Lifestyle Arts Godfrey Gao, a Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model suffers fatal heart attack during...
Godfrey Gao, a Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model suffers fatal heart attack during filming
The reactions about his death online generated more than 200 million views by early Wednesday afternoon.
Actor-model Godfrey Gao died at a young age of 35. Picture: Instagram
Lydia Koh
LifestyleArtsEntertainmentCelebrity
Godfrey Gao, a Taiwanese-Canadian actor and model passed away after suffering a heart attack during the filming of a reality TV show in eastern China. Gao was 35.
JetStar Entertainment, his Taiwanese agency confirmed in a statement that Gao passed away early on Wednesday after more than two hours of efforts to revive him.
He was in the middle of filming an episode of Chase Me, a programme made by Zhejiang Television in Ningbo.
The statement said that his manager and staff were beside him, thanking fans for their concern.
In the statement it was announced that Gao, unfortunately, died, leaving them shocked and saddened and unable to accept the fact. Gao's family rushed to the scene and fans are asked to avoid excessive disturbance to them as they are going through deep sorrow and grief.
JetStar Entertainment will accompany Gao's family in handling the matters in a low profile.
The TV show Chase Me pits two teams against each other in physical challenges at night.
They released a statement on Wednesday via its official Weibo account.
Gao was running during filming then he suddenly slowed and fell to the ground.
In the statement, it said that the medical staff on the show began rescue efforts immediately and then rushed Gao to the hospital.
The hospital announced that the actor died of cardiogenic shock after more than two hours of reviving efforts.
The team from Chase Me said that they feel incomparable pain and extreme sorrow.
Fans of Gao lamented his passing on social media while some netizens in China raised concerns about the physical demands of Chase Me in a Weibo topic.
The discussion online generated more than 200 million views by early Wednesday afternoon.
One of the episodes required participants to compete in obstacle courses on the streets of Ningbo.
Other celebrities poured tributes online. Aarif Rahman, a Chinese-Canadian actor and singer wrote on Weibo that in 2010, he and Gao were overseas on the red carpet together at an awards ceremony talking about sports and life.
Leaving a deep impression on Rahman's memory, he said he never thought Gao would leave so suddenly. He said he hopes that Gao rests in peace and that his family can bravely get through this pain.
Song Jia, a Chinese actress wrote on Weibo that performers must take care of themselves.
She said that when staying up late becomes a dedication, when working intensely becomes something one should do and when life is not there anymore, who will protect who?
Song Jia urged that in high-risk careers, for those who love the industry, performers must protect themselves and love themselves at the same time.
Gao was born in Taiwan and he has worked with international brands like Salvatore Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton. The actor/model was a front-row regular at men's fashion week shows in Milan and Paris.
Photo: Screengrab from Instagram
He was the first Asian male model to star in a fashion campaign for Louis Vuitton in 2011.
Gao who is also a basketball fan played in a 2017 charity all-star game with NBA star Jeremy Lin.
From 2006 onwards, Gao became popular in the Taiwanese television industry with eye-catching supporting roles.
Starting with 2010's Volleyball Lover, Gao starred as the main lead in several TV series in Taiwan and mainland China.
We Are All Alone is a series scheduled to air next year and it is his last leading appearance.
Gao played Gwei Lun-mei's imaginary boyfriend in All About Women, a 2008 romantic comedy.
His most-watched film performance internationally is his supporting role in 2013 Hollywood action fantasy The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
Gao's last film appearances came in last year's Legend of the Ancient Sword and this year's Shanghai Fortress that was not popular with audiences and critics alike.
It featured celebrities including Hong Kong singer-actor William Chan Wai-ting and Taiwanese singer Calvin Chen from boy band Fahrenheit.