"A Talent Is Lost": Celebs Pay Tribute To Late Actor Timothy Nga

Local actor Timothy Nga died on January 9. He was 49. Following the news of his passing, celebs took to social media to express their condolences, and pay tribute to him.

Many described the actor as someone who was kind, with a memorable smile and great passion for acting.

Timothy, who left his career in IT in 2003 to pursue acting, was involved in many productions on stage and on screen. His last Mediacorp drama was 2021’s This Land Is Mine, where he played Guan Meng.

He also appeared in 2009 drama, Fighting Spiders as Simon, as well as local director Anthony Chen’s film, Wet Season. 

Apart from his showbiz endeavours, Timothy worked as an executive coach, emcee and voice-over artiste.

The director worked with Timothy on his 2019 film Wet Season. Yeo Yann Yann also starred in the film.

“So saddened by this news. Worked with Timothy on [Wet Season] where he played the school principal. A talent is lost. RIP,” Anthony wrote in an IG Story.

He later added a short clip of Timothy in Wet Season, writing: “Still thinking of Timothy Nga today. Too sudden, too soon. He was perfect for the role in [Wet Season] and he nailed it so quickly. A smart actor with great instincts. RIP.”

She posted a picture of her and Timothy from their time starring alongside each other in the theatre production Private Parts, adding: “It was 2004, we shared stage, we worked in films together. Rest in peace.”

Zheng Geping

“Today, [Celebrities Sports Club SG] mourns the sudden [passing] of our dear comrade bro Timothy Nga. No words can express our sadness… So many flashbacks of us doing charities together, laughing together, battled for each other in the football fields… he was such a kind and polite bro… RIP bro Tim. May The Lord be with you always in His heavenly home,” Geping wrote in his caption.

Timothy, who loved football, was part of the informal sports club, which consists of current and former celebs who would organise and take part in charity tournaments.

“Just found out about a very sad news of the departure of a friend and teammate. Too sudden. Till we meet on the football pitch again at the other side,” Desmond wrote.

Tan Kheng Hua

Tan Kheng Hua, who'd worked together with Timothy multiple times, had nothing but praise for him.

"Tim Nga was the type of actor who jumped into my projects without question. He’d get some things, he’d find it hard sometimes, sometimes he flew without trying. I cast him in two projects I creatively produced and conceptualised. In the first photo, he played a stripper for hire to entertain a bride-to-be played by Serena Ho in a television serial called Do Not Disturb for the then Okto Channel in Singapore. I still remember him saying “Hello” in a 1000 different ways for the improvisation sessions and he did them so well, we eventually put several of his “Hellos” into the actual script and performance," she wrote.

She continued: "The second photo is from the second iteration of my Do Not Disturb Series, this time commissioned for stage by The Esplanade, and it was called Do Not Disturb, Late Checkout, Please. He was cast as an actor opposite Joanna Dong, as two actors trying to negotiate the fine balance between real life and art. Once, when he was feeling low, he came over to spend a couple of nights at my home because he didn’t want to be alone. We did sit-ups together. He was a fellow eastie and a cat-lover. I remember you, Tim, I remember you. RIP Tim Nga."

Joanna Dong

Joanna Dong, who starred alongside Timothy in Do Not Disturb: Late Checkout Please, posted this picture of them, along with the caption: "goodbye, Tim (promotional photo and video interview for Do Not Disturb: Late Checkout Please, 2008)"

“It pains my heart so so much to hear that you are gone. Although our encounter can be considered as brief, it was enough time for me to realise how genuine and nice you are as a person. I said to you before: ‘I wish I can age like you, with a head still full of hair’” Charlie wrote in an IG Story.

He continued: “I really looked up to you as a person, like an older brother. Thank you for the very fond memories, and impacting my life in such a short period. Gone too soon my friend, but I know you’re in a good place. It’s not goodbye, I’ll see you on the other side Tim.”

“You'll always be fondly remembered by those whose lives you’ve touched. Gone too soon. Rest in peace Tim,” she wrote.

Alaric Tay

"I remember… your gentle nature… your kind demeanour… your laughter. Rest easy brother.” Alaric wrote in his caption.

Sora starred alongside Timothy in This Land Is Mine. She wrote in an IG Story: “Too sudden. Been trying to accept the fact of your passing Tim. You were definitely one of the most passionate actor I’ve [worked] with. RIP Tim.

“I may not know him, and have not [gotten] to be in the same production but definitely have seen his works. Gone too soon. Rest well dear Sir,” Fauzie wrote, along with the hashtag “Life is fragile”.

Tay Ping Hui

“It's always sad when one of our own passes on. Timothy always had a ready smile and gentle touch for people around him. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP my friend,” Ping Hui wrote.

“Vale [Farewell] Tim. [Love] you. Tell someone you love them everyday. You will never know fi that would be the last time you say it,” Hossan Leong wrote.

Sharon, who’s currently in Japan, wrote: “Fuji san. How many glorious sunsets have you seen? How do you remain stoic and calm? Rest in peace. Tim”.

She later made a post on Instagram, sharing a video of her performing the song 'In A Heartbeat' with Timothy at 2011's National Day Parade.

"Still processing the sudden passing of a very talented and gentle soul. I wish there was a chance to bid a proper farewell. Too many words unsaid. Rest In Peace Tim. My deepest condolences to your beautiful family. Lois, Rina, Hannah and Laura," she wrote in her caption.