Chew Chor Meng Biography

Chew Chor Meng was born on 20 November 1967. He is better known as Zhou Chuming. He is a Singaporean actor. Chew started his career in showbiz after winning Star Search in 1990, a bi-annual nationwide talent search. Since then, he has never failed to make it to the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in the Star Awards, an award ceremony for TV personalities, since its inception in 1994. In 2004, Chew was awarded the All-Time Favourite Artiste with Li Nanxing and Zoe Tay.

Chew was educated from Holy Innocents’ High School. He is married to Deon Tan and they have two daughters, born in 2002 and 2004. He revealed during a celebrity talk show in early 2008 that he did not have a happy childhood, often being abused by his overly strict father (a compulsive gambler and alcoholic), who committed suicide when Chew was still in primary school. He began attending a Charismatic church, Renewal Centre from 2007 and was baptised in late November 2008 with his daughters.

Chew Chor Meng Career

Chew Chor Meng first earned his acting nomination for his role as Hong San in the 1995 epic The Teochew Family, which he’s still known to audiences in China. This was also evident when he bagged the Best Actor Award in Star Awards 2000 in Hainan Kopi Tales. His popularity has also spread across the causeway as he was voted the Most Popular MediaCorp Male Artiste in Malaysia. He made his first crossover to English sitcom in Mr. Kiasu.

During the late 1990s to early 2000s, he was best known for his role as Jacky Chang aka Ah Bee, a salesman with a penchant for grabbing ‘lobangs’ (good opportunities that cannot be missed) in the popular Channel 8 sitcom Don’t Worry, Be Happy, which spanned for six seasons. Chew initially dropped out from the role of Ah Bee after the 3rd season due to fear of being typecast, and also because he wanted to focus more on drama and variety shows.

He eventually reprised the role for the latter half of the 6th (and final) season for Don’t Worry Be Happy, and appeared in a spinoff series Lobang King focusing on Ah Bee and his new league of friends. Chew is known for his versatility and ability to portray different characters that leave a lasting impression. At the 25th anniversary special in 2007, his character Ah Bee was named as one of the most memorable TV roles and his role as the villain Li Kechun in The Reunion was voted the Top 10 most memorable villains.

In 2009 he won the Best Supporting Actor award, despite the nominations being dominated by cast of the popular blockbuster series The Little Nyonya, for his portrayal of a promising young doctor driven to vice and insanity by unfortunate circumstances in The Golden Path. Now a well-known household name, Chew has gone from acting in drama series to hosting shows and large-scale events including overseas collaborations with Taiwan and China. He was nominated for the Best Info-Ed Host Award at the Star Awards 2010 for co-hosting Food Hometown.

Chew’s contract with MediaCorp was set to expire in October 2010. Due to his illness, Chew initially did not expect his contract to be renewed. However, reports surfaced in November 2010 that Chew’s contract was renewed for a further two years, with particular emphasis on hosting and new artiste training duties. He made his acting comeback with Channel U’s Show Hand, followed by Channel 8 30th anniversary drama special Joys of Life.

Before the contract extension, Chew was planning to enter the restaurant business before his contract renewal, which would have been Chew’s second foray into the eatery business.

Chew Chor Meng Mookata

Founded by local celebrities Chew Chor Meng and Zhou Chongqing in partnership with cousins Esmond and Ronnie, 888 Mookata—at the coffee shop in Blk 212 Hougang Street 21—is a new 2-week old Mookata restaurant and the latest addition to the Mookata scene in Singapore.

To top it off, service at this restaurant is exemplary which contributes to an enhanced dining experience. Although the name of 888 Mookata may lead you to think of the famous Mookata restaurant of the same name in Bangkok, they are in no way affiliated. Ordering is relatively straightforward at 888 Mookata as they only have 2 options on their main menu—Platter For 2 (S$26) and Platter For 4 (S$45).

For those still craving for more, you can look to 888 Mookata’s Add-on Menu for more options. Each a la carte dish will cost you S$1.80 or you could opt for their Mushroom Platter (S$6.80), Vege Platter (S$6.80) or Meat Platter (S$10.80).

Chew Chor Meng Giving A Talk

Chew Chor Meng Illness

On 19 December 2008, Chew announced during a church event that he was suffering from Kennedy’s disease, a muscular dystrophy illness that resulted in him limping while filming for his latest role as Wang Zhongkun in Love Blossoms II.[4] Chew said that he was diagnosed with the illness in September 2008, and that he alerted the local press as to his condition, but asked the press to not report it yet, as he was psychologically not ready for it.

Chew originally planned on officially announcing his illness during the Star Awards 2008 ceremony, due to be held in March 2009. However, signs of his illness can be clearly seen already, and the news was hard to keep under wraps. The illness has also brought on cardiac problems and diabetes for Chew. Since the illness was revealed, Chew became a member of the local disabled sports club, and has been taking swimming lessons to strengthen his body.

Chew Chor Meng Diabetes

I still eat everything: Chew Chor Meng on his diet and illness

These words, spoken by local veteran TV actor Chew Chor Meng, were simple yet succinctly powerful. Over an early lunch with the 44-year-old MediaCorp star at Klapsons Hotel’s chic bistro, The Sleeping Rhino, on Monday, I was bowled over by his radiance and positivity. Chew’s five-year battle with Kennedy’s Disease – a debilitating and incurable illness that leads to spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy – has been well-documented in the media.

He also developed diabetes about three months ago. Anxious about his medical condition, I chose the healthiest items on the restaurant’s menu, including herbal chicken, salmon fillet, as well as a delectable salad of fresh avocado, mango and prawns. It turns out my worries were unfounded.

“Of course I watch my diet, but I believe in eating moderately,” stressed the father of two girls, age 11 and nine.

“I love hawker fare like char kway teow, fried chicken and oyster omelette. Till today, I eat them from time to time.

“Life is short. If I totally cut such delicious food out, I’d feel very miserable.”

Chew is filming Channel U’s new 13-parter culinary-themed drama series Served H.O.T., where he plays a talented but corrupt, down-and-out chef. The show is slated to premiere on Jan 9 next year.

Deon Tan  And Chew Chor Meng

His wife, Madam Deon Tan, revealed this in an interview with The New Paper recently. The 39-year-old client relations director in an investment company said: “The waiting time was torturous. The first doctor we saw told us that Chor Meng had only 18 months to live. The second neurologist we went to said the same thing: 18 months.

“I just refused to accept it. I told my husband, ‘No, unless I hear it from the most senior specialist, I would not accept it as the final conclusion’.”

Madam Tan added: “Waiting for the verdict from the last specialist was especially painful.

“But I kept myself sane with prayers while we braced ourselves for the worst. It was the last string of faith that we could hang on to.”

Good News is that he has 10 years, 20 years, or even 60 years more as Chew’s muscular dystrophy was progressive but it would depend on how fast the muscles degenerate and his subsequent lifestyle.

“That was my answer from God,” said Madam Tan, who is a Christian.

Six years on, Chew celebrated his 46th birthday last month. His daughters are now 12 and 10. Even with the “good news”, coping wasn’t easy at first.

Said Madam Tan: “There were many aspects to adjust to. We needed the space and time to decide how we were going to tell our girls, how to put it across to the family.

“He also still needed to go back to work.”

Chew Chor Meng Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmpNjwlACVe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chew Chor Meng Filmography

Film

Television

Variety show

Chew Chor Meng Awards And Nominations

Chew Chor Meng News

Chew Chor Meng & Dennis Chew opens porridge shop in Ang Mo Kio, calls it “Zhou Chu Ming”

Updated: 29 August 2018

Singaporean actor Chew Chor Meng (Zhou Chu Ming) and actor/deejay Dennis Chew (Zhou Chong Qing) have partnered once again to start their second F&B business, called The Famous Zhou.

While their previous venture sold mookata, the latest one is a porridge stall in Ang Mo Kio, named “Zhou Chu Ming” in Mandarin — a pun on Chor Meng’s name.

Zhou Chu Ming is Chor Meng’s Chinese name, but is also a homonym for “famous porridge”.

There are eight types of porridge on the menu, all with rather fancy names.

For instance, there’s Nice Smell Coriander and Fish Slice Chok (S$4), Are You A Sotong Chok (S$3.50), and Mermaid (scallops/seafood) Chok (S$5).

The most expensive item is the You Are So Beautiful Chok (S$12.80), a collagen porridge with prawns and abalone.

Customers can add an egg (S$0.50), youtiao (S$0.80), or other ingredients to their porridge.

You can also get side dishes like Fried Small Intestine (S$4) and Century Egg Tofu (S$4).

Business seems brisk enough, and both Chews thanked everyone for their support.

There might be a queue at meal times, so customers might have to wait for their chok.

Address: Blk 421 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10, Singapore 560421
Opening Hours:
Wednesdays – Monday, 9am to 4pm
Closed on Tuesdays

 Source: https://mothership.sg