Tan Qianhong

Tam Sin Hung (born August 28, 1931), birth name Tam Lai Ho, is a retired Hong Kong veteran actress and Cantonese opera singer. She was once signed to both TVB and ATV.

Biography

Early Career

Tam was born in Portuguese Macau in 1931 into an ordinary family; her parents worked in laundry and ironing. Her ancestral roots are in Xinhui District, Jiangmen, Guangdong. She studied under renowned Peking Opera teachers Fan Kuk Fa and Ng Sik Yi. She served as the second supporting actress to opera queen Fung Yim Fan for five years and was known for being hardworking and easy to get along with. Introduced by Tang Pik Wan and later recommended by Yam Kim Fai, she entered the Cantonese opera industry in 1944. Later, recommended by director Chow Si Luk, she starred in her film debut *Love Ghost of the Sea* (1953).

In 1961, she formed the sworn sister group "The Nine Sisters" with Yam Bing Yee, Chu Yat Hung, Kam Ying Lin, Hui Hing Hing, Lai Kwan Lin, Ying Lai Lai, Lee Heung Kam, and Leung So Kum. She retired temporarily from film in 1970 to care for her daughter but returned in 1987. During her early film years, she was often cast as flirtatious or sassy characters and appeared in around 160 movies.

TVB (1990–2001)

At the end of 1990, Tam joined TVB and took part in many classic sitcoms and dramas such as *The Tea House Family*, *Morning Sun*, and the hit drama *A Kindred Spirit*, working alongside Louise Lee, Nancy Sit, Lau Nam Kwong, Lai Suen, and Kwan Hoi San. She left TVB in late 2001, ending an 11-year relationship with the station.

ATV (2001–2004)

In 2001, she joined ATV and starred in various drama series including *A Mother’s Love*, *Answering Prayers*, *Lights of Million Homes*, and *Mom, I Really Love You*. She faded from the entertainment scene after 2004.

Residence & Family

• In December 1962, she settled in Yau Ma Tei, West Kowloon, living with her mother, uncle, and nephew.
• That winter, she moved from Bowring Street, Tsim Sha Tsui to Park Road in Mid-Levels, then purchased a new building near Lung Cheung Road in Kowloon Tong in 1964.
• She married police officer Lam Tak Keung at the Hong Kong Marriage Registry on December 1, 1962, and held a banquet in Tsim Sha Tsui that night.
• In 1966, she gave birth to her only daughter, Lam Fung Sum.
• In 1969, she opened "Hung Mui Restaurant" in Tsuen Wan on Castle Peak Road (now the site of HKEAA's Tsuen Wan Assessment Centre).
• After filming *The Three Assassins* in 1970, she retired to raise her daughter. She returned in 1987 with *Seven Year Itch* at the invitation of Chu Yat Hung.
• On August 29, 2015, her husband Lam Tak Keung died at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital at age 92 due to bacterial infection after gallbladder surgery.

Films

• Her younger brother, Mr. Tam Nam, worked as a producer under the film company Sun Yim Hung Films.

RTHK TV Dramas

• 2000: *Judgment: Legal Path*

Guest Appearances

• 1997: *TVB Anniversary Gala*
• 2018: *Celebrity Talk Show* (i-CABLE)
• 2019: *Drum & Gong Opera Party* (RTHK)

Theme Songs

• 1995:

 * "New Year Tribute" (with Nancy Sit, Yu Yeung, Lou Hing Fai, Pang Tsz Ching, Yuen King Dan, Yeung Ying Wai & Man Kit Wan)

• 1997:

 * "New Year Tribute" (*A Kindred Spirit* cast: Nancy Sit, Kwan Kwok Leung, Cheung Wai Yee, Tavia Yeung, Melvin Wong, Wai Ka Hung, Lam Yi Kei)

• 1999:

 * "New Year Tribute" (with Nancy Sit, Yu Yeung, Lou Hing Fai, Pang Tsz Ching, Yuen King Dan, Yeung Ying Wai & Man Kit Wan)

External Links

• [Hong Kong Barwo Association - Tam Sin Hung (archived)](http://www.hkbarwo.com/member.php?name=%E8%AD%9A%E5%80%A9%E7%B4%85)
• [Hong Kong Film Archive Record on Tam Sin Hung's Films (dead link)](http://ipac.hkfa.lcsd.gov.hk/ipac20/ipac.jsp?...%2F8%2F28-&index=NAMEBRP)
• ^{Copyright violation}
• [Tam Sin Hung - Still Shining at iatolife (archived)](http://www.iatolife.com/hklegend/PageDetails.action?pid=348)