Benz Hui Once Bought 400 Copies Of Lee Bee Wah's Book To Support The Ex-MP

Yesterday (Oct 28), the Asian entertainment scene was deeply saddened by the passing of Hong Kong actor Benz Hui. He was 76 years old.

According to Hong Kong media reports, Benz passed away in the hospital peacefully at 2.30am, surrounded by family and close friends. He died of cancer-related organ failure.

The late star's illustrious acting career started in the 1970s and spanned more than five decades. Benz was best known for playing triad boss Foon Hei Gor in TVB's Line Walker series, and Inspector Wong in the 1999 hit movie Running Out of Time.

He was also widely hailed as be the "King of Supporting Actors".

Benz's passing has left many of his showbiz pals and fans heartbroken, and countless have taken to their socials to pay tribute to the late actor. 

Former Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah was one of them.

“We’ve lost a truly good man. I’m very sad," wrote Ms Lee.

Ms Lee shared in an interview with 8world vibes that she immediately reached out to Benz's Singaporean wife, Angeli, upon hearing news that Benz was critically ill. 

"After it was confirmed, I felt very heavy-hearted. On the morning of the 28th, Angeli texted me, saying: ‘Ah Benz is gone.’ I was really heartbroken.”

Recalling how she first met Benz, Ms Lee described it as “a very special connection.”

"Seven years ago, Benz and his family wanted to buy a home in Singapore and chose one in Nee Soon South. At that time, I was still serving as an MP," she divulged.

In the past few years, Benz gradually faded out of the acting scene and relocated to Singapore where his family owns a $4mil home in Yishun. Benz and Angeli also have a daughter, Charmaine, 29.

"During one of my walkabouts in the area, I happened to see them inspecting renovation works. We started chatting, took a photo together, and exchanged contact numbers. Later, they even invited me to their new home for a meal.”

Since then, Ms Lee helped Benz's family with community matters and even assisted his daughter with operational challenges at her cafe, Bakeaholic, during the pandemic.

“Actually, they didn’t know who I was at first, I had to introduce myself! Later, I found out they thought I wasn’t like a typical MP, I wasn't as formal and was more straightforward. I felt more like an older sister, maybe that’s why we became real friends,” she said.

Ms Lee also described Benz as a sincere, generous, and loyal person.

“After leaving politics, I published a new book [Plantation to Parliament: My Story So Far] in 2022. Benz not only attended my event, but even turned up multiple times to show his support," she recalled.

"He even bought over 400 copies out of his own pocket to support me. I was deeply touched."

The family would meet up with Ms Lee whenever they visited Singapore.

She also attended Charmaine's wedding with Singaporean banker Shane Sim, 30, at The Fullerton Bay Hotel in January last year.

“We always exchanged greetings during festive seasons. The last time we were in touch was during this year’s Lunar New Year," revealed Ms Lee. 

She then shared an emotional message to Benz's family, whom she's "always stayed in contact with".

“I hope his family can stay strong through this difficult time, and I wish for Foon Hei Gor to rest in peace," she said.