Latest news with #Madi
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Veteran actor Mano Maniam dies at 79, hours before receiving award
PETALING JAYA: Veteran actor and drama instructor Mano Maniam has passed away at the age of 79. Renowned for his role as Uncle Chan in NTV7's sitcom Kopitiam, Mano was also celebrated for his work as a director, writer, and voiceover artist in the local film and television industry over several decades. His brother, Madi Maniam, confirmed his passing to Free Malaysia Today, saying Mano died at his apartment last night. He added that Mano valued his privacy and had been living alone. 'It happened all of a sudden. It could have been due to old age, a heart attack, or even a stroke. We're still not certain. 'We only found out about his passing later. We are currently making the necessary funeral arrangements and will announce the details in due course,' Madi said. Although Mano lived alone, Madi noted that he remained close to his family. In addition to his role in the seven-season local sitcom Kopitiam, which aired from 1998 to 2003, Mano also appeared in international productions such as Indian Summers (2015–2016), Netflix's Marco Polo (2014–2016), and Anna and the King (1999). Mano continued to be 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 voice overs recently,' said Madi. Madi also revealed that Mano was scheduled to receive an award that evening at the HGH Convention Hall in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, in recognition of his cultural contributions to the Indian community and the Malaysian performing arts scene. 'He had been preparing for the event and even had his suit laid out. This evening, he will be there in spirit,' he added.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Veteran actor Mano Maniam dies at 79
PETALING JAYA: Veteran actor and drama instructor Mano Maniam has passed away at the age of 79. Renowned for his role as Uncle Chan in NTV7's sitcom Kopitiam, Mano was also celebrated for his work as a director, writer, and voiceover artist in the local film and television industry over several decades. His brother, Madi Maniam, confirmed his passing to Free Malaysia Today, saying Mano died at his apartment last night. He added that Mano valued his privacy and had been living alone. 'It happened all of a sudden. It could have been due to old age, a heart attack, or even a stroke. We're still not certain. 'We only found out about his passing later. We are currently making the necessary funeral arrangements and will announce the details in due course,' Madi said. Although Mano lived alone, Madi noted that he remained close to his family. In addition to his role in the seven-season local sitcom Kopitiam, which aired from 1998 to 2003, Mano also appeared in international productions such as Indian Summers (2015–2016), Netflix's Marco Polo (2014–2016), and Anna and the King (1999). Mano continued to be 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 voice overs recently,' said Madi. Madi also revealed that Mano was scheduled to receive an award that evening at the HGH Convention Hall in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, in recognition of his cultural contributions to the Indian community and the Malaysian performing arts scene. 'He had been preparing for the event and even had his suit laid out. This evening, he will be there in spirit,' he added.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ Kopitiam star, Mano Maniam dies, aged 79
KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actor Mano Maniam, best known for playing Uncle Chan in the sitcom Kopitiam, has died. He was 79. His passing was confirmed by his brother Madi, according to FMT. Mano, who was well known in the local arts scene for his work as an actor, director, drama coach, voiceover artist, and writer, passed away in his apartment last night. Madi said they were unsure how Mano, who was living alone, died. The family is now making funeral arrangements and will provide details later. "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 had been scheduled to receive an award this evening at an event in the city in recognition of his cultural contributions to the Indian community and 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. Mano was a popular figure in the local theatre scene but rose to prominence when he took on the role of Uncle Chan in Kopitiam. The English-language sitcom, which also starred Douglas Lim, Rashid Salleh, Joanna Bessey, Lina Teoh, and Chew Kin Wah, aired on TV3 from 1999 to 2003. Madi said Mano continued to remain active, doing voiceover work and teaching acting.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Kopitiam star, Mano Maniam dies, aged 79
KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actor Mano Maniam, best known for playing Uncle Chan in the sitcom Kopitiam, has died. He was 79. His passing was confirmed by his brother Madi, according to FMT. Mano, who was well known in the local arts scene for his work as an actor, director, drama coach, voiceover artist, and writer, passed away in his apartment last night. Madi said they were unsure how Mano, who was living alone, died. The family is now making funeral arrangements and will provide details later. "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 had been scheduled to receive an award this evening at an event in the city in recognition of his cultural contributions to the Indian community and 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. Mano was a popular figure in the local theatre scene but rose to prominence when he took on the role of Uncle Chan in Kopitiam. The English-language sitcom, which also starred Douglas Lim, Rashid Salleh, Joanna Bessey, Lina Teoh, and Chew Kin Wah, aired on TV3 from 1999 to 2003. Madi said Mano continued to remain active, doing voiceover work and teaching acting.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Florida families of children with developmental disabilities stuck in line for assistance
Despite a state budget that allocates more than $900 million this year to support people with developmental disabilities, tens of thousands of Florida families are still waiting for help. Among them is the Castro family of Sunrise, who said the long-standing waitlist for services is forcing them to pay thousands out of pocket each month to care for their daughter with a rare genetic condition. A rare diagnosis, a daily struggle Fridays are always busy in the Castro home. That's when 5-year-old Madi attends physical therapy and dynamic movement intervention-treatments her parents say are essential but costly. "She has a chromosome 7 duplication. It's essentially a one-in-a-million. It's very, very rare," said Madi's mother, Francis Castro. "We don't have a lot of information as to what that means. It comes with other things, of course, like being nonverbal, [and having an] intellectual disability." While therapy has made a huge difference in Madi's development, it's all paid for out of pocket. "Her overall care a month, including everything else that we do, is probably about $3,500," Francis said. Thousands still waiting for help The Castros are one of more than 23,000 families in Florida stuck on the waitlist for the state's iBudget Medicaid Waiver program, which provides essential services such as therapy and in-home care for individuals with developmental disabilities. "Some people with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy or severe autism, other chromosomal or genetic mutations, they have been on the waitlist 7, 12, 15 years with absolutely no other assistance," Francis said. "So essentially, they have to quit their jobs and just take care of them." Although Florida invested a record $2.2 billion into the Agency for Persons with Disabilities last year, only about $64 million went toward reducing the waitlist-enough to serve just 1.71 percent of those in need, according to the Florida Policy Institute. "Anyone can become disabled at any point," Francis added. "So I think it's something that everyone should be passionate about because once you need the services, it becomes a lot harder to try to get them, and it really shouldn't be." Other states, including New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, have eliminated their waitlists altogether. "It is really frustrating having to continuously fight," Francis said. "But obviously it's worth it for our kids." CBS News Miami reached out to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities for comment but has not received a response.
