Yan Guoliang
Johnny Ngan Kwok Leung (17 May 1953 – 25 May 2024) was a Hong Kong actor and television host. He trained in the 8th class of the Shaw Brothers’ Nam Kok Experimental Theatre and later became a presenter and performer on Rediffusion and TVB. He retired from full‑time acting in 2008 and later taught Zhao Po Tai Chi under his own “Johnny Ngan Zhao Po Tai Chi Association.”
Early life
Johnny Ngan was born in Hong Kong as the youngest child. His father taught English and Bible at Ying Wah College and at a secondary school in Kwai Chung. He attended primary boarding school in Macau and later studied Form 2 at Ying Wah College before leaving school at age 14. He then joined Shaw Brothers’ 8th class alongside colleagues such as Ti Lung and Paul Chun.
Broadcasting career
After a year at Shaw Brothers, Ngan trained as a radio announcer at Radio Television Hong Kong (RTK) and later worked at Commercial Radio. He also served as an auxiliary police officer and then a full‑time police constable before returning to acting in 1979 as a contract actor.
Television career
In 1981 Ngan joined TVB and gained fame as Chan Chak in the sitcom series “Hong Kong ’81–’86.” He continued to appear in popular series such as “Enjoy Yourself Tonight,” “Seasons,” “Triumph in the Skies,” “Virtues of Harmony,” and “Heart of Greed.” He left TVB in 2008 and focused on his Tai Chi school and pet food business.
Illness and death
In 2022 Ngan was diagnosed with vocal‑cord squamous cell carcinoma, which later recurred in 2023. He underwent radiotherapy and resumed occasional public appearances. On 25 May 2024, Ngan died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital from pneumonia secondary to cancer. He was 71.
Personal life
Ngan married former actress Poon Kit‑Ching in 2022 after over 40 years together. He was a smoker from age 13 until his death and enrolled in the University of Hong Kong’s body‑donation program, though his remains were declined due to weight requirements.
Selected filmography
Television (TVB)
- 1981–1986: Hong Kong ’81–’86 series as Chan Chak
- 1987: Seasons as Tong Ka‑wai
- 1995–1999: Triumph in the Skies as Chan Tai‑Shing
- 2000: Below the Lion Rock as Chun Hoi‑King
- 2001–2005: Virtues of Harmony as Sek Tai‑Chuen
- 2006: Heart of Greed as Fung Ying‑Chun
- 2017: Casino Players as Village Chief
- 2018: Protection God: Insurance Investigator as Inspector Chan
- 2018: VR Demon Exorcist as Uncle Tat (ViuTV)
Television (Rediffusion)
- 1979: Wonder Woman as Police Officer
- 1980: Six Wonders of Life as Lawyer Ngan
- 1981: Big Coma as Lawyer Kwong
- 1981: Nüwa Operation as Assassin
Film
- 1970: Starlight
- 1981: Love for Money
- 1983: Crazy ’83 as Chan Chak
- 1987: A Plan Continued as Sergeant Luk
Voice roles
- 2007: Fantastic Mr. Fox as Mr. Black Hat
- 2010: The Princess and the Frog as Dr. Facilier