HONG KONG — Veteran Hong Kong actor Patrick Tse (Yin Tse), affectionately known as “Sei Gor” (Fourth Brother), passed away on Monday at the age of 89, his son and actor-singer Nicholas Tse confirmed in a social media post.
In a statement published on his Weibo account, Nicholas Tse, 45, wrote: “It is with great regret that I announce that my father, Patrick Tse, has left us. He dedicated his entire life to film and entertainment, hoping to bring joy and smiles to every audience member.”
The post, which followed earlier reports from Hong Kong media, added: “When I was a child, I also saw him in moments of worry and low spirits, but no matter what, he always insisted on appearing before the camera in his most perfect state. He often said: ‘The show must go on’ — the performance must continue. So if you think of Sei Gor, think of my father, don’t cry, don’t be too sad — he would think that’s not cool enough. We just need to keep his forever charming, forever smiling perfect image in our hearts.”
According to multiple Hong Kong media outlets, Nicholas Tse — who was preparing for concerts scheduled in late July on the Chinese mainland — has urgently returned to Hong Kong to handle funeral arrangements. Sources say the family will respect Tse’s wishes and keep the proceedings low-key.
A life in the spotlight
Born on Aug 9, 1936, in Guangzhou as Patrick Tse Ka-yuk, Tse was the fourth of eight siblings, which later earned him the nickname "Fourth Brother."
After coming to Hong Kong with his family, he entered the entertainment industry at the age of 16 after being accepted into an actor training program. Tse rose to stardom in the 1950s and 1960s, becoming one of the most sought-after leading men in Cantonese cinema.
In 2019, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards for a remarkable acting career spanning half a century.
Tse was married twice — first to actress Jenny Tseng from 1974 to 1976, and then to Deborah Lee from 1979 to 1995. He had two children with Lee: son Nicholas Tse and daughter Jennifer Tse, both of whom became entertainment figures in their own right.
