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Rayson Tan
Rayson Tan
from Wikipedia

Rayson Tan Tai Ming (born 12 January 1965) is a Singaporean actor.

Key Information

Career

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Before joining MediaCorp, Tan worked as a flight attendant with Singapore Airlines.[1] In 1990, he emerged as the 2nd Runner-Up in Singapore's Star Search Singapore talent competition. He has worked on many different roles and hosted many TV programmes, including the role of Singaporean war hero Lim Bo Seng in the 1997 WWII drama series The Price of Peace[2] and the host for PSC Night in 2006.

In 1997, Tan was first nominated for the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes in the annual Star Awards and won it. He was also been nominated multiple times in the annual Star Awards, particularly for the "Best Supporting Actor" award category. He also appeared in the long-form drama, Life Less Ordinary.[3]

On 10 October 2024, Tan announced his end of contract with Mediacorp and would be a freelance actor.[4]

Personal life

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Tan married fellow MediaCorp actress Chen Liping in 1998. They have a son named Xavier, who was born in 2002.[5] In 2008, Tan and his wife embraced Christianity.[6]

Slim 10 saga

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In 2003, Tan was sued by fellow actor Andrea De Cruz in the Slim 10 pills saga. De Cruz began her court battle against the importers and distributors of diet pills that she says nearly caused her to die of liver failure. De Cruz was seeking damages for injuries she alleged were caused by the drug and to cover the cost of her liver transplant surgery and treatment against the pill's against Health Biz, the importer and distributor of Slim 10 diet pills and also Tan, who sold the pills to her. Tan was later cleared while the distributors were forced to compensate her. He was acquitted of the charges in the lawsuit.[7]

Filmography

[edit]

Television series

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref
1991 Behind Bars (铁狱雷霆) Zhenfei’s colleague Cameo
Golden Shenton Way (金色珊顿道) Fang Shunhua [4]
The Woman I Marry (家有恶妻) Raymond Wang Zhilong
Home Sweet Home (宜家宜乐)
1992 Ladies In Action (霹雳红唇) Shuai Jiamming
My Buddies (浪漫战场) Tan Qiang
Mystery II (迷离夜II之不死咒) Wang Liyang
Mystery II (迷离夜II之魔鬼魔鬼我爱你) Jiang Hua
1993 Angel of Vengeance (暴雨狂花) Prosecutor Cameo
Reaching For The Stars (银海惊涛) Qiu Wenlong
The Invincible Warriors (皇朝铁将金粉情) Duo Ling Ying Ming
Ouyang Ming
Web of Deceit (鹤啸九天) Mu Rong Tian Feng
1994 The Valiant On (昆仑奴) Shi Chaoyi
Truly Yours (聪明糊涂心) Hu Shaofeng
1995 Heavenly Ghostcatcher (天师钟馗之杨贵妃) Tang Xuanzong
Heavenly Ghostcatcher (天师钟馗之江山美人) Emperor Zheng De
King Of Hades (阎罗传奇) King Of Hades
Tales Of The Third Kind (第三类剧场) He Zicong
1996 Ah Xue (阿雪) Li Weiguang
A Different Life (妈姐情缘) Zhou Qi'an
River Of Love (风雨柴船头) Jiang Zhonghan
1997 Courting Trouble (婚姻法庭) Ye Jie
Crimes And Tribulations (狮城奇案录之第一个上绞台的女人) Yuan Tianhong
The Price Of Peace Lim Bo Seng [8]
Roses, Complete With Thorns (单身女郎) Huang Wenli
1998 Men At The Crossroad (四个好涩的男人) Zhong Yongyi
Dreams (七个梦之不道德的梦) Fang Lixing
My Teacher, Aiyoyo! (哎哟哟奇妙假期) Huang Chaoren
Act 235 (刑事235) Ni Jun
Riding The Storm (陌生人) Wa Nahan
1999 From The Medical Files 2 (医生档案II之边缘回望) Deng Dasi
Lost Souls (另类佳人) Li Chaoran
A-gui
Hero of the Times Zhu Lingce
2000 The Tax File (流金岁月) Gao Tianlang
The Legendary Swordsman Liu Zhengfeng
2001 Master Swordsman Lu Xiaofeng 2 Hua Manlou
Three Women And A Half Ken Lim
Don't Worry, Be Happy VI (敢敢做个开心人VI) Zou Runfa Guest appearance
The Hotel Chen Yiming Guest appearance
2002 Katong Miss Oh (加东Miss Oh) Pity Bug
No Problem (考试家族) Bao Jinlu
2003 Love Is Beautiful (美丽家庭) Huang Leguan
Romance De Amour Wu Qipeng
2004 Double Happiness Huang Yaozu
Double Happiness II (喜临门II)
Timeless Gift (遗情未了) Zhong Ziliang
2005 Beyond The Axis of Truth II (法医X挡案II之致命吸引力) Simon Li Zijian
2006 The Undisclosed CK Chong
A Million Treasures Hong Dehua
2007 Happily Ever After Dong Huagong Cameo
The Homecoming Chen Hanyuan
2008 Just in Singapore Jian Hui
Love Blossoms Kang Qingxiong
Love Blossoms II
2009 Housewives' Holiday Bryan He
2010 Unriddle Andrew Kwan
The Family Court Shen Yi'an
2011 C.L.I.F. Yu Zhongnan
On the Fringe 2011 Yao Guohua
A Song to Remember Black Snake
2012 Double Bonus Liu Daqi
Joys of Life Yamaguchi
It Takes Two Zhang Yang
Beyond Chen Dayu Cameo
2013 I'm In Charge Director Yang
The Recruit Diaries (阿兵新传) Old Ah Ber Cameo
2014 Entangled (日落洞) Luo Dongfa
In The Name of Love Lu Zhiguang
Mystic Whispers (听) Luo Yongzhong
2015 Good Luck Fang Youda
Second Chance (流氓律师) Peter Qiu
Tiger Mum Ivan Eng
Super Senior Chen Guotai
The Dream Makers II Richard Ma
2016 Life - Fear Not Zhuang Daoqiang
2017 Home Truly Peng Dayu
Dream Coder Li Junheng
Legal Eagles Gu Tianlin
Eat Already? 3 Towkay Wang
Life Less Ordinary Wu Dazhi
2018 Reach For The Skies Tang Weiye
A Million Dollar Dream Zhou Yuzhe
VIC Ai Momo Cameo
Say Cheese Zhong Kelin
29th February (229 明天见) Xie Guangming
Heart To Heart (心点心) Liang Gui
2019 Its Time (阴错阳差 — 时辰到) Patrick
All Is Well - Singapore (你那边怎样,我这边OK) Peter
C.L.I.F. 5 Wang Shitong
2020 Happy Prince (快乐王子) Zhang Haoxiang
Super Dad (男神不败) Xu Yinghao
2021 My Star Bride Zhang Daqian
The Take Down (肃战肃绝) Zhang Yi
Leave No Soul Behind (21点灵) Serial Number 379
2022 My Star Bride - Hi, Mai Phương Thảo Zhang Daqian
The Unbreakable Bond (寄生) Frankie
Healing Heroes (医生不是神) Lim Fuquan
Dark Angel (黑天使) Lin Kaisen
Soul Doctor (灵医) Serial Number 379
2023 Mr Zhou's Ghost Stories@Job Haunting II Fortune-teller An
Shero Mr Yue Feihong [9]
The Sky is Still Blue
Till the End Xie Weiye [4]
2025 Emerald Hill - The Little Nyonya Story (小娘惹之翡翠山) Zhang Qiye Cameo

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Ref
2011 The Ultimate Winner Zheng Youyi
2022 Deleted Officer Su

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Ceremony Category Nominated work Result Ref
1997 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Won
1998 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2000 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2001 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2001 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor Three Women and A Half (as Ken) Nominated
2003 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2006 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor The Undisclosed (as Chong) Nominated
2007 Star Awards Top 10 Most Memorable Villains The Homecoming Won
2012 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor A Song to Remember (as Black Snake) Nominated [10]
Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2013 Star Awards Best Supporting Actor It Takes Two
(as Zhang Yang)
Nominated
2014 Asian Television Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role Entangled (as Luo Dongfa) Won
2017 Star Awards Best Evergreen Artiste Award Life - Fear Not (as Zhuang Daoqiang) Nominated [11]
2019 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2021 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2022 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated [12]
2023 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated
2024 Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes N/a Nominated

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Rayson Tan (born 12 January 1965) is a Singaporean renowned for his extensive in television dramas and films, spanning more than 30 years in the local entertainment industry. A former , Tan entered in 1990 after finishing as the second runner-up in the inaugural acting competition organized by the (now ). Over the years, he became a familiar face on channels, portraying diverse roles in popular series such as (1997), where he depicted World War II hero ; The Legendary Swordsman (2000); Unriddle (2010); and C.L.I.F. (2011). His performances earned him multiple nominations at the in 2012 and 2013, as well as a win for Best at the 19th in 2014 for his role in Entangled (2013). In October , after 34 years with , Tan transitioned to freelance acting to pursue greater flexibility and new opportunities in his career. Personally, he has been married to fellow actress since 1998, and the couple shares a son, Zavier, who is studying overseas as of 2025. In March 2025, Tan and Chen co-founded Reborn Glam, a aimed at creating local , marking a new chapter in their professional lives at age 60.

Early life

Birth and family

Rayson Tan was born on January 12, 1965, in . As a member of the Singaporean Chinese community, Tan grew up in a modest family environment with limited public details available about his parents and siblings. He was the youngest of three children, and his parents were illiterate, reflecting the socioeconomic conditions common among many working-class families in post-independence . During the and , Tan's childhood unfolded in a rental flat at Jalan Tenteram, a typical area at the time, where the family shared limited space without dedicated rooms and relied on communal facilities. This upbringing was shaped by the broader cultural influences of Singapore's multicultural , including exposure to Chinese-language media and community activities that fostered a sense of resilience and neighborhood camaraderie among Chinese families.

Pre-entertainment career

Prior to entering the entertainment industry, Rayson Tan worked as a for . This role, typical for many young seeking stable employment with the national carrier, involved serving passengers on international flights and navigating the demands of a fast-paced environment. Around 1990, Tan transitioned from to pursue aspirations, marking a pivotal shift in his professional path.

Acting career

Rayson Tan entered the Singapore industry in 1990 by participating in the inaugural Singapore talent competition organized by the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). At the age of 25, he competed against other aspiring performers and secured the second runner-up position, finishing behind winner and first runner-up Margaret Lee. This achievement marked a pivotal breakthrough, highlighting his potential as an and public performer. Immediately following the competition, Tan signed a contract with SBC, which later evolved into TCS and then , launching his professional career in the local television scene. Prior to this, he had worked as a for , a role that offered early exposure to public interaction and served as a stepping stone to on-camera performance. In the early , Tan focused on building his experience through minor acting roles in television dramas and hosting gigs on various programs, gradually establishing himself within 's ecosystem. These initial opportunities allowed him to hone his skills in front of the camera and adapt to the demands of scripted content and live presentations.

Mediacorp tenure

Rayson Tan joined in 1990 as a full-time following his second runner-up placement in the talent competition. His tenure spanned 34 years, during which he remained employed under the broadcaster—initially as Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), then Television Corporation of Singapore (TCS), and finally —until his ended on October 10, 2024. Throughout his career, Tan progressed from supporting roles in early dramas to prominent lead and character parts that showcased his versatility. His debut came in the 1991 series Golden Shenton Way, where he played a minor role, marking the beginning of his steady rise within Mediacorp's production slate. By the mid-1990s, he had transitioned to more substantial characters, including an upright police inspector in Ladies in Action (1992) and a suave swordsman in the period drama Web of Deceit (1994). This evolution continued into family-oriented narratives, such as the faithful husband in Courting Trouble (1997) and the eldest son in Portrait of Home (2005), reflecting his growing prominence in ensemble casts. A pivotal milestone occurred in 1997 when Tan portrayed the real-life World War II hero in the historical drama , a role that established his credibility in serious dramatic performances and remains one of his most recognized contributions to 's output. This portrayal, depicting 's resistance efforts during the , highlighted Tan's ability to embody complex historical figures and earned him acclaim for bringing depth to the character's patriotism and sacrifice. Over the subsequent decades, Tan's work extended into contemporary series, with his final project being the 2023 drama Till the End. Tan's roles across Mediacorp's local TV dramas evolved to mirror diverse aspects of an society, from wartime heroism and familial bonds to modern professional challenges, contributing to the broadcaster's tradition of storytelling rooted in national experiences. His portrayals often emphasized themes of resilience and community, as seen in later works like the police procedural C.L.I.F. (2011 onward), where he took on authoritative figures navigating urban life. This progression underscored his adaptability, allowing him to anchor narratives that resonated with evolving societal dynamics in .

Transition to freelance

After 34 years as a contracted artist with , Rayson Tan's employment contract concluded on October 10, 2024, marking the end of his long-standing tenure with the broadcaster. In an announcement shared on that day, Tan expressed his decision to transition to freelance acting, stating, "I now wish to pursue a lifestyle and work environment that better align with my current mindset." This move, at the age of 59, reflected his desire to step out of his comfort zone and gain greater autonomy over his professional path. Turning 60 in 2025, Tan elaborated in interviews that year on his motivations, emphasizing a renewed of control and in his amid Singapore's SG60 celebrations. He described the milestone age as "a ," noting, "my is in my hands, and I feel more in charge of the future," which allowed him to network independently and promote his work more actively rather than relying on a fixed agency structure. This shift aligned with broader reflections on personal renewal during SG60, where Tan highlighted Singapore's progress and themes of unity as inspiration for his own evolution. In the early stages of freelancing, Tan explored opportunities beyond Mediacorp's ecosystem, including co-founding Reborn Glam with his wife, actress , in March 2025. The initiative focuses on producing local and supporting events to inspire mental, physical, and social renewal, with Tan committing to staying "sharp in the professional, physical and mental spaces." He expressed optimism about collaborating with diverse production teams to create impactful work, signaling a broader scope for projects in the evolving entertainment landscape.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Rayson Tan married fellow Chen in 1998 after meeting on the set of the drama Golden Shenton Way. The couple opted for a low-key , keeping the private initially to maintain focus on their careers. Their son, Zavier, was born in 2002. The has largely kept a low profile, with Zavier pursuing undergraduate studies overseas and preferring not to publicize his parents' celebrity status. Public mentions of their life often highlight the challenges of balancing parenthood with demanding acting schedules, such as coordinating time around filming commitments. Tan and Chen have demonstrated mutual support throughout their careers, collaborating professionally in several TV dramas, including a 120-episode series in 2015. In recent years, they co-founded the production company Reborn Glam in March 2025 to manage their freelance work and create local digital content, allowing greater flexibility to align professional goals with family priorities. This partnership underscores their shared commitment to sustaining both their and industry presence.

Religious conversion

In June 2008, Rayson Tan attended a "Miracle Service" at a church in , alongside his wife, who had invited him out of curiosity about . Prompted by years of personal challenges, including a life marked by superstitions, constant fear, and a search for deeper purpose, Tan challenged to reveal Himself during the service, after which he experienced an unprecedented sense of peace and accepted Jesus Christ as his savior. Following his conversion, Tan became actively involved in church activities at Lighthouse Evangelism, where he was baptized later that year. His faith journey led him to publicly share his on multiple platforms, including during the Celebration of Hope events in 2019, emphasizing how freed him from long-held superstitions, vulgar language, and habits that had plagued him for over three decades. Tan has described this transformation as delivering him from a cycle of fear, stating, "Since 2008 till now—not even a single word." The adoption of profoundly influenced Tan's family life, with his son accepting Christ on the day of Tan's in October 2008, followed by his 80-year-old mother and 90-year-old mother-in-law. His stable to actress provided a supportive foundation during this period of spiritual change. Professionally, Tan's faith brought a renewed sense of purpose and joy, helping him navigate career ups and downs with greater resilience and a focus on using his platform as an to evangelize and inspire others post-2008.

Slim 10 saga

In 2002, Rayson Tan became embroiled in a major public health controversy as the director of TV Media Pte Ltd, the primary distributor of Slim 10, a weight-loss supplement marketed as 100% but later found to contain undeclared substances like , leading to numerous consumer complaints of severe side effects including liver damage. Tan personally supplied the pills to fellow actress , who developed after consumption and required an emergency liver transplant in April 2002. De Cruz filed a civil in June 2003 against Tan, along with importer Health Biz Pte Ltd, its CEO Semon Liu, and TV Media, alleging , , and misleading that contributed to her injuries. The dismissed all claims against Tan in October 2003, ruling that he had no beyond supplying the product as a colleague and ordering De Cruz to pay approximately S$187,000 of his legal costs in May 2004. In contrast, TV Media and Health Biz were held liable, with De Cruz initially awarded S$1.83 million in in October 2003, reduced to approximately S$1.63 million following an appeal by the companies in 2004; these financial settlements covered her medical expenses, lost income, and . The Slim 10 saga, which also involved the death of consumer Selvarani Raja in January 2002—ruled by the coroner to be caused by the pills—exposed critical lapses in product safety verification and underscored the legal and ethical responsibilities of endorsers and distributors to ensure claims are substantiated, prompting stricter regulations by Singapore's Health Sciences Authority on health supplements and celebrity endorsements thereafter.

Filmography

Television series

Rayson Tan has appeared in numerous television series produced by , spanning historical dramas, crime thrillers, and family sagas, with roles ranging from war heroes to complex antagonists. His television work from 1997 onward includes the following credits, listed chronologically.
YearTitleRole
1997
2000The Legendary SwordsmanLiu Zhengfeng
2010UnriddleAndrew Kwan
2011C.L.I.F.SSI Yu Chong Nam
2013EntangledLuo Dongfa
2021My Star BrideZhang Daqian
2024Not specified
2025Emerald Hill: The Little Nyonya StoryZhang Qi Ye
Additional appearances include C.L.I.F. 5 (2019) as DSP Wong Ser Tong and various supporting roles in series such as Heart to Heart (2018) and Happy Prince (2020), as documented in production credits.

Films

Rayson Tan has made notable contributions to Singaporean and regional cinema through supporting roles in a handful of feature , often portraying characters that blend dramatic depth with cultural or historical elements. His work, though limited compared to his extensive television career, highlights his versatility in genres ranging from horror to action-comedy and social drama. The following table lists his feature film credits chronologically:
YearTitleRoleNotes
2004The Eye 2GynaecologistMinor role in this Hong Kong-Singaporean directed by the , where he appears as a medical professional aiding the protagonist.
2011Petaling Street WarriorsSun Yat-senPortrayed the historical revolutionary leader (also known as Sun Zhongshan) in this Malaysian-Singaporean action-comedy set in 1908 , involving gang rivalries and .
2011The Ultimate WinnerZheng YouyiPlayed a key in this Singaporean drama exploring themes of gambling addiction and family struggles, contributing to the film's emotional narrative arcs.

Professional recognition

Awards

Rayson Tan received recognition early in his career at the 4th in 1997, where he was selected as one of the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes based on audience voting and industry popularity. In 2007, he won Top 10 Most Memorable Villains at the for his role in . A significant highlight came in 2014 at the 19th , where Tan won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Luo Dongfa in the drama Entangled. The award, presented during the ceremony in , honored his compelling depiction of a complex antagonist, and Tan described his elation backstage, noting that "the word 'happy' cannot even begin to describe how I feel."

Nominations

Rayson Tan has garnered multiple nominations at the for his supporting roles, reflecting his sustained impact in Singaporean television dramas during the 2010s. These recognitions underscore his versatility in portraying complex characters without securing wins in acting categories at this event. In 2012, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as a triad boss in . The following year, Tan received another nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category at the for his role as Zhang Yang in It Takes Two. Beyond local accolades, Tan was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a at the 18th in 2013 for It Takes Two, competing against regional talents such as and . Tan has also been frequently shortlisted for the Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes at the , with his first in 1997 marking an early highlight in his . For instance, in 2021, he was among the initial nominees for this popularity-based category.

References

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