Latest news with #LimPikSen
Independent Singapore
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
'Mind Your Language' actress Lim Pik-Sen passes away at 80
BRITAIN: The Star just reported that Lim Pik-Sen , a wonderful Penang-born actress many of us remember fondly from the British sitcom Mind Your Language , passed away this past Monday, Jun 9. Photo: YouTube/Lim Pik-Sen She was born back in 1944, making this wonderful British actress 80 years old now. Her father was the businessman, Lim Cheng-Teik . She pursued her early education in Penang before heading to the United Kingdom to study acting at the age of 16. Interestingly, her birth name was Lim Phaik-Seng, but because her British friends often mispronounced 'Phaik' as 'fake,' she decided to change it to 'Pik-Sen' — a name that's easier for them to pronounce correctly. Well-known for Mind Your Language role Lim was extremely well-known for her role in the sitcom Mind Your Language from 1977 to 1986. She played Chung Su-Lee , a Chinese student, and for the show, she spoke in a pretty exaggerated, broken English with a Chinese accent. The funny thing is, in real life, she was totally fluent in English! See also Rain stars in upcoming drama series Ghost Doctor She even had this absolutely classic running gag in the sitcom: her character, Chung Su-Lee, was completely devoted to Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, almost to a hilarious extreme. She was famous for pulling out her 'little red book' at the drop of a hat and, in a remarkably humorous way, starting to recite verses about communism. It was quite a memorable part of her performance! Over 30 films, dramas, and TV programs From 1964 until 2023, she appeared in over 30 films, dramas, and TV programs, including Dr Who , General Hospital , and The Professionals. Even in more recent years, Lim kept her acting chops sharp, appearing in notable TV and drama series, including Vampire Academy , The Nevers , and This Way Up . Also, who could forget her scene-stealing role in the 2011 movie Johnny English Reborn ? She played that unforgettable 'killer cleaner' alongside big names like Rowan Atkinson, Gillian Anderson, and Dominic West. On Sep 15, 1944, a talented Malaysian-British actress named Lim Pik-Sen (real name Lim Phaik-Seng) was born. The most recognisable Chinese actor on British TV Lim left such a lasting mark on the industry that the British Film Institute honoured her as 'the most recognisable Chinese actor on British television throughout the 1970s and 1980s.' Her career began even earlier, in the 1960s, when she broke new ground by playing Nurse Kwei in Emergency Ward 10 —one of the first prominent roles for an East Asian actress on British TV. Now, this was one of Britain's very first medical dramas, so it was a pretty big deal. What made her role so pioneering was that she portrayed a Chinese nurse who not only spoke fluent English but also fell in love with a doctor. Her career was incredibly varied! Even fans of Doctor Who might remember her! She played Captain Chin Lee in the 1971 serial The Mind of Evil. Beyond that, she was a familiar face across so many classic British TV shows. You might have spotted her in beloved staples like Coronation Street, Casualty, Holby City , and The Bill. She also popped up in Spearhead, Albion Market, Night and Day, and even the more recent Little Britain. If you're a gamer, you've probably heard her, even if you didn't know it was her! Lim's distinctive voice was actually the narrator for the super popular Dark Souls video game series. Bold move At just 16, Lim made a bold move. She decided to pack her bags and head to the United Kingdom to follow her dream of acting, enrolling at the London School of Dramatic Art. What's even more impressive is that she did this against her family's wishes—a true testament to her dedication. In her personal life, she was married to the talented writer and screenwriter Don Houghton, who passed away in 1991. She leaves behind their daughter, Sara Houghton , who has followed in her mother's footsteps as an actress.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Penang-born ‘Mind Your Language' actress dies aged 80
Lim Pik-Sen's role in 'Mind Your Language' made her the most recognisable Chinese actress on British TV throughout the 1970s and 1980s. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Lim Pik-Sen, the Penang-born actress best known for her role as Chung Su-Lee in the British sitcom 'Mind Your Language', has died at the age of 80. Pik-Sen rose to fame in the late 1970s as Su-Lee, a Chinese student whose broken English and Mao Zedong quotes brought comic relief to the classroom in the hit British TV series. Her character, with her trademark 'little Red Book', became one of the most recognisable figures on British television, and a familiar face in both the UK and Malaysia. Pik-Sen, the daughter of businessman Lim Cheng Teik, died on Monday, according to tributes shared by friends and colleagues. Actor Daniel York, who worked with her on stage and in audio dramas, remembered her warmly on Facebook: 'She was a joy – full of love, laughter and mischief. Her gift for comedy made you feel safe on stage. That unique voice and bold energy carried us all. 'We've shared the same agent for over 25 years. She'll be deeply missed,' he said. With Mr Jeremy Brown (Barry Evans) in an episode of 'Mind Your Language'. (YouTube pic) Fans of 'Mind Your Language' also paid tribute on a dedicated Facebook group with more than 675,000 members. 'She was the greatest follower of Chairman Mao,' joked actor Rafsan Tahmid, referencing one of Su-Lee's iconic lines from the show. The British Film Institute once described Pik-Sen as 'the most recognisable Chinese actor on British television throughout the 1970s and 1980s'. Before her sitcom fame, Pik-Sen had already broken ground on British TV. In the 1960s, she played Nurse Kwei in 'Emergency Ward 10', one of Britain's earliest medical dramas. Her role as a fluent English-speaking Chinese nurse who falls in love with a doctor was considered pioneering at the time. In a 1984 interview with The Straits Times, Pik-Sen recalled the stir she caused when she posed for publicity photos in a mini-cheongsam during the height of the miniskirt era. The image made headlines in conservative Penang. Her father, who had never visited her in London, only saw her on TV when the show aired in Malaysia. 'So you don't take off your clothes after all,' he quipped. Despite being fluent in English, Pik-Sen had to train herself to speak in broken English for her role in 'Mind Your Language', purposely mixing up her Ls and Rs. 'I had to say things like 'fom' instead of 'from', and 'evely' for 'every'. It was pretty corny,' she admitted. 'Till today, my husband insists my English got worse after the series.'
