Lim Kay Tong
| Lim Kay Tong | |||
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Lim Kay Tong in Fragrant Rice (2014)
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| Background information | |||
| Chinese name | 林祺堂 (traditional) | ||
| Pinyin | Lín Qí-táng (Mandarin) | ||
| Born | 1954 (age 62–63) Singapore |
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| Nationality | Singaporean | ||
| Occupation | Actor, host | ||
| Years active | 1974–present | ||
| Spouse(s) | Sylvia Tan | ||
| Influenced | Benjamin Kheng | ||
| Alma mater | University of Hull | ||
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Awards
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Lim Kay Tong or Yiam Kong Leong (Chinese: 林祺堂; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lín Qí-táng, born 1954) is a veteran Singaporean film, TV and stage actor. Notably, he starred opposite Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise (1986), Pierce Brosnan in Noble House (1988) and Claire Danes in Brokedown Palace (1999), and was the lead actor in Growing Up (1996–2001) and Perth (2004). Lim has been called "Singapore's finest actor", "Singapore's best-known actor" and Singapore's answer to thespians Ian McKellen and Alec Guinness.
Lim is a co-founder and board member of TheatreWorks. He played founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in the film celebrating Singapore's Golden Jubilee, 1965.
Growing up, Lim's parents introduced him to plays, literature, and all things artistic from the many books around their house. Lim's father, a radiologist, wanted him to become a barrister, but was supportive of his acting dreams.
Educated at Anglo-Chinese School and a boarding school in England, Lim was a national rugby player in his youth, playing the wing-forward position. While serving National Service, Lim earned a Singapore Armed Forces Colours award for his accomplishments in rugby.
In 1975, Lim moved to East Riding of Yorkshire, England, to further his education. He graduated from the University of Hull in 1978 with a Bachelor of Acts (Honours) in English and Drama, where the late Anthony Minghella was his contemporary and tutor. In 1980, he earned a diploma in Acting from the Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In England, he had several bit parts for the BBC's Doctor Who and The Chinese Detective series. In between these walk-on roles, Lim took on odd jobs like window washing, being a night janitor and washing dishes to earn extra money.
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