Elizabeth "Liza" Wang Ming-chun GBS SBS (born 28 August 1947), is a Hong Kong diva, actress and MC. She is a personality in Chinese-speaking communities. She has been nicknamed "The Big Sister" in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.Xinhuanet. "Xinhuanet ". Fans jam-pack Liza Wang's free concert. Retrieved on 10 March 2008. Wang was a delegate in the National People's Congress from 1988 to 1997, and she is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.Cityu.edu.hk "Cityu.edu.hk ". 城大將頒授榮譽博士學位予四位領袖. Retrieved on 10 March 2008.
Entertainment career Wang was born on 28 August 1947 in Shanghai. She moved to Hong Kong in 1956 and signed up for Rediffusion Hong Kong's first Artist Academy class in 1967. From thousands of applicants, the 20-year-old Liza was one of the nine that were picked to attend acting classes. She was also the first to graduate from the academy (BA).
Television Her career has spanned four decades, since 1967. She began working for Rediffusion Television Limited (later renamed Asia Television and now defunct) until she joined TVB in 1971. She was one of the members of the all-girl music group Four Golden Flowers.Television Broadcasts Limited TVB – Lydia Shum exclusive – 東張西望之永恆的開心果 – 肥姐 – 21 Feb 2008. Wang initially made her mark in the entertainment industry in drama series. Her work in front of the camera was followed by that behind the scenes on television productions.
In 2005, she received the Best Actress award during TVB's 38th Anniversary. She received this award the second time for her role in Wars of In-laws. Wang received her first Best Actress award for her drama series The Awakening Story in 2001. She celebrated her 40th anniversary in the entertainment industry in 2007.
Singing career In parallel with her acting career Wang had a successful singing career, based on albums for her television series, consisting of TV theme songs. She has sung cantopop as well as mandopop. She performed duets with singer Adam Cheng. She continues to perform TV theme songs such as "Pearl of the Orient" () for musical series like the 2006 Glittering Days.First for Music News. "NME". Liza Wang videos. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
Cantonese opera
Wang experimented with stage musicals before becoming a Cantonese opera actress. It was within the Cantonese opera community that she met her longtime partner, Law Kar-ying. In 2005 the Sunbeam Theatre in North Point, Hong Kong's only regular venue for Cantonese Opera performances, was planned to close following a change of ownership. Wang decided to negotiate with the new owner, who then promised to extend the contract with the Cantonese Opera groups. Wang then criticized the Government for its lack of support for Cantonese Opera, and the Government promised to adopt Wang's request.
Wang was Chairman of the Chinese Artist Association of Hong Kong from 1992 to 1997, then again from 2005 to 2009. In 2007 Wang was awarded the Montblanc de la Culture Arts Patronage Award. She was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by the City University of Hong Kong.
In February 2009 Wang fought for the development rights to restore the North Kowloon Magistracy building () in Sham Shui Po.The Standard HK. "The Standard.com". Retrieved on 13 March 2009. The building was originally proposed to be a new Cantonese opera training and performance center. Hong Kong's government granted the bid to the US Savannah College of Art and Design. Wang was upset over the loss, and said the government was only paying lip service to causes such as Cantonese opera. The magistracy building is to be turned into a school specializing in creative and digital media."Yahoo ". 八和落選 汪明荃轟黑箱作業 Retrieved on 13 March 2009
Political career
Pan-democrat home return permits request Since the 1997 handover of Hong Kong, the Chinese Communist Party have banned 8 of the 25 Hong Kong pan-democrat legislative councilors. They are barred from the mainland except for tours organized by the government.Scmp. "Scmp ". End democrats' travel ban, delegate urges. Retrieved on 10 March 2008. On 6 March 2008 Wang began publicizing the need to grant 24 Home Return Permit to the pro-democracy lawmakers.The standard HK. "The standard HK ". Wang in Big step on home permits. Retrieved 10 March 2008.The standard HK. "The standard HK ". TV star hopes home visits can turn democrats into patriots Retrieved on 10 March 2008
Government Committee On Apr 29, 2020, The Hong Kong SAR announced the appointments to the Cantonese Opera Advisory Committee which aims to promote the development of Cantonese opera, facilitating the transmission of this world intangible cultural heritage item, for the period from May 1, 2020, to April 30, 2022. HKSAR. 2020-04-29 Wang is one of the members.
2008 Beijing Olympics Wang mentioned that it was good timing to invite the democrats to enter mainland China in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Pro-Beijing party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong member Tam Yiu Chung responded that the Olympics was not a good reason for changing what the central government used to do. Her concerns baffled her colleagues in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Democrat member Albert Ho said the issue of a home visit permit was such a rightful thing. It has never been mentioned by any politician but a performer. He appreciates Wang's efforts. Wang is a member, but not a standing committee member of the CPPCC.
Community work Wang is also known for her philanthropic work, such as donating medical supplies during COVID-19 supply shortages, assisting with distributing funds to Cantonese opera performers affected by the pandemic and donating a portion of ticket sales towards Ren Ci Hospital, where nursing and rehabilitative activities are provided for the elderly and underprivileged. Within Hong Kong, she has also been an MC hosting TVB telethons for Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and many other charities.
Wang, being a two-time cancer survivor (first thyroid then breast cancer), decided to be an executive committee member of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society. A series of informative radio talk shows on RTHK was also hosted where medical specialists were invited to discuss the many types of cancer. She has helped raise charities, awareness and funding for cancer patients. Recently a free concert was given at Tin Shui Wai for 4,500 residents; the concert was filled to capacity and hundreds were turned away. The crowd prevented guest performers like Miriam Yeung and Denise Ho from arriving on time. Denise Ho ascribed the audience overflow to Wang's popularity.
Personal life Wang was married to businessman Lau Cheong Wah from 1971 to 1983 and they remain good friends. In the late 1980s, she met Law Kar-ying, openly acknowledged as her partner for over twenty years, and whom she married on 2 May 2009 in Las Vegas. Being a native Shanghainese, Wang speaks fluent Shanghainese and has always identified as a Shanghainese.
The nickname of "Wang Ah-Tag" owing to social media usage In recent years, Wang has increased her usage in social media. However, upon uploading the photos with others, she has been handwriting the names of others on the photos. These handwritings have been occasionally described as "Wang Ah-Tag".
Filmography Television series Year Title Role 1974 Eternal Spring永恆的春天Mao Yuin Yuin 1975 The Golden Chrysanthemum金葉菊Chow Yuk Sin Lady with the Lute趙五娘Zhiu Ng Niong Legend of the Purple Hairpin紫釵記Fok Siu Yuk 1976 The Legend of the Book and the Sword書劍恩仇錄 Fok-ching-tung 1977 A House Is Not a Home家變Lok Lam 1978 The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber倚天屠龙记 Chiu Man 1979 Over the Rainbow天虹 Leung Pui-yee Chor Lau-heung楚留香 Shum Wai-san 1980 Yesterday's Glitter京華春夢Ho Yin-chau The Shell Game千王之王 Tam Siu-tong 1981 Young's Female Warrior楊門女將Muk Gui-yin穆桂英 The Shell Game II千王群英會 Tam Siu-tong 1982 Love and Passion萬水千山總是情Chong Mung-deep 1984 Qiu Jin: A Woman To Remember秋瑾Qiu Jin秋瑾 1999 At the Threshold of an Era 創世紀 Fong Kin-ping 2000 At the Threshold of an Era II 創世紀 II Fong Kin-ping 2001 The Awakening Story婚前昏後 Lam Ho Suet 2004 Blade Heart血薦軒轅 Tong Bik 2005 Wars of In-Laws我的野蠻奶奶Hei Tap-Lap Shek Lan The Unforgettables 名曲滿天星 2006 When Rules Turn Loose識法代言人Suen Man-Yee Glittering Days東方之珠Gam Yin 2008 Wars of In-Laws II野蠻奶奶大戰戈師奶 Gwo Bik When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West 東山飄雨西關晴 Chong Fung-yi 2010 OL Supreme Lui Siu-fung 2010–2011 Home Troopers居家兵團Lai Ka-ka 2011 Super Snoops荃加福祿壽探案 Sun Chiu-tung 2012 Divas in Distress巴不得媽媽Sheung Ying-hung 2014 Come On, Cousin Herself 2015 Limelight Years Wah Fong-ying Master of Destiny Kwan Yeuk-nam 2018 Heart and Greed Heung Ching Yi My Ages Apart Sheung Hing Chong 2019 Flying Tiger II
Films 1969 Singing Darlings 1980 Miss Not Home 197i The Sausage Chase 1979 Full Moon Scimitar 2015 ATM
Liza Wang at chinesemov.com
Accolades Awards YearAwardCategorySeriesResult1999TVB Anniversary AwardsAll-Time Most Memorable Female Leading RolesA House is not a Home2000TVB Anniversary AwardsMy Favourite Television CharacterAt the Threshold of an Era II2001TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressThe Awakening StoryMy Favourite Television Character2005TVB Anniversary AwardsBest ActressWars of In-Laws2010TVB Anniversary AwardsBest HostFun With Liza and Gods2015Starhub TVB AwardsBest ActressLimelight YearsBest HostSunday Songbird
Honors Silver Bauhinia Star (2004) TVB Best Actress (2001, 2005) RTHK Gold Needle Award (2005) Mont Blanc de la Culture International Award (2007)
References
External links
Official Liza Wang web-site Official Liza Wang Forum
! colspan="3" style="background:#DAA520;" | TVB Anniversary Awards
! colspan="3" style="background:#DAA520;" | RTHK Top 10 Chinese Golden Songs Award