Driver who died had done TV ads and shows

To his neighbours in Jurong West, Mr Jackie Liong Kuo Hwa was a celebrity of sorts as they often saw him in television commercials.

"He had appeared in fast-food and coffee commercials on TV," said a neighbour, who wanted to be known only as Mr Loh.

He said he saw Mr Liong yesterday morning, before his neighbour was involved in an accident on the Ayer Rajah Expressway that claimed his life.

"He and his wife would pass my door to get to the lift lobby on their way to work," said Mr Loh, 60, adding that the couple had moved into the neighbourhood about six years ago.

Mr Liong, 37, had also appeared in print advertisements, feature films and TV shows, according to his online profile.

Actor Wilson Ng, who met Mr Liong on a commercial shoot in 2011, remembers him as a jovial, happy-go-lucky person, and a good singer. They would meet at actors' gatherings every few months. These were often held at Code Of Law star Keagan Kang's bar, The Papa Shop, in Kallang.

"This is so sudden... I will miss him," said Mr Ng.

Mr Yee Chang Kang, a commercial director who had worked with Mr Liong, remembers him for being very professional.

"Jackie had always been a wonderful guy to work with... A great actor. Always giving his best on set. I have never seen him grumble on our shoots ever," said Mr Yee, director of Shooting Gallery Asia.

Actor Benjamin Heng, 40, who had also worked with Mr Liong, said: "He would ask me for advice on acting; he wanted to do more as an actor."