After a period of illness, artist Tung Lam breathed his last on the morning of October 15 at his home in Binh Thanh District (HCMC), at the age of 89. Many audiences mourned the once-famous "comedy genius".
In his life, Tung Lam experienced many ups and downs. From the peak of his career, the artist fell into hardship and illness at the end of his life.
"Comedy genius" Tung Lam (1934-2023) (Photo: Document).
"The freak" was once famous
Artist Tung Lam was born in 1934 in Saigon, his real name is Lam Nguyen Pham, the youngest of 10 siblings living near Tan Dinh market. As a child, because his family was poor, he often followed his friends to play music to earn a living.
In the 1950s, Tung Lam formed a singing group with Lam Phuong and Van Hung, singing together on radio broadcasts in Saigon. Some of the songs performed by the group were loved by the audience such as: Harvest Song, Late Night Forest Music, O Me Ly, Long Distance Horse Ride, Moonlight Song...
Lam Phuong, Van Hung and Tung Lam (Photo: Document).
After the band disbanded, Tung Lam turned to comedy and drama. Before 1975, he was one of the most famous comedians in the South. In 1974, his name became even more known when he participated in the comedy film Saigon Four Freaks with La Thoại Tân, Khả Năng and Thanh Việt.
Despite his lack of looks, the late artist possessed a charming sense of humor and an innate talent for acting. For Tung Lam, being a comedian is not simply about making the audience laugh, but also knowing how to use words sparingly and not getting carried away with petty, cheap comedy.
Not only comedy, Tung Lam is also famous in many other fields such as script writing, reformed opera, cheerleading, acting... He also worked as a show producer, host, and opened a training center.
Many students were guided by him such as: Duy Phuong, Trang Thanh Lan, Trang Kim Yen, Kim Phung, Giang Tu, Phuong Hoai Tam, Phuong Mai...
Comedian Tung Lam reached the peak of his career in the 1970s (Photo: Document).
At his peak, Tung Lam had an "astronomical" salary, and he didn't have time to count the money he earned. When the show ended, he put the money in a drawer, counting it at the end of the month to deposit in the bank, buying gold and diamonds to store in milk cans.
In a conversation with the media in 2021, the artist recalled his glorious days: "The audience at that time laughed out loud when I stepped onto the stage. The name "Tung Lam the Stranger" hanging on the billboard helped the show organizer get rich and the movie was a big hit.
However, it is a barrier, challenging my arrogance. Many times I am eager to win, my ego is like a virus waiting to drown my reputation. There is nothing I have not tried. There is also a lot of love and arrogance.
Declining because of gambling, in old age he relies on his wife 20 years younger
In his heyday, artist Tung Lam had money and fame, but because of gambling, "his money just flew away", and he fell into debt. However, he did not deny the "dark" times and even composed the song "Xap xam chuong " to advise and warn people.
"Because it was easy to find, I spent lavishly, gambling all night. I bought luxury restaurants and new cars, and I bought three a year. I had a lot of money, but I wiped it all out from my gambling blood," the artist once recounted about the past.
Artist Tung Lam in a program in 2015 (Photo: Screenshot).
Entering the 1990s, the activities of the music, dance and comedy troupe gradually lost customers. At that time, due to his limited health, Tung Lam also gradually reduced his artistic activities, only occasionally appearing in talk shows.
In his twilight years, away from the limelight, the comedian lives with his wife 20 years younger in a house in Binh Thanh District (HCMC).
At a meeting with colleagues organized by artist My Chi in 2018, he said he lived thanks to medicine and the care of his wife. Every day, he stayed at home watching TV, listening to the radio, and was taken for walks by his youngest daughter around the alleys in Binh Thanh.
He is not strong enough to perform so he has no income, depending on the money his children send him every month and the gifts his colleagues and students send him.
Comedian Tung Lam and his wife (Photo: Screenshot).
At the show of the Ngu Long Du Ky group in early 2021, the comedian's wife said that since he fell ill, she also quit her job and stayed home to take care of her husband.
In recent years, after suffering four strokes, comedian Tung Lam is no longer as clear-headed as before. Earlier this year, the artist underwent surgery, which affected his health and made him much weaker than before. He mostly sits in a wheelchair, lying in one place, and requires help from his wife and children in all his daily activities.
In a program in March, the comedian's wife said: "I have to ask my children to help take care of him and help him with his daily activities because I can't do everything by myself. His legs can't support him anymore, he can only lie in one place."
Despite his old age and poor health, the singer of Xap Xam Chuong at that time still had a burning passion for his profession. "If I could do it all over again, when I was young, I would still choose to be a comedian to bring laughter to the audience," the late artist once shared.
The funeral of comedian Tung Lam will take place from 5pm on October 15 at Phap Van Pagoda (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City). The funeral will take place at 11am on October 18. The coffin will then be cremated at Phuc An Vien Cemetery (Thu Duc City).
Source link
Comment (0)