Veteran Hong Kong actor Stanley Fung Shui-Fan has passed away at the age of 80 in Taiwan.
The beloved comedian, a staple of Hong Kong cinema during the 1980s and 1990s, reportedly died on October 31 after a period of ill health. Stanley had moved to Taiwan in 1986, where he lived a semi-retired life, according to Eastweek.
News of his death was first shared by Taiwanese lawmaker Tsai Shu-Chun on social media, and later confirmed by Stanley’s friend and former colleague from Hong Kong TV station TVB. Tsai wrote, “Hope you still have that smile on another stage, continue to tell stories and continue to film life.”
Born in Guangdong province, China, Stanley rose to fame with his role in the hit 1980s film My Lucky Stars, starring alongside Jackie Chan, Eric Tsang, and Sammo Hung. Over his prolific career, he appeared in more than 100 films and became known for his humorous catchphrase, loosely translated as “Banana, you are a guava,” often used as a comic rebuke.
Stanley also starred in Wong Jing’s comedy The Crazy Companies with Andy Lau and appeared alongside Stephen Chow in the 1991 film The Magnificent Scoundrels.
Despite his success, Stanley later expressed regret over some of his comedic work with Wong Jing, calling certain films “a farce” and “the shame of my lifetime,” and criticizing Wong for “harming a lot of people.”
Stanley Fung leaves behind a legacy as one of Hong Kong’s most memorable comedic actors, remembered for his wit, charm, and distinctive on-screen presence.
