Veteran actor Mark Lee, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, recently opened up about his journey through a career slump and his renewed sense of purpose. Feeling outdated and constrained in his roles, Lee faced a crossroads in his career. A fortuitous meeting with Jaspers Lai, an aspiring screenwriter at the time, during the filming of Jack Neo's "Wonderful! Liang Xi Mei," marked a turning point for both actors. Lee described their encounter as fate, sparking significant change and inspiration.
Determined to break free from his perceived limitations, Lee ventured into diverse genres, exploring various scripts that challenged him as an actor. His performances in the thriller-action film "Geylang" and the family drama "Wonderland" showcased his versatility. These roles, along with opportunities to travel internationally and engage with global directors and actors at film festivals, contributed to his artistic growth.
Lee's dedication and adaptability culminated in a nomination for Best Actor at the prestigious Golden Horse Awards for his role in "Number 1." The film's team also garnered accolades for Best Makeup and Costume Design. Despite his success, Lee admitted to initially feeling pigeonholed in roles typified by the loud-mouthed Ah Beng character. However, he saw potential in the script of "Number 1" and proposed it to mm2 Entertainment, eager to embody the main character, Chow Chee Beng—a role he felt a deep connection with.
"At the time, I already had no idea what I wanted to play. That's not to say that I am very good in my acting, but I was at a point where I felt I could only act as an Ah Beng who speaks loudly." – Mark Lee
"I only wanted to present different emotions. I enjoyed playing Chee Beng very much." – Mark Lee
Beyond his professional life, Lee is a devoted family man, sharing three children—daughters Calista, 16, and Calynn, 11, and son Maksonn, 13—with his wife Catherine Ng. However, as a father, he navigates the complexities of a generational divide with his children.
"Yes, there will definitely be some gaps." – Mark Lee
"As parents, we would always think that there are some things that our children would know, but they actually don't. There are also things that we thought they didn't know, but they actually do. Children would always feel that their parents don't understand them," – Mark Lee
To bridge this gap, Lee makes conscious efforts to connect with his children through language and shared experiences.
"I would use words such as 'slay' and 'bro' in conversation with my children, and they would be surprised that I knew it." – Mark Lee
"So when I bring them to and from school, they are more willing to open up to me." – Mark Lee
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