Veteran actor Mano Maniam from Kopitiam dies, aged 79

Free Malaysia Today

2 days ago

Actor, director and writer Mano Maniam was already a household name in the local theatre scene when he achieved national fame through the sitcom, Kopitiam, which was aired on TV3.
PETALING JAYA : Mano Maniam, a veteran of stage and screen, and best known for his role as Uncle Chan in the English-language sitcom Kopitiam, has died at the age of 79.
Born on Nov 15, 1945, Mano was a prominent figure in the local arts scene for decades, known for his work as an actor, director, drama teacher, voiceover artist and writer.
His brother, Madi Maniam, said Mano passed away in his apartment last night. He had been living alone.
'It happened all of a sudden. It could be due to old age, heart attack or even a stroke. We're still not sure.
'We only got to know about his passing later. We're making the necessary funeral arrangements now and will announce the details later,' Madi told FMT.
He said while Mano preferred his privacy and lived independently, he remained close to his family.
'He lived a full life. He valued his freedom but always stayed connected with us, with my family, his nephews and nieces,' he said.
Mano was already a household name in the local theatre scene when he rose to national fame through Kopitiam, which aired from 1999 to 2003 on TV3.
His portrayal of the wise and affable Uncle Chan made him a familiar and beloved face in Malaysian households. The popular sitcom also starred Douglas Lim, Rashid Salleh, Joanna Bessey, Lina Teoh and Chew Kin Wah, among others.
He also had roles in the Hollywood blockbuster, Anna and the King, and Netflix series Marco Polo, as well as starred in several local English and Tamil dramas on TV.
Mano continued to remain active in the arts well into his 70s, doing voiceover work and teaching acting to senior citizens at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC).
'He was still doing voiceovers, recently,' Madi said.
Madi also shared that Mano was scheduled to receive an award this evening at the HGH Convention Hall in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, in recognition of his cultural contributions to the Indian community and to the Malaysian performing arts.
'He was preparing for it and had his suit already laid out. This evening, he will be there in spirit,' he said.