing great photos for my social media content. I can still enjoy life.

SG60’s theme is Building Our Singapore Together. What would you like the Singapore of the future to look like?

Chen: We are just a small island, but so many important people from big countries have chosen to put down roots here. We are surely doing something right.

Looking ahead, I hope Singapore can better support local talent and be a society that values our own storytelling as much as technology. We have really come a long way, and should be bold to express who we are.

Tan: I am actually very contented with the way Singapore is now. We are always advancing and developing. I hope we can continue to stay united, the way we did during the Covid-19 pandemic and always treat one another with love.

And what does your next era look like?

Chen: We started a company called Reborn Glam with another partner in March that manages artistes like Rayson and myself. The focus is to produce local digital content that resonates with Singaporeans, and support events and endorse products and brands that we believe in. Personally, I intend to continue growing as an artiste, whether it is acting in television dramas, digital micro-dramas or movies.

Tan: While many see life at 60 as the end of their working lives, we see it as a new beginning. Beyond our passion for filming, we also want to inspire people in their later years to renew themselves and write exciting new chapters in their lives.

Reborn Glam aims to inspire people to renew themselves mentally, physically and socially. Personally, I am focused on staying sharp in the professional, physical and mental spaces.