Benz Hui Still Appears In Ads Almost A Year After His Death; Brand Accused Of “Exploiting The Deceased”

It’s been almost a year since the death of Hong Kong actor Benz Hui, but his face is still being used to sell products he endorsed.

The TVB veteran died from multiple organ failure caused by cancer in October 2025 at the age of 76.

Recently, netizens noticed that Benz’s image was still being used on products from a seasoning brand across several e-commerce platforms, with the late actor still listed as its ambassador.

Some product pages, however, have already replaced his endorsement images with cartoon characters.

Seeing Benz continue to appear in the ads didn’t sit well with some fans, who accused the brand of “exploiting the deceased”.

“He’s already passed away and he’s still endorsing the product?” questioned one netizen.

Another wrote: “It makes me very uncomfortable.”

When contacted by HK01, the manufacturer explained that its endorsement deal with Benz only expires in October 2027.

It added that it is currently in talks with a new ambassador and is gradually replacing promotional materials featuring Benz.

But are endorsement contracts still valid after a celebrity dies?

According to a Chinese lawyer, endorsement contracts would, in principle, automatically end upon the artiste’s death.

However, if the original contract states that the brand can continue using previously shot promotional materials after the artiste’s death until the agreement expires, it may do so according to those terms.

He added that while a person no longer has portrait rights after death, their likeness remains legally protected. Brands should therefore obtain explicit consent from their close relatives before using it for promotions.

Benz, who joined TVB’s first artiste training class in 1972, was one of Hong Kong showbiz’s most recognisable supporting actors.

Known affectionately as “Benz Hung” for driving a Mercedes-Benz, he appeared in countless TVB dramas over his five-decade career.