Jack Neo
Neo in July 2016
Born (1960-01-24) 24 January 1960
State of Singapore
NationalitySingaporean
EducationTanjong Katong Secondary School
Occupations
  • Film director
  • film producer
  • screenwriter
  • host
  • comedian
  • actor
Spouse
Irene Kng
​
(m. 1990)​
Children4
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese梁志強
Simplified Chinese梁志强
Hanyu PinyinLiáng Zhìqiáng
Hokkien POJNiû Tì-Kiông

Jack Neo Chee Keong PBM (born 24 January 1960) is a Singaporean filmmaker, comedian and actor who was a full-time Mediacorp artiste from 1983 to 2003. In the 1990s and early 2000s, he was best known for his cross-dressing roles, as "Liang Po Po" (literally: "Granny Liang") and "Liang Xi Mei" (a woman homemaker in her 40s) in the long-running television comedy show Comedy Nite.

Since his debut as a feature film director, Neo has been one of the most commercially successful local directors[1] who has also met with some success in Malaysia and Taiwan. He has shown a penchant for franchise series films. His most critically acclaimed film is I Not Stupid, which satirizes Singapore's streaming educational system in 2002. Critics have commented that his films had too much product placement which he justified by stating the expensive cost of making movies in Singapore.[1]

Career

Neo wrote and acted in a comedy skit for Tanjong Katong Secondary School at the age of 14.[2][3][4]

Neo started his career on television in 1980 and became one of the most successful and recognisable celebrities in SBC for his comedic roles on both film and television. His two most notable cross-dressing roles on film and television are Liang Po Po and Liang Xi Mei, both skits in the long-running comedy variety show Comedy Nite. Neo made his directorial debut in That One No Enough (1999) and he set up his own artiste management company, J Team Productions, whose members include comedians Mark Lee and Henry Thia, where the trio worked together in Comedy Nite and also in movies such as Money No Enough, That One No Enough, Money No Enough 2 and Where Got Ghost?.

Neo's films satirise several aspects about Singapore in comical ways, including societal issues such as negligent parenting and school corporal punishment, and foreign issues such as the water disputes between Singapore and Malaysia. Apart from his film and TV career, Neo has also recorded and produced a number of albums.

Neo received the Best Director Award at the Silver Screen Awards in 1998 for his short film, Replacement Killers,[5] which led to him filming Hitman in the City in the same year as an extension of the original short film. Since then, he became a filmmaker and created his first film, Money No Enough, directed by Tay Teck Lock and released into cinemas on 7 May 1998. In 1989, Neo was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award in the following year in recognition of his contributions to Singapore's media industry. In 2004, Neo became the first filmmaker in Singapore to be honoured with the Public Service Medal.[6] He also received the Cultural Medallion on 21 October 2005 together with musician Dick Lee.[7]

In 2008, Neo and Mark Lee bought the Singapore master franchise rights for Old Town White Coffee, a coffee retail concept from Ipoh, Malaysia. Their first store at Big Splash opened on 30 March in that year.

In 2013, Neo announced the creation of J Team Academy, an educational institute which aimed to bring together industry experts to groom new film-making talent. The academy opened on 6 April 2013.[8] In September, Neo won the Best Actor award for his role in Homecoming (2011) at the 1st Golden Wau Awards, aimed at promoting Chinese-language Malaysian films.[9]

In October 2014, the Madame Tussauds Singapore museum unveiled a wax figure of Neo.[10]

2015 saw the release of Neo's short film as part of the omnibus 7 Letters to commemorate Singapore's 50th year of independence.[11] Malaysian censors took offence with Neo's segment when it was submitted to them for a screening at Kuala Lumpur's Titian Budaya Festival. They initially requested a cut to the vulgar phrase in Cantonese, “curse your whole family”, but a successful appeal was made by organisers, CultureLink.[12]

Neo released the first two parts of his planned four-part film on the transition from village life to government housing in the first quarter of 2016, Long Long Time Ago and Long Long Time Ago 2.[13]

Personal life

Neo married Irene Kng in 1990 and have three sons and a daughter.[14]

In March 2010, a two-year-long extramarital affair between Neo and freelance model Wendy Chong was publicised and Neo admitted to the affair. Chong, who played a minor role in Neo's 2008 film Money No Enough 2, claimed that Neo initiated the affair. Neo later attempted to end the affair but Chong threatened to hurt herself and the exposé caused much debate and discussion within Singapore.[15]

On 9 March 2010, additional reports were released about Neo having or attempting extramarital affairs with up to 11 women.[16] He tried to ask actress-host Foyce Le Xuan & French student Maelle Meurzec for sexual favours when she was working for him.[17][18] Foyce, who went to the same church as Neo, claimed that she was advised by her City Harvest Church pastor to cease talking to the media, as Neo's pastor was trying to counsel him and his wife after his affair became public.[19][20][21] On 11 March, Neo and Kng held a five-minute press conference, in which Neo admitted his mistake and asked the media to let him off.[22] After that, Kng reiterated her love for Neo and also requested for the media to spare her.[22]

Subsequently, his endorsement deal with Mitsubishi Electric Asia was dropped and TV advertisements featuring the director were taken off air. Other advertisers, such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Goh Joo Hin, initially adopted a "wait-and-see" attitude, but otherwise similarly dropped all endorsement deals.[23]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref
199712 StoreysAh GuActor [24]
1998 Replacement Killers Short film, Director [25]
Hitman in the City Direct to video, Director, Narrator, Cameo [25]
Money No EnoughChew Wah KeongWriter, Actor
1999Liang Po Po: The MovieLiang Po Po/Liang Xi MeiWriter, Actor
The MirrorJamesActor
That One No EnoughHong HaorenWriter, Director, Actor
2002I Not StupidMr. LiuWriter, Director, Actor
2003HomerunMr. Tan, Beng Soon's fatherWriter, Director, Cameo
2004The Best BetWriter, Director
2005I Do, I DoMember of Parliament NeoWriter, Director, Cameo
One More ChanceReporterWriter, Director, Cameo
2006I Not Stupid TooSteven YeoWriter, Director, Actor
2007Just Follow LawDoctorWriter, Director, Narrator, Cameo
2008Ah Long Pte LtdComposerWriter, Director, Cameo
Money No Enough 2Yang BaoqiangWriter, Director, Actor
2009Where Got Ghost?
Love MattersWriter, Director
2010Being HumanWaiterWriter, Director, Cameo
2011 The Ghosts Must Be CrazyExecutive Producer, Writer
HomecomingKaren NeoActor
2012We Not NaughtyWriter, Director
Ah Boys to MenWriter, Director
2013Ah Boys to Men 2Writer, Director, Cameo
Everybody's BusinessMan in toilet / Toilet announcement in Chinese (voice)Executive Producer, Cameo
2014The Lion MenWriter, Director
The Lion Men: Ultimate ShowdownWriter, Director
2015Ah Boys to Men 3: FrogmenWriter, Director, Cameo
My Papa RichPokok LimActor
7 Letters - Segment "That Girl"Writer, Director
2016Long Long Time AgoWriter, Director, Cameo [26]
Long Long Time Ago 2Writer, Director
2017Take 2Executive Producer
The Fortune HandbookExecutive Producer
Lucky BoyExecutive Producer, Cameo
Ah Boys to Men 4Writer, Director
2018Wonderful! Liang Xi MeiLiang Xi Mei / Liang Po PoWriter, Director, Actor
2019Make It Big BigHimselfCameo
Killer Not StupidWriter, Director
When Ghost Meets Zombie"Mr Perfect" audition judgeCameo
2020The Diam Diam EraWriter, Director
2021The Diam Diam Era TwoWriter, Director
2022Ah Girls Go Army Mr SeeWriter, Director, Cameo [27][28]
Ah Girls Go Army AgainWriter, Director
DeletedWu HaisenActor
2023The King of Musang KingWang Mao ShanWriter, Director, Actor
2024Money No Enough 3Ah QiangWriter, Director, Actor
I Not Stupid 3Writer, Director

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000 Liang Ximei S1 & S2 (再见梁细妹 S1 & S2) Liang Ximei
2001The Return Of Liang Popo (梁婆婆重出江湖)Liang Po Po
2002The Return Of Liang Ximei (笑傲江湖梁细妹)Liang Ximei
2016HeroLiang Po PoCameo

Variety shows

YearTitleRoleRef
1990-2000
2003-2004
2006		 Comedy Nite (搞笑行动) Host, co-host with Moses Lim, Liang Popo , Liang Ximei
2016Happy Can Already! Liang Ximei
2017 Happy Can Already! 2 Liang Ximei
Happy Can Already! 3Liang Ximei
2018Happy Can Already! 4Liang Popo

Discography

Drama soundtracks

Year Drama title Song title Notes
2014118夠力夠力Opening theme song
2018Say Cheese喜剧收场Opening theme song

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
1988 Silver Screen Awards Best Director Replacement KillersWon [5]
1997Star AwardsSpecial Achievement Award—Won
1998Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes—Top 10
1999Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes—Top 10
2000Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes—Top 10
2001Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes—Top 10
2002Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes—Top 10
2003Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes—Top 10
2013Golden Wau AwardsBest actorHomecomingWon[9]
2016Star AwardsBest Theme Song118Nominated
2018Star AwardsTop 10 Most Popular Male Artistes—Top 20

References

  1. 1 2 "Jack Neo responds to critiques about constant product placement in his films". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  2. ↑ Walsh, Bryan (1 April 2002). "Neo is the One". TIME Asia magazine. Archived from the original on 20 December 2005. Retrieved 25 November 2006.
  3. ↑ "Socio-Political Commentary in the films of Jack Neo". Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2007.
  4. ↑ "Jack Neo – Tanjong Katong schoolboy". Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 8 March 2009.
  5. 1 2 Lee, Shu Hui (28 September 1998). "Hitman No Enough for Neo". The Straits Times. pp. L3.
  6. ↑ "Recipients of The Public Service Medal". Prime Minister's Office Singapore. 2004. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "The rise and fall of Jack Neo". Asiaone.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  8. ↑ "Jack Neo starts programme to groom film-making talent". News.asiaone.com. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  9. 1 2 Loy, Vincent. "Malaysia's 1st Golden Wau Awards 2013". Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  10. ↑ Singh, Bryna (26 October 2014). "Readers vote: Which Madame Tussauds Singapore wax figure looks most like the real McCoy?". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  11. ↑ Chan, Boon (20 August 2014). "One film for Singapore's 50th year from seven top local directors, including Eric Khoo and Jack Neo". Singapore Press Holdings. The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  12. ↑ Chua, Genevieve (4 January 2016). "Malaysian censors take issue with Singapore films". MediaCorp. TODAY. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  13. ↑ Goh, Marcus (25 March 2016). "Interracial marriage, slapping and dangerous fireworks in 'Long Long Time Ago 2'". Yahoo. Yahoo Singapore. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  14. ↑ "Jack Neo posts retro wedding photos for 31st marriage anniversary". AsiaOne. 25 November 2021. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "Model exposes affair with S'pore director Jack Neo". Archived from the original on 8 March 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2010.
  16. ↑ "Jack Neo involved with 11 women". AsiaOne. 9 March 2010. Archived from the original on 23 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  17. ↑ "French girl spills on Neo". Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  18. ↑ "French girl is latest to claim Jack Neo hit on her. And she was only 16". The New Paper. 12 March 2010. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  19. ↑ "I did not mean to hurt anyone". Asiaone. 11 March 2010. Archived from the original on 14 March 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  20. ↑ "Foyce makes police report". AsiaOne. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 22 March 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  21. ↑ "Boomz Award: Foyce Le Xuan". Asiaone. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011.
  22. 1 2 Foong Woei Wan (12 March 2010). "He sobs, she collapses: Neo and wife face the press". The Straits Times (Singapore).
  23. ↑ "Jack Neo loses Mitsubishi Electric endorsement deal". Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  24. ↑ "Grasping at Singaporean Malaise, '12 Storeys' Is an Outstanding Family Drama Still Relevant 20 Years On". Sinema.SG. 4 August 2020. Archived from the original on 9 January 2023. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  25. 1 2 Lee, Shu Hui (28 September 1998). "Hitman No Enough for Neo". The Straits Times. pp. L3.
  26. ↑ Han, Wei Chou (29 May 2015). "Jack Neo unveils cast of new film Long Long Time Ago". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  27. ↑ Lee, Jan (29 September 2021). "Jack Neo's Ah Girls Go Army coming for Chinese New Year 2022". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  28. ↑ "Jack Neo is making Ah Boys To Men spin-off called Ah Girls Go Army". CNA. 30 September 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
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