Jul 21, 2022
Lydia Tin Ha Sum's 77th Birthday
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle celebrates the 77th birthday of Lydia Tin Ha Sum, one of Hong Kong’s most beloved comedians. Affectionately known as “Fei Fei” (which means “Fat Fat” in Cantonese), as well as “Happy Fruit”, the Shanghai-born actress is a household name in Chinese communities around the world who brought laughter and positive energy through her shows.
Sum was born on this day in 1945. She began her career as a teen actress working for the Shaw Brothers Studio, the largest production company in Hong Kong at the time. In 1967, she landed her breakout role as the emcee for a popular variety show called “Enjoy Yourself Tonight.”
Soon after, she starred in the popular Cantonese film, “The House of 72 Tenants,” which follows the lives of residents in a run-down apartment. Sum’s realistic portrayal of working-class women struck a chord with theater-goers. The film surpassed blockbuster films, topping Hong Kong’s box office in 1973.
Sum went on to play a similar role in “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World,” a four-part blockbuster comedy about an impoverished family in search of wealth. A powerful commentary on social inequality, the classic film series continues to drive conversation in the media today.
Beyond Hong Kong, Sum also starred in Singapore's English-language sitcom,“Living with Lydia,” which won her Best Comedy Performance at the Asian Television Awards in 2003.
Happy 77th birthday, Lydia Sum! Your films and television shows still bring laughter and joy to Chinese communities all over the world.
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